SMSPortal is pleased to announce the launch of its 2017 Software Development Internship Program. Now in its fourth year, the two-week paid internship consistently attracts exceptional students from leading universities across South Africa. This year, SMSPortal expects to receive more than 1,000 applications for four placements in its Cape Town headquarters.  

During the internship program, which runs over the June/July break, students train with experienced staff who help develop skills and interests beyond university. Interns have the opportunity to learn firsthand about the organisation, get experience in real-world software development, will apply the theory they’ve learnt, and work with the SMSPortal team which specialises in multithreaded highly-scalable services.  

Charles Stretch, co-founder and MD of SMSPortal says: "We are proud of the reputation that our internship program has earned over the years and of SMSPortal’s ability to attract such remarkable talent. Investing in software development is an important goal of our management committee, and we are committed to providing additional training and educational opportunities for all of our employees. This is an exciting time for SMSPortal, and we are enthusiastic about our role in preparing the next generation of software developers." 

The internship pays R7,500 for the two weeks, includes free transport to Cape Town and free accommodation near SMSPortal’s Century City offices for the duration of the internship.  

To apply for an SMSPortal internship, visit: http://www.smsportal.co.za/#!careers

Consumers will soon be able to opt-out of unwanted SMS communication from insurance companies thanks to a draft replacement of the Policyholder Protection Rules (PPRs) by the Financial Services Board (FSB).

Speaking in a recent interview, Lezanne Botha, a senior specialist for the Insurance Regulatory Framework department at the FSB said: “There is existing consumer-protection legislation in place in the form of the Consumer Protection Act. But it's important to bear in mind that the Consumer Protection Act does not apply to insurers.  

“It can be said that financial services industries should be held to a higher standard of consumer protection than other industries, because of the risks and the failures in that these products can actually impose considerable hardships for consumers.”  

When the new regulations come into effect, estimated to be June 2017, the South African insurance industry will be in-line with international standards. “This is fantastic news for consumers,” remarks SMSPortal MD, Charles Stretch. “The CPA protects consumers against unwanted SMS, currently there isn’t anything to stop insurance companies sending unwanted direct marketing.”  

The draft states:  

13.10 Unwanted direct marketing

13.10.1 An insurer or any person acting on its behalf must afford a policyholder to whom it markets a policy through a mobile phone voice or text message the right to demand during or within a reasonable time after the message that the insurer or person acting on its behalf desist from initiating any such further messages or any other communication.  

13.10.2 An insurer or any person acting on its behalf may not charge a policyholder a fee or allow a mobile phone service provider to charge a policyholder any fee for making a demand in terms of 13.10.1.  

Upon implementation, all insurers will need to send SMS communication from a reverse billed number. “This means when consumers reply STOP to an unwanted SMS the sender of the initial SMS, in this case the insurance company, is charged for the SMS, not the consumer,” advises Stretch.  

Botha in her interview also said: “Until the effective date if a policyholder gets these calls or SMSs they have to be afforded – by the insurer or the person contacting them on behalf of the insurer – the right to opt out. So, if you received a mobile phone voice message or a text message, the insurer has to afford you the right to demand, during or within a reasonable time after receiving such a message, that they must desist from any further marketing messages. They may also not charge you for making use of that right.”    

It’s easy for Pay-As-You-Go mobile subscribers and those without itemised billing to be unaware of the charge being applied to their account. Until the PPR are in place, consumers might see a charge on their bill to opt-out of unwanted insurer communication, but post implementation consumers shouldn’t see a charge. “If you have been wrongfully charged,” adds Stretch, “or would like to seek advice, consumers should speak to WASPA, the Wireless Application Service Providers Association.”  

You can listen to the full interview with Lezanne Botha here: http://today.moneyweb.co.za/article?id=644423#.WJsldBhh18f

Software development isn’t just about data structures, algorithms and measuring computation complexity. It’s about problem-solving, connecting people, improving business processes, and being commercially savvy.

SMSPortal has just taken on four interns for software engineers, and Brett Skinner, SMSPortal’s software development manager has noticed something they all seem to have in common, and might be an indication that a computer science degree and career as a software engineer might be for you. “Our interns have an eagerness to learn,” comments Skinner. “They come with fresh ideas from university and combine it with what they can learn from our experience, and create new and novel solutions to problems that we need to solve.”

So what are the signs, according to Brett Skinner, that a job in software engineering is for you?

You're a problem-solver Intern Lodewyk van der Westhuizen says “I love solving puzzles, and the message I had to decipher to apply attracted me – and I cracked the puzzle – that’s a huge sense of achievement.” And that’s just it. Many will tolerate problems without looking to solve them, but if you enjoy the challenge of solving problems, and understand the importance of timeframes and budgets in a commercial environment, then that's a sign you could be suited to software development. 

You like computer games Gaming can be good for you, especially games of strategy. These types of games, such as chess, help hone your ability to make decisions whilst taking into account short and long-term consequences.  Even 3D shooters contribute to a brain that likes to solve engineering problems.  The shoot-em-up style of games work in a 3D space and help your ability to visualize problems and their solutions.

You are able to convey your message You are able to get your point across by making logical and well-structured arguments. This skill is vital in teamwork and big problems often take teams to solve.

You are creative Do you get a sense of satisfaction from building something? In the digital world your constraints are different to those in the physical world.   When coding, you have to deal with time and space constraints.

You like the theory Knowing what has come before, helps you to avoid re-inventing the wheel. A solid computer science background is an important aspect of a software engineer’s skillset. By knowing what others have discovered, allows you to use their ideas correctly and build on them.

You’re a team player Coding is collaborative. By working together, you shake out bugs, and refine code to create something which adds value to a business and its customers. For this reason, prospective software engineers need to enjoy working together, and able to feedback and improve the team’s work.

You have a love-hate relationship with technology You love seeing what is new and what has been made possible. But hate that we are not further and always yearn for more. 

Software development in business exists to support the business, its activities, and to help change the way a company performs. SMSPortal continually looks to source talent for its growth. Each year, SMSPortal offers four, two-week paid internships to third-year students at its Cape Town offices.

If you are thinking of a career in software development, SMSPortal’s always looking for new talent for its internships, keep an eye open for the next opportunity. 

Written and distributed for SMSPortal by Sapphire Street. For more information please call Kimberley Clare Ogden on 076 321 8918 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Notes to Editors Established in 2002, SMSPortal has grown to be South Africa’s leading bulk SMS provider with direct links to national and international cellular networks.

Based in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, SMSPortal has the leading SMS gateway as well as offering: bulk SMS purchasing and sending, long and short code numbers, short code keywords and an international service. 

SMSPortal has fostered long-term relationships and forged a reputation built upon a carefully developed, user friendly, reliable, high capacity, online SMS platform. Clients include: well-known retail banks, and clothing stores and supermarkets.