Overview
SMS messages sent through Scrypt HQ are billed per message. Charges apply whenever your pharmacy sends an outbound SMS, including:
Automated reminders, for example prescription refills or health surveys
Bulk communications, for example flu vaccination campaigns
One-to-one patient communications
Inbound replies from patients are free of charge.
How SMS charges are calculated
Per SMS segment: A single SMS can contain up to 160 standard characters. Longer messages are split into multiple segments, and each segment is charged as one SMS. The customer still receives one continuous message, it is not split on their phone.
Unicode characters such as emojis or non-Latin scripts reduce the limit to 70 characters per segment.
Links (URLs): URLs may look long while you draft, but after sending they are automatically shortened to 25 characters:
https://scryp.co/<shortcode>
This keeps your SMS neat and helps reduce the character count, so fewer segments are used.
Delivery confirmations and system logging are included at no extra cost.
SMS charges appear on your monthly invoice, separate from your subscription fee.
Examples
A message with 120 characters = 1 SMS charge.
A message with 200 characters = 2 SMS charges.
A message with 2 emojis and 60 characters = 1 SMS charge, because the Unicode limit applies.
A message with a long URL, for example 80 characters, is automatically shortened to 25 characters and can stay within 1 SMS charge.
Frequently asked questions
Are replies from patients charged?
No. Inbound SMS messages from patients are free.
How do I know how many SMS credits I have used?
You can see how many messages have been sent in the Sent tab of Communications. There is no direct view of exact SMS credits used. Request this report from support@scrypt.com.au.
Can I avoid messages being split into multiple charges?
Yes. Keep messages under 160 characters, avoid unnecessary emojis, and remember that URLs are automatically shortened after sending.
How are bulk campaigns charged?
Each recipient counts as one SMS per segment. For example, sending a 2-segment message to 100 patients = 200 SMS charges.
When are charges billed?
SMS charges are consolidated and billed monthly, alongside your subscription invoice.
What else can I do to keep SMS costs low?
Sign your customers up to the Scrypt Mobile app. The app includes a messenger chat that uses the internet instead of SMS, so it is free of charge. To learn more about Scrypt Mobile, visit the Scrypt Mobile page.
Need more help?
Contact the Scrypt support team at support@scrypt.com.au or 1800 SCRYPT (727 978).