Virtual Pager - Why would I want a pager app when I already can get text alerts on my phone?

What is Virtual Paging and why would you want that? We get this question every so often.

Many of our potential customers think that by adding a virtual pager app to a smartphone, they are just adding a useless app that does the same as a text message can do.

We then ask, why do you want a pager to begin with?  A cellphone does everything a pager can do...or does it?

The answer is the same as to why you are considering a pager to begin with...

• Urgent and Critical Time is of the Essence Notifications - A pager or pager app can get your attention more so than the ding of a text message.  A page alert can be set to a loud attention getting alert that won't fall through the cracks like a text message can.  If you ever had a friend ask you why you didn't text back and you go through your texts and found an unread message...You will know exactly what we are talking about.  Maybe you need to distinguish between a non-urgent message and an extremely urgent message and be notified when a very important message from a high level colleague, customer or patient comes through.  Pager Apps can help accomplish these alerts.
• Privacy - A pager or pager app can be that barrier that you need to keep your notifications urgent but not be too intrusive.  You do not have to reveal your cellphone number or provide your number for texting when you can provide your pager app number.
• Call Rotation - A pager app can be set up to work on multiple phones for individuals on call rotation or to notify a group of people at the same time.  Just like the equivalent of passing a pager around to whoever is on call or to page a large number of people at the same time, pager apps can be set up to accomplish the same thing.
• Automation / Alarm Alerts - Pager apps can be set up to notify you of an important action where time is of the essence.  Perhaps a computer server goes down or an alarm goes off in your building or office, perhaps an important email comes through.  Pager apps can accomplish this.

Essentially a pager app can do everything a separate pager can do without the need to carry multiple devices or suffer from dead spots where no traditional paging coverage is available in a given geographical area.