In 2009, BNS launched msXsms for Exchange Server, delivering enterprise-grade SMS capabilities integrated directly into Microsoft Exchange. For over 15 years, it has supported countless organisations across financial services, government, utilities, healthcare, and other critical sectors where reliable, secure messaging matters most. 

However, technology evolves. Security expectations shift. Cloud-first architectures redefine how modern organisations manage communications. 

With the successful release of BNS Enterprise SMS Server (general availability from 1 July 2025), we are officially announcing the end of support for msXsms for Exchange Server effective 1 July 2026. Select customers with extended support agreements may continue receiving updates and maintenance through 1 July 2027. 

Why this matters: 

• Stronger security: The new Enterprise SMS Server meets today’s highest security and compliance standards, including Microsoft Purview integration and full alignment with the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) Secure Cloud Blueprint. 

• Cloud-native flexibility: Designed to run inside your organisation’s own Azure or AWS tenancy, giving you full control over your cloud messaging environment. 

• Future-ready architecture: Leveraging modern SQL and Windows Server platforms to ensure scale, stability, and resilience. 

For organisations still running msXsms, we encourage early planning for transition to the new platform to ensure a smooth migration well ahead of the 2026 deadline. 

For more information on upgrade pathways and transition support, please contact the BNS team. 

 

After four years of development, rigorous testing, and deep collaboration, the next generation of secure enterprise messaging has officially launched. 

BNS Enterprise SMS Server is now available as of 1 July 2025. 

What would happen if your SMS gateway failed during a critical moment? 

For CTOs, CIOs, and technology leaders managing high-risk systems – from financial transactions and real-time alerts to national infrastructure, reliability isn’t a luxury. It’s a baseline requirement. 

That’s why we didn’t just upgrade our system, we rebuilt it to meet today’s highest expectations: 

• 40 million SMS messages tested across Azure and AWS 

• Sinch used for live load simulation 

• Failover, disaster recovery, and edge case testing stress-validated 

Security. Resilience. Data sovereignty. Delivered. 

BNS Enterprise SMS Server is: 

• Designed for cloud-native deployment inside your secure Azure or AWS tenancy 

• Aligned with ASD Secure Cloud Blueprint for Australian Government standards 

• Integrated with Microsoft Purview in accordance with the ASD blueprint for governance and compliance 

• Compatible with Azure SQL Managed Instance, AWS RDS for SQL Server, and SQL Server 2016+ 

This platform was engineered for organisations that cannot afford compromise,  especially in regulated, high-security environments. 

Built through partnership. Proven under pressure. 

Our journey included: 

• Support from Microsoft’s ISV Success Program to create test environments mapped to real-world compliance frameworks 

• Strategic engagement with SME Gateway to access sovereign expertise and navigate government procurement pathways 

• Partnership with Sinch Australia for robust industry standard SMPP transmission testing 

The result? A platform trusted by enterprise, designed by experts, and refined with real-world insight. 

A modern future replaces a legacy foundation. 

With this release, we begin sunsetting msXsms for Exchange Server  – the solution many relied on since 2009. 

• msXsms end of support: 1 July 2026 

• Extended support (for volume based customers): through 1 July 2027 

Now’s the time to plan your transition. 

BNS Enterprise SMS Server is ready. Are you? 

If you’re responsible for uptime, data integrity, and secure messaging, and you need a solution that’s ready when it matters most, let’s talk. 

This is enterprise-grade messaging. Designed for your world. 

 

(and why we’re building for what’s next)

This story first featured in the AIIA Connector and we’re sharing it here for our clients and partners because it’s a great example of what drives us to keep building, quietly and purposefully.

In 2010, during the devastating Queensland floods, our SMS messaging platform helped Suncorp send critical updates to hundreds of thousands of people across the state.

It wasn’t a perfect solution by today’s standards. It wasn’t cloud-native. But it worked, and in a situation where seconds mattered, that was all that counted.

