Distribution Lists

A Distribution List is a named group of contacts you want to write to — everyone who bought a concert subscription, every parent at a particular school, every teacher on a given contract.

Once a list exists you can send email or SMS to everyone on it, without rebuilding the selection each time.

Two kinds of list

Dynamic — membership comes from a query, and is refreshed. Whoever matches the query today is on the list today, so a list of "parents of pupils starting this term" looks after itself.

Static — members are added and removed by hand. Use one where the group is a decision rather than a rule, and should not change underneath you.

Setting one up

Give the list a name, then choose its type.

For a Dynamic list you also choose:

• the Query that produces the members
• the Contact ID Column — which of that query's columns holds the contact

A query can return all sorts of columns, so Xperios needs telling which one identifies the person to write to.

Last Refreshed shows when the membership was last rebuilt from the query.

The Data tab

The Data tab shows who is currently on the list. For a dynamic list that is the result of running its query; for a static one it is what you have put there.

Using a list

A query set up as a Distribution List type gains Send Mail and Send SMS on its results, so you can write to everyone it returns.

Rapport only

Distribution Lists are part of the Rapport module. The menu entry only appears if your organisation is licensed for it.