Setting Up SMS Provider & Templates
Connect an SMS provider (Twilio, MSG91, etc.) and create message templates for school communications.
Setting Up SMS Provider & Templates
TL;DR: Connect your SMS provider to EduSuite OS, create approved templates, and send automated notifications, fee reminders, and announcements via SMS.
Supported SMS Providers
| Provider | Region | Starting Cost |
|---|---|---|
| MSG91 | India | ₹0.12/SMS |
| Twilio | Global | $0.0079/SMS (varies by country) |
| Textlocal | India, UK | ₹0.15/SMS |
| Fast2SMS | India | ₹0.10/SMS |
| Semaphore | Philippines | ₱0.35/SMS |
| Custom API | Any | Varies |
Step 1: Get Provider Credentials
MSG91 (India — Recommended)
- Sign up at msg91.com.
- Add your school as a sender.
- Get DLT registration (mandatory in India).
- From Dashboard, copy: Auth Key and Sender ID.
Twilio (Global)
- Sign up at twilio.com.
- Get a phone number.
- Copy: Account SID, Auth Token, and Phone Number.
Step 2: Connect in EduSuite OS
- Go to Settings → Communication → SMS Provider.
- Click + Add Provider.
- Select your provider.
- Enter credentials (API key, auth token, sender ID).
- Click Test Connection → sends a test SMS to your number.
- If successful, click Save.
Step 3: Create SMS Templates
DLT Compliance (India)
In India, all SMS templates must be registered with DLT:
- Register templates on your provider's DLT portal.
- After approval, add them in EduSuite OS:
- Go to Settings → Communication → SMS Templates.
- Click + Add Template.
- Enter the DLT Template ID and template content.
Template Categories
| Category | Use Case | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Attendance | Absence alerts | "Your child {name} was absent today" |
| Fee Reminder | Payment due | "Fee of {amount} due on {date}" |
| Announcement | School notices | "PTM scheduled for {date}" |
| OTP | Login verification | "Your OTP is {otp}" |
| Result | Exam results | "{name} scored {marks} in {subject}" |
| Custom | Any purpose | Your own templates |
Step 4: SMS Balance & Monitoring
Checking Balance
Go to Settings → Communication → SMS → Balance to see remaining credits.
Top-Up
Click Recharge or visit your provider's website to add SMS credits.
Usage Reports
- Go to Communication → Reports → SMS.
- View: total sent, delivered, failed, monthly usage.
- Track cost per message and total spend.
SMS Best Practices
- Keep messages under 160 characters — Longer messages cost 2x.
- Include school name — Parents should know who's messaging.
- Add opt-out info — Required by regulations in some regions.
- Use in-app for non-urgent — Save SMS for critical notifications.
- Monitor delivery rates — Below 95% may indicate number issues.
Troubleshooting
Q: SMS not sending — "template not approved." A: Ensure your template is approved on the DLT portal (India) or approved by your provider. Template content must match exactly.
Q: SMS balance is zero. A: Recharge your SMS credits through your provider's dashboard.
Q: Some parents aren't receiving SMS. A: Check: (1) Phone number format is correct, (2) Number is not on DND list, (3) Provider supports that network.
Need help choosing an SMS provider? Talk to our team for region-specific recommendations.