Getting started with SMS messaging in NZ - interrogating a database

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mre86

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#13514 14-May-2007 17:04

Hi, Please help.

Could anyone give me some pointers in getting started in development of some SMS functionality for my web based system.
I have a basic database that contains my availability for the month and a simple web page in which I maintain my schedule.
I want to be able to recieve an inbound SMS text containing a date, interrogate the database and return the response in a SMS text
stating whether I will be available or when I will next be available.

Any help on where I can find some easy-to understand info and/or pricing would be appreciated
Thanks

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#70696 14-May-2007 19:50

You can contact either Vodafone or Telecom. There are other some development companies around New Zealand that do this kind of work and either operator will provide you with information.

You will need a "shortcode" and have messages sent to that number redirected to a server of your choice where a script will do something. Not big deal really - but you need to work with the operators.

An alternative is other services such as Clickatell. But if you need a local number than it's not an option.

AzureBell

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#70747 15-May-2007 11:44

Is quite hard going directly through Telecom or Vodafone to do this in my opinion. Some local providers who are set-up for this and can guide you through are:

www.bulletinwireless.co.nz
www.sonicmobile.co.nz
http://www.lateralnz.com/

The key is that you need a shortcode to do this. The rest of it is easy.

sbiddle

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#70752 15-May-2007 12:06

If you're capable of building your own system you could always set your own up very easily.

Buy yourself an external GSM modem (such as a Wavecom FastTrack which you can pick up for less than NZ$100 if you check eBay) and some software such as NowSMS to interface to it, put the phone on a contract (or BestMate) to get cheap SMS and you're away.

AzureBell

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#70763 15-May-2007 12:29

Ooops yes, sbiddle is right and that looks a better solution for you. The "corporate" solutions can be quite expensive. With your own modem you will simply be sending a message to that number. See http://www.nowsms.com/documentation/ProductDocumentation/configuring_smsc_connections/GSM_Modems.htm. Has anyone had any experience with NowSMS and MMS messages. Will that work in NZ??

barf

643 posts

Ultimate Geek

#70782 15-May-2007 13:55

almost any old GSM Nokia or SonyEriccson phone can be used with a Linux-PC to send/receive SMS and (phone depending) MMS with gnokii. At my old work we did a project using Nokia 5110's for SMS remote-control and the $15 data cable was more attractive than a GSM modem. We used UNIX pipes, shellscript and PHP. You need a phone, SIM card etc for this scenario though.

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AzureBell

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#70787 15-May-2007 14:21

Thanks. I looked at gnokii - nice program. But it does not seem to support MMS.

barf

643 posts

Ultimate Geek

#70789 15-May-2007 14:29

darn, sorry to mislead you. it doesn't support many newer phones yet either, hence we used an old 5110. it's free software though :-)

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AzureBell

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#70790 15-May-2007 14:34

I have found mmsclient tho ... http://sourceforge.net/projects/mmsclient/

mre86

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#70877 16-May-2007 15:37

Thanks guys.
I think along Mark's view regarding "corporate" solutions.
From your replies it seems a choice between NowSMS, gnokii and sourceforge. I'm not worried about MMS at this stage (I think) as I just want to send simple text messages.
The Bestmate idea no good as I got too many (ha ha) but its a good idea for testing and playing around.

I suppose it would have been sensible to have said I'm currently hooked up to telstraclear using cable modem and currently PC using the dreaded windows XT opperating system (althoug will prob set up dual boot with Linux before long)

So is there a general concensus on which is easiest to setup (but cheap). I'm not a rocket scientist but can find my way around once I get going, but my spare time is limited.
Also in simpleton terms (for me) what hardware do I need.

cheers

mre86

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#70879 16-May-2007 15:44

And although I want simple now, i can always look at something else once I'm up and going and abit more confident ie. crawl before walk and maybe run later

AzureBell

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#70881 16-May-2007 15:59

NowSMS is definitely the easiest for you, Has an easy download and install exe. Once it is installed nice easy GUI for you to set-up your GSM modem based SMSC. So if you just get a gprs modem, Vodem or VMC GPRS Data Card (look on TradeMe for cheap ones), then you will be all set to send yourself txt messages. Easy!

mre86

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#70989 17-May-2007 12:27

Thanks Mark I'll check that out .

Talking to someone last night about playing with IVR to do same thing.
Anyone with any ideas about simple and cheap start into that or am I dreaming