ALMA Notices via SMS

[dgray]

I know it's possible to send notices from ALMA via SMS.  Is this something we could implement at the system level?  I think we'd get a much better response from our overdue notices and billing notices if they were sent SMS.

Thanks.

[tcassidy]

During 2016 implementation we found that it's not an out of the box feature, disappointingly.

Taking another look around this week, I see that Alma SMS still does not appear to be in wide use. My guess is that the majority of SMS providers may not be compatible with Alma FTP methods. I noticed that U. Pittsburgh has shared custom code on github, a signal that indicates significant barriers to implementation for those without significant programming resources.

A college would need to independently contract with a compatible SMS service provider, establish a way for users to opt in/out of the service, and customize letters for SMS. This would require significant specialized network support and extensive testing.

[dgray]

Yikes. Ok, thanks for the explanation.

[mhanlin]

Tangentially related, and this wouldn't be an automated process, but LibAnswers allows for texting. In LibAnswers go to:  Tickets & FAQs >> Create a Ticket or FAQ >>New SMS ticket.  I've used it in the past when student VMs were full, and they had to return something costly (like a laptop).  It would obviously be a burden to try to use it with every overdue though.

[tcassidy]

Thanks for that useful tip, Mary!

[nwright]

Thanks for that useful tip, Mary!

This would be useful to MGCC also, especially for overdue laptop loans. 
I do not see the SMS tab in the >>Create a Ticket or FAQ. I am only showing New Ticket or New FAQ Entry. Any suggestions? 
Thanks

[tcassidy]

I looked around my admin module too, SMS is not enabled. TCC must purchase that separately?

[mhanlin]

Hmmm, yeah, I didn't realize there was a higher tier version on LibAnswers, but that's where it is.  Sorry for the bad info!