SMS

Overview: Automation allows you send SMS messages to clients by utilising an internet gateway to a telecommunications service provider. You are able to store multiple SMS messages, even select a default message that you would like sent to clients as the job card is closed. To access this service you must contact Microbase to set-up an account, on acceptance you will be provided with a logon and password, your location will be billed on a monthly basis for the amount of SMS traffic generated.

Sending: You can send SMS messages from either the job card on job close (if a default message has been selected) or you can use the search criteria in marketing to select single clients or groups to send a message to.

Job Close: This is an automated function that sends an SMS to your client as you close the job card. For this to work you must select the send SMS on job close function in settings / online. It is possible to choose an alternative message as you close the job or send no message by selecting cancel from the message display.

Receiving: Clients can reply to any message sent from Automation, you will be notified of any incoming messages via a prompt that will display at any point within the application. The received message is logged in the task section of the client card.

Marketing: You can use any of the search criteria from marketing to create a list to SMS to, however be sure to select the Clients with mobile number only option from the bottom of the data extraction screen. Choosing this option ensures only clients with mobile numbers recorded on their client card are listed. Once you have selected the criteria you wish to search by, select extract, the list will be displayed. To send an SMS select the SMS option from the bottom of the display.

Your list of SMS messages will display, highlight the message you wish to send and select OK (F12). A message box informs you of how many SMS messages have been successfully sent.

Managing Messages: Messages are managed from the Select an SMS display, this is selected from either lists – SMS Messages – Settings – Marketing. To add a new message to your list click on New (Insert) located at the bottom of the list. Complete the SMS detail form and save with OK (F12) highlight the message you wish to send and select OK (F12). To delete a message highlight the entry and select delete from the bottom menu bar. Editing requires you to once again highlight the record and select Edit (F2) make your changes and save to file with OK (F12).

Logging: All SMS messages are recorded in a log file, to view / print this select Reports / Other Reports / SMS Log, Select the date range you wish to search and select OK. Messages are listed in date order, with the number of messages recorded at the bottom of the report.

Costs: Account setup up fee (once only) $25.00
           Per message fee $0.22cents

If you wish to take advantage of this service you will need an internet connection and account name and password. Contact Microbase for your logon and password, when you receive this you will need to enter the details into the program settings.