With over 1,200 local councils using its specialized ERP system, FreSoft has always stood out for its ability to adapt to the needs of local government. However, one challenge persisted: how to make communication with citizens faster, more efficient, and fully digital? The answer came through the integration of Sendit’s SMS API into its solution, enabling automated SMS notifications directly from the ERP system, eliminating manual processes, and significantly increasing operational efficiency.
The Challenges
FreSoft is a company specialized in developing software solutions for local councils, with its flagship product being an ERP (a management system specifically designed for this sector). With over 30 years of experience and a market share of more than 50%, it is recognized for its continuous innovation and superior customer support.
However, many local councils still rely on traditional communication methods, such as postal mail and manual phone calls, to notify citizens about deadlines, payments, initiatives, and administrative procedures. This model presented several challenges:
- High costs of paper, printing, and postal mail.
- Excessive time spent by teams on repetitive, time-consuming tasks.
- Lack of fast and effective communication with citizens.
- Processes requiring multiple interactions and physical visits to the council offices to handle administrative formalities.
Given this reality, FreSoft sought to take another step in evolving its software, as explained by Paulo Esfola, the company’s Commercial Director: “At FreSoft, we are always attentive to the needs of our clients and want to ensure they have everything they need to make their daily work easier – all from a single, centralized platform. The modules in our ERP already cover the typical management requirements, but given the complex and time-consuming communication with citizens, we needed a proven solution that could support digital transformation and integrate seamlessly with our software.”
The Solution
FreSoft was looking for a technology partner capable of providing a reliable, intuitive communication solution that could be easily integrated. Due to its long-standing success in the market (20+ years) and aligned vision, Sendit was the ideal choice. Sendit’s multichannel platform is easy to use, with a robust and flexible API for automated SMS delivery and secure direct connections to all mobile operators.
The integration was completed in just a few hours, thanks to seamless collaboration between the technical teams of both companies. “It was a simple, well-documented process that allowed us to add even more value to our software. After evaluating various options, we found in Sendit the ideal solution to help modernize and streamline communication with citizens,” highlights Paulo Esfola.
Local councils now have two key options for communication, fully compliant with existing data protection laws:
1. Integration with FreSoft ERP and Virtual Counter – This transforms a simple SMS into a powerful communication tool, allowing automatic SMS notifications from the following FreSoft modules:
- Activity Management: e.g., sending MB References for invoice payments and overdue payment alerts.
- Citizen Services: e.g., sending MB References for administrative fees and notifying when documents are ready for pickup at service counters.
- Dog and Cat Registration: e.g., notifications regarding license renewal deadlines.
- Cemeteries: e.g., issuing renewal notices for concessions and sending MB References for payment of fees.
- Outdoor Advertising and Licensing: e.g., sending MB References for invoice payments, overdue payment alerts, and notifications regarding license renewal deadlines.
2. Sending SMS via the Sendit Web Platform – Recognized as the best SMS marketing platform on the market, it helps local councils maximize the potential of SMS as a direct and effective communication channel with citizens. It enables the creation of campaigns and the ability to send thousands of messages in seconds – with full autonomy, personalization, and control. Councils can track exactly who received an SMS and when, manage contacts, analyze results in detail, have multiple users on the account with different roles, and much more.
The Results
The partnership between FreSoft and Sendit has delivered tangible benefits for both local councils and citizens:
- Cost reduction: Digitalizing the process eliminates the need for physical mail, saving on paper, printing, and postage costs.
- Increased efficiency and productivity: Staff can focus on more strategic tasks rather than spending excessive time on manual communications and in-person services.
- Faster information delivery: Notifications reach citizens instantly, ensuring timely communication.
- Greater convenience: More citizens interact with local councils digitally, avoiding unnecessary costs and time wasted on travel.
- Higher citizen engagement: Providing solutions that keep residents informed about local initiatives quickly and efficiently through a familiar and widely used communication channel (SMS).
According to Paulo Esfola, “The integration of Sendit into FreSoft was undoubtedly a winning decision and has been highly valued by the local councils already leveraging this new ERP functionality. Councils can optimize operational management and improve services for the population. SMS is an accessible channel for everyone and ensures that information reaches its destination immediately, allowing for faster process resolution and greater satisfaction among all parties involved.”
Looking ahead, the goal is to continue innovating and supporting local councils in their digital transformation – creating synergies between more and more processes, leveraging Artificial Intelligence, and organizing educational workshops to share best practices, tips, and step-by-step guidance.
“This partnership marks another milestone in the evolution of our software, transforming it into a true digital communication hub. Our relationship with Sendit is very close and built on deep trust; they are always available, open to new ideas, and provide outstanding support. Beyond the technical quality and performance of the product, just like at FreSoft, what truly sets them apart is their level of service. This is highly relevant to us and our clients. We strongly recommend that local councils looking to improve their interaction with citizens activate this service within our ERP,” concludes Paulo Esfola.
About FreSoft
FreSoft has over 30 years of experience in developing innovative IT solutions that simplify the daily operations of local governments. Its solutions are fully integrable, secure, and easy to use, allowing councils to optimize response times, increase productivity, reduce costs, and obtain real-time data critical for decision-making. It has a team of experienced and certified technicians who ensure the robustness, reliability, and continuous updates of its solutions, making FreSoft a market leader.
More info at www.fresoft.pt
About Sendit
Founded in 2005, Sendit develops and provides multichannel communication solutions that help businesses acquire, communicate, retain, and serve customers to achieve their business goals.
More info at www.sendit.pt
