appears the its faster to call and get the info rather than go this route.

My search took really long… and got incorrect results. Just like jd on phone huh

Early hiccups i suppose .. just dial will definitely improve.

Just Dial is an efficient service over the phone, and they send the desired result to you as an SMS. For me calling is easier than SMSing to fine tune my search.
I doubt if their SMS search will be a huge success. Given their core competence it was imperative for them to launch another channel of accessing their core service.
I think if Just Dial invests in technology they will hold an edge over likes of AskLaila, Google Local etc in the long run.

Hey this is daam cool.
I got results instantly. Pretty Fast!
Searching on the move with no human interface WOW!

Keep it up Just Dial.

Now, now, I doubt that the SMS initiative has got anything to do with opeing another channel to their services etc.

Its plain simple economics:
Regular Phone:
1. Manpower cost : Rs. 8 or about
2. Revenue from call: 0
(Revenue comes from selling caller data to directory listees)

SMS:
1. Manpower cost of servicing SMS: Rs. 0 (almost)
2. Revenue from SMS: Rs. 3 (- operator cut)
3. Revenue from selling guaranteed correct mobile number lists: priceless

I wonder when the’ll shut down voice service and move to SMS only

Hey V,
Your economics sound gr8 on paper.
But i really find the SMS intiative to be great and as far as voice goes i guess that medium is here to stay.

No matter how much we get into the culture of smsing but we will never get out of the habit of calling.

My take is its Just Dial getting on with convergence of technology.

Krupa.

Just Dial doing a me-too will not get them anywhere on this one. Google will easily beat them when it comes to product performance.
My worry is bigger - as highlighted by some above, will users use SMS to search?
Remember on internet you do iterations to fine tune what you are really looking for and SMS response lead time plus the fact that its such a problem to type on typical handset will probably not allow this to flourish.