Frequently Asked Questions

Q) How do I maintain my Subscriber (user) base within AMG Alerts?
A) The application gives you the tools you need to search by name and category, and add or edit Subscriber information as needed. There is also an upload facility that allows the Member organization to upload lists in bulk. That is handy for startup. In addition, there are tools to launch “Update Request” e-mails to the Subscriber base, either on a case-by-case basis, or in bulk based on the last update dates for Subscriber records.

Q) Can AMG Alerts be used for non-emergency/non-time-sensitive information broadcasting?
A) AMG Alerts is primarily used as a tool for launching time-sensitive or emergency alerts dealing safety concerns, delayed openings, closings, etc., to “opt-in” Subscribers, or users that have been made aware that they have been placed on the subscriber list. Use of AMG Alerts for any sales, promotion, solicitation, or marketing purposes is a violation of our Terms and Conditions. However, use that does not fit that description is not strictly forbidden, assuming that the Subscriber base has been made aware of AMG Alerts’ intended use. Certain messaging modes, such as Text-based alerts, may have cost to the Subscriber and a non-consenting Subscriber may seek compensation from the Member Organization. In addition, some activities could violate State or Federal laws. Ultimately, from a practical standpoint, these issues restrict the use of AMG Alerts to that for which it is primarily intended.

Q) Can a Subscriber remove him or herself?
A) Yes. Most updates are done through an e-mail update request process, and that request enables the Subscriber to request removal from the list. Member Organizations can review and resolve removal requests via the Control Panel. Given the intended use of the system, removal requests are rare and most often the result of an unintended recipient receiving an e-mail because the address was input incorrectly.

Q) When I send an alert via AMG Alerts, am I guaranteed to reach every Subscriber?
A) No, although the likelihood is greater depending on how many launch modes you use. If you launch in a specific mode, such as Text, you’ll likely reach most – but not all - Subscribers that have a Text number in the system. If you launch in Subscriber Preferred mode, you may reach a greater percentage because you will be launching in the mode that the Subscriber told you would be most effective. The maximum number of received alerts would result from a launch in All Modes, where you launch in Text, E-mail, and Voice. That is more expensive but certainly covers the bases effectively.

Q) What is the pricing for the system?
A) There is an annual membership fee depending on the number of Subscribers you have. That ranges from $500 to $3,000. Then the only cost is the variable cost of launching alerts. E-mails are 2-3 cents, Text is less than 10 cents each, and Voice is approximately 15 cents each. The cost for any type of launch – Fixed Mode, Preferred, or All – is displayed on the Launch page from within the Control Panel.

Q) Can a Subscriber change their information anytime they wish or only when there is an update request?
A) Once a Subscriber is in the system, they will have their own User Key. After they get an Update Request, they will be able to use that key (a simple Web URL that they can save in their Favorites) to update their Subscriber profile anytime they wish.

Q) What is in a Subscriber profile?
A) Only the information needed to launch alerts and maintain the data: The Subscriber’s name, and numbers for land-line and mobile phone, text phone (if different from mobile) and e-mail address. The Subscriber also chooses whether they want Voice alerts set to their mobile or landline phone, and also their preferred mode – Text, E-mail, or Voice.

Q) Does AMG Alerts e-mail always get through Subscriber spam filters?
A) No. There a lot of motivated people out there trying to do exactly that. But the easy workaround is to communicate to Subscribers that they are being placed on the system, and have them “white list” the AMG Alerts.com domain within their anti-spam software or with their ISP. Then there is a reasonable guarantee that any alert or update request will get through. Some people that have already heard of AMG Alerts may have already done this.