Operating system name and version: Debian (lenny)
Version of smsd: 3.1.6
Smsd installed from: sources
Name and model of a modem / phone: Don't have one yet
Interface: Probably USB

Hello Keke, community, et all...

I am not sure where to start. I spent most of the morning reading this site and am excited about the possibilities of using SMS Server Tools 3. I got Debian installed and installed SMS Server Tools successfully, and I don't have a modem yet.

But searching through the forum I couldn't find out if the software will really fit my application.

What I plan to build is a website where users can subscribe to alerts. Plans are for a youth, middle aged, and elderly list that users could subscribe to. As they subscribe from a web page, their numbers would accumulate into a list. As I have information for them, I would send out SMS messages to each list.

Ideally, the system would be able to accept short codes to enable the end user to suspend, or modify their subscription. But initially, this wouldn't be necessary.

The main thing now is to:

1. Determine if SMS Server Tools 3 will work for my project...at least initially.

2. Find a modem that will work with the software. It would be real useful to keep an up-to-date list, not necessarily kept current by you, Keke, but maybe a Topic area on the board here where we can list which phones/modems have worked successfully. Right now they are everywhere on the board, even in the Feature Requests area.

3. Figure out how to create a web interface for users to subscribe, and an administrator to create messages to send out.

Thanks for any help. I've used Linux for a while, but only as a web server and am not too great on the programming end, but am willing to learn, or pay someone to do this part of it.

Kind regards,
Dave Jackson
Naples, FL

I'm pretty sure that Smstools3 will work for your project,

Your application can create SMS files for each number, or one SMS file with multiple destinations defined. There is a sample script smstest.php available in the scripts directory of a package. It's not a complete application, but demonstrates how web interface can be implemented and how character sets can be handled. Also check this post, it shows how multiple destinations can be handled using checkhandler. It also contains a PHP script which can be used to create message file(s).

Users can send SMS to your system and your customized eventhandler can check if the sender exists in your list, and do the actions required. For example, there can be a keyword for suspending and eventhandler can add a suspend flag into your list, or remove the number, whatever is required.

You can also use multiple modems with SIM cards from different network providers, and use the same provider as the subscriber, automatically or manually defined. This is called queues.

I'm not sure what modem is good in US. Generally taken I have recommended some Wavecom based devices, but not any exact model. If any modem offers AT command interface and works in GSM network, it can be used with Smstools3. List of supported modems is very old and incomplete, it's almost useless. I have to think about your idea of a "Topic area". Nowadays, when a new support question is posted, I'm asking the name of a modem (and other details) because those details are usually required and should be asked later unless this information is included in the question.

Smstools3 can be used for testing purposes even if the system has no modem installed. There is a setting modem_disabled available for this. While testing, all sending is simulated and checkhandler and eventhandler can be tested. Incoming messages can be tested too, but for them you need a sample PDU string what you do not have because you have not received any real messages.

Thanks SO much! I'll start working on this and let you know how it goes. I appreciate the quick answer!

Kind regards,
Dave Jackson
Naples, Florida

Hi Keke,

I didn't install the web server as part of Debian, and as an afterthought I supposed that is vital, however, I am curious how people are using SMS Server Tools 3 in the real world? Are they running in-house servers?

Thanks for any help.

Dave Jackson
Naples, FL

What I know, is that there are lot of people running this software and in most cases I do not know how they are running it .

From those implementations I know, most are running in-house servers instead of servers in hosting services. In many cases this is because of a coverage of GSM network, the modem does not work inside the server room which may be located under the ground.

The more I read the more I get confused and am wondering if buying your book would be the solution.

For example, right now I have a working web server with PHP and MySQL, a working SMS Server Tools 3, but no knowledge in really how to tie them together.

I'll keep digging here. :-) I am not complaining... just putting in a lot of time on the site.

Kind regards,
Dave Jackson
Naples, Florida

naplesdave wrote

The more I read the more I get confused and am wondering if buying your book would be the solution.

Actually, it's not my book, it's written and owned by Stefan Frings, author of smstools version 2.x. Even when smstools3 has lot of new features, I think that book is still usefull. Please check the sample pages / chapters which are available.

naplesdave wrote

For example, right now I have a working web server with PHP and MySQL, a working SMS Server Tools 3, but no knowledge in really how to tie them together.

One useful keyword for searching is eventhandler. With an eventhandler, any actions can be done on smsd side. This post contains an example for keyword handling. This post has an interface to the SQL database.

Ah, sorry about that. I knew it wasn't yours. I did glance over the pages.

I think what I want to do is beyond the scope of my skill in bash or any shell scripting. It would be nice to be able to hire someone with some knowledge of the software and SMS, etc. Do you know of any people that freelance in this area?

Thanks a bunch, Keke. You've been extremely helpful.

Kind regards,
Dave Jackson
Naples, Florida

I have not checked, but probably some ready made application can be found for you to modify. Mailing lists are general, and some of them may work as you have expected. Of course those will create e-mails, but it's not a big deal to change them to create SMS files instead of e-mail calls.

I do not know about the freelancers currently. I have to think about this little bit more.

There are some sites like getafreelancer.com and rentacoder.com, have you checked any of those?

I have used them before for other projects... I suppose it is simple coding here; I thought it would be better for someone who has actually worked with your software before, but maybe that's not an issue.

Thanks again for your help.

Kind regards,
Dave Jackson
Naples, Florida