What is Group SMS Service? Is it included?

Group SMS is included with your SMS service and allows you to text up to 10 different contacts in a single group chat. There's no limit on the number of group chats you can create. When you send your first message out to a new group chat, all participants get that message, and any responses are sent to everyone in the group! 

How do I add  SMS Texting Service to my RingByName Account?

Check with your system administrator to make sure that SMS is enabled and active on your account, and that you have been granted access to access SMS service. As long as you have SMS you will have access to Group SMS! If you are the account owner, you can add SMS Text Message service to your account by contacting the Customer Service Department by calling 855-345-7464 or by emailing us at service@ringbyname.com.

How can I send a Group SMS Text message?

1. Click on the SMS icon located at the top of the RingByName web application
   
   
   
2. Click on the create new message icon .
   
   
   
3. Enter a business number in the From field or select one from the drop down. 
   
   
4. Next in the To field enter a number. If it is found on an existing contact it will be displayed. If it is a new number, a clickable link will appear for the number. Click on it to add that contact. 
   
   
   
   
5. You can continue adding contacts to the group here. When finished, click 'Next'.
   
   
   
   
6. Type up your message at the bottom of the SMS window, and tap 'Send' to send it out to the group. members in the group will have their messages appear on the left hand side. Your messages will appear on the right. You can also click on the list of clients that appears on the top left, and enter a unique name for the group chat. The name isn't  directly shared with any of the contacts in the group. 
   
   
   

 How are Group SMS Text Messages stored in RingByName?
Group SMS messages are attached to your contact cards and automatically stored in your RingByName account just like fax records and notes. They appear separately from 1 on 1 SMS conversations. Both group chats and direct chats appear in contact cards or SMS conversation searches.
Your SMS history is permanently stored in your logs and will be accessible even if you deactivate SMS service on your account.

How can I access my old SMS Text Message history?

SMS messages can be accessed by clicking on the SMS navigation icon located at the top of the RingByName application and searching for a conversation by a contacts name or their mobile number.


Alternately, you can open the contact card in your company address book and view the SMS message history by clicking on the SMS history icon at the bottom of the screen. All SMS messages sent and received will be located in the history if they have been received at a number associated with that contact. Direct SMS messages and Group SMS messages are separately categorized here. If a contact belongs to more than one group chat, they'll be listed separately as well. 

Are there any group text limits? 

You can have as many active group text chats as you like. Group chats are limited to 10 contacts per chat. Any SMS limitations are based on your SMS service plan. Reach out to our Service team for more information regarding increasing limits or adding MMS!

What does SMS Text Messaging Cost? How many texts can I send?

Costs are determined based on 10DLC policies per telecom regulations. You can send and receive SMS messages within the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. Currently Mass or Bulk SMS messaging isn't available but it is in development!

If you would like to add additional SMS number on your account, simply purchase an add-on company for your business and let us know you want to receive SMS messages.
To add an additional Company Number or activate SMS, contact Customer Service at 855-345-7464 or email us at service@ringbyname.com.

 
Does RingByName offer Toll Free SMS Text Messaging numbers?

RingByName does not offer text messaging via Toll Free Numbers at this time.

Does RingByName offer International SMS Text Messaging numbers?

RingByName does not offer International SMS numbers at this time.

Why don't I receive pictures that have been sent to my SMS number?

How do I send pictures/files via text message?

    

Will I receive notifications when a new text message is received?

You will receive notifications for any new text messages for any new SMS-enabled telephone numbers to which your administrator has granted you access. You will also receive notifications for any SMS conversations that you have been assigned as owner.

A new message notification icon will appear in the navigation area at the top of the web application showing you a count of new unread text messages.
 

Any new SMS messages will have a green dot next to the unread message(s).

 

Can I assign the Group text message conversation to a team member?

Yes, the process is identical to regular SMS conversations. Follow these simple steps:

1. Click on the SMS icon located at the top of the RingByName web application
   
   
   
2. Click on a conversation you would like to assign from the listing of SMS conversations.
   
   
3. Click on the Unassigned icon and select a user to designate as the conversation owner. The conversation owner will be the only individual that can mark a conversation as read or delete a conversation. They also receive notifications of new messages for that client, however any user that has been granted access to the SMS feature can read and reply to an SMS.
   
   
   

How can I change ownership of a text message conversation?

Once an SMS conversation has been assigned, only the current "owner" can assign it to another team member. 

How do I grant my team members access to use SMS?

In order to grant access to a team member please follow these steps:

1. Login to your RingByName account at https://login.ringbyname.com
   
   
2. Click on your name in the top right corner and click on your name, then click on "System administration" from the drop down menu. If it does not appear, then you do not have administrator permissions to your system.
   
   
   
   
3. Click on "RingByName Setup" from the navigation bar at the top of the screen.
   
   
   
4. Click on the "Phone Numbers" icon located on the left side of the screen.
   
   
   
5. Locate and click on one of the locate your SMS-enabled number from the list of your company numbers.
   
   
   
6. Scroll to the bottom of the phone number settings located in the last column. Click on all users that should be granted access to receive or send SMS messages, and click "Save".
   
   
   

Refer to https://api.ctia.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/190719-CTIA-Messaging-Principles-and-Best-Practices-FINAL.pdf