That moment earned us an ACT State AIIA iAward. More importantly, it shaped how we
build software to this day:

• Messaging must work when everything else is failing.
• If it can’t handle pressure, it’s not ready for the real world.

When the floods hit, Suncorp’s board asked a simple question: “How can we communicate with customers who may not have email right now?”

Just two months earlier, we had installed our SMS platform, and it was ready. Within days, it was handling 25,000 SMS messages a day across affected postcodes.

Right tech. Right place. Right time. And 15 years on, it’s still here, with the next-generation version launching this July.

Relevance That Keeps Evolving

Today, as major flooding impacts the Hunter and Mid-North Coast of NSW, and the effects of Cyclone Alfred continue to be felt in Queensland, it’s a stark reminder:

Proactive communication saves time, money, and lives.

This is not just history, it’s relevance.

Why We Re-Joined AIIA

We recently re-joined AIIA because we believe in contributing to something bigger. As trust, governance, and cloud-native architecture become central to how organisations communicate, we see an opportunity to lean in and lead.

“It’s not just about what we’ve built, it’s who we’re building it for. AIIA gives us a
platform to have smarter conversations and raise the bar for important SMS messaging
in Australia.”

Laurence Buchanan, Founder & CEO

What We’re Launching (and Why It Matters)

This July, we’re rolling out a cloud-native version of our Enterprise SMS Server, built for today’s complex environments, grounded in the same reliability we’ve delivered for over 17 years.

Designed for:
• Major enterprises (insurance, finance, compliance-heavy sectors)
• Government agencies
• Defence

Key features:

• Runs inside your cloud tenancy (Azure or AWS), full control of data, compliance,
  and encryption
• Embedded Microsoft Purview integration for sensitivity markings (national first)
• Multi-AZ design for maximum resilience
• Built to support your data governance frameworks

In short: Secure. Highly scalable. Built to withstand failure.

Built Quietly. Built Well.

We’re not the loudest voice in the room, and we like it that way.

We’re an Australian SME trusted by organisations that can’t afford downtime. Clients like the ATO,   Suncorp, CASA, and  Computershare  have relied on us for two decades.

We’ve also partnered with SME Gateway to further strengthen how we serve government and defence sectors.

“Software has to adapt as the world does. Our next-gen platform is designed to handle failure and stay reliable when it matters most.”
Clive Pereira, Founder & Technical Director

If your organisation needs secure, scalable SMS messaging, purpose-built for high trust, high-compliance environments, get in touch to learn more. https://www.bnsgroup.com.au/contact/

Better Network Services Group (BNS) and SME Gateway have partnered to provide Australian developed Enterprise SMS solutions that meet the stringent security requirements of Australian government agencies. This collaboration between Australian companies demonstrates how local technology partnerships can effectively address government-specific communication needs.

SME Gateway: Breaking Down Barriers to Government Procurement

While developing secure technology is critical, navigating the complex procurement processes of government can be equally challenging. This is where SME Gateway has proven invaluable to the partnership.

“SME Gateway has enabled us to cut through the barriers of dealing with government panels, allowing our team to focus on what we do best – developing and testing our software,” explains Buchanan. “Their expertise in government procurement has been instrumental in bringing our solutions to market efficiently.” 

Dominic Hubble, Industry Engagement Manager at SME Gateway, emphasises the broader implications of this collaboration: “Working with BNS is laying down the foundations for SME Gateway to help software companies across Australia offer innovative solutions to government. By facilitating these connections, we’re strengthening the entire Australian technology ecosystem.”

BNS’s Enterprise SMS Server Software: Built for Government Security

At the core of this partnership is BNS’s Enterprise SMS Server Software, specifically engineered to adhere to the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) Secure Cloud Blueprint for implementation of Microsoft Purview. BNS’s Enterprise SMS Server software checks for allowed protective markings before a message is released to the public SMS network. This compliance ensures that government communications remain protected according to Australia’s highest security standards.

