TX SMS Overview
TX SMS is a text messaging solution for seamless communication. Available in TargetX Home, TX SMS is the current version of what was formerly called SMS Inbox (Salesforce Native). The new version of TX SMS allows users to access the tool with a Salesforce Login.
To start using TX SMS, you must establish a Twillo account for your institution. You'll be charged directly by Twilio, either at their base rate of $0.007 per message or $0.005 if you reach out to them to get set up with the Higher Education discount. Currently, costs with the Higher Education discount are approximately $0.75/mo per phone line and $0.005 per text in or out.
Check out our blog post on Developing a Texting Strategy for further guidance.
TargetX Home includes access to Insights, TX Print, TX User Management, and TX SMS. Depending on your access, the products listed will vary:
Multiple Numbers
TX SMS includes the ability to configure multiple numbers that can be linked to groups or individual SMS users. SMS messages are then displayed in distinct 'Inboxes' so that users can focus on the messages that matter to them. Users are 'assigned' to Inbox(es) by the Administrator. Users who belong in multiple inboxes can view or select the Inbox they are using from a picklist in the TX SMS Inbox window:
Self-Service Provisioning
TX SMS uses the Twilio API, allowing you to set up and Provision phone numbers using your Twilio Dashboard. Once done, you can add any messaging services you created in Twilio (containing Short or Long codes) into the TX SMS Twilio Administration window. Your institution can use as many numbers as needed, and Administrators can quickly spin up new numbers whenever needed; without putting in a request to TargetX.
A shortcode is a unique five or six-digit telephone number shorter than a full one. Short codes are used to send and receive SMS messages at scale to large numbers of recipients.
A long code number is a standard phone number for sending and receiving voice calls and SMS messages. Phone numbers are typically called "long codes" (10-digit numbers in many countries) when comparing them with SMS short codes (5-6 digit numbers). A long code is the basic number you’ll give to counselors for one-on-one communication with their assigned students, as well as small volume batch sends (ideally less than 250). You can learn more about Long codes in Twillio’s support article on Long Codes.
Bulk SMS
TX SMS allows users to send Bulk messages if their User has been granted Bulk SMS access. Using a report, users select the recipients for the Bulk SMS. Users can personalize the SMS using Merge Fields and send the message just as they would to an individual. Any column in your report can be used as Merge Field.
SMS Inboxes
The previous TargetX texting tool, known as SMS Inbox, a packaged release for Salesforce, limited an institution to ONE Inbox for SMS messages. With the new version, administrators can set up multiple Inboxes. Inboxes are linked to a service, so your Administrator must configure Multiple Numbers first. For details on setting up Inboxes, see Creating a new Inbox in TX SMS.
Message Templates
Message Templates (formerly known as Saved Replies) are helpful for common questions where you typically provide the same answer repeatedly. For example, if students usually ask about inclement weather procedures, you can create a Message Template with an update about your institution's current status.
You can find ALL our documentation here, though we recommend starting with the TX SMS Best Practices, Developing a TX SMS Strategy, and TX SMS Install & Configuration Guides. The step-by-step training is also available immediately in Liaison Academy.
| Get Started with TX SMS |