# Arrival Alert

An Arrival Alert is sent by a business to inform one of its customers when they might expect their product or service to arrive.

Arrival Alerts can be sent via SMS, [in-app chat](https://www.twilio.com/en-us/messaging/conversations-api), or [push notifications](/docs/notify). They allow organizations to keep customers informed.

With [SMS messaging](https://www.twilio.com/en-us/messaging/channels/sms), businesses can share real-time tracking and transit information, so customers know exactly when their order will arrive. For example, [Uber](https://customers.twilio.com/208/uber/?_ga=2.152081977.1837561187.1502317907-788659242.1489515059) keeps customers up-to-date by sending SMS car-arrival estimates. Likewise, [Instacart](https://customers.twilio.com/1049/instacart/), an on-demand grocer, sends alerts to its customers when their personal shopping courier has finished selecting their groceries, and when orders are out for delivery.

Arrival Alerts, like all [notifications](/docs/notify) sent using [text and voice messaging](https://www.twilio.com/en-us/messaging/channels/sms), receive attention more quickly than email and other channels do. Best of all, businesses typically receive replies in real-time. This enables companies to [automate customer communications](/docs/notify) and deliver a first-rate customer experience.