ECS/integrated email Online Help

GSM/SMS Messaging

ECS/ie can send SMS messages (Short Messaging Service) to GSM Mobile phones as an alternative to sending emails. The process of SMS message addresses is exactly the same as email. The format of an email address is always user@domain, the format of the SMS number is number@servicecentre.sms

To send an SMS message to mobile telephone number you should enter the mobile telephone number followed by the '@' sign followed by a defined service centre name and finally '.SMS'. For example; to send an SMS message to an UK mobile number 07788 334455 that uses Cellnet you would use the address: 447788334455@cellnet.sms

The mobile number must contain the country code but not the international dialling code. For mobile numbers in the UK remove the leading 0 and add the prefix 44.

When ECS/ie reads an email address it searches for the suffix '.SMS' in any case combination. If it finds the suffix then it knows that the message is to be sent via SMS. It then retrieves the SMS service centre details, modem settings and sends the message via SMS.

N.B. SMS messages are limited to 160 characters, including the subject header, and that any messages over this limit will be automatically truncated. The SMS centre also will not accept mobile numbers greater than 20 characters in length.

The Modem settings & required SMS Service Centre's must be configured before ECS/ie can send SMS messages.

Configuring modem settings

To configure modem settings select "SMS Modem Settings" from the Settings menu in the "ECS/integrated email" window.

The following Modem Settings Panel should be displayed:

Select the Communication port for the related modem and enter an external line dial prefix (the number that you need to dial an external number). A default modem initialisation string is entered.

Note that in some cases it will be necessary for the modem not to wait for a dial tone, to do this add "X3" to the initialisation string. E.G. In the picture above the initialisation string is "AT&FL0&C1&D2". To stop the modem waiting for a dial tone change the string to "AT&FL0&C1&D2X3". Adding "X3" to the string only stops the modem from waiting for a dial tone, it will still detect a busy tone. If you wish to stop the modem from detecting both a dial tone and a busy tone then add "X1" to the initialisation string.

E.G. "AT&FL0&C1&D2X1".

Modem initialisation strings can differ between modems, please consult your modem handbook if in doubt.

Click the "OK" button.

Defining SMS service centres
SMS (Short Message Service) is a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) service that is specific to mobile networks operating in most parts of the world. All GSM networks have SMS Service Centres and their access numbers will normally be found programmed into your SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) Card BUT these numbers are NOT the same as a telephone access number to a network’s service centre and will not work with this software. Most networks have an access point for users of their service who want to send SMS Messages from a computer terminal. Not all of these access points are TAP compliant but
they do have one thing in common, they all have a different number for telephone access than the number programmed into your SIM Card Where a TAP compliant access number is provided by a network it is to that number, and that number alone, that you must connect; and you must connect using the settings specified by the network and at the speed at which the network modems work. Most network modems operate at a speed between 2400 and 9600 baud and changing your own modem properties to a significantly higher speed (more than 4 times the network speed) actually slows down connection at best and prevents connection at
worst. Invariably, reducing your modem speed nearer to the network’s modem speed will enable a successful connection to be made. ECS/ie is programmed with the latest known settings for each network supported. If in doubt, ask the network concerned for the access telephone number and the settings required for their TAP access point. If you continually fail to connect then it is probable that either you have been given the wrong telephone number or it is not a TAP compliant access point.

To define a new SMS Service Centre first select "SMS Service Centre Maintenance" from the "Settings" menu from the main "ECS/integrated email" panel.

The "SMS Service Centre Maintenance" panel should be displayed.

Click the "Add" button to define a new GSM SMS Service Centre.
The "Add SMS Service Centre" window should be displayed.

Enter the details of the SMS service centre and click the "OK" button.

Repeat these steps for each SMS service centre that is required.

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