Topic

This article describes how to send notifications in simulation mode in Everbridge Suite.

Description

As a new user, you may want to practice sending notifications without reaching any real organization contacts or incurring any reduction in your account's message credits.

Simulation mode solves this by enabling users to experience every aspect of sending real notifications, including choosing real contacts, groups, rules, and/or map shapes, without sending a message to any real person. 

NOTE: Simulation mode is available for both notifications and incident communications. 

Enabling Simulation Mode

Account Admins and Organization Admins can enable simulation mode by following the steps below:

1. Log in to the Manager Portal and select the appropriate organization from the drop-down menu in the upper right-hand corner.
2. Select Settings from the top menu bar.
3. Select Notifications from the menu on the left.
4. Select Default Options from the sub-menu.
5. Under the General tab, toggle Simulation Mode to the On position.

6. Click Save.

Using Simulation Mode in the Manager Portal

Once simulation mode is activated, users sending a notification can toggle off Go Live in the upper-right corner of the screen to enter simulation mode. This will prevent the notification from reaching any real contacts.

Notifications sent in simulation mode will display that information in the Mode column in Notifications > Active / History.

Notifications sent in simulation mode will also display that information in their broadcast report.

NOTE: Simulated notifications can only send simulated follow-ups (not live ones), and live notifications can only send live follow-ups.

Notifications can also be updated (PUT) and created (POST) in simulation mode via the Everbridge API, and notifications sent in simulation mode can be pulled (GET) via the Everbridge API. The salient key-value pair is "notificationMode": "Simulation". Please see Knowledge Base Article 000045425 - Everbridge API Getting Started Guide for more details on the API.

Using Simulation Mode in ManageBridge

Simulation mode can also be turned on for both new notifications and notification templates in the ManageBridge mobile app. The screenshot to the right demonstrates how to enable simulation mode for a new notification.

The screenshot to the right demonstrates how to enable simulation mode for a notification template.

Reporting on Simulation Mode

Account Admins, Organization Admins, and Data Managers can also use Notification Mode as a field in reports or as a way to filter simulated notifications in or out of their reports.

Restricting User Roles to Simulation Mode

If they like, Account Admins and Organization Admins can also restrict Dispatchers, Mass Notification Operators, and Group Managers to simulation mode. For documentation on how to edit role settings, please see knowledge article EBS: How to View And/or Edit Everbridge Suite Roles and Permissions at Both the Organization and Account Levels.