SMS
On-call SMS notifications & opt-in
TCS (Team Coordination System), operated by Usable Software LLC, can send operational text-message (SMS) alerts to members of an organization who are on an on-call rotation. This page describes exactly who receives these messages and how they consent to them.
Who receives messages
Only signed-in users of TCS who (1) enter their own mobile number in their account and (2) are placed on an on-call rotation by an administrator. These are an organization's own staff. Numbers are never collected from the general public, purchased, or obtained from third parties.
How users opt in
Opt-in happens inside the application, not by texting a keyword. A signed-in user opens Account → Contact and enters their mobile number, then ticks a separate consent checkbox that is unchecked by default. SMS is entirely optional - a user can use TCS without checking it and will receive no texts. The checkbox is labeled and accompanied by this disclosure:
“Send me on-call alerts by text message (SMS). Optional - leave this unchecked to use TCS without any texts. By checking it you agree to receive automated on-call alert text messages from Usable Software LLC when a high-severity issue is assigned or escalated to you while you are on call. Message frequency varies with on-call activity; message & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. See our Privacy Notice, Terms of Use, and SMS terms.”
Only a user who both enters a number and checks that box is ever sent an SMS. An administrator then assigns the user to an on-call rotation.
What the messages contain
Transactional alerts only - for example, a page when a high-severity work item is assigned or escalated to the person currently on call, identifying the item and asking them to acknowledge it in the app. A representative message:
TCS (Usable Software): HIGH severity issue #1423 “Prod API returning 500s” was paged to you as on-call. Open the app to acknowledge and stop escalation. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.
No marketing, promotional, or third-party content is ever sent.
How users opt out
A user can stop messages at any time by replying STOP, by unticking the SMS consent checkbox in Account → Contact, by removing their mobile number, or by leaving the on-call rotation. A STOP is honored immediately and unconditionally, with no confirmation step, and it also turns the in-app consent setting off, so the application stops attempting to text that number. A message the carrier rejects as an opt-out is treated the same way.
Stopping messages does not delete the mobile number, so a user can opt back in later by ticking the consent checkbox again or by replying START. Replying HELP returns help information. Message and data rates may apply; message frequency varies with on-call activity.
Privacy
Usable Software LLC does not sell mobile numbers, and does not share mobile numbers or SMS opt-in/consent information with third parties or affiliates for their marketing or promotional purposes. Full details are in our Privacy Notice; use of the service is governed by our Terms of Use.
Contact
Usable Software LLC, Massachusetts, USA - hello@usablesoftware.com