Simple operation for bulk sending

Simple operation for bulk sending SearchSearch
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Asterix
Unregistered guest
Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 01:52 pm:   

I haven't yet downloaded your product as my use will be very simple and straight forward but I can't find out whether it can be done.

I want one user to be able to send a text message out to a number of employees (~150) and receive any replies. The employee list will only change infrequently but the user will need to be able to change it (not an admin). Basically I need an SMS system that works very similar to e-mail and an E-mail distribution list (including responses being receive straight away not having to log into a website) - can your product do this (without asp programming?)
Asterix
Unregistered guest
Posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 03:36 pm:   

Hello? Is there anyone out there?
Bryce Norwood - NowSMS Support
Board Administrator
Username: Bryce

Post Number: 2646
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 04:41 pm:   

Hi Asterix,

Apologies for the delay in response.

Yes, such a configuration is relatively simple to implement.

Basically, there are two different options for the setup:

Option 1 - User sends SMS messages via NowSMS web interface, and recieves replies via e-mail client.

Option 2 - User sends SMS messages and receives replies via e-mail client.

Sending SMS messages via the NowSMS web interface is relatively straightforward, and there is a user interface for allowing the user to add/delete recipients from distribution lists, as well as a facility for importing existing lists into a distribution list.

Sending SMS messages via an e-mail client is a bit more complicated to setup, as the exact procedure is going to vary based upon the e-mail client and e-mail server that you are currently using.

There is a general discussion of the setup at the following link:

http://support.nowsms.com/discus/messages/1/3451.html

Configuring the SMTP to SMS link can be a bit involved (depending on how familiar you are with configuring e-mail servers), but once it is setup, the user can manage distribution lists from the e-mail client.

Routing received SMS messages back to the e-mail client ... which is the approach that I would recommend for both of these options is relatively straighforward. There, you configure a 2-way command in NowSMS that simply forwards all received SMS messages to a specific e-mail address.

-bn