Advanced Functions Of File Upload/Sync

TextPower's new phone number upload/sync process offers a more reliable, stable and faster process than our original version of the service.  In addition it offers some significant new features and functions that users have request and will find valuable.  

There is a completely separate FAQ dedicated to explaining how to properly format a file to upload/sync to the TextPower system so that will not be addressed here.  All functions described here relate to the phone numbers and tags that are entered in the .CSV files which get uploaded to the TextPower system and that keep your list and TextPower's lists in sync.

These advanced functions allow you to:

• Remove tags from phone numbers.  In order to remove a tag that has been assigned to a phone number simply prepend a minus sign ("-") to the tag.  If the tag that you wish to remove is, for example, "1234567" (without the quotes, of course), then you would change the tag in the .CSV file to read "-1234567" prior to uploading the file.  When the file is uploaded the tag "1234567" will be removed from that phone number.
  
  
• Opt-out a phone number.  You can opt a phone number out of your opt-in list by prepending the minus sign ("-") to the phone number.  If the phone number you wish to opt-out is, for example, 8185551212, then you would change that phone number to read "-8185551212" prior to uploading the file.  When the file is uploaded the phone number 8185551212 will be opted out and no further messages will be sent to that number.  
  
  (NOTE: once a number is opted out - by this or any other means - there is no way for that number to be opted back in to begin receiving messages again other than for that mobile number to text the keyword into the short code or toll-free number.  This protects you, TextPower's customers, from TCPA violations by preventing numbers that have opted out from being inadvertently opted back in without the mobile user's permission.  Instead of opting a number out you may want to consider using another new function described below, the "Suspend" function.) 
  
  
• Suspend a phone number. Suspending a phone number has the same functional result as opting a phone number out - it stops all messages from being sent to that number.  The difference between a suspended number and one which has been opted out is that a suspended number can be reactivated (see below) by you instead of requiring the mobile user to opt-in again by sending a text message.  
  
  To suspend a number simply prepend an "S" (not case-sensitive) to the phone number.  If the phone number that you wish to suspend is, for example, 8185551212, then you would change that phone number in the .CSV file to read "S8185551212" (quotes are for display only and do not have to be used in the .CSV file although they will simply be ignored if they are present there).  When the file is uploaded the phone number 8185551212 will be suspended and no further messages can be sent to that number until it is reactivated.  Whether the number is part of a group or a message is sent to it individually the message will not be sent to that number while its status remains suspended.  
  
  Note: Suspended numbers cannot be opted out until they are reactivated.  Numbers must be in an active state to be opted out.  
  
  
• Reactivating a suspended number. Numbers that have been suspended as described above and are not receiving messages can be reactivated so that sent messages will resume being delivered to them.  In order to reactivate a suspended number simply prepend an "R" to the phone number.  If the phone number you wish to reactivate is, for example, 8185551212, then you would change that phone number in the .CSV file to read "R8185551212".  When the file is uploaded and processing has completed messages can be sent to that number again. Whether the number is part of a group or a message is sent to it individually the messages will resume delivery.  
  
  Note: Opted out numbers cannot be reactivated.  Once a number is opted out there is no way for that number to begin receiving messages again until it sends a text from the mobile device with the keyword to the appropriate short code or toll-free number (TFN).  
  
  Our customers have told us that this function is particularly useful, for example, in areas where their customers, users or members move out of an area but are anticipated to return at a later date.  Another ideal use case for the suspend function is for people who may have a second home and don't want to receive emergency or informational notifications about their utility service until they return.  The customer service department of a utility could suspend that number and then reactivate it when their member returns to that residence.  
  
  
• Duplicate phone numbers can appear in multiple rows.  In the past duplicate phone numbers had to be eliminated in the .CSV file prior to processing.  This is no longer the case and makes it simple for a utility, court or enterprise to manage its entire list of numbers in a single file.  Frequently phone numbers are associated with multiple accounts with a utility service provider, for example, and a different set of tags is associated with the same phone number in different rows of the .CSV file.  
  
  Note: If a phone number appears on multiple rows in the .CSV file and there are unique tags  associated with that number on each of those rows they will all be shown when the number is shown using the Check Opt-In/Force Opt-Out menu item on the TextPower customer portal.  
  
  Note: If a tag is assigned to a phone number and is associated with that number on multiple rows of the .CSV file, when that tag is removed using the process described in 1., above, the tag will be removed from ALL instances of that phone number.  Removal of the tag removes it from that phone number universally. 

TextPower always seeks and appreciates feedback from its customers.  In fact, most of the features described here were added as a result of requests from our customers.  If there is a feature that you believe would make our system more useful or improve the file uploading process please tell us by emailing [e-mail]  or call 1-888-634-8507, press OPTION 3.