Sign up
Receive 5 free credits.
Easy to try, simple to use.
Test Network
Also See:
6. BulkSMS Text Messenger Settings
6.1. Introduction – Restore default settings
6.2. Account Details
6.3. Preferences
6.4. Signature
6.5. Custom fields
6.6. Long messages
6.7. Outlook contacts
6.8. External databases
6.9. Network
6.1. Introduction – Restore Default settings
The BulkSMS Text Messenger settings can be changed on the Settings menu. The Introduction page allows you to restore all the default settings. If you restore the default settings it will be as though you are opening your BulkSMS Text Messenger for the first time.
Step 1: Click on ‘Settings’ on the main toolbar
Step 2: Click ‘Settings…’ to open the BulkSMS Text Messenger settings
Step 3: The Introduction page will pop up. This page allows you to access the various settings that can be changed on your BulkSMS account.
In order to Restore Defaults, simply click the Restore Defaults button. This will reset all settings within your BulkSMS Text Messenger back to that of a new installation.
All saved account details, passwords, signatures, contacts and groups will be deleted. You would need to re-enter all these details.
6.2. Account Details
To view your account details, such as Username, Country and mobile phone Number, simply:
Step 1: Click on ‘Settings’ on the main toolbar
Step 2: Click ‘Settings…’ to open the BulkSMS Text Messenger settings
Step 3: Click on ‘Account Details’. You can update your country and mobile phone number on this page.
Should you wish to log in with a different username and password, this is where you would need change these details.
To change your password on your BulkSMS account, please follow the steps as outlined to Change your password
6.3. Preferences
The Preference page looks at advanced settings related to the BulkSMS Text Messenger start-up process as well as low credit notification. To access this page, simply:
Step 1: Click on ‘Settings’ on the main toolbar
Step 2: Click ‘Settings…’ to open the BulkSMS Text Messenger settings
Step 3: Click ‘Preferences’ to access the Preference page options.
Here you are able to manage the BulkSMS Text Messenger start-up and reminder functions:
Remember Password – if this is ticked, the BulkSMS Text Messenger will start and open automatically when your computer is switched on; if the tick box is unchecked, BulkSMS Text Messenger will startup but you will need to enter your password.
Minimize Messenger to the system tray at startup – If this is ticked then BulkSMS Text Messenger will be minimized on startup. (i.e. in your applications block – usually on the bottom right hand side of the screen). If it is not ticked, the BulkSMS Text Messenger will open as you start up your machine and will not be minimized.
Low Credit Warning – if this is ticked and the number of credits on your account drops below the number inserted, a reminder to purchase additional credits will be emailed to the email address loaded when you registered for the BulkSMS account. This message will be repeated until you top up your SMS credits. The default setting of 5 credits can be changed to suite your needs by clicking on the up or down buttons. To purchase additional credits, go to Purchase More Credits
6.4. Signature
The BulkSMS Text Messenger provides the option to add your ‘Signature’ at the end of your messages. You can choose a greeting, your name, your company, mobile phone number, or a marketing slogan as a message signature.
To get to the Signature page, simply:
Step 1: Click on ‘Settings’ on the main toolbar
Step 2: Click ‘Settings…’ to open the BulkSMS Text Messenger settings
Step 3: Click ‘Signature’.
The signature is limited to 35 characters and is subtracted from the 160 character limit imposed on each SMS text message. The number of characters used in the signature is displayed next to the signature. BulkSMS offers two types of signatures:
Standard Message Signature - after a standard signature has been enabled and entered, it appears whenever a ‘New Message’ window is opened. The signature is editable in the new message.
Personalised Message Signature – enabling this function and entering a signature adds {Signature} to the Token Field drop-down list in ‘New Personalised Messages’. Select this token field to add this signature to each message i.e. you can choose whether or not you want to add your signature on the personalised messages that you send out.
6.5. Custom fields
The BulkSMS Text Messenger provides five different ‘Custom Fields’ in which unique details for each contact can be saved i.e. when uploading a spreadsheet with extra fields such as account number or balance due, you can change the name of the Custom Fields to reflect the fields/columns in your spreadsheet. To change the names of the Custom Fields, you need to access the page (which can be found under the settings menu) where these fields can be renamed.
Step 1: Click on ‘Settings’ on the main toolbar
Step 2: Click ‘Settings…’ to open the BulkSMS Text Messenger settings
Step 3: Click ‘Custom Fields’ to access the page where you can change the names of each custom field.
These fields are used when sending personalised messages. Each Custom Field name will appear in the 'Custom fields' of each of the contacts in your BulkSMS Text Messenger.
