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Auto Notices: Complete Setup Guide

Updated over 2 months ago

Auto Notices allow you to automatically send notifications to parents and students based on data. This can be used for attendance, discipline, bus route, etc. notices. This guide covers the complete setup process from configuration to scheduling. You must have an API and/or SFTP setup between the Communication Dashboard and your Student Information System.

Accessing Auto Notices

Once your API connection and/or SFTP is complete, Auto Notices can be configured in Mass Communication > Auto Notices.

From the Auto Notices screen, you can view all existing auto notices and their status information including:

  • Name: The auto notice title

  • Last Status: Current status (Sent, etc.)

  • Last Sent Date: When the notice was last sent

  • Next Send Date: When it will send next (if scheduled)

Creating a New Auto Notice

Step 1: Initial Setup

  1. Click + New Auto Notice

  2. Complete the setup fields:

Auto Notice Name: Enter a descriptive name for your auto notice

Data Source: Choose your data source:

  • CSV: Use uploaded CSV file data

  • SIS Attendance: Use Student Information System attendance data (not available with all SIS connections)

CSV Data Configuration: If you select CSV as your data source, you must have an SFTP setup between your Student Information System and Edlio's Communication Dashboard.

You'll see a "CSV data" section that allows you to quickly configure the data source by uploading a sample of the CSV file that will be used for this auto notice. Click Upload CSV to upload your sample file, which helps the system understand your data structure and available fields. Be sure to upload a sample of what will be sent via SFTP moving forward.

*Keep in mind the column types will be available as insert fields to your email, text, and phone messages.

Step 2: Configure Channels

Default Language: Select the primary language for your communications

Communication Channels: Choose from:

  • Email

  • Text (SMS)

  • Voice

Step 3: Compose Your Message

Email Configuration

From Field: Choose which email address the auto notice will be sent from

Subject Line: Create your email subject using merge fields. Available merge fields include:


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​Message Body: Compose your email message using the same merge fields available for the subject line:

Note: The message field is required and will show a character count as you type.

Text and Voice Messages

Configure similar message content for text and voice channels using the same merge fields.

Text

Voice

Step 6: Schedule Your Auto Notice

Repeat Settings:

  • Repeat At: Set specific times for the auto notice to run

  • Timezone: Times are displayed in your organization's timezone

  • Repeat On: Choose recurring schedule options or select "Doesn't repeat" for one-time notices

Important: All times are displayed in the organization's timezone (example: Central Europe Standard Time).

Managing Auto Notices

From the main Auto Notices screen, you can perform several actions on existing auto notices:

Available Actions

Send Now: Manually trigger the auto notice immediately

Reports: View delivery reports and statistics for the auto notice

Edit: Modify any aspect of the auto notice configuration

Delete: Remove the auto notice entirely

Status Monitoring

The Auto Notices dashboard provides real-time status information:

  • Last Status: Shows whether the notice was successfully sent

  • Last Sent Date: Displays the most recent send date and time

  • Next Send Date: Shows when the notice is scheduled to send next (displays "-" if not scheduled)

Best Practices

Message Content

  • Use merge fields to personalize messages with student and recipient names

  • Include text fields in your message for clarity

  • Keep messages concise but informative

  • Test your messages before scheduling

Scheduling

  • Consider your organization's timezone when setting send times

  • Schedule notices during appropriate hours when recipients are likely to check messages

  • Use recurring schedules for ongoing attendance monitoring

Communication Channels

  • Email is best for detailed information and record-keeping

  • Text messages work well for immediate, urgent notifications

  • Voice calls can be effective for critical attendance issues

  • Consider your audience's preferred communication methods

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

  • Messages not sending: Check that recipients have valid contact information

  • Wrong timezone: Verify organization timezone settings

  • Missing merge field data: Ensure attendance data includes all required fields

  • Delivery failures: Review recipient contact information and communication channel settings

Data Requirements

  • Ensure your data source (CSV or SIS) contains all necessary fields for merge fields

  • Verify attendance status codes match your system's configuration if using the SIS Attendance plug-in

  • Check that recipient contact information is current and properly formatted

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