| Newbie getting into sms |  Search
|
|
NowSMS Support Forums ⬆ MMS & SMS Technical Discussions (unsupported) ⬆ Archive through November 21, 2009 ⬆ |
◄ ► |
| Author | Message | |||
| m Hernandez New member Username: Spider43 Post Number: 1 Registered: 02-2009 |
I have a client that I am doing some development work for. He is requesting a system that will take an sms text from a users cell phone then issue a sms response back based on a keyword. I have looked into ways of implementing this system and have yet to determine what is the best way to implement this. I have researched several options GSM Modem, Dedicated Short Code, and SMPP are there any other viable options that I am leaving out? I know a dedicated short code is nice and can handle a large volume of texts but is very costly $500-$1000/month for the shortcode. Requires a contract be set up with each carrier you would like to work through. Very extensive setup with long waiting times. So this might be overkill for what the customer wants. As far as using a GSM Modem -what is the fastest type of modem for use here in the US? -how many texts per minute can they handle? -do you have to set the modem up with a data/text plan through a wireless carrier? I have tried to figure out how a system like this would work with SMPP and still seem a little confused. Does SMPP still require the setup of a short code or gsm modem for a cell phone user to text an application? What all is actually required for a SMPP setup to work? Any information will help me out, sorry if I did not lay this out logically but I was kind of thinking out loud and just trying to get all my thoughts and questions out. | |||
| Des - NowSMS Support Board Administrator Username: Desosms Post Number: 499 Registered: 08-2008 |
If you go the short code route, the best way to do it is via an SMS aggregator ...or "service provider". I like to call them aggregators, because essentially what they do is aggregate and manage connections to multiple operators and other providers. They can take some of the headache out of setting up a short code, and working through any approvals required by the different operators. Many can also offer you the option of a "shared" short code. What that means is that if someone wants to send a message to you, they need to send in to a short code and include some identifying text for your service at the start of the message, so that the provider knows to route the message to you. SMPP is a protocol that is used for connecting to an SMS service provider. NowSMS can use SMPP for connecting to SMS service providers. But it also gets confusing because you can also use SMPP to connect as a client to NowSMS. That's probably not something that you would need to do ... but it makes things confusing for a newbie. A GSM modem is a device that accepts a SIM card, just like a mobile phone does. It gets a phone number and connects to a mobile operator network the same way that a mobile phone does. Some phones have GSM modem capability and can connect to a computer using USB, serial or Bluetooth. But for dedicated applications, we generally recommend a dedicated modem device as they are more reliable and designed for primary use as a modem. These modems are manufactured by companies like Multitech, Wavecom, Falcom and iTegno. Another common manufacturer is Sierra Wireless, but their newer models are more difficult to configure for sending/receiving SMS. (They work well, but the initial configuration is difficult because the Sierra Wireless drivers do not install a modem driver for the SMS communications port.) You do require a service plan with a wireless carrier. You don't necessarily need a data plan, but you need a text plan. In many cases, it is easier to activate the line with the carrier looking at it as more of a voice line. This is because normally when a mobile operator activates a modem, they are thinking that the modem would be used for data/internet access, not so much for text. I hope that helps. -- Des NowSMS Support | |||
