September 17, 2007

Purdue to test text messaging Sept. 24

Researchers will send a text message to a broad cross section of the campus at about 11:25 a.m. to analyze message speed and dependability. It is believed to be the first test designed to generate independent data.

Those who register for the test also will receive future emergency text messages from the university concerning issues of public safety.

More than 7,200 cell phone users have signed up to receive the messages, but more are needed, said Scott Ksander, Purdue's executive director of information technology networks and security.

Purdue students, faculty and staff can register online at https://www.purdue.edu/securepurdue, click on "Change Your Password," enter their career account name and password, and then select the "Emergency Contact Information" link.

Those who register by Friday (Sept. 21) will receive an e-mail communication next weekend telling them exactly what to expect for the Monday test. They will be asked to respond to the text message so researchers will have a time stamp on when each individual received the text.
The university is conducting the research to learn what works well, what doesn't and what to include in their request for proposals to vendors.

Testing is complex, Ksander said, because of a number of variables, such as the various phone services users choose, cell tower availability, cell signal coverage and traffic volume. Compounding the challenge is the fact that there are more than 50 companies offering this service.

"We know we can very quickly send a message, but the question is how long will it take the vender to deliver it?" he said. "Some promised to deliver 18,000 messages per minute, but the only proven record was 200-300 per minute.

"Having good, independent data will help us choose the best system, and even to refine it."
The research findings also will be shared with others who are contemplating similar purchases.

"These kinds of services can be very expensive, and it is important to make an informed decision," Ksander said. "Some of the systems we have seen cost in excess of $300,000 a year plus $8,000 for every time a text is sent to a campus of this size."

The university will only send emergency messages and will not share the cell phone list with others, Ksander said.

"We are well aware that there is a charge for receiving text messages," he said. "We expect that there might be only a handful of emergency text messages per semester."

Writer: Jeanne Norberg, (765) 494-2084, jnorberg@purdue.edu

Source: Scott Ksander, (765) 496-8289, ksander@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Journalists are invited to a news conference starting at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 24, at the Purdue University Police Department, located on Martin C. Jischke Drive, just south of State Street. Text messaging and its challenges will be explained, and Purdue's emergency notification plan also will be highlighted. Then at 11:25 a.m., a text will be sent from the police department. After the texts have been received, Scott Ksander and others will be available to talk to journalists.

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