To view the information saved for each contact, select 'Contacts' from the BulkSMS Text Messenger Folders and double click on the contact you wish to view. You will see that the five Custom Field’s will now be renamed (bottom left section of the contact properties).
For more information on sending Personalised messages, go to Send a personalised message
6.6. Long messages
Most SMS text messages are only 160 characters long. The BulkSMS Text Messenger allows you to send up to 6 SMS text messages in one go. Instead of splitting any information that you may need to send, you now have up to 918 characters. The message gets split into 6 parts when you send it, but when it arrives at the mobile phone , it will appear as one full message*. Please note that some of the older mobile phone s do not have the ability to reconnect the messages so that they appear at the recipients’ mobile phone as one SMS text message.
*the technical form for this is ‘concatenation’
To enable Long message sending, simply:
Step 1: Click on ‘Settings’ on the main toolbar
Step 2: Click ‘Settings…’ to open the BulkSMS Text Messenger settings
Step 3: Click ‘Long Messages’ to view and enable Long message sending. Ensure that all three tick boxes are ticked and choose the Maximum Message Parts (anywhere from 2 to 6 – this means that you can send from two to six messages in one message from the BulkSMS Text Messenger).
Please be aware that each ‘extra’ message will be charged for at the standard message rate. E.g. if the text that is being sent is 918 characters long, this means that you will be charged for 6 messages. i.e. if one credit equals one SMS text message, then 6 credits will be deducted from your BulkSMS account.
6.7. Outlook contacts
This page allows you to set up an automatic download of the Contacts in Microsoft Outlook every time the BulkSMS Text Messenger starts up. This means that any new contacts loaded into Outlook will now appear in the BulkSMS Text Messenger.
Step 1: Click on ‘Settings’ on the main toolbar
Step 2: Click ‘Settings…’ to open the BulkSMS Text Messenger settings
Step 3: Click ‘Outlook Contacts’ to view and enable Microsoft Outlook contact upload at startup. To enable this option, ensure that the tick box has been ticked.
6.8. External databases
This page allows you to set up an automatic download of any of the existing External Databases every time the BulkSMS Text Messenger starts up. This means that any new contacts loaded into the external database will appear in the BulkSMS Text Messenger once it has been restarted.
Step 1: Click on ‘Settings’ on the main toolbar
Step 2: Click ‘Settings…’ to open the BulkSMS Text Messenger settings
Step 3: Click ‘External Database’ to view and enable External Database contact upload at startup. To enable this option, ensure that the tick box has been ticked.
6.9. Network
Messenger automatically tests the available ports on installation of the software and selects the best choice of connection type to the Internet. There is no need for you to change settings unless problems arise. The BulkSMS Text Messenger will send and receive SMS text messages over any internet connection, corporate or home, fixed or wireless, even a dial-up connection.
Step 1: Click on ‘Settings’ on the main toolbar
Step 2: Click ‘Settings…’ to open the BulkSMS Text Messenger settings
Step 3: Click ‘Network’ to view and change the connection type.
There are four connection options under ‘Connection Type.’ If you are unsure about the connection, select ‘Help’ on the top toolbar and then ‘Test Connectivity’.
The various connection types and when best to use them are listed below:
Use Internet Explorer settings – an existing connection already exists if Internet Explorer is functioning, this is often sufficient for messaging purposes.
Use Internet Explorer settings, but no scripts – in a corporate environment where scripts are used, this setting is preferred to the previous setting.
Connect directly to the Internet – where no Internet Explorer settings are relevant.
Connect to the Internet via a Proxy Server – this choice opens the Proxy Settings. Enter the Address and Port. You will need to indicate ‘Keep Connection Alive’ (for authentication and troubleshooting purposes). You will be prompted for Proxy Username and Password. If the checkbox is selected, the Username and Password will be requested each time the connection is opened. If left unchecked, the Username and Password can be entered, allowing the connection to proceed when required.
Any of the connection types can be used with any of the port settings. Even if ‘Proxy Settings’ are used, the correct port must be selected for the connection to work. If required, select the relevant SMS Port:
Default (7512 & 5567) – these are the most common ports in use for messaging.
HTTP (80) – in the event that ports 7512 and 5567 are not available, port 80 is the next choice.
Secure HTTP (443) – this setting is required where all other ports are unavailable for security reasons. Secure HTTP is equivalent to SSL.
If you wish to confirm your choice of connection setting, speak to the technical team at your office, alternatively, you can contact our support desk telephonically on +27 (21) 528 3420 and they can assist you.