We're looking to replace an internal SMS tool used for outage, severe weather, and crisis notifications. We need a solid API so employee numbers and other contact updates can be synced automatically instead of maintained by hand.
What tools are worth looking at for this?
Twilio is worth a look if you're comfortable building some of the workflow yourself. It can provide the SMS delivery piece while your own integration handles contact updates and selects recipients.
One option is to pull mobile numbers and locations from Entra, then give authorized staff a simple app for sending to everyone or to specific locations. Check the applicable 10DLC requirements early if you're sending in the US.
For a more purpose-built alerting product, look at AlertMedia. It's worth comparing with xMatters and Singlewire Informacast as well. Ask each vendor specifically how their API handles contact creation, updates, and removal before deciding.
Also, don't make SMS your only crisis channel. Delivery is best effort, so a message being sent doesn't guarantee that everyone receives it.
Check your payroll vendor before buying another tool. Some have notification options, and payroll may already be the most reliable source for employee contact details. You'll still want to check how quickly changes reach the alert system.
Whatever you choose, monitor and audit the contact sync. A good API won't help much if a failed sync goes unnoticed until the next emergency. Make it possible to check when the last sync ran and whether updates failed.
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