"getting-started"
"How to Connect ArabiaCell SMS to On-Chat"
"Connect ArabiaCell SMS to On-Chat and manage SMS conversations from Gulf region customers in a shared team inbox."
Introduction
ArabiaCell is a leading SMS gateway provider serving the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. Integrating ArabiaCell with On-Chat allows businesses to send and receive SMS messages from GCC customers through a centralized support inbox.
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Prerequisites
- An active ArabiaCell account with API access
- ArabiaCell API credentials (Account SID and Auth Token)
- On-Chat account with admin access
- A registered SMS sender ID or virtual number from ArabiaCell
- Webhook URL access in On-Chat settings
Step 1: Obtain ArabiaCell API Credentials
Log in to your ArabiaCell account dashboard. Navigate to API Settings or Developer Tools to find your Account SID and Auth Token. Keep these credentials secure as they authenticate all API requests from On-Chat.
Step 2: Register a Sender ID or Virtual Number
In your ArabiaCell account, go to Sender IDs and register an approved sender ID for your brand, or purchase a virtual number that supports two-way SMS. Approval may take 24-48 hours for branded sender IDs in the GCC region.
Step 3: Configure SMS Channel in On-Chat
In your On-Chat dashboard, go to Settings → Inboxes → New Inbox and select SMS. Choose ArabiaCell as the SMS provider. Enter your Account SID, Auth Token, and registered sender ID or virtual number.
Step 4: Set Up Incoming Webhook
In your ArabiaCell account, configure the inbound webhook URL to point to your On-Chat SMS webhook endpoint (provided during setup). This ensures that all incoming SMS messages from customers are forwarded to your On-Chat inbox in real time.
Step 5: Assign Agents to Your SMS Inbox
In On-Chat, navigate to Settings → Inboxes → select your ArabiaCell inbox → Collaborators. Add the agents who will handle SMS conversations. Configure working hours and auto-assignment rules for efficient SMS routing.
Step 6: Test the Integration
Send a test SMS to your registered ArabiaCell number from a mobile phone. The message should appear in your On-Chat inbox within seconds. Reply from On-Chat and confirm the SMS is delivered to the sender's mobile device.
Best Practices
- Use Arabic and English in auto-replies to serve GCC customers in their preferred language
- Set up business hours auto-reply for after-hours SMS messages
- Use On-Chat labels to categorize SMS conversations by country or region
- Monitor SMS delivery rates and opt-out requests in ArabiaCell reports