Texting messaging systems can range from vendor-hosted platforms to “off-the-shelf” solutions to services available through current electronic health record systems.

As you conduct research to select a vendor or platform that works best with your organization’s current needs and future plans for texting, consider the following:

• Options for bi-directional or one-directional texting
• Ability to integrate with other systems at the organization
• Level of external support and assistance provided
• Level of internal IT support needed
• Short-term and long-term costs (e.g., set-up fees, per message fees)
• Security and potential data breach risks
• Platform options for sending messages with logic or on specific schedules
• Options for monitoring texts and analyzing texting data
• Ability to customize platforms and data reporting

For a list of vendors and types of text messaging systems used in CCI’s Texting for Better Care program, see report Text Messaging in the Healthcare Safety Net.