Bromcom: Managing Communication Costs in Bromcom

Overview

Effective communication with parents and guardians can be much more cost-effective when the available communication methods are used appropriately. This guide outlines the options available in Bromcom and provides recommendations to help schools reduce communication costs.

Bromcom Email Allowance

By default, Bromcom provides 3,000 free emails per month, with the allowance resetting on the 1st of each month.

Once this limit has been reached, further emails sent through the Bromcom SMTP service will be blocked until either:

• The monthly allowance resets, or
• Additional email credits are purchased.

1. MCAS Push Notifications (Free)

Best for: Reminders, notices, attendance alerts, behaviour updates, and general announcements.

Benefits:

• Sent directly to the MyChildAtSchool (MCAS) app.
• No email or SMS credits are used.
• Instant delivery to users with the MCAS app installed.
• Most cost-effective communication method available.

2. Email

Best for: Newsletters, letters, detailed communications, and documents.

Options:

Use Bromcom SMTP

• Utilises the monthly email allowance.
• Additional email bundles can be purchased if required.

Use Your School’s Own SMTP Service

Schools can configure Bromcom to send emails through their own email platform, such as:

• Microsoft 365
• Google Workspace

Benefits:

• Avoids Bromcom email limits.
• No need to purchase additional Bromcom email credits.
• Emails are sent through the school’s existing email system.

Guidance for IT teams:

• How to configure SMTP to Send Emails from Bromcom – Bromcom – Documentation Centre
• Bromcom SMTP Service FAQs – Bromcom – Documentation Centre

Once configured, Bromcom will route emails through the school’s chosen email platform instead of the Bromcom SMTP service.

3. SMS/Text Messages

Best for: Urgent or time-critical communications.

Examples:

• School closures
• Emergency notices
• Safeguarding concerns
• Critical attendance issues

Considerations:

• SMS messages are charged per message segment.
• Typically the most expensive communication method.
• Should be reserved for high-priority communications where immediate attention is required.

For most schools, the most cost-effective strategy is to:

1. Encourage parents and guardians to install and use the MCAS app.
2. Use MCAS Push Notifications wherever possible.
3. Send longer communications via email.
4. Reserve SMS messages for urgent situations only.
5. Consider configuring your own SMTP service to remove Bromcom email limitations and reduce ongoing communication costs.

Further Information

If your school is regularly reaching the monthly email allowance, configuring your own SMTP service is usually the most effective long-term solution. Your internal IT team will need to complete the setup using the Bromcom SMTP configuration guidance.

If you require further advice on selecting the most suitable communication method for your school, please contact the Service Desk.