How to Enable SMS

The SMS function in Migration Manager allows users to harness the Email to SMS protocol to send an SMS to their clients. Note that Migration Manager does not actually send the SMS - for that you will need to register for and use a third party SMS gateway service. What Migration Manager does is converts mobile phone numbers in to an acceptable Email to SMS formatted addresses that can then be used in an email for sending to the SMS gateway which will then convert the email to an SMS.

What is Email to SMS?

Email to SMS is a form of technology that converts standard emails into SMS messages.

How does it work?

Depending on the Email to SMS service that you use, the service works by using an Application Programming Interface which allows for emails to be converted into SMS messages. For example, the gateway service may work by accepting emails from you (you would send to [email protected]), which will then convert that email into an SMS compatible format and push the message to the intended recipients. You can use this process to send an sms to individual numbers or create groups of numbers and send in bulk.

Which SMS gateway services does it work with?

Migration Manager can convert a mobile phone number to fit any gateway service that supports Email to SMS. Note that Migration Manager can not provide a specific recommendation as to which service you can/should register with.

The following article covers how to enable Email to SMS in Migration Manager

1. Register with a SMS gateway service

In order to use the SMS functionality in Migration Manager, you will need to register with an SMS gateway service that uses the Email to SMS protocol. A simple google search of Email to SMS will bring up a number of third party providers. Note that Migration Manager does not specifically recommend any particular service and it is up to each user to undertake their own research as to suitable options. Note that these service general charge a fee per SMS that you send and the prices charged by these services and their terms and conditions will vary. When you sign up for one of these services, you will need to ascertain the address to which emails are to be sent i.e @email.smsgatewayservice.com

2. Open System Preferences

To set up the Email to SMS, first, in the top menu, go to Tools > Administrative > Preferences.

3. Go to the Emails preference

Once the Preferences window has opened, go the Program Level tab and then go to Emails.

4. Enable SMS

To enable the Email to SMS function you will need to:

  1. Slide the Enable Email to SMS functionality to ON
  2. Insert the SMS gateway address. It is this address that will convert the mobile phone number to an acceptable Email to SMS address i.e. [email protected]
  3. If the gateway service you are using does not automatically remove the leading zero of a mobile phone number, slide Remove leading Zero from number to Yes

5. Click Save & Exit

To finish setting up the Email to SMS, click Save & Exit in the bottom right hand corner.

On each matter you should now see an SMS button appear next to each mobile phone number. Note that you may need to close and re-open a matter if it was open when you were changing the preferences.