MMS: Visual Way to Connect With Your Clients

Learn how send photos, documents, and updates directly to clients through MMS, making on-site communication faster, clearer, and more efficient.

Clear communication is everything when you’re managing tree work, that's why MMS shines in the kinds of situations arborists deal with every day—moments where a picture or document makes all the difference. Whether you're sending photos, PDFs, or quick visual updates, you can now handle it all through ArboStar without switching apps or juggling email.  

MMS Activation

If your company’s default brand is located in the United States or Canada, you can enable MMS and send visual attachments when messaging clients. To activate MMS, go to Company Management → Phone Management → Enable MMS Sending.

MMS is currently outbound only, meaning you can send photos and documents, but incoming MMS messages aren’t supported yet.

How it works

Once it’s turned on, ArboStar will display a file-attach button anywhere you normally send SMS messages. In any message box across the system (client profile, lead, estimate, invoice), you’ll see a small attachment icon next to the text field. Click it, select the file, check the preview, and hit send. You can also remove files that were added by mistake before sending. 

Please be advised that each MMS can include only one file at a time.

After the message is sent, you can find it under the Notes section of the Client Profile. Clients → Client Profile → Notes → SMS

Here, MMS messages show your text, the attached file as a clickable item, an MMS indicator, and a full image preview (or open/download options for PDFs and other files). Everything stays in one clean timeline, so your communication history is easy to follow.

Supported File Formats:

  • Images: JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF

  • Documents: PDF

  • Audio: MP4, 3GPP, 3GPP2, AMR, MP3, Ogg

  • Video: MP4, 3GPP, 3GPP2, QuickTime, WebM

  • Other: vCard, Calendar files 

MMS is now supported on the Web, please expect mobile functionality in the upcoming releases. 

Billing & Limits

Each MMS is billed as the cost of four SMS messages, following regular SMS pricing. MMS messages have a 600KB total size limit, including both the text and the attachment. If your file is too large, the system will notify you before sending.

MMS: Your On-Site Lifesaver

Now that we know what MMS can do, let’s see how sending photos, PDFs, and updates on the spot can simplify your workday and improve communication with clients.

  • Visualizing the plan: You’re preparing a complex pruning job with multiple sections of a property. Take a photo or mark up a diagram, then send it via MMS. The client instantly understands which areas will be worked on, avoiding confusion and last-minute questions.

  • Proof of completed work: After finishing a storm cleanup, you send “before and after” images directly to the client. They can see the results immediately, building trust and speeding up invoice approval.

  • On-the-go document sharing: A client asks for a copy of their estimate while you’re still on-site. Instead of emailing, attach the PDF to an MMS. They receive it instantly, keeping the process moving without delays.

  • Cutting down back-and-forth: A client spots an unusual branch and wants to know if it’s a hazard. Snap a picture, send it via MMS, and get a quick answer. No long explanations, no miscommunication—just clear, visual feedback.