Understanding Broadcast

Using the GAP Portal, you can broadcast a text message or a check-in request to one or more devices. This article describes the various mechanissms

Note: not all devices support text messaging or check-ins. In order for devices to receive broadcast messages they must be on and have cellular / Wi-Fi / satellite coverage. In addition, messages may be shortened according to the capabilities of the device.

When sending a text message, GAP selects the most appropriate channel for each device. For example, for a SHOUT Nano, the text message is sent via the Iridium network. For apps, a push notification is used. Some devices (such as apps) allow you to select a different channel (i.e. SMS).

Send to all users in a particular country

You can broadcast a text message or a check-in request to all devices in a specific country.

  1. Click "Home"
  2. Click "Send Text Message" or "Send Check-In Request"
  3. Select "Country" from the "Delivery Type" drop-down list
  4. Select a country from the "Send to all devices in the selected country" drop-down list
  5. Type your message in the box provided
  6. For text messages, if you want to default to SMS (for devices that support it), select the "Use SMS (where supported) check box"
  7. For check-in requests, select how long before the device will be marked overdue using the "Check-In Period" drop-down list
  8. Click "Send"

Send to all devices in a geofence

You can broadcast a text message or a check-in request to all devices inside a particular geofence.

  1. Click "Home"
  2. Click "Send Text Message" or "Send Check-In Request"
  3. Select "Geofence" from the "Delivery Type" drop-down list
  4. Select a geofence from the "Send to all devices in selected geofence" drop-down list
  5. Type your message in the box provided
  6. For text messages, if you want to default to SMS (for devices that support it), select the "Use SMS (where supported) check box"
  7. For check-in requests, select how long before the device will be marked overdue using the "Check-In Period" drop-down list
  8. Click "Send"

Send to all devices in an arbitrary geometry

You can broadcast a text message or a check-in request to all devices inside a circle or polygon that you draw on the map.

  1. Click "Home"
  2. Click "Send Text Message" or "Send Check-In Request"
  3. Select "Custom Circle or Polygon" from the "Delivery Type" drop-down list
  4. Select "Circle" or "Polygon" from the "Send to all devices in custom" drop-down list
  5. Draw the desired shape on the map
  6. Type your message in the box provided
  7. For text messages, if you want to default to SMS (for devices that support it), select the "Use SMS (where supported) check box"
  8. For check-in requests, select how long before the device will be marked overdue using the "Check-In Period" drop-down list
  9. Click "Send"

Send based on tags

You can broadcast a text message or a check-in request to all devices with a particular tag (or tag value) or to devices assigned to users with a particular tag (or tag value).

To broadcast a text message to devices with a particular tag:

  1. Click "Home"
  2. Click "Send Text Message" or "Send Check-In Request"
  3. Click "Devices with tag" or "Devices assigned to users with tag" as required
  4. Select a tag name from the first drop-down list
  5. Select "equals" from the second drop-down list. Alternatively, select "is not empty" to select devices with any value for the tag in question.
  6. Select a tag value from the third drop-down list
  7. For text messages, if you want to default to SMS (for devices that support it), select the "Use SMS (where supported) check box"
  8. For check-in requests, select how long before the device will be marked overdue using the "Check-In Period" drop-down list
  9. Click "Send"

Send to all devices in one or more group

You can broadcast a text message or a check-in request to a particular group

  1. Click "Home"
  2. Click "Send Text Message" or "Send Check-In Request"
  3. Select "Group" from the "Delivery Type" drop-down list
  4. Select one or more groups from the list
  5. For text messages, if you want to default to SMS (for devices that support it), select the "Use SMS (where supported) check box"
  6. For check-in requests, select how long before the device will be marked overdue using the "Check-In Period" drop-down list
  7. Click "Send"

Send to a distribution list

You can broadcast a text message (but not a check-in request) to a distribution list. When you do this, all recipients will receive the message via all means (SMS, e-mail, text message to device, etc.). Where a "device" contact record is used, a text message will be delivered only if the device supports text messaging.

  1. Click "Home"
  2. Click "Send Text Message"
  3. Select "Distribution List" from the "Delivery Type" drop-down list
  4. Select one or more distribution lists from the list
  5. Enter your message in the "Message" text box
  6. Click "Send"