“Our development team has invested significant resources to ensure our solutions not only meet but exceed the security requirements mandated by Australian government agencies,” says Laurence Buchanan, CEO of BNS Group.

“The integration with Microsoft Purview provides comprehensive data governance and security capabilities that government departments require in today’s complex threat landscape.”

The cloud security achievements of BNS are particularly noteworthy.

Throughout 2024, BNS built and tested ASD secure cloud Blueprint settings with support from Microsoft’s ISV Success program. This testing environment has allowed BNS to refine its Enterprise SMS Server Software to address the specific security challenges faced by government entities.

Looking Forward 

As BNS launches its Enterprise SMS Server Software to Australian Government and large enterprise clients in 2025, the foundation established through this partnership will continue to drive innovation in secure communications.

“We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible,” notes Buchanan. “Our roadmap includes expanding our secure communications portfolio while maintaining the highest security standards that government and enterprise clients expect.”

For SME Gateway, this partnership reinforces their commitment to connecting innovative Australian technology companies with government opportunities. “We see tremendous potential for replicating this model across various technology domains,” adds Hubble. “By bridging the gap between innovative SMEs and government procurement, we’re helping to build a stronger, more competitive Australian technology sector.”

 

About SME Gateway

SME Gateway specialises in helping small and medium enterprises navigate complex government procurement processes.

By providing pathways to government contracts, SME Gateway enables Australian technology companies to bring innovative solutions to the public sector while overcoming traditional barriers to entry.

About BNS Group

Better Network Services Group Pty Ltd (BNS Group) develops secure SMS & FAX solutions for Enterprise & Government. As an AWS RDS Service Ready Partner, Microsoft ISV Success Partner and TE-SYSTEMS Technology Partner, BNS delivers communication solutions that meet the highest security standards.

BNS Group has announced the commencement of Quality Assurance (QA) testing for its next-generation BNS Enterprise SMS Server on Azure SQL Managed Instance (Mi). This move marks another significant step in the company’s commitment to providing robust, secure, and compliant communication solutions across major cloud platforms.

Laurence Buchanan, CEO of BNS Group, emphasised the importance of comprehensive testing across multiple cloud environments: “ISVs have to test on the two key cloud platforms, AWS and Microsoft, nowadays. It has doubled our normal QA time, but it gives our customers choice, knowing we have done the testing.”

The testing process, as outlined by Clive Pereira, R&D Director at BNS Group, involves a methodical approach: “Developing software on Azure SQL Managed Instance and AWS RDS SQL Server requires careful testing for multi-AZ failover. We commence with a single-AZ in dev/test, then build out a platform with Multi-AZ, then force a failover.”

To support enterprise customers in implementing high-availability solutions, BNS has developed a series of design templates. These include:

1. High-level design
2. Detailed design
3. Implementation plans

“Coupled with our standard deployment guides, the design templates cover 90% of what a customer needs for a well-architected design,” Buchanan added.

This latest development builds upon BNS’s recent achievements in cloud security and compliance. Earlier this year, BNS confirmed that its SMS Server software supports sensitivity labels and data loss prevention, complying with the latest email protective marking standards (2018.6 and 2018.8). The company has also integrated its solutions with Microsoft Purview, enhancing data governance and risk management capabilities.

Furthermore, BNS recently announced the availability of its BNS Enterprise SMS Server on both the Azure Marketplace and Microsoft AppSource Marketplace. This launch followed the company’s integration with Microsoft Purview, showcasing BNS Group’s dedication to security and compliance in cloud-based communications.

The BNS Enterprise SMS Server continues to provide a secure gateway for SMS text messaging, designed to meet the stringent security requirements of government agencies, financial institutions, and large enterprises. It supports sensitivity labels and data loss prevention features, complying with the latest email protective marking standards.

As BNS Group continues to innovate and expand its cloud offerings, it remains committed to providing secure, compliant, and high-availability communication solutions that cater to the evolving needs of enterprise customers across various cloud platforms.

