What are the advantages of using SMS Gateway for sending/receiving text messages

Question

Hello,

I'm using a Rails application and would like to send/receive text messages through my application. Two solutions I looked at is using SMS Gateway and using a cell phone paired with Bluetooth with my Mac and I have ultraSMS program running that sends SMSs through the phone. The second option is definitely a lot cheaper as SMS gateways charges quite a bit for a dedicated number. The disadvantages of the second option as far as I know are 1. Reliability: phone and computer has to be on and paired at all time 2. Scalability

Is there other major advantages to SMS gateways worth paying for? Are there other alternatives?

Thanks,

Tam

Answer 1

At least here in Norway, SMS Gateways offer short (4 digit) numbers for incoming messages. Customers will begin messages with a code word, which will make the gateway route the message to your application. You indicate that you want a dedicated number, in which case this point is probably mute.

SMS gateway providers can often provide payment services for easy payment over the phone bill.

I guess SMS gateways usually will provide logging and statistics.

Answer 2

If your application is not so critical you can use email to sms. SO has some questions about email to sms. You can search them.

I would prefer an SMS gateway than using a personal mobile phone. You cannot send BULK sms using a mobile phone at the same time. Mobile phones send one sms at a time so its time consuming.

In India SMS gateways are cheaper (for bulk purchases) than mobile phones. You can choose a Sender ID which can contain alphabets and numbers. This is another advantage of bulk sms as it will look more professional.

The Sender ID facility is not available when you send sms using a mobiole phone. Name can be displayed only if the receiver has your number stored.

Anoter advantage is reports. Gateways usually have reports. You can generate customised report. Think about option for delivery report when you send sms through phone ;-)

Answer 3

• International pricing is certainly something to consider if you could be sending messages overseas.

• Throughput. Third parties can push through thousands of messages a second. Your phone cannot.

• Identification. When you send an SMS, it's your number attached to the message. Third parties can mask the number as a short one.

• Support for high-volume commercial texting. If you're using a regular tariff contract, you might find it is explicitly against the contract terms to send the messages you are. If that's the case and they find out, they're more than within their rights to leave you high-and-dry.

Answer 4

Of course you should go for SMS Gateway solution. This will be proven as better ROI model on long term.

Secondly you need not buy a dedicated incoming number with gateway, you can just rent a KEYWORD on the Gateway number. All your customers will send their SMS requests to Gateway's dedicated number and all Messages starting with your hired keyword will be forwarded/routed to your Web-Application URL which receives the incoming messages.

Gateways also provide the services like auto-response which gives you 0 cost for outgoing message. The page which receives the incoming message from the Gateway will process the incoming message using the business rules and will respond with a text response within 160 characters which will then be received by the gateway and sent back to the requesting customer's mobile number. This is mainly a short-code model.

Thanks.