The rule for SMS versus app notifications: a four-column matrix β reach, consent, delivery proof, cost β and the channel chosen per news type. Treating one as the otherβs alternative is wrong: SMS arrives with proof, app push is free and carries rich content; by urgency, both are needed.
What to verify: reach, consent, delivery evidence, cost limits
The channel-decision matrix:
| News | SMS | App push | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absence signal | β | β (extra) | SMS with proof, push adds detail free |
| Holiday notice | β | β | urgent β both channels |
| Daily announcements | β | β | push free, SMS wasteful |
| Results (individual) | β | β | rich content belongs in push |
| Urgent closure | β | β | both channels together |
| General reminders | β | β | free-channel news |
The reality of reach: app push arrives only if the guardian keeps the app and has internet; SMS reaches nearly every phone. So SMS is the only guaranteed channel β to save its cost, the rule: SMS for must-send news only; everything else on push.
A usable sample: the channel decision matrix
Decide with three questions:
- Must every guardian know this? yes β SMS (+ push). no β push/app.
- Does the news carry rich content? yes β push/app (SMS short + app detailed).
- Is the SMS budget holding? no β prefer push channels, reduce entries.
SMS vs app push: workflow steps and limitations
- Keep app installation running β install the app on the guardianβs phone at admission itself; push reach is meaningful only then.
- Report SMS cost at month-end β which news consumed how many SMS is the data for policy reconsideration.
- Limitation: app reach grows over the year β reduce SMS dependence slowly, but never zero it suddenly.
Channel choice: questions to ask before your demo
- Can a channel be chosen per notice (not forced SMS+push on every one)?
- Is there a push-delivery report?
- Is SMS credit visible per notice?
See channel policy and setup in the communication module and the notification documentation; cost accounting on the pricing page.
Channel choice FAQ
What percentage of guardians receive app push?
Depends on app installs and internet β hence urgent news uses push+SMS together; push alone is a risk.
Push is free β send everything on push?
Everything on push makes guardians disable push β then even urgent news fails to arrive. Excessive push is also waste.
The best way to save SMS?
Grow app installation β news moved to push saves SMS; and SMS only for must-send news.