How to launch SMS services

SMS messaging is a rapidly growing industry... Do you still hesitate about this fact? Check a very recent study published by Ozeki Informatics Ltd. on SMS technology! So if you don't want to exclude yourself from the opportunities offered by SMS technology, it is time to launch your own SMS services! This article gives you some hints why you should launch SMS services at all, and what are the technical requirements for launching SMS services.

Why should you launch SMS services?

There is a very simple answer for this question: You should launch SMS services because they make your business more effective. That's simple. But if this reason is not enough for you then here are some facts regarding SMS technology ...

SMS messaging cannot be avoided by companies due to its rapid development and spread ...

SMS messaging provides you freedom in your corporate communication because if you build your own SMS system you will not depend on any third party. After you implemented SMS functionality in your IT system you will be able to send and receive SMS messages in your IT system and introduce SMS related services such as bulk messaging, premium rated SMS services, SMS campaigns, automated SMS services, SMS reminders, alerts, notifications, etc. The list would be endless if we wanted to enlist all the options available with SMS messaging.

From these services it comes directly that you can ensure a stable communication system. And with an efficient communication system you can ensure continuous presence on the market. Be the first who reach his customers! Do not let your competitors to boost SMS technology first!

Advantages of SMS services:

SMS technology: 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

How to launch SMS services? - Technical background

To be able to launch SMS services first you need to introduce SMS technology into your IT infrastructure. This step is very easy since you only need to find the proper SMS gateway software for this purpose. SMS gateway software products provide SMS functionality to IT systems that makes it possible to send SMS messages from your PC to mobile phones and receive SMS messages at your PC from mobile phones. And of course, SMS gateway software products allow to launch SMS services.

First of all, you need to find the most appropriate SMS gateway software. (On the following webpage you can find some tips on what to avoid when you decide to purchase an SMS gateway software: 7 things to avoid when choosing an SMS gateway for your organization!).

If you look for a stable, reliable and well-functioning SMS software that will NOT leave you without functioning then your best choice is Ozeki NG SMS Gateway software. Ozeki NG SMS Gateway software offers various functions, integrations, continuous development, ...

But see how it works!

1. You need to download, install and configure your SMS gateway software.
   (Download the FREE trial version of Ozeki NG SMS Gateway to experience SMS functionality on your computer).
   
   Check the Quick Start Guide for help: Quick Start Guide.
   
   
2. A service provider connection needs to be configured.
   
   The SMS gateway software connects to the SMS center (SMSC) of the mobile service provider in two possible ways: either with the help of a GSM modem (GSM modem connection) or over the Internet (IP SMS connection).
   
   
   • Option 1. GSM Modem Connection
   
   In case of this option a GSM modem (or GSM phone) is connected to the server computer.
   
   Concerning connectivity you can use a standard RS232 cable, a USB data cable, Infrared or Bluetooh link. The standard RS232 cable is the most recommended to use because it can be attached directly to your PC's COM port. The second option is a USB data cable. For these cables you will need to install a driver that will create a virtual serial port in your operating system. Bluetooth or IR connections are not recommended since these wireless links are unreliable.
   
   The SMS gateway software will control the GSM device (modem or phone) and SMS messages are sent through this device. In this case SMS messages are forwarded to the SMS network over the air. They are sent the same way as they are sent when you use a traditional GSM handset for SMS messaging. If you use GSM modem connectivity you need a SIM card that you can put into the GSM device (modem or phone) for sending an SMS message. In this way, the price of the SMS messages is determined by the price plan you have chosen when you purchased the GSM device. The SIM card belongs to your GSM mobile service provider.
   
