System Functionality

Flexible CRM database with easy-to-use user interface.
The SMS Solutions system including all database information used to direct and deliver the SMS campaigns is hosted on secure servers provided by U.S. based Rackspace Inc.
The database can be easily configured to include as many fields of information as required. The configuration of the database is not fixed and can be updated or maintained by any user with appropriate level of access. More than one database can be set-up and different databases can be then combined for use by users with appropriate access authority.
Any customer information held in the database can be automatically incorporated into individual SMS’s.
For example a campaign message may include the recipient’s first name, an amount of money still owning on an invoice, or the time of an appointment.

Comprehensive SMS scheduling
In conjunction with the CRM database this allows for messages to be sent: to one individual; a pre-defined group, an ad-hoc group; or to the entire list. The messages can be sent: immediately; at a pre-determined date and time; or at a time “triggered” by ‘customer specific date’.
For example a message can be created that is “triggered” for sending at 3pm one day prior to a customer appointment date, or 5 days after a payment due date.

Automatic SMS Response
Messages can be set-up to be sent automatically in response to an incoming SMS. The incoming SMS will contain a ‘Keyword’ that triggers the correct response. The incoming SMS may also contain other requested information such as a first name or an email address. All of the information in the SMS can be captured into the account database for future reference. For example if someone sent an enquiry about an upcoming event then, in addition to the immediate automatic response, new event information could be sent back to that person at a later time.
As well as the immediate response a number of other actions can be initiated from the received SMS.
For example: a series of SMS’s could be sent over a period of days, weeks or months; an immediate email can be sent to a particular office advising that someone has sent an enquiry, perhaps requesting a call-back; a report can be downloaded listing all numbers that have submitted the keyword; or an email can be automatically forwarded to the sender if they have also included their email address in the text.

Desktop application interface
This allows rapid use of a number of the standard feature of the SMS Solutions SMS-CRM system.
For example previously set-up ‘Standard Messages’ can be quickly sent directly from the user’s desktop computer. This might be a message advising that an Order is ready for collection. After initially setting-up the message it can then be continuously used by simply adding the recipient’s mobile number (plus first name or any other input, if desired) and clicking ‘Send’. That mobile number and associated information is then also captured in the database and can be used for further manual or automatic messages as needed.

Automatic database update
In order to ensure that messages are being sent out accurately the SMS Solutions system includes the ability to schedule automatic downloads of up-to-date information from your customer information or POS system. This relies upon your system creating a CSV or Excel file at whatever interval you decide – hourly, daily, or weekly. The SMS Solutions system accesses that file and extracts the required data. This ensures that reminder messages are not sent to people that may have already taken action the day before or to that may have subsequently change an appointment date and so on.