Why do you need an SMS gateway software?

When you want to take advantage SMS messaging offers, you have two choices: you can use an SMS gateway in your corporate system, or you can implement a connection to an SMS service provider directly. Using an SMS gateway is a better choice. SMS gateways are usually introduced in companies because of the fact that they make it possible to add SMS functionality more efficiently, and they eliminate many possible problems, that can arise while implementing direct SMS service provider integration. With a corporate SMS gateway you achieve service provider independence and you gain other advantages:

1. An SMS gateway software provides faster and easier integration to your IT system, because it provides easy to use interfaces. The most popular interfaces are: SQL to SMS configuration, E-mail to SMS configuration, Text file to SMS, command line to SMS, HTTP to SMS. Application programming interfaces such as JAVA, C#.NET, VB, ASP, PHP, C++, Access, etc are also available.
2. An SMS gateway software makes it possible to use multiple telephone numbers. This is often necessary if different divisions in the company want to use SMS.
3. An SMS gateway software makes it possible to communicate with multiple SMS service providers and wireless networks at the same time. To support this an SMS gateway software proves SMS routing.
4. An SMS gateway software implements very important coding tasks, such as proper character encoding, long SMS support (message segmentation and reassembly). It will make sure your messages will not contain invalid characters on the recipient handset.
5. An SMS gateway software acts as a central point for mobile messaging in a corporate system, and makes it possible to track outgoing and incoming messages and to monitor application activity. This is particularly useful if several applications use mobile messaging in a single company. It is also useful to verify service provider billing.

Benefits of using SMS in your company

SMS messaging makes business processes easier and faster and more efficient. SMS messages can play a vital part in improving operational effectiveness. There are numbers of cases when a short text message forwarded to a mobile phone is the best alternative. For example:

1. If there is a problem, that is discovered or an issue, that needs quick response in your standard operation, you can immediately reach the competent person with a simple SMS. Once reached, he can intervene in time so further harms can be avoided. For example if you operate a computer network, the malfunctioning of a server computer or other critical IT equipment breakdown can be noticed automatically, and the IT administrator can be notified using an SMS message in time to solve the problem
2. In terms of customer relationship management, your customers can be informed about the process of production and product delivery in SMS messages. This keeps them well informed and happy.
3. In case you have (or want to build) a workflow system, you can rely on SMS messages to keep in touch with your employees and suppliers by informing them about their exact tasks, their responsibilities, the dates for their meetings, or the critical deadlines they must meet.
4. Your marketing team can also use mobile text messaging. For example they can inform your customers, resellers and business partners about your latest success or appearance in media.

As you can see, there are number of cases that give you the ability to improve your system with SMS messages.

Why SMS solutions?

SMS solutions allow you to operate faster and do businesses in an efficient and cost effective way. SMS technology, not only makes it possible to communicate with your employees, customers or business partners but it also enables your IT system to send you SMS alerts to prevent critical system failures.

Top reasons why company should use SMS technology to improve corporate communications and business processes, as well.

SMS technology

• is time and cost efficient
• reliable
• accessible
• ensures availability
• allows immediate communication
• easy to track
• can be used for targeted communication
• can be automated
• makes high response rates possible
• allows bi-directional communication
• makes IT environment more secure (two-factor authentication via SMS, SMS alerts)
• ensures SMS campaigns 

SMS Technology can be used for different applications and industries. They are

• SMS payment
• SMS polling
• SMS greeting
• SMS parking
• Automated SMS services
• SMS payment
• Emergency SMS notifications
• SMS automation
• SMS reporting systems
• SMS for blogs
• Field force SMS reports
• SMS for calendars
• SMS for auctions
• Diet tips via SMS
• CRM
• Mobile marketing
• Mobile coupons
• How to improve corporate communication
• SMS reminders
• SMS for sales
• SMS for Administration to improve business processes
• SMS for Web shops
• SMS for conferences and trade shows
• SMS for legal cases
• SMS invitations
• How to increase customer base
• SMS for Human Resources
• SMS for social networking
• SMS for clubs and societies
• SMS for gyms and healthclubs
• SMS for nonprofit charity sector
• SMS for restaurants, bars
• SMS for hair and beauty salons
• SMS for wellness, hotels
• SMS for libraries
• SMS for bookstores
• SMS for political parties
• SMS for nightclubs and discos
• SMS for movies and theaters
• SMS for sport events
• SMS for museums, exhibitions
• SMS for jewelry
• SMS for banking/insurance
• SMS for travel/tourism
• SMS for logistics/transport
• SMS for media/entertainment
• SMS for manufacturing
• SMS for IT/system administration
• SMS for oil/gas industry
• SMS for real estate
• SMS for retail industry
• SMS for automobile industry
• SMS for healthcare
• SMS for government
• SMS for education
• SMS for religion

