When/how to use Opt-Out Mode for managing subscribers

Omnilert offers a wide variety of subscriber management options, ranging from simple mobile opt-in via SMS or signing up through a Subscriber Portal to bulk uploads on-demand, mapped CSV imports from data systems, and even an API for completely custom applications.

However,  the basic implementation strategy for any notification system usually boils down to two major types of implementations: 

1. Opt-In: Where subscribers sign themselves up to receive alerts.
2. Opt-Out: Where an institution uploads subscriber data into the Omnilert system from their own records. 

Whether using "Opt-In" or "Opt-Out", it's often helpful (or required) to allow subscribers to indicate when they'd like to end their subscription.

Note: Omnilert will obey all rules for text alerting, so subscribers can reply to any text from the service with STOP at any time to unsubscribe their device.

Settings/Options

There are two related options on the Settings > System Settings: Subscribers

These two key settings that affect how subscribers can end their service:

• Allow subscribers to terminate their accounts: Allow subscribers to "terminate" their own Omnilert accounts via the Subscriber portal.
  
  This option is best used in an "Opt-In" environment when you'd like subscribers to have the option to remove their own account records entirely from Omnilert.
  
  
  
  
• Allow Subscribers to opt-out of future messages: This will change Omnilert into "Opt-Out" mode.
  
  In this mode, Omnilert assumes ALL subscriber info will be uploaded as "active" and "validated". When in "opt-out mode", Omnilert will send a text/email to any/all new devices added to the system, offering an option to terminate their account immediately. If they reply with "OPTOUT" (or click the opt-out link), their account will be terminated and all data is removed, except for their username, first name, and last name.
  
  The opt-out texts sent will appear similar to the screenshot below:

You do not need to run "opt-out" mode to upload data. 

The special "opt-out mode" option should only be used when bulk uploading subscribers into Omnilert. Do not use this mode with the Subscriber Portal or Omnilert API.

If you have any questions as to which option to select for your Omnilert account, please check with your Omnilert account manager.