Bulk email

[JJonas]

How could we go about sending a bulk email to all of our pupils/parents?

 

Would be nice if we can set up mailing groups.

 

Im sure there are plenty of ways of doing this but which way is best?

[adhutton]

We use Parentmail (http://www.parentmail.co.uk) for this, but if you can't afford that or don't want to sign-up we have also used Mass Mail (MassMail BETA Version - KGP Software) which is free/cheap.

 

Andrew

[JJonas]

Mass Mail will work but I dont think it will allow me to send to a group of emails. So no easy way to mail all of year 9 for example

[adhutton]

We used Wisesoft Bulk AD Users (http://www.wisesoft.co.uk/software/bulkadusers/default.aspx) to export the Y9 emails into a text file and then imported them into Mass Mail.

 

Bit of a clart on, but it worked.

 

A

[JJonas]

I think that is going to be too complex is there something easier and free?

[CyberNerd]

mailman is widely used for managing mailing lists:

Mailman, the GNU Mailing List Manager

[JJonas]

Thanks for that but really need a Windows based solution.

[JJonas]

Any update on this as I have been asked to look at it again.

 

We are now using Gmail which is provided by our LEA (so its locked down)

 

What are the best bulk email apps on Gmail at the moment? I need to be able to centrally manage email groups and distribute those groups to my staff.

[SteveBentley]

Not sure what the edu version of gmail is like for management tools - do you have a VLE that has email functionality?

[dwhyte85]

Amazon are offering a bulk e-mail thing now, but you have to pay for it. I know GMail limit normal accounts for outgoing mail sent, not sure on edu though.

[JPS]

You know you can manage emails through Facility? This would make it a doddle to send to certain groups, like year groups, form groups etc.

[JJonas]

You know you can manage emails through Facility? This would make it a doddle to send to certain groups, like year groups, form groups etc.

 

I take it you have to buy the email module to get that functionality.

[JPS]

I take it you have to buy the email module to get that functionality.

 

Hmm, I have just checked the Master Configuration here and I can't find the node that there used to be that allowed you to specify settings. I wonder if they have now removed functionality. I think a quick call to sales would be a good way to confirm. Apologies if I'm wrong, but im sure historically you could and without having to pay any extra.

 

I seem to recall a right-mouse click over a contact or student would bring up a menu that included 'email'. This could be an add-on, but I'm sure I remember this from Aylsham and I don't remember buying anything related to this.

Edited January 27, 2011 by JPS
addition

[vikpaw]

Two good options i think, 1) via your MIS, but it's not going to be free, either built-in function or via a third party supplier e.g. Schoolcomms or the others already mentioned.

2) via your mailing system. If you're on Google apps for education, then there are a number of solutions:

 

Google Apps Education Edition mail list limits - Google Apps Help

How to set up a mailing list using a spreadsheet - Google Apps Education Community Help

https://sites.google.com/a/googleapps.com/edu-training-center/Training-Home/module-1/chapter-3/4-1

 

the last link talks about using groups as mailing lists. if it's locked down such that you can't do that, within your own account, you should be able to import your own mailing list via excel.