This job was previously called: Send Prepared Message to Group (S).

This job sends a prepared message to a group. The message must first be saved as a prepared message (see Save Draft as Prepared Message​).

After sendout, the prepared message remains saved in the system. This job sends group messages. Each sendout of the group message is assigned a separate message ID. Each sendout also appears separately in the ​Outbox​.

Statistics are evaluated separately for each sendout of the group message. Group message statistics are listed in the ​Group Message Statistics Overview​ (see Group Message Statistics (window)​).

Basic Settings​

​Name​

This input field defines the name of the automation. The name is used to identify the automation in the system. It appears on the ​Time-based Automations Overview​ window. The maximum length is 100 characters.

​Description​

This input field defines a description of the automation. The description makes it easier to identify the automation in the system.

​Job​

This input field defines the job. For a list of all available jobs, see All Available Time-Based Jobs​.

Define Job​

This area defines the specific parameters of the job.

  • Group Name: This field defines the group in which the prepared message is saved. Use the  symbol to search for a specific group.

  • Message: This drop-down list defines the prepared message sent to the group. All prepared messages saved in the selected group are displayed here.

  • Selection: This drop-down list defines a selection. A selection filters certain addresses according to defined conditions. Use the  symbol to search all selections in the system.
    Application of a sendout is optional.
    The selection is calculated immediately before sendout, not when the automation is activated. If a selection is added to an automation that also includes a delay, the selection is calculated immediately before sendout, i.e. after the delay.

  • Deferral Period: This field defines a deferral period between the schedule and sendout of the prepared message. During this deferral period, the prepared message is available as a scheduled message in the system. It is possible to defer sendout for up to 7 days. The  symbol opens a pop-up window. In the window it is possible to select the length of deferral.
    During the deferral period, the system creates another time-based automation with the job ​Send Scheduled Message​. This job appears in the ​Time-based Automations Overview​ window. The​ Next Execution ​column displays the date and time of the scheduled sendout (including calculation of the delay). During the delay, the message for sendout is visible in the ​Outbox​ with the status ​Scheduled​. The message in the ​Outbox​ is now independent from the ​Send Prepared Message to Group​ automation and from the prepared message. During the deferral period, the scheduled message can be edited or rescheduled either in the ​Outbox​ or in the ​Send Scheduled Message​ automation. Changes made to this scheduled message do not affect the original prepared message. Likewise, changes to the automation or to the prepared message do not affect the scheduled message. At that point, any changes desired before sendout must be made to the scheduled message, not the prepared message.
    The ​Details​ area of the ​Send Prepared Message to Group​ job lists the scheduled execution dates and times not including the delay.

  • Selection - Related Data: This input field creates an additional selection using a regular expression (Regex). The selection further limits the recipients of the sendout. The expression can refer to related data or attribute data.

Schedule

​Schedule​

This button saves your changes and opens the ​Schedule Time-based Automation​ window. Here you define the date and time of execution. For more information, see Schedule Time-Based Automation (window)​.