Automatic text messaging is now standard for appointment reminders and multichannel marketing campaigns. In this blog post, we explain where and how to use and implement the sending process. We also look at the comparison between RCS and SMS—what are the advantages of automated RCS sending over SMS?
The advantages of automated SMS dispatch
The automatic sending of personalized SMS messages at set dates and times is an important tool for both notifications and marketing automation.
As notifications, automated SMS are particularly helpful to avoid no-shows and cancellations, and they come with several benefits:
- Automated lead time: The lead time of the dispatch before the appointment (e.g., one week before, 24 h before) can be easily set.
- Easily manage recurrences: Reminders for recurring appointments can be easily automated.
- Status notifications: Deliveries and appointments and status updates (e.g., in progress, approved/cancelled, sent) can be easily sent via SMS.
In marketing, automated text messages are used to draw attention to certain promotions and are an important addition to other campaigns. They are particularly useful:
- As a reminder of certain promotions (for specific user or customer groups).
- For seasonal reminders (e.g., for sales or Christmas, Easter).
- Due to the traceability through delivery statistics.
How automated SMS dispatch works
Depending on the existing software or CRM required, different implementations are possible—via local software, online platform, or app. Some providers also have API solutions for direct integration with a CRM or database.
Our SMS solutions at iBASIS are based on an SMS API—by simply connecting to send and receive text messages, you can interact with your customers faster, more reliably, and better. We offer both one-way communication solutions (allowing you to send updates and notifications) and reply-to solutions (for seamless, real-time interaction).
RCS as an alternative to automated SMS dispatch
Since RCS offers many advantages for companies as a new mobile communications standard, RCS can also be considered as an alternative to automated SMS dispatch. RCS offers many advantages over SMS:
- Better branding (through logos, colors, etc.)
- Sharing of multimedia content (images, videos, GIFs)
- Higher character limits than SMS—file size up to 10 MB
- Read receipts
- Increased security through end-to-end encryption
It therefore makes sense for innovative and future-oriented campaigns to consider RCS as an alternative to SMS in omnichannel solutions. RCS can also be integrated into existing communication systems via APIs.