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Frequently asked questions
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Application
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Where do I purchase the ACT Mobile Messenger?
You can purchase the ACT Mobile Messenger on our 'Buy' page or using the 'Buy Me' button on the home page or 'About' page. You can also purchase the software directly from your Act! Certified Consultant or any of the partners listed on the 'Partner' page in your local area. It makes sense to buy local to ensure support in your timezone.
What is the difference between the Lite & Professional versions?
The Lite version is primarily for sending single messages. It is ideal for situations where you only needs to send one message at a time. This could be in a contact centre for a large organisation or to be used in activity confirmation and reminders in a small one. The Professional version is primarily used for Group Messaging. It is ideal for situations where you are doing any large scale messaging for text marketing activities. All our multi user licences (5+ users) include the Professional version.
Where do I find the ACT Mobile Messenger in act! ?
The ACT Mobile Messenger is a Plug-In and not a Program (.exe). You will not find the ACT Mobile Messenger in Program Files. The simplest place to find the ACT Mobile Messenger is in the ‘Write’ Menu, however you can also find the ACT Mobile Messenger’s ‘Smiley’ icon on most Tool Bars that are applicable once installed.
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Messaging
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What does the SMS mean or what is it short for?
SMS (Short Message Service) , also known as Text Messages, are alphanumeric “message blocks”, usually sent over the telephone networks, from one handset to another. They have become very popular, as a short form of communication, as people put down alphanumeric pagers in favor of Cell, Mobile & Smart Phones.
What is a Smiley?
‘Smileys’ are character combinations that are representations of emoticons, but in character form, e.g. :). Many SMS users use smiley or grumpy faces to send a message beyond the text message in the form of some basic visual expressions of emotions. These have been taken much further into the space of emoticons, however these are not supported in simple SMS Text Messaging. Therefore, the Smileys are generally comprised of a series of keystrokes (characters) that create a visual image. We have taken a collection of these and have made them available to ACT Mobile Messenger users. There is also the ability for ACT Mobile Messenger users to be able to add their own.
What is a Short-Cut?
‘Short-cuts’ are combinations of characters to abbreviate words such as ‘LOL' (Laugh Out Load) or (Lots of Laughter). Due to the form of the short message service being only 160 characters, many users of the service have come up with creative acronyms or abbreviations to get their message across, with less keystrokes. We have compiled a list of the most common and made them available to ACT Mobile Messenger users. There is also the ability for ACT Mobile Messenger users to be able to add their own.
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Message Recording
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Can I record messages in act! ?
Yes. You can record message details in Notes, History and Act! fields. However, make sure your field is long enough or you may truncate (cut short) the message details.
Can I record message replies in act! ?
Yes. If your message provider and your account support message replies then you should be able to record the message replies in Act!. You can record message replies in Notes, History and Act! fields. However, make sure your field is long enough or you may truncate (cut short) the message replies.
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Message Scheduling
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Can I schedule messages to be sent at a particular date and time?
Yes. Whether your message needs to go to a single contact, lookup, group or your entire database, you can schedule a message to be sent at a specified Date & Time using free text or a message template.
Can I schedule messages on a recurring schedule?
Yes. You can schedule messages to be sent at regular intervals.
Can messages be sent as confirmations of scheduled events?
Yes. You can automatically send activity confirmations right after scheduling an activity in Act!, including the activity details.
Can messages be sent as reminders of upcoming events?
Yes. After scheduling an activity in Act!, you can have a reminder message sent to the invitee as per the scheduled activity on or prior to the event and even use the Ring Alarm (Lead time) to ensure the message arrives in advance of the activity.
Can I send messages based on events or triggers?
Yes. By using the Smart Tasks and Activities in Act! you can send messages based on a custom event occurring.
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Message Replies
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Where do my message replies go?
Message replies will generally be directed to the number specified on your messaging account or a number allocated by the provider. If the number specified is your own number then replies will be routed directly to your Cell/Mobile phone. In this case you will not receive message replies in act!. However, if you purchase a Virtual Number from your provider or choose to use a number allocated by the message provider at message time, then the reply will be directed back to the gateway and can be recorded in act!
