Low cost SMS solution - no hardware

[Jeremy Wingate]

Problem
SMS Service is high cost, sometimes overkill and also requires two way communication between RMS server and SMS provider (not ideal for some RMS-WEB installs).

Solution
Email to SMS provider

Overview
Email notifications from RMS are forwarded to a SMS to one or more recipients.
Uses at least a single user account within RMS, message content is text and links from Email.
No audit trail tracking of sms acknowledgement – except that RMS has Sent Email
No voice option

How to do it
We have used www.textmagic.com just as an example
We create one account per customer with Text Magic

• We create a distribution list in TextMagic with the required recipients.
• We whitelist rms@rotronic.com so emails from RMSare accepted (you may have to use a different address for RMS-WEB)
• If they have different recipients for different devices/times we make multiple distribution lists
• We arrange a bank transfer monthly or annually payment for the required credit (prevents over spend or lack of credits)

We then create a user in RMS

• Configure the user for the required notifications (by email)
• Configure the user email address to be specific textmagic email provided eg 123EXAMPLEABC@textmagic.com
• This user is only used for SMS notifications to avoid accidental changes that might affect messaging

You are done.

Payment
We charge customers a small setup fee and then usually a annual fee for a fixed number of SMS. They can manage the notification settings but if they want to add or removed recipients they must contact us and request the required mobile numbers be added or removed.

Summary
Whilst this is not a perfect solution it is simple and ideal where a cost effective method to provide SMS is required. You may be able to find better local providers.
Key points to consider;

• Some the provider offer suitable multiple account management
• Distribution lists (one email address to many mobiles - otherwise you'll need too many RMS user accounts)
• Can you limit credit usage or configure monthly top up?

[Emil Larsen]

Hi Jeremy

Thanks for sharing this!
As this eliminates the necessity for 2-way communication with the RMS server.
To do that on a RMS-WEB install, you would have to open something like port 80 to recieve the button input from a phonecall alarm going out.

I have experince with CloudHQ and their Email-to-SMS service, wich they offer on a unlimited plan for 15 Euros a month or get a completely free account with 25 SMS included every month (might be easier for invoicing)

https://www.send-your-email-to-sms.com/pricing