8MS User Guide |
Managing SMS Templates |
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This document is intended as an aid to introducing SMS Templates, how to create, modify and manage them and how reference them in toll-free numbers.
Before SMS Templates were added to SMS/800, routing was bound to a particular toll-free number. If a number needed to be re-routed, it was necessary to create a new, Pending CAD record. If multiple numbers used the same routing logic and they all needed to be updated then it was necessary to update all the numbers. In 8MS this was not an issue because 8MS allows batches of numbers, so the update was done in a single action. However, this still took time, because 8MS would send record updates for each number, one at a time. If the CPR (routing plan) was large, the records would be throttled so only a few dozen (more or less) would be sent to SMS/800 to avoid exceeding CPU % usage.
SMS Templates provide a way to define routing logic that is independent of the toll-free number record. After creating an SMS Template, one or more toll-free numbers may be pointed at this SMS Template. If the numbers pointing at this SMS Template need to be re-routed, it is only necessary to update the SMS Template routing; no changes need to be performed on the numbers. Note that an SMS Template is not a panacea and has some limitations. For example, if some of the numbers pointing at the SMS Template are to be re-routed but other numbers are not, it is necessary to re-route those individual numbers.
The fields contained in an SMS Template are a subset of the fields in a toll-free number CAD record. One set of fields defines the routing while another set defines administrative data. Specifically, an SMS Template is composed of the routing fields InterLATA Carrier, IntraLATA Carriers, Complex Record and Number of Lines plus the Service Area. An SMS Template also contains the administrative fields Notes, Contact Name, Contact Phone, Resp Org, and Description (a new field for providing notes on the SMS Template itself). SMS Templates are scheduled the same as CAD records and have most of the status values of CAD records (e.g. Active, Sending, Pending, Old). On SMS/800 an SMS Template record is known as a TAD record.
An SMS Template is referenced by a number using a new form of a CAD record called a PAD (or Pointer) record. In SMS/800 terminology, a toll-free number points at an SMS Template through a PAD record. A PAD record is a subset of the fields in a CAD record (specifically the administrative fields) plus the name of an SMS Template. PAD records are scheduled the same as CAD records and have all the status values of CAD records (e.g. Active, Sending, Pending, Old, Hold, Must Check).
SMS Templates are created on the SMS Template Management screen. This screen has a behavior very similar to the Record Management: SMS CAD (formerly the CAD Management) screen. Data may be populated by selecting a source record of an 8MS Routing Set, CAD record, or an SMS Template record. Once the data is populated, the SMS Template record is sent to SMS/800. This is done by populating the SMS Template name and activation date/time, located in the upper right side of the screen (in the Schedule column), and then selecting the Send button. Again, this behavior is just like the Record Management: SMS CAD screen.
Toll-free number PAD records are created on the Record Management: SMS PAD screen. This is a tab on the Record Management screen, located to the right of the Record Management: SMS CAD tab. This screen also has a behavior very similar to the Record Management: SMS CAD screen. Data may be populated by selecting a source record of an 8MS Routing Set or a CAD record. Once the data is populated and an SMS Template is selected, the PAD record is sent to SMS/800. This is done by populating the toll-free number and activation date/time, located in the upper right side of the screen (in the Schedule column), and then selecting the Send button just as is done on the Record Management: SMS CAD screen. Since PAD records are toll-free number records, the Send Batch feature is also available, so multiple numbers may be pointed at an SMS Template in a single action.
SMS Templates are similar in concept to 8MS Routing Sets. SMS Templates may be used in the following ways in 8MS:
SMS/800 is the database-of-record for SMS Templates, just as it is for toll-free numbers. 8MS normally keeps all data (both numbers and SMS Templates) in sync with SMS/800 via unsolicited messages (see the questions What is local data on 8MS? and What are unsolicited messages? in the 8MS FAQ for details on unsolicited messages). However, the user always has the option of deleting SMS Templates from the local 8MS database (without affecting the data on SMS/800) using the Delete Local SMS Template screen or retrieving SMS Templates from SMS/800 Retrieve SMS Template screen.
Since SMS Template data is stored on the local 8MS database, SMS Templates may be searched. As mentioned above, both Search Local Numbers and Search Local Records allow an SMS Template to be used as part of the filtering on numbers and records. In addition, there is a new Search Local SMS Templates screen that behaves much like the Search Local Records screen except that is allows you to view information about SMS Template records rather than toll-free number records.
While all this discussion on what an SMS Template is and how it's used is interesting, a few simple examples of how to work day-to-day with SMS Templates should make it much clearer.
As with other data in 8MS, SMS Templates can be used in powerful ways. It is difficult to document all the possible options. If you have questions about the best way to work with your numbers and records, the 8MS support team is always available to help you. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or need more information about SMS Templates.