In an era where digital communication is a central tool in advancing business and personal goals, innovative projects in the field of automation can change the game. The project of SMS automation with Make for a municipal election candidate is a perfect example of a smart and efficient use of technology to improve service and communication with supporters. The goal was to encourage supporters to go out and vote by making the information about their designated voting location more accessible. The automation included two versions – one in Hebrew and one in French, both reading from the same Excel file in Google Spreadsheet.
By using the Make tool and connecting it to Google Spreadsheet, the project automated the SMS sending process, filtering and using precise information to tailor the message to each recipient. In the end, nearly 10,000 SMS messages were sent, contributing to increased awareness and encouraging voting. Although the victory of the candidate in the elections cannot be directly attributed to this automation, it is clear that the project added significant value to the election campaign and communication with the supporters.
In the following, we will review the project’s setup, process and implementation, advantages and challenges, and how the project impacted the final result of the elections.
Project Setup
The task assigned to us was not only technical but also social – to increase public awareness and encourage voting in the municipal elections. The choice to create SMS automation with Make and Google Spreadsheet was not coincidental. Make is a flexible and powerful automation tool that allows easy and intuitive connection between different applications. Google Spreadsheet was chosen for its ability to work dynamically with data and easily share it with the project team.
The project setup required preliminary stages of planning and setting clear goals. Goals were set to increase awareness of the importance of voting and to make information about voting locations accessible in two languages – Hebrew and French, to ensure maximum coverage of the target audience. The decision to develop two language versions was based on the understanding that the target audience is composed of speakers of different languages, and it was important to tailor the project to the communication needs of each one.
The next step was defining the structure and logic of the automation. This process included verifying the accuracy of the ID number sent through the SMS, searching the ID number in the Google Spreadsheet Excel file, and generating the relevant information for each recipient. If the ID number was found in the file, an SMS message with the voting location details was sent. Otherwise, a message was sent that the information was not found.
Process and Implementation
The implementation of the project was interesting because it required integrating different technologies and synchronizing between platforms. The connection between Make and Google Spreadsheet was critical to the project’s success. After defining the logic and scenarios in Make, many tests were conducted to ensure the process’s accuracy. The main challenge was ensuring the system responded quickly and automatically to every SMS sent, performed the required search in Google Spreadsheet, and sent a suitable message back to the sender in real time.
Reading the information from Google Spreadsheet and using it to create a customized SMS message was the heart of the project. The project’s success depended on the ability to manage and process dynamic data in real time while maintaining the accuracy and reliability of the information sent.
In the next part, we will discuss the benefits and specific uses that the project brought, as well as the challenges we encountered and how we dealt with them.
Benefits and Uses of SMS Automation with Make
The project presented several significant benefits, including:
- Improved Information Availability:
Information about voting locations became more accessible to supporters, which encouraged voting and increased awareness. - Quick and Automated Response:
The ability to respond in real-time to supporters’ requests improved the user experience and provided a sense of personalized service. - Efficient Resource Management:
The use of automation saved time and human resources, which were directed to other critical tasks in the election campaign.
Specific uses where the project demonstrated its value included inquiries from supporters who were unsure where they were supposed to vote, and easing the voting process for people living in remote or less accessible areas.
Challenges and Solutions
Despite its success, the project encountered several challenges:
- Dealing with Errors in Identifying ID Numbers:
In some cases, the system had difficulty identifying and processing ID numbers sent in different formats. Solution: Improved logic was developed for identifying and cleaning data before performing comparisons in the Excel file. - Communication Challenges in Two Languages:
Special attention was required for formulations and adapting responses in both languages, Hebrew and French, to ensure the messages were understandable and accurate. Solution: The team worked with translators to ensure accessibility and clarity of the messages.
Effects and Results
The project’s success is evident in the number of messages sent – nearly 10,000 SMS messages just on election day – and the positive feedback from supporters. The responses highlighted the convenience and efficiency the project brought to the voting process. Although it is difficult to measure the direct impact on the election results, it is clear that the project added significant value to the election campaign and interaction with the supporters.
SMS Automation with Make – Summary
The project of SMS automation with Make and Google Spreadsheet proved to be a powerful and efficient tool for improving communication and encouraging voting in municipal elections. The combination of advanced technology with a supporter-focused approach made the information more accessible, contributing to increased awareness and widespread voting. The lessons learned from the project will serve as a basis for developing similar projects in the future, with an emphasis on the importance of accessibility and effective interaction with the target audience.
Automation and Integration Services at Problem Solver
In a world where technology is rapidly evolving, it is important to maintain a competitive edge by streamlining processes and improving communication with your customers. At Problem Solver, we understand the need for smart and integrated automation solutions that allow you to achieve impressive results while maintaining flexibility and efficiency.
The project described above is just one example of our ability to implement advanced automation and integration solutions that improve the user experience and increase productivity. We specialize in developing customized systems that integrate various technologies, such as Make and Google Spreadsheet, to tailor the ideal solution to each client’s unique needs.
Whether you are looking to automate your workflows, improve communication with your customers, or streamline the management of large amounts of information, Problem Solver is here to help you achieve your goals. Our experts will accompany you from the planning stage, through development, to the implementation of the solution, committing to quality, transparency, and full support throughout the process.
For personal consultation and more information on how we can help your business grow and evolve with automation and integration services, contact Problem Solver today. We are here to turn your problems into smart and efficient solutions.
