Contacting PIs before applications : brief responses

[Nandan]

Hello,
I am applying for Ph.D. programs in mechanical engineering in the U.S. Many people on this forum advise that you should contact a professor to inquire about Ph.D. openings before applying. I believe that I followed all the suggestions on other forums on writing a precisely targeted email to each PI.

However, in response, I only got a brief response along the lines of "We don't have any openings right now, but we encourage you to apply for Fall 2020" from those that did reply. 
How do I read this response? Does it mean that its pointless to apply to that school, as there is no opening? Or does it mean that they are interested in my profile?

[Bird Vision]

It sounds like the professor that gave you that reply believes you want to enter during the spring semester. Are you specifying that you're targeting Fall 2020?