Skip to main content

Bulk SMS

Bulk SMS is a convenient way to send SMS messages to parents of all, or a group of students.

Most SMS messages are delivered within seconds, making it a great way to get urgent notifications to parents.

info

The SMS module is optional.

Overview​

To send bulk SMS messages:

  1. Create a bulk SMS Batch.
  2. Add the SMS message to the batch.
  3. Select the recipients for the SMS message.
  4. Process the SMS Batch to send the messages.

Any replies from parents will be returned as an email to the school's email address.

The SMS message will be added to the notes for each student.

SMS Batches​

This page lists all the unprocessed SMS batches.

info

Select the 'Show Processed Batches' checkbox to include processed SMS batches.

To the right of the header there are three buttons:

Refresh​

This will request updated data from the server and refresh the display.

Add​

This will enable the user to add a new SMS batch.

Export all data​

This will export the contents of the list to Microsoft Excel format.

Batch Options​

The following action buttons are available to right of each SMS batch record:

Delete​

This will delete the SMS batch.

Batch​

This will open the SMS batch for editing.

Process​

This will send the SMS message to all recipients in the batch.

Edit the SMS Batch​

Message​

Enter the SMS message to send. The message has a limit of 440 characters.

tip

The actual limit for an SMS message is around 160 characters. An SMS message longer that 160 characters is broken down into 160 character messages and delivered to the recipient. Modern smart phones can add multiple SMS messages together to display them as a single message.

Note SMS messages are charged for per 160 character message. Sending a 440 character SMS will incur the cost of 3 messages.

Save​

Click Save to save the message.

danger

Navigating away from the SMS batch will not save the message. Click the Save button before navigating away.

SMS Recipients​

The list of SMS Recipients shows all the parents who will receive the SMS message.

There are three ways to add recipients:

  1. Select a grade from the dropdown and click +. All parents from that grade will be added to the list.
  2. Click + All to add parents for all the active students in the school.
  3. Click the + to the right of the header to add a single student to the list.

Recipients can be excluded by clearing the Select field next to the record. Multiple rows can be selected/unselected at a time. Click on the Save icon to save the changes.

There are two ways to remove recipients:

  1. Click the delete icon next to the recipient. Multiple recipients can be marked for deletion at a time. Click on the Save icon to delete the selected recipients.
  2. Click the X button to the left of the header to remove all the recipients in the list.
note

SMS messages will not be sent to parents where:

  1. Allow SMS is not checked, or
  2. Invalid No is checked.
tip

SMS messages are sent only once to a cellular number. Duplicate numbers are ignored.