Setting Up SMS Alert Messages
One of our most popular features is the ability to alert you when something isn't quite right. Many users want those alerts to go to their mobile phones via SMS message. There are three ways to accomplish this:
Send SMS Text Message (SMPP) Action
This action sends SMS messages from a monitoring program to a mobile phone via an SMPP gateway server on the Internet. Typically your mobile phone provider will have an SMPP gateway and will give you the parameters to fill in for this action. You can also contract with some 3rd party companies to let you use their gateways. However, there is often an easier way to get SMS messages to your cell phone:
SMTP Email Message Action
Many mobile phone providers provide an SMTP gateway for sending messages directly to a mobile phone.
For example:
T-Mobile supports sending an email message to <phonenumber>@TMoMail.com
Sprint supports sending email messages to <phonenumber>@messaging.sprintpcs.com
Phone Dialer (DTMF/SMS)
If you have a server that is not connected to the Internet, you can often hook up a modem/cell phone to the computer via a COM port. The Phone Dialer action lets you create scripts to dial the phone and send DTMF tones, or if a mobile phone is attached, you can send SMS messages directly.
Sending SMS messages directly from a mobile phone will require you to look in your mobile phone's manual and find out what commands it supports. Generally you'll be looking for the CMGS command. The following sample script gives you an idea of the commands that you are looking for:
ATZ
AT+CMGF=1
AT+CMGS=<number_to_dial>
<message text>
{VAL:26}
Note that the {VAL:26} is how you send a Ctrl-Z (End of Message character). Also, newer versions of our products support replacement variables in the message text so you can send the title or description of an error message.
