Send and Receive SMS
Manage SMS
Overview
There are two options for sending SMS from OWNA:
- From Notification/SMS - using the default OWNA number
- You cannot receive responses via this method!
- From Manage SMS - using your own dedicated virtual number
- Responses appear as a timeline view for each contact
Composing SMS
- Go to CRM > Manage SMS
- Select one or more Contacts OR type in one or more phone numbers
- Write your message
- Messages that exceed 160 characters will be sent in multiple lots, incurring extra charges!
- Enter a URL (optional)
- Enter a Label (optional) - used for searching/grouping
- Schedule for later or click Send Message to send now
Bulk Select/Grouping Contacts
- You can use text to filter the list of contacts after opening the Contacts Dropdown, then use the 'select all' function to pick them all at once.
- Contacts are oraganised into groups (Families, Enquiries, Waitlist, Contacts, Staff) which you can type-in to filter the list.
- Using the bulk actions from other pages will redirect your selection to the Manage SMS page with the related contacts selected automatically (e.g. Daily Attendances, Manage Enquiries, & Manage Waitlist)
Viewing Responses
An email notification will be sent to the service's primary email address when a SMS response is received. You will also see a count of unread SMS on the Admin Dashboard.
- Only Unread messages will appear by default.
- Change the filter to All Messages to view all conversation history.
- Click on any contact/conversation/message and scroll to the bottom of the thread to compose an individual response to that contact.
- You can use AI to generate a summary of each conversation (Click 'Summarise this Conversation' in the top right corner while viewing the conversation thread)