Demystifying Short Codes!

What Are Short Codes?

The US is a highly regulated market for SMS where carriers have established rules for how agencies are to send text messages. Any messages generated by an application are considered Application-to-Person (A2P) and must be sent over a Short Code.

While typical phone numbers in the US are 10-digits and are meant for enabling communication between two mobile phones, Short Codes are 5-6 digits and are leased by businesses intended for (A2P) Application-to-Person traffic.  PreventionPays is unique as we have developed a suite of web-based services that use enterprise Tier 1 short codes to power live, one-on-one communication and tailored group messaging, all under the same, intuitive, easy-to-use application!   

How Are Short Codes Obtained?

Provisioning a Short Code can be a very long and complex process that requires approval by carriers. After committing to your message content you must submit an application to get it approved  by each individual carrier (Verizon Wireless, AT&T, T-Mobile etc…). The timeline is unpredictable and any changes to the application or the message content can require re-provisioning. This impacts your ability to plan, your time-to-launch and overall agility.

Due to the complex approval process described above, provisioning a Short Code typically takes three months and can take longer if you do not have experience with the application process or if your application gets challenged.

Get Started Today!

 PreventionPays Text offers an innovative solution that enables agencies to begin sending messages with Short Codes today. To mitigate the long Short Code provisioning process, PreventionPays offers fully provisioned Tier 1 Short Codes which allow you to get started immediately!

With PreventionPays fully provisioned Tier 1 Short Codes you can begin sending the following types of messages right away:

Two-way, conversational texting!  Provide live help using Enterprise, Tier 1 short codes! A2P use of short codes to create real-time, IM-style conversations. De-escalate crisis, deploy information and referrals, increase client engagements, reach the next generation of help-seeker with secure, live help from your pc, laptop, tablet!

Education/Awareness: With read rates of over 95% within minutes, SMS is a great way to make sure your clients are receiving timely information. A highly sophisticated message track solution that enables you to deploy messages in a series. Create learning programs via text... providing tailored content at the exact moments when your audience will be most receptive. 

Fully-automated referrals with our unique Triage Tool!  Have high contact issues that are over-burdening your call center? Put our smart triage to work and take a big bite out of repetitive referrals. 

New this year!  Appointment reminders with live help!  Send appointment reminders with confidence. Our unique message tracking will update each time an appointment or medication reminder is not delivered. And then, allow your clients to reschedule or engage with live help via two-way text! if you offer sms appointment reminders, it also makes sense to offer rescheduling via the same channel! Your clients will love it!

Ask about our development groups! We're constantly working on new, creative ways to expand uses and push the envelope on texting! 

PreventionPays' Tier 1 Short Codes make it easy for any agency, regardless of resources and budget, to get up and running right away.

The benefits include:

Faster launch times: hours instead of months

Save money with one annual cost or pay by the month!

Avoid application complexity: Spend time on things that matter and let us handle the rest
With fully automated opt in/opt opt we remove the hassle so you can focus on what matters! 

Alerts: Have something that your clients need to know right now? SMS is the most effective channel for reaching large audiences quickly and efficiently!  According to PEW Internet Research, 80% of tweets are ignored, while 98% of texts are read in the first 5 minutes of receiving them!

Create fully-automated post encounter surveys!  Offer live help and then create an exit Q&A and delay delivery for hours, days, weeks.  Funders are always seeking followup data. But agencies are finding it increasingly difficult to collect qualitative data. With voice calls are rarely answered. However, as a preferred channel, text simplifies this process making end user feedback a mutually rewarding experience.  

Are there per message fees or additional charges?

With PreventionPays you can take comfort in knowing you have unlimited messages with absolutely no per message fees. PreventionPays Text was developed for health and human services... the system supports your agency with everything needed to provide deep engagements and elevate your service across all programs and priority groups!

Need a dedicated short code?  Contact us today and we'll get your application underway! 

We make texting the right way! Safe and simple!

PreventionPays services strictly adhere to all FCC and CTIA regulations! End user privacy is our highest priority.

Always FCC and CTIA Compliant!

Always FCC and CTIA Compliant!

PreventionPays is Offering Big Discounts to AIRS Members for I&R Text Services!

