Arbor SMS Subscription is an annual, prepaid messaging service for schools using the Arbor Management Information System (MIS). It allows schools to send SMS messages to parents for attendance, behaviour, and general communications, without the need for frequent credit top-ups. The subscription is priced based on student numbers and offers a single annual invoice, making budgeting and payment management straightforward. Schools benefit from lower per-message costs compared to buying SMS bundles, and the risk of running out of credits mid-year is eliminated. The service integrates directly with Arbor MIS, so contact lists are always up to date, and all sent messages are tracked within the system. Schools can target messages to specific groups or individuals based on criteria such as attendance or behaviour, streamlining parent engagement and operational communications.

Key Features

Annual Prepaid SMS Credits Provides a yearly allocation of SMS credits for school communications.

• No need for regular top-ups or manual credit management
• One annual invoice simplifies payment processing

Lower Per-Message Costs Reduces overall SMS expenditure for schools.

• Cheaper than purchasing individual SMS bundles
• Predictable costs for budgeting

Direct Integration with Arbor MIS Ensures seamless communication and contact management.

• Uses up-to-date contact lists from Arbor MIS
• Tracks all sent messages for easy review

Flexible Targeting and Messaging Enables targeted communication to parents.

• Send messages based on attendance, behaviour, or custom criteria
• Message groups or individual students in a few clicks

Automated Reminders and Usage Monitoring Helps schools manage SMS usage efficiently.

• Automated reminders for credit balance and fair usage
• Prevents running out of credits mid-year

Benefits

Cost Savings Reduces SMS costs compared to ad-hoc purchases.

• Annual subscription offers lower rates
• Eliminates unexpected expenses from running out of credits

Simplified Administration Streamlines payment and credit management.

• One invoice per year for easier financial planning
• No manual top-ups required

Improved Parent Engagement Facilitates timely and targeted communication.

• Messages sent directly from Arbor MIS using current contact data
• Supports attendance, behaviour, and general updates

Operational Efficiency Frees staff from manual credit management and contact updates.

• Automated processes reduce administrative workload
• All communications tracked and accessible in Arbor MIS