Where SMS modems can be used ?

SMS modems are used wherever SMS functionality can be integrated, some of them are ;

1 . To send SMS from CRM/workflow management systems : 

SMS solutions make it possible to add SMS functionality to your CRM or workflow management system. These systems are already for providing better customer services and improved workflow processes. However, with SMS technology you can achieve greater results.

2.  To send SMS from communication softwares :

SMS functionality can be added to the various communication software products. These communication software products like Outlook Express, MS exchange, Windows email clients, MS Outlook, Gmail, Twitter, etc. They are used by most of the companies worldwide, however, usually they are for sending email messages. With SMS Gateway now you can complete your communication tools with SMS technology, as well.

3.  To send SMS from system monitoring applications :

System or network monitoring applications are for monitoring the network for failures and irregularities. They check all aspects of servers, workstations, IP devices, applications, databases, infrastructure and more. Usually, they send an email notification, but now you can add SMS functionality to your system with SMS Gateway. This way, all alerts and notifications will be sent via SMS, as well.


4.  To send SMS from CMS systems :

The best way to attract more website visitors than ever is to introduce SMS technology in your CMS like drupal, joomla, moodle, etc. Below these pages enlists various options on how you can setup SMS Gateway with your CMS to send SMS messages.

5.  To send SMS from helpdesk softwares :

For helpdesk software products, SMS Gateway also provides provision to send SMS text messages. In this way, SMS messages can be sent for the support operator if there is a new support request or an update for support tickets. At the same time clients can also be updated regarding the status of their tickets. This is a simple but effective solution for both sides.



6.  To send SMS using One-Time Passwords (OTP) :

Corporate IT infrastructure can be made safer and more reliable by introducing two-factor authentication. It handles passwords so only authenticated people will have access to critical information. Two-factor authentication refers to the process when the user needs to enter two secure information during login: a password and a one-time password (OTP). This one-time password can be sent via SMS.
 
Two-factor authentication makes your corporate IT environment safer and more reliable. It helps to handle corporate passwords in a secure way so authentication will only be available to authenticated people. Two factor authentication means that during login the user has to provide two secure information: his password, and a one time code he receives in SMS to his mobile phone. Two factor authentication can be used to improve login security or to sign critical transactions, such as wire transfer instructions in banks.

7. To send SMS from database application :

Databases are efficient ways for logically storing information within a company. They are built to organize data on the bases of their internal end external relationships therefore collecting them and utilizing them are easy, fast and time sparing. SMS Gateway can be configured to allow your database software to send and receive SMS to and from mobile phones or devices which greatly eases information exchange.

Know all about SMS Technology / Modems and its related facts

Contents at a Glance

• 1. Introduction to SMS Messaging
• 2. What Makes SMS Messaging So Successful Worldwide?
• 3. Example Applications of SMS Messaging
• 4. What is an SMS Center / SMSC?
• 5. Basic Concepts of SMS Technology
• 6. Intra-operator SMS Messages
• 7. Inter-operator SMS Messages
• 8. International SMS Messages
• 9. What is an SMS Gateway?
• 10. How to Send SMS Messages from a Computer / PC?
• 11. How to Receive SMS Messages Using a Computer / PC?
• 12. Introduction to GSM / GPRS Wireless Modems
• 13. How to Use Microsoft HyperTerminal to Send AT Commands to a Mobile Phone or GSM/GPRS Modem?
• 14. Introduction to AT Commands
• 15. General Syntax of Extended AT Commands
• 16. Result Codes of AT Commands
• 17. AT Command Operations: Test, Set, Read and Execution
• 18. Testing the Communication between the PC and GSM/GPRS Modem or Mobile Phone
• 19. Checking if the GSM/GPRS Modem or Mobile Phone Supports the Use of AT Commands to Send, Receive and Read SMS Messages
• 20. Operating Mode: SMS Text Mode and SMS PDU Mode
• 21. Setting or Reading the Service Center Address / SMSC Address (AT+CSCA)
• 22. Preferred Message Storage (AT+CPMS)
• 23. Writing SMS Messages to Memory / Message Storage (AT+CMGW)
• 24. Deleting SMS Messages from Message Storage (AT+CMGD)
• 25. Sending SMS Messages from a Computer / PC Using AT Commands (AT+CMGS, AT+CMSS)
• 26. Reading SMS Messages from a Message Storage Area Using AT Commands (AT+CMGR, AT+CMGL)

