SMS for Emergency & Non-Emergency Notifications

[KellyR860]

Hello! I am looking for anyone else that has started using the SMS functions in a day care or kids camp type of scenario. This department currently will print a list and start dialing the phone. This takes a considerable amount of time. I would like to be able to set up the SMS/Email for this department so they can get in, send a message and get on with the kids. Any input is welcomed!

[William_A · Accepted solution]

Hello @KellyR860 ,

Based on the description of what you're trying to do, you could certainly utilize the SMS addon for such functionality.

Keep in mind that this addon is predominantly meant for mass communications, and that there are several compliance elements (such as permission dates from contacts) that you'll need to be mindful of when setting up the service. Therefore it wouldn't really be ideal for one-off messages to a specific contact about their child. Pricing is based on messages being sent, so think about how many messages you'll be explicitly trying to send to your contacts per month, plus wiggle room for autoresponders to prompts like STOP.

Beyond these billing and compliance elements, the SMS system would be straightforward for mass-messaging parents of upcoming events, daily confirmations, and emergency notifications.

You can find a wide range of helpful articles - instructions, videos, etc. - on SMS in our Knowledge Base, also available via the Help button in your account's top navigation bar.

• Getting started with SMS (PDF download)
• Registering your account for SMS
• SMS marketing overview
• SMS marketing best practices
• SMS marketing while respecting quiet hours
• Enabling SMS for landing page sign up forms
• Importing SMS contacts list