We proudly announce EMS is bringing PreventionPays Text to AIRS members at a discount!  EMS has always seen tremendous value in maintaining a strong and enduring relationship with AIRS.  As the leading network for I&R support, provisioning, and certification/training protocols, a discount to AIRS members represents a unique opportunity for EMS to increase growth among a cohort of service providers that EMS sees as “high value,” where I&Rs use the texting platform in ways highly consistent with how the system was developed enabling AIRS members to maximize impact with the communities they serve. 

The PreventionPays Platform is a leading service for texting and I&R and provides value not only in the immediate future, but in the long term; as AIRS members purchase services on the PreventionPays platform, I&R services will improve reach and increase efficiencies by adding the sms channel!  Enterprise Short Code Texting is the premiere service model in mobile communications offering I&R providers standards of service that competing products and platforms simply do not support. 

We look forward to being of service to the I&R sector!  

“PreventionPays Text integrates seamlessly with any I&R! Amazing service. Superb support!”
— Heart of Florida United Way 2-1-1
“We spent a very long time preparing for texting. We knew it was coming and we wanted to be prepared.... Their customer care goes beyond IT support. They helped us launch.”
— 2-1-1info, Portland Oregon
Proud members and supporters of the AIRS network!

Proud members and supporters of the AIRS network!

Ho, ho, ho! Exciting New Features... and More Coming Soon!

Case Manager Settings:

Now admins can set up staff to only see certain cases. This is optional so please discuss with your staff using the system.

So, when staff log in they will just see the cases that are in their caseload.  The case manager setting is separate from the responder setting. So, now, they no longer have to be assigned as responder to be assigned to the case.  

You can start using the queue this way by having staff go through the queue and "assign" themselves as the "case manager".  

They access this by clicking on each case, and then in the middle of the screen in the attributes section, there's another link next to the "assign responder" called "assign manager".  So, they will want to click the "assign manager" link and then select their name in the pull-down menu.   Once they've assigned all their cases to themselves admin can modify their profile settings so they just see their “assigned” cases.  To do so, you remove the check box in “all” under “users tab permissions"  when they log in they only see the cases they are assigned to manage.  If you don’t want to restrict staff to just their assigned cases, don’t change their profile.  They will still have access to “all” cases, but, when they click the sub tab “mine” they will see all cases they are assigned as responder and case manager.

Pass status:  “pass” option/status has been deployed however we have not updated this in the guide yet.  We have a few more deployments that we’re getting ready for and we're waiting to include those and the pass button in the next iteration!

Pass button is as follows:  
Some cases don't need a response. So it gives the option to pass so that it gets recorded that way. Agencies can create protocols around when and when not to use pass instead of opening case and sending a live response. When the case is "passed" the yellow turns off and the status changes to "passed".

So passing on the response versus taking it, opening, responding and then closing.

The other way is one responder has already tried to offer help and then another person's eyes are needed on the case. There could be a specialist who just takes the passes… so if you have a question that needs more support or if there’s a language barrier issue, or if first level response just needs some extra guidance with a case, the case manager setting can help guide these tasks and support your site's custom protocols.

Pass button does not change the functionality of the open and close. You can operate the system without ever using pass. And if you use pass by mistake you can open and close to change back to closed status. 

New Message Notifications

You will now be alerted when new messages enter the queue regardless of whether you're looking at Users tab. The alert appears in the bottom right corner and will update every time a new message arrives. And if you manage more than one queue, you will also receive alerts for the other queues. The alert automatically turns off when you click the X in top corner or click the message inside the alert, or click the Users tab to view the queue.  No more toggling back and forth between queues. We'll let you know when you have to switch locations! 

You can also choose to disable the notifications. Disable is located directly above the queue to the right of the disable buttons for audio alerts.  You disable the alerts the same way as audio, by clicking the check-box to off.

User Guide Version 7 is available for download here:  http://www.preventionpaystext.com/news/2014/10/28/our-new-user-guide-is-ready
V 7 covers features up though “case manager” settings


Thank you and as always, Happy Texting!

 

North American Alliance of Child Helplines Makes Big Waves in Crisis!

North American Alliance of Child Helplines is the largest network of youth crisis services in the US!  And they're growing!  Here's a little bit more about them! 

In 2011 NAACH provisioned the first nationally recognized youth crisis text hotline via enterprise, tier 1 short code. "20121" is powered by PreventionPays, the most subscribed two-way texting platform supporting many of the nation's largest contact centers (hotlines, helplines, and crisis centers).    20121 is supported by North American Alliance of Child Helplines and promises to support texting capacity to each participating crisis center for their regional communication aims as well as any national efforts they have or become a part of. 

