Publisher Guide - DataFlows SMS for Microsoft Teams

1. Overview

This document provides guidance for Microsoft 365 administrators on deploying, configuring, and managing the DataFlows SMS application within their organization. The app enables users to send and receive SMS messages directly within the collaborative environment of Microsoft Teams.

The core functionality is centered around channel-based collaboration. A virtual phone number is mapped to a specific Teams channel, creating a shared SMS inbox where all channel members can view incoming messages and participate in conversations.

2. Prerequisites

Before deploying the app, please ensure the following requirements are met:

DataFlows SMS Account: A valid, active DataFlows SMS account with a subscription is required. An account can be created at our registration page.
Administrator Privileges: You must have Microsoft Teams Service Administrator (or higher) privileges to deploy and manage apps in the Teams Admin Center.
Configured Numbers: At least one virtual number or Sender ID must be configured and active within your DataFlows SMS account portal.

3. App Deployment and Installation

Follow these steps to deploy the DataFlows SMS app to your organization:

Navigate to the Microsoft Teams Admin Center.
In the left-hand navigation, expand Teams apps and select Manage apps.
Search for "DataFlows SMS" and select it from the list.
On the app details page, you can manage organizational settings and permissions. To make the app available for users, ensure it is set to Allowed.
To proactively install the app for specific users or groups, you can create and assign an App setup policy under the Setup policies section.

4. Permissions and Consent

DataFlows SMS uses Resource-Specific Consent (RSC) to access only the necessary information required for its functionality, ensuring minimal data access. An administrator will need to grant consent for the following application permissions:

Permission Name	Justification
`ChannelSettings.Read.Group`	Allows the app to read a channel's settings to determine if a DataFlows SMS tab has already been configured, preventing duplicate or conflicting setups.
`TeamsActivity.Send.Group`	Enables the app to send activity feed notifications to a channel when important events occur, such as receiving a new SMS message.
`TeamsTab.Create.Group`	Required to allow users to create and set up the DataFlows SMS tab within a Teams channel.
`TeamsActivity.Send.User`	Used to send notifications directly to a user for events that require their specific attention.

5. Post-Deployment Configuration (User Flow)

Once the app is deployed by an administrator, an authorized team member (typically a Team Owner) can configure it in a channel:

In a desired Team and Channel, click the '+' icon to add a new tab.
Search for and select "DataFlows SMS".
A configuration window will appear. The user will be prompted to log in to their DataFlows SMS account to authenticate.
After successful authentication, the user can select an available Virtual Number and Sender ID from their DataFlows account to map to the channel.
Upon saving, the tab will be created, and the channel is ready to send and receive SMS messages.

6. Security and Compliance

We are committed to safeguarding the security and privacy of your data. Our application is designed and operated according to the principle of least privilege, ensuring that access to data is limited strictly to what is necessary. For comprehensive details about how we manage and protect your information, please refer to our Privacy Policy. Additionally, we are an approved participant in the Microsoft 365 Publisher Attestation program.

7. Administrator Support

If you encounter any issues during the deployment or management of the app, please do not hesitate to reach out to our support team through our Contact Us page.