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ColdFusion and SMS. Kevin Schmidt. What is SMS? . Short Message Service (SMS) Secure, reliable, virtually everywhere and basically works the same regardless of handset or carrier 160 character limit (140 bytes) Binary content capable (ringtones,logos, etc)
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ColdFusion and SMS Kevin Schmidt
What is SMS? • Short Message Service (SMS) • Secure, reliable, virtually everywhere and basically works the same regardless of handset or carrier • 160 character limit (140 bytes) • Binary content capable (ringtones,logos, etc) • Typical uses – txt-ing, news alerts, financial information, contests, etc) www.cfunited.com
SMS Usage Statistics • SMS usage is extensive worldwide and increasing pervasive in US: • China: 550 Billion SMS messages in 2004, 1.4 Trillion by 2006 • UK: 23-25 Billion SMS messages for 2004 (MDA) • Used by over 70% of mobile phone users worldwide • Messages delivered in <10 seconds www.cfunited.com
Benefits and Limitations • Benefits: • Fully mobile - available anywhere, anytime • Secure - authentication and encryption built-in • Push or Pull • Limitations: • Limited message length - usually 160 chars • Device keypad interfaces make typing lengthy messages cumbersome • Expensive setup (short code, service provider) • Response time can vary and can impact app usability and design www.cfunited.com
ColdFusion Test Server • A SMSC test server is included with ColdFusion • Simulates the phone company or 3rd part aggregator’s SMSC Server • Started in the Administrator • Off by default on start • ColdFusion appears to be just another SMS subscriber • SMS Gateway conforms to SMPP 3.4 (currently most commonly deployed) www.cfunited.com
Sample Application • An SMS gateway (a test instance) is predefined • Pre-configured to talk to SMSC Test Server • Not running by default • Pre-configured to point to sample gateway menuing application • SMS Gateway instances are associated with configuration files • Default starting CFG files in {cfusion}\gateway\config\*.cfg www.cfunited.com
Testing Your Applications • Testing SMS applications requires an SMS device (or virtual device) • Invoked using {cfusion}/bin/SMSClient.bat • Java applet simulates basic cell phone with SMS “chat” mode • Pre-configured to talk to the SMSC Test Server www.cfunited.com
SMS Gateway - Sending • ColdFusion applications can initiate and send messages (“push”) to SMS-enabled devices with the sendGatewayMessage() function • To use sendGatewayMessage(), specify: • Destination mobile device telephone number • SMS Gateway instance ID • Message www.cfunited.com
SMS Gateway – Receiving • Mobile devices send messages to a ColdFusion listener CFC by using SMS Gateway instance’s telephone number or Short Code • Incoming messages include the originating device’s phone number, so listener CFCs can respond to messages sent by mobile devices • Calls onIncomingMessage() www.cfunited.com
Some Assumptions • Assumptions: • Application framework is fully supported • No HTTP means no cookies • Application, Session, Client scopes supported • Event Gateway system uses originatorID • Sessions are as secure as the event mechanism www.cfunited.com
Getting Hand On… • Sample Stock Market Applicaition • Create CFC’s for WebService and Gateway • Create Gateway config file • Setup Gateway • Test sending and receiving messages www.cfunited.com
Questions… • Email: schmidt@hungrycow.com • Feel free to email anytime • Website: http://www.flexinabox.com • Code and .ppt will be posted here www.cfunited.com