All crisis services and hotlines with accreditation through one of the following (AAS, ContactUSA, AIRS) are eligible to join the NAACH network and offer services through 20121.

PreventionPays Text (in continuous operation since 2007) supporting short code texting for crisis services, helplines, I&R, WIC, health departments, universities, research institutions and many other health and human service agencies throughout the US.  The same assurances offered to all agencies using PreventionPays are included with the 20121 service!  Most importantly, 20121 supports best practice conversational texting with your community in a secure, separate environment so that you can support local efforts and always be recognized and funded for your local efforts. Moreover, you'll have peace of mind with the added benefit of optional backup by some of the nation's largest youth crisis centers.

PreventionPays Text + 20121 Text Line

 20121 Text Line is a fully provisioned Tier 1 short code on all mobile carriers. 20121 is understood and provisioned expressly for individuals and their families and friends facing crisis and is recognized by all mobile carriers as a resource for youth issues related to mental health and youth safety and well-being.  Additionally, EMS together with the Alliance petitioned mobile carriers to waive end user messages, so that anyone who has a mobile phone will be able to text 20121 and all messages will be free.  This ensures anyone who doesn't have a text plan will still be able to text 20121 and won’t be charged for those messages. To date, the following carriers have instituted end user waivers (AT&T, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Sprint, Metro PCS, Virgin, Boost, Cricket, and Nextel) accounting for over 98.5% of mobile phones.

FAQS

  • PreventionPays Text enables multiple agencies to offer sms services through the 20121 gateway
  • PreventionPays Text supports NAACH’s commitment to making help available to anyone, anywhere, at anytime.
  • System ensures a one-to-one ratio (responder to end user)
  • PreventionPays Text enables responders to keep notes about the individual, set data markers to track end user attributes/demographics and case manage. 
  • The Platform can be set to interface with resource taxonomies through API connections (using HTTP over json)
  • PreventionPays Text further enables responders to author pre-made text messages, set the time-sensitive alerts/auto-response preferences and provide blanket messaging to groups or region-specific users. 
  • NAACH members can set up automatic triages, follow-up programs, educational programs with automated, scheduled outgoing texts, phone to text referrals and many other innovative texting strategies
  • Utilize “Text2give” utility on 20121 as an onramp to your agency’s Paypal, Stripe or other donation processing page!
  • All the capacity you have come to appreciate about PreventionPays (or heard about from others) is available through 20121 with the added benefit of peace of mind - knowing that when you’re not available to reply, there are other agencies that will respond to your texts for you.
  • All texts that you handle are counted as yours. With PreventionPays, you also have the peace of mind that your service is exactly that – yours.

 EMS Assurances:

EMS privacy policy assures data and information remains strictly private and is not shared in any manner whatsoever. Data will be provisioned for state/regional uses only. EMS will have separate agreements with each participating agency that will ensure data is not used for any other purpose but to support the agencies that are providing the services that cultivate said data. 

 EMS’s operation of PreventionPays Text follows all Federal Communication Commission’s Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) rules together with the California Online Privacy and Disclosure Act.     

 EMS is in compliance with HIPAA guidelines serving to assure safe information gathering, processing and archiving. PreventionPays system uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption to secure all data being transmitted to and from the website.  Confidential information will not be stored on the hardware in use in client settings. The application and the data transmitted by the software is stored on a dedicated server platform which is owned by EMS and located in a secure Data Center facility, which is temperature controlled, with internal systems analysis and self-auditing and/or stress testing procedures.

EMS wholly owns PreventionPays Text and assures that gathered information is not subject to any other ownership privileges by any company, agency or individual.  PreventionPays Text employs safeguard encryption and security protocols to protect any information and/or data from unauthorized access. 

EMS complies with guidelines as outlined by the FCC and CTIA and uses Tier 1 aggregators as mobile communication partners.  EMS, through its affiliations, offers access to all mobile carriers in the United States and is committed to adding/provisioning new carriers as they become available. 

Want to learn more and schedule a 30 minute hands-on demo?  Text DEMO to 20121

To request more information, contact: info@preventionpaystext.com or call 805.653.6000

Standard msg&data rates may apply.  You may text STOP at any time to opt out.