aXcelerate offers SMS integrations with no additional licence fees required, however, there will still be costs associated with the selected SMS provider. This functionality can be utilised with any SMS Provider who uses Email to SMS.
Email to SMS works by aXcelerate sending an email to an SMS provider who converts the email into an SMS to send to the selected recipient. For example, if you wanted to deliver an SMS to 61410101010, it will send as an email to 61410101010@SMSProvider'sDomain.com. Your SMS provider will then convert the email to an SMS compatible format, and send it to the contact provided.
Tip: We cannot recommend a specific SMS provider, however our users have had the most success using SMSGlobal, SMSBroadcast, MessageMedia or ClickSend.
Note: This will only work for SMS Providers who use the mobile number within the To: Field of emails.
Set up your SMS integration
SMS can be sent from Contacts, Workshops, Classes or via Workflow in aXcelerate. However, prior to being able to do this, your SMS integration must be set up and configured.
- Select and engage with an SMS provider
- Purchase credit with your SMS provider
- Configure your SMS account as required for Email to SMS. If you are unsure of how to do this, please check with your SMS provider
- Determine your whitelisted email address
- Go to the Web & Other Integrations tab of your System Settings
- Scroll to the SMS Provider Settings section
- Enter your SMS Email Address (this Email Address is attached to your Provider account)
- Enter the SMS Domain (this is the expected Email Domain expected by your Provider)
- Click Save Web Settings
Tip: The whitelisted email address is the email that you will use for your Email to SMS functionality. This is often the email you will use to login with your provider. However, if you are unsure please check with your SMS provider.
Note: You must have SMS Credit with your provider to be able to send text messages to mobile numbers from aXcelerate. Depending on the provider, SMS credit can expire if not used within a certain period.
Warning: Ensure you have an SMS provider that allows you to send mobile text messages in the correct Email to SMS format.
SMS Character Limits
If you wish to send an SMS mailout that contains more than 160 characters, then your SMS will need to be "split" into multiple individual 160-character SMSes. The settings that govern this are found in your SMS Providers Settings.
MessageMedia
MessageMedia can be configured from the Email to SMS settings
- Log into your MessageMedia account
- Click Manage Email to SMS
- Add an email address or email domain that will be sending SMS's
- Click Add
Tip: Those utilising MessageMedia as part of their aXcelerate billing, please contact our Support Team via the Help & Support Centre.
Note: Information about our partnership with MessageMedia can be found here.
SMS Broadcast
SMSBroadcast can be configured from the Email to SMS tab.
- Log into your SMSBroadcast account
- Click Email to SMS
- Enable the Edit against Settings option
- Click Update
SMSGlobal
SMSGlobal can be configured from the Email to SMS tab
- Log into your SMSGlobal account
- Click API & Integrations
- Click Email Settings
- Set the Maximum Messages Split Allowed value
Note: The number set here will dictate the number of 160 character messages that can be sent at a time.
Tip: For other SMS providers, please refer their help documentation
FAQs
Can I include hyperlinks in SMS from aXcelerate?
All hyperlinks sent via SMS are stripped of their HTML property and will be sent as a plain text message. For example, aXcelerate would convert to: <a href="https://admin.axcelerate.com/management">aXcelerate</a>: in a text message. In these instances, we recommend sending the URL as plain text: https://admin.axcelerate.com/management. The receiving device should detect the URL and make it clickable.
I'm experiencing issues with my MessageMedia account managed by aXcelerate, who do I contact?
For all MessageMedia accounts managed in this manner, please contact our Support Centre for assistance.
Can I request a dedicated number with our MessageMedia account managed by aXcelerate?
Dedicated numbers can be requested, however, there are additional costs associated with this service. Please contact our Support Centre for more details.