SMS Notification - Setup

Overview

SMS messages are one of several notification methods available in the SafeZone platform. They can be used on their own or alongside Push Notifications, Email and Web Feed messages, allowing organisations to communicate with recipients through multiple channels from a single notification.

SMS is particularly effective for delivering time-critical information, as it is supported by virtually all mobile phones, requires very little bandwidth, and can often be delivered even when mobile data services are congested or unavailable.

SMS messages can be pre-built into Notification Templates, edited from an existing template, or sent ad hoc using the Notify - New Blank Message feature.

You will need appropriate permissions to create, edit or send SMS messages. See the Access Control guide for more information.

Configuring SMS Messages

Whether you are creating a new blank message, editing a template, or sending an existing template, the SMS setup options are the same.

1. Select Send SMS messages to enable SMS as a delivery channel for the notification.
   

2. Choose whether to send the SMS to Only pre-registered recipients or All recipients.

   Only pre-registered recipients sends SMS messages only to recipients who have a registered mobile number but are not registered with the SafeZone app.

   This helps avoid recipients receiving the same notification twice, once as an SMS and again as a Push Notification. For routine communications, this is typically the recommended option.

   All recipients sends SMS messages to all selected recipients, including users who have the SafeZone app installed.

   As a result, app users may receive both a Push Notification and an SMS for the same incident. This option is most appropriate for major or critical incidents where maximum message delivery is more important than avoiding duplicate notifications.

   Sending to all recipients can also provide an additional communication channel during network disruptions, as SMS generally requires less bandwidth and is often available even when mobile data services are degraded.

3. Use the drop-list to add any available Guest Subscription Groups, if required.
   
   

   Guest Subscription Groups are only available if your organisation has licensed the Guest SMS Subscription Groups add-on.

   These groups allow you to send SMS messages to members of the public, visitors or event attendees who have subscribed to receive updates.

   For example, this may include:

   • University commencement guests
   • Open Day visitors
   • Stadium event attendees
   • Festival or conference participants

   Guest users subscribe by sending an SMS message to a short code. Based on the message content, they are added to the relevant group for an organisation-defined number of days.

   For more information, see Subscription Groups (Guest SMS Self-sign-up) .

4. Enter the SMS message content.
   
   

   A character counter is displayed above the message field to help you stay within the SMS character limit.

   Keep SMS messages concise and include only the information recipients need to understand the situation and any required action.