For more information about BNS Enterprise SMS Server and its latest developments, please visit our website or check our listings on the Azure Marketplace and Microsoft AppSource Marketplace.

BNS Group has announced the availability of its flagship product, BNS Enterprise SMS Server, on both the Azure Marketplace and Microsoft AppSource Marketplace. This launch follows the company’s recent integration with Microsoft Purview, demonstrating BNS Group’s commitment to security and compliance in cloud-based communications.

The BNS Enterprise SMS Server provides a secure gateway for SMS text messaging, designed to meet the stringent security requirements of government agencies, financial institutions, and large enterprises. It supports sensitivity labels and data loss prevention features, complying with the latest email protective marking standards.

Laurence Buchanan, CEO of BNS Group, stated, “In 2024, BNS invested a significant amount of time to integrate with Microsoft Purview. We decided it was important to list BNS Enterprise SMS Server in the Microsoft Commercial Marketplace to inform the Microsoft community that it has been tested in Azure.”

This move aligns with BNS Group’s earlier announcement of support for Microsoft Purview and the Australian Government Secure Cloud Blueprint. The company has confirmed that its SMS server technology is optimised to run within a customer’s cloud tenancy, ensuring compliance with Microsoft Purview as as SMS gateway adhering to Email Protective marking standards.

The launch on Microsoft’s marketplaces is expected to broaden BNS Group’s reach, particularly among organisations prioritising data security and compliance in their cloud-based communications infrastructure.

For more information about BNS Enterprise SMS Server and its integration with Microsoft Purview, interested parties can visit the Azure Marketplace or Microsoft AppSource Marketplace.

In today’s digital world, robust data governance and security are crucial. As cloud applications grow, organisations need stringent measures for data protection and compliance. To address this, BNS has integrated sensitivity label support into its new SQL API for cloud-based SMS messaging.

Boosting Data Security with Microsoft Purview

Microsoft Purview offers comprehensive tools for governing and protecting data across various environments. It tackles challenges like data fragmentation and lack of visibility that often hinder effective data management. By incorporating sensitivity labelling into cloud workflows, organisations can ensure consistent data protection wherever their data resides.

Microsoft Purview consolidates the capabilities of Azure Purview and Microsoft 365 compliance solutions into a single platform, enabling organisations to:

– Gain Data Visibility: Provides a unified view of the data landscape, essential for identifying risks and ensuring compliance.
– Safeguard Sensitive Data: Offers advanced protection across the data lifecycle, preventing unauthorised access and breaches.
– Streamline Governance: Simplifies data governance, facilitating the enforcement of protection rules and regulatory compliance.
– Manage Data Risks: Helps identify and mitigate critical risks, ensuring sensitive data is handled according to regulatory standards.

BNS’s Role in Securing SMS Messaging

BNS’s integration of Microsoft Purview’s sensitivity label support into its SQL API enhances the security of SMS messages sent via cloud applications. This integration ensures messages are classified according to sensitivity labels, aligning with stringent data protection standards.

Clive Pereira, R&D Technical Director at BNS, highlights:

“We recently announced support for Microsoft Purview for our SMS email interface and support for the Australian Signals Directorate Blueprint for secure cloud specifications. We decided it was important for workflow applications to classify their SMS requests with the same sensitivity labelling in the SQL API Database interface. If a classification does not meet the allowed classification of the SMS gateway, the SMS will be blocked from sending to the public SMS network.”

This integration not only strengthens data security but also ensures compliance with frameworks like the Australian Signals Directorate Blueprint for secure cloud standards. By leveraging Microsoft Purview, BNS is setting new benchmarks for secure and compliant SMS messaging in the cloud.

The addition of sensitivity label support in BNS’s SQL API marks a significant advancement in data governance and protection for cloud applications. Organisations seeking to improve their data governance and security should consider integrating solutions like Microsoft Purview to safeguard sensitive data and comply with regulatory requirements in a complex digital landscape.