   Find real examples on how to use a GSM modem connection with an SMS gateway on the following webpages:
   SMS messaging with a GSM device (modem or phone) attached to the PC
   RS232 Serial Cable and Industrial Modems How to configure GSM Modem Connectivity
   
   
   • Option 2. - IP SMS Connection
   
   If you don't want to use or you cannot use a GSM device for some reason, you can connect directly to the short message service center (SMSC) of the GSM service provider over the Internet. This solution is called IP-SMS. In this case you need to contact your mobile service provider (e.g. T-Mobile, Vodafone, etc) and tell them that you wish to send SMS messages over the Internet directly to their SMSC. The next step is the signing of the contract with the selected service provider.
   
   If you signed a contract with the GSM service operator then you will be provided by a connection protocol name (SMPP, UCP, CIMD2 or HTTP) and connection details such as IP address, Port, Username, Password. These pieces of information is used for the configuration of the connection in the SMS gateway software. Once you have finished the configuration you can start to send SMS messages from your computer to mobile phones over the Internet. The price of the message is determined by your selected service provider. Many service providers offer Free SMS Plans.
   
   You can contact two types of mobile service providers:
   
   1.) Mobile network operators (T-Mobile, Vodafone, Orange, O2, ...)
   2.) Independent SMS service providers (SMS Service providers)
   
   To get a quick view about how to send SMS from PC to mobile phones over the Internet, please visit: Service Provider Connections
   
   
3. Start your SMS service.
   
   Ozeki NG SMS Gateway is a reliable software that can handle large volume of traffic. In this way, it is the ideal platform to be used to provide SMS services to your clients using the SMPP protocol.
   
   So after you connected your SMS gateway to the SMSC of a mobile service provider, in the next step you have to setup an SMPP user accounts in your system. One user account should be created for each of your clients. The following webpages give you information about how you can setup SMPP user accounts for your clients in your system: SMPP User
   
   In case you wish to serve several users, Ozeki NG SMS Gateway allows to configure SMS routing. SMS routing determines which user will receive an incoming message and which service provider connection will be used to send a message coming from a user. If you are interested in routing function please read Inbound routing and Outbound routing pages.
   
   Ozeki NG SMS Gateway also provides you a built-in cost control and accounting system. These options are very useful if you wish to introduce SMS services with your SMS gateway since they allow to keep track of costs and do some accounting. More information is available on the following webpages:
   Billing and accounting system
   SQL Logging
   
   
   • Bulk SMS service:
     
     Ozeki NG SMS Gateway allows to connect to various mobile service providers and you can also configure least cost routing function. This way, you can easily create a bulk SMS service.
     
     You can provide your bulk SMS service for your clients over SMPP protocol. For more information about how to setup this service please go to the following page: How to build a high volume SMS messaging system?
     
     
   • Premium rated SMS service:
     
     Premium rated SMS services work the following way:
     - You setup a database on your server with keywords and related content. (For example this information can be stored in an MS SQL database server.)
     - The mobile users send in an SMS message containing a keyword. The SMS gateway checks the database for a relevant response (content) and sends it back to the mobile user. This content can be a WAP PUSH content (http://www.ozekisms.com/index.php?owpn=217), that can be used to distribute mobile content or it can be a standard SMS messages.
     - The mobile phone company charges the mobile user
     
     Ozeki NG SMS gateway provides all the necessary functionality to create a service like this:
     
     Ozeki NG SMS Gateway can be connected to the SMSC of a GSM service providers using IP SMS connections (UCP, SMPP, CIMD2) or using GSM modems. For premium rated SMS services IP SMS connections are better because they allow larger volume of traffic.
     
     Once your connection is setup you can configure an autoreply database feature, that makes it possible to create automatic responses based on data stored in a database:
     SMS Autoreply from Database Database configuration
     
     The Ozeki NG SMS gateway also provides SQL reporting function which is useful to keep track of all incoming and outgoing messages for billing and accounting purposes. You can find more information at: SQL Logging page.

Ozeki NG SMS Gateway can be obtained by opening the download page: Download Ozeki NG SMS Gateway!

For more information or technical assistance please contact a professional at info@ozekisms.com.