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Sender Details
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Can I use my own Cell/Mobile Phone number?
Yes. If your message provider supports the ability to customise the sender details with your own number. However, please remember that if you choose your own number, message replies will go directly to your own phone number and not be recorded in act!. You can resolve this by purchasing your own Virtual Number (VN) hosted by your message provider
Can I have my name, company, brand appear instead of my number?
Some providers allow for custom headers where the sending number (originator) can be replaced with alphanumeric text. While this sounds like a great idea there are size limits to how long this word/text can be and it also may not be supported on the network of the receiver. Please check with your message provider as to what capabilities they offer.
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Message Account
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What does a message service provider do?
A Message Service Provider is similar to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Like the ISP, provides Internet services, they are not a telephone company, but require the services of a telephone company to deliver their services. In the case of a Message Service Provider they offer services over the Internet allowing users (customers) the ability to send a Text Message (SMS) to many recipients regardless of the telephone company the recipients may be using. Therefore, the messaging service providers have direct connection to all of the major telephone companies around the world in order to deliver messages effectively regardless of the country or telephone company. You would obviously not need to use a message gateway provider when sending messages directly from your phone as these services are readily available with the telephone company you have chosen for you phone services. The Message Service Provider becomes much more important when trying to integrate software and applications available on the desktop with messaging services such as Text Messaging (SMS).
How much do messages cost?
Text Message (SMS) costs should be similar (or lower) to the general costs for text messaging outside of packaged plans offered by telephone companies (Telcos). The major Telcos do offer contracts that may include handsets, discounted phones calls and even free text messages over an extended period. They can afford to offer what might be unlimited use on fixed term plans where the actual cost over the long run covers the cost of any offers made.
Can I use my own Cell/Mobile Account?
While you can use your own number on your account with a Messaging Gateway Provider, there are not very many telephone companies that provide direct access to third parties to their customer accounts or billing databases. While it might seem easy for you as the account holder to access your account online and even send text messages, it is not necessarily easy for 3rd parties such as software developers such as the ACT Mobile Messenger to gain access to their systems unless these services are readily made available. While we see this as much more common in the future, it is not the case right now.
Can I transfer my own Cell/Mobile phone number to my messaging account?
There are very few messaging providers offering to do this and I am sure it might be somewhat involved as opposed to simply applying for a new number with your messaging gateway provider.
Can I have multiple users sharing the one messaging account?
Yes. Most (if not all), messaging providers allow for the creation of sub-accounts linked to a primary account. Some even allow for multiple numbers to be listed on a single account.
Can I have separate accounts for each of my staff members?
Yes. Just as you can have Sub-Accounts all linked to a single account, there is not problem having multiple accounts for the same company. Your message provider will be able to discuss with you what options are available.
Can I limit the amount of messages a user can send in a day?
Depending on the capabilities offered by your messaging provider you may be able to set limits on how many messages a user may send in a day (Please contact your message provider).
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Privacy Law Compliance
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Can receivers Opt-Out of receiving messages?
Yes. The ACT Mobile Messenger has it’s own Opt-Out (Stop) List that will record the Cell/Mobile number of any contact that has replied with the word ‘STOP’ in the message reply.
Can I block spam messages?
Yes. The ACT Mobile Messenger has it’s own Black (Block) List that will block any message from a Cell/Mobile number that appears in your 'Black List' you have created from receiving SPAM messages.
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Training
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How can I arrange training for the ACT Mobile Messenger?
The ACT Mobile Messenger is a reasonably easy program to get started. However, it has evolved into quite a sophisticated application with many configuration options and possible uses. To maximise the benefits and also reduce the time to become really proficient we recommend a training session that will save you time and frustration and turn you into a messaging professional in no time at all. Alternatively, for those that like reading our 100 page User Guide covers everything you need to know and is included with your purchase.