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sending multiple sms

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    #1

    sending multiple sms

    I am working on a contact app for a small group and am trying to get the app to send sms messages to multiple phone numbers. Is there an easy way to do this without having to have a twilio account? If not, do all the recipient have to have twilio to reply to the messages?
    Tags: None
    #2
    Re: sending multiple sms

    I am working on the same issue.

    I spoke with Twilio earlier and set up a trial account. They offer you to pick a phone number, which I was able to find a local one. I did some test texts on their website with this new number. If someone texts back to you it goes to a number of your choice.

    Let me know if you figure this out.

    Comment

      #3
      Re: sending multiple sms

      Will do. I can send single texts without using Twilio just by accessing the device native text manager but only to one number. I could manually add phone numbers once the text app opens up but I want to be able to pick numbers/names from a list and have the app send the same message to all of the recipients.

      Comment

        #4
        Re: sending multiple sms

        You may want to read this blog post from a twilio expert:
        https://www.twilio.com/blog/2017/12/...o-node-js.html

        It appears the API is meant for a single send, to send multiple you will need to use another aspect of the services they offer, and if you're planning on 10k or more at a time yet another service.
        NWCOPRO: Nuisance Wildlife Control Software My Application: http://www.nwcopro.com "Without forgetting, we would have no memory at all...now what was I saying?"

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          #5
          Re: sending multiple sms

          I use Twillio and it works great. I don't send 10,000 at a time, but I have sent 5000 plus throughout a day.

          I usually send the same message to multiple recipients (up to 800 at a time) but I do have some texts that go out singly.

          As suggested above, you should speak directly to a Twillio representative to make sure you get the plan and setup that works best for you.

          Another SMS vendor I have been looking at is cdyne.com

          I am working on using their robocalls system, but their SMS platform is comparable to Twillio in pricing and function.

          Comment

            #6
            Re: sending multiple sms

            Do you have code that you would be willing to share showing how you did this?

            Also, what level account did you set up with Twilio as we have similar needs to what you are doing?

            Comment

              #7
              Re: sending multiple sms

              The code I am using is here - previously posted. It uses a curl script I found elsewhere online. I have no idea how to program in curl. I just plugged in my information and it worked!


              https://www.alphasoftware.com/alphaf...hlight=twillio


              We do not accept replies to our texts - they are outgoing only. So I am not sure our account status would apply to you.

              It all comes down to how many and what type of local numbers you purchase. (And there are long and short numbers too.)

              Talk to your Twillio Rep about what you will need for your expected volume. We have 7 long numbers.

              Comment

                #8
                Re: sending multiple sms

                OK, so I have had some success with my app. Remember it's just for sending text messages through the built in SMS client.
                I created a list of numbers for all of the group members. I've included buttons to add members, edit, search, etc. I then added two buttons for CALL and SMS and programmed them using the built in action javascript: "Dial Telephone/Open SMS Client", these work for individual numbers.

                I then added a multi select token control which is referencing the list. Lastly I added a button for group text and again programmed it to fire with the built in action javascript "Dial Telephone/Open SMS Client". I set this to "Open SMS Client" and "Read from Controls on UX" The UX I selected was the "Group_Text" multi select token control. The javascript looks like this:

                var number = '+1'+{dialog.object}.getValue('Group_Text')+'';
                window.location = 'sms:' + number;

                This works for me.

                Comment

                  #9
                  Re: sending multiple sms

                  Hi Bob, did you get this all working? If not I have with a certain SMS company and they are pretty cheap to send texts with. Message me if you need help
                  Chad Brown

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Re: sending multiple sms

                    If you want to do this for free, without IOS popping up a msg box, you can do so programmatically with email. If it's a relatively small group then it works well. Use your email profile and send to: typecellnumhere@carrierextension. Carrier sms extensions can be found online. The email is then received just like a text msg. We use a couple gmail accounts for this purpose and it works well.

                    Of course you can just use any sms service as well and pay for it.

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Re: sending multiple sms

                      The caveat to what Sean said above is that it really needs to be a small group and you need to do it only sporadically. The sms carriers will block it if they feel you are abusing the system - but no one really knows what line they have in the sand.

                      I used to send text by email all of the time and it got to the point where I could not rely on it, that is why I went with the paid service. But I have another customer who sends them out very sporadically and only to one person at a time. Sending it via email/sms is working fine for them.

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Re: sending multiple sms

                        That is correct Larry for the most part. Carriers view this as "internet advertising" and can toggle it on and off at any time. In fact, many users may have it toggled off on their own mobile account without even realizing it. However, if you have a way for people to test it, and inform them of what to do, then remove themselves and not get the msgs, that should be fine. The carriers don't really block based on the volume because they get billions daily, but email providers do because they can get blacklisted and they want to minimize risk. In general, I agree with Larry.

                        I probably would not send from my own server where my app is located....use an email provider instead.

                        Comment

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