The SMS Engine FAQ's

	Q: What is the benefit of conducting the free trial? A: The free trial registration process actually opens up your clubs SMS Engine account. Automatically 20 SMS credits are allocated to the account so that you can test the system. You can upload all your contacts via CSV or alternatively manually add a few contacts for trial. Testing the system means that when you do purchase credits from us, you're happy and understand the system.

	Q: How many messages can I send at once? A: You can send 1 to a 10,000 SMS messages at once. All messages are sent simultaneously within 60-seconds. Messages may be delayed if the recipient has a full SMS inbox.

	Q: How many characters can an SMS message contain? A: There are a maximum of 160 characters per message.

	Q: How do I purchase more SMS credits? A: SMS credits are purchased in bundles prior to use. They can be purchased in 100, 300, 600, 1500, 3000 and 10,000 lots. Bundles are purchased online via credit card or a Pay Pal Account. SMS bundles can be bought if and when required by clicking "Purchase more Credit" on the Control Panel in your club's account area. Cheque payment is an option but we request an email from you stipulating your bundle request. Your credits will be allocated to your account once payment has been received. Further, should you wish to pay by bank transfer we will invoice you directly upon receipt of an email from you stating your bundle request.

	Q: Who can send messages from our SMS Engine account? A: The number of people authorised to send out text messages is dependent on who is given the login/password information. It is up to individual clubs as to who and how many officials have access.

	Q: How do you set-up the database of contacts? A: Contacts can be added manually by clicking ADD/DELETE member on your clubs control panel in the account area. However, this is not practical for an entire club, with a multitude of teams. The solution here, is to cut and paste your contacts into a specially prepared excel spreadsheet which you can then save to your desktop as a CSV (comma deleted) file and upload via the control panel. Full instructions are included in the User Guide. It is best to keep a MASTER spreadsheet of contacts for your club and when changes occur just re-upload it.

	Q: What happens if a member changes his or her mobile number? A: You have the ability to add, delete and edit the database using The SMS Engine Control Panel in your club's SMS Area. It is very easy to make corrections or changes to the contact database. Otherwise you can alter your MASTER excel spreadsheet and then re-upload it.

	Q: How can we trial the service? A: We offer clubs a free trial opportunity. To receive a free trial, fill in the registration form. Your club will receive an email instantaneously detailing login and password information. By entering the site and clicking "UPLOAD CONTACTS" you have the ability to download your contact file by saving your contacts into our SMS Engine Spreadsheet and then uploading it. Full instructions are contained in the USER Guide.

	Q: Do our SMS have an expiry date? A: Should your account not be used for a period of 12-months your account will be closed, and the SMS credits will expire.

	Q: What do you mean by an alphanumeric message header? A: When you send a message you have the opportunity to select one-way or two way messaging. The default position is one-way. When your account is set-up you pre-select a message header (max 10 characters). This message header will be sent with the message, so when the recipient opens up the message your clubs name will appear at the top of the message. i.e. NORTHS DCC

	Q: How do we put all of our contacts into groups for easy messaging? A: When adding contacts via cut and paste into your SMS Engine Excel Master spreadsheet, there is a column that allows you to add a "GROUP" reference. This group reference will place all of the contacts tagged with that group reference together. In other words tags like "A Grade" or "Under 11 RED" will put all contacts tagged with this grouping together. When you go to select message recipients all of the contacts will be grouped together for easy selection.

	Q: What is a One-Way SMS Message? A: A one-way message does not allow the recipient to reply to the message. So you should select one-way messaging when you simply want to notify a member of something, and you do not require a response. Further, when a one-way message is sent to the recipient it is sent with your accounts message header i.e. NORTHS DCC.

	Q: What is a Two-Way SMS Message? A: A two-way message allows the recipient to reply to the message. The replies can be found in the SMS Inbox located on the control panel. Should you wish replies to be sent to the club's nominated email address, this can be selected by referring to the PROFILE function on the Control Panel.

	Q: What is a Scheduled Message? A: A scheduled message allows you to send a message to your recipients at a future nominated future date and time. This is a great organising feature, especially if you want to send reminders!