smsPULSE inbound SMS/MMS processing
smsPULSE offers a powerful inbound messaging process. This is how it works:
- Inbound messages arrive into GSM devices or to a virtual number (VN) supplier
- smsLINES, an integral process within smsPULSE, reads the messages and stores them inside the sms.IN database. Alternatively, the smsPULSE HTTP task accepts messages pushed by a VN supplier - if the service is enabled in the country - and smsPULSE caters for the VN supplier
- smsROUTER, another component of the smsPULSE Server, processes all messages stored in sms.IN database, mentioned above. Anti-SPAM measures are activated and then router rules are processed. smsROUTER can perform a large range of actions, many requiring little to no programming.
For more details on each component click below for a brief explanation in a popup.
Messages feed into smsPULSE, via GSM or Virtual Number providers
Client Machines
Notes client can use smsPULSE without any change (any version). Alternatively you may use some of our supplied forms to assists with addressing. Other clients such as browsers and bespoke systems may also use smsPULSE in a seamless way.
smsPULSE Server running on Windows or embedded in Domino
The smsPULSE server handles all in-bound messages, coming either from the Web Server or sent directly to the attached mobile devices. Messages that arrive are stored inside an smsPULSE Database, and passed for processing by smsROUTER.
GSM Devices
smsPULSE supports up to 32 devices attached to a single server. You connect such devices by installing serial cards with multiple serial ports or using USB device which bridges the devices. In a virtualized environment you can install a comm server that connects to the smsPULSE server over IP and maybe placed outside your server platform, in another location.
A telco or Virtual Number provider
In some countries we offer virtual numbers where subscribers can text messages to. Messages that arrive at the provider are posted to smsPULSE via HTTP/S. smsPULSE needs to support the provider through the provision of the correct handler in the smsPULSE Web Server
GSM Network
The common GSM network available at your location. When selecting SIM cards for your GSM devices please consider the signal strength and quality of your nearest cell phone mast. Good demonstrable connection will ensure quick delivery of SMS/MMS
In-bound Message Processing by smsLINES and smsROUTER
smsLINES
smsLINES is an integral process within the smsPULSE server. The module handles all external devices and connects to the GSM network to handle both in-bound and outbound messages.
smsROUTER
The smsROUTER process is an integral part of smsPULSE. In smsPULSE MM the process handles all in-bound messages and it routes these inside your system according to rules you set in advance. smsROUTER can also route your messages without any special setup and its based on the sender of the original message. The is called "context routing".
Anti-SPAM Defences
In some countries SMS SPAM is a big problem. The USA is a case in point. smsROUTER user rules you setup in advance to combat the problem and eliminate SPAM messages from affecting your business.
sms.IN database
This database stores all messages that arrive into smsPULSE regardless of source. These include MMS messages that the media that they embed. The database will also contain SPAM messages sent to smsPULSE by eager marketing organisation. smsROUTER is responsible for determining what is SPAM and it marks entries as such.
sms.JOUR, Message Journal
Keep track of all your sms traffic by storing messages in the sms journal. Database access rights are set to allow access to administrators only, in line with common messaging policies. The database is also read by smsROUTER in order to faciliate context routing
sms.OUT, Outbound DB
A common action smsROUTER performs is to send a SMS/MMS. The action is simple to write as it only requires that you apply the message body, for example... "Thanks you for your comments..."
Send email
smsROUTER will route your messages via email, either to the message originator, to a system, to a mail-in database etc. It will also route messages to OMS users, back to their Outlook mail boxes. You may also create mailing rules that forward message contents based on the text within the message
Write to Disk function
smsROUTER will write to disk XML files to a directory of your choice with complete information about the message, its content, location of media files, sender details and other usful data. The action can also trigger an http post to a web server passing the file name as a parameter
Other Domino database
The smsROUTER is able to write a record to a Domino database without any programming work. Moreover, the action may also trigger the execution of an agent passing the new record ID as a parameter for the agent. The agent, in tern, may output the execution text back to smsPULSE so that this may be logged in the sms.IN database against the message.
HTTP Post
You may set smsROUTER to post message contents to an http server of your choice. Your server will be located anywhere you like and it must be available for posts. You can use these posts not only to accept message data but to also trigger a process, based on such data.
smsROUTER
This integral process of the smsPULSE server handles all inbound messages. It also monitors messaging queues and report to an administrator if message handling stalls. It will also attempt to start the main smsPULSE task if it is not running.
smsLINES
An integral part of the smsPULSE server
Learn more
Read more about smsLINES and smsROUTER in the on-line manual.
Check it out
Why not perform some tests to check how smsROUTER works? Click on the "Test it" menu option above, or start with a simple in-bound test.