What is a GSM Modem? (or GPRS Modem? or 3G Modem?)

A GSM modem is a specialized type of modem which accepts a SIM card, and operates over a subscription to a mobile operator, just like a mobile phone. From the mobile operator perspective, a GSM modem looks just like a mobile phone.

When a GSM modem is connected to a computer, this allows the computer to use the GSM modem to communicate over the mobile network.  While these GSM modems are most frequently used to provide mobile internet connectivity, many of them can also be used for sending and receiving SMS and MMS messages.

A GSM modem can be a dedicated modem device with a serial, USB or Bluetooth connection, or it can be a mobile phone that provides GSM modem capabilities.

A GSM modem exposes an interface that allows applications to send and receive messages over the modem interface. The mobile operator charges for this message sending and receiving as if it was performed directly on a mobile phone. To perform these tasks, a GSM modem must support an “extended AT command set” for sending/receiving SMS messages.

GSM modems can be a quick and efficient way to get started with SMS, because a special subscription to an SMS service provider is not required. In most parts of the world, GSM modems are a cost effective solution for receiving SMS messages, because the sender is paying for the message delivery. A GSM modem can be a dedicated modem device with a serial, USB or Bluetooth connection

Send and Read SMS through a GSM Modem using AT Commands

Author : By Syeda Anila Nusrat

 

There are many different kinds of applications SMS applications in the market today, and many others are being developed. Applications in which SMS messaging can be utilized are virtually unlimited. Some common examples of these are given below:

• Person-to-person text messaging is the most commonly used SMS application, and it is what the SMS technology was originally designed for.
• Many content providers make use of SMS text messages to send information such as news, weather report, and financial data to their subscribers.
• SMS messages can carry binary data, and so SMS can be used as the transport medium of wireless downloads. Objects such as ringtones, wallpapers, pictures, and operator logos can be encoded in SMS messages.
• SMS is a very suitable technology for delivering alerts and notifications of important events.
• SMS messaging can be used as a marketing tool.

In general, there are two ways to send SMS messages from a computer / PC to a mobile phone:

1. Connect a mobile phone or GSM/GPRS modem to a computer / PC. Then use the computer / PC and AT commands to instruct the mobile phone or GSM/GPRS modem to send SMS messages.
2. Connect the computer / PC to the SMS center (SMSC) or SMS gateway of a wireless carrier or SMS service provider. Then send SMS messages using a protocol / interface supported by the SMSC or SMS gateway.

In this article, I will explain the first way to send, read, and delete SMS using AT commands. But before starting, I would like to explain a little bit about AT commands.

AT Commands

AT commands are instructions used to control a modem. AT is the abbreviation of ATtention. Every command line starts with "AT" or "at". That's why modem commands are called AT commands. There are two types of AT commands:

1. Basic commands are AT commands that do not start with a "+". For example, D (Dial), A (Answer), H (Hook control), and O (Return to online data state) are the basic commands.
2. Extended commands are AT commands that start with a "+". All GSM AT commands are extended commands. For example, +CMGS (Send SMS message), +CMGL (List SMS messages), and +CMGR (Read SMS messages) are extended commands.

If you want to get more information about AT commands, then you can get it on my other article on CodeProject here: http://www.codeproject.com/KB/system/IntroductiontoATcommands.aspx.

SMS Wavecom Smart Modem

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