The JML SMS Message System

How it works

Your text message is sent via an Internet to SMS gateway operated by IntelliSoftware of Bournemouth.

The web interface is provided by local "bespoke" software. The software comprises a set of 3/4 scripts written in the PHP programming language running on our main WWW (Linux) server. If you are interested there is more detailed technical documentation available.

How do I use it ?

If you are an authorised user (see below) use your WWW browser to access the main authentication screen at http://web.ptwol.net/sms/auth.html. This will take you to the message composition screen where can enter the text of the message, select recipients and click on a "send message" button. The interface should be self-explanatory. If everything's OK you'll then see a report including some cryptic numbers. If there are problems you'll see some sort of error message, please report these.

Credits and paying for it

Each time a text message is sent, a credit is used up. We purchase messages in blocks of 250 (or more). The current price list is available on-line. Remember to add VAT. Purchasing further message blocks is a simple on-line activity. [You need a credit card and details of our account with Intellisoftware.]

If we buy messages in blocks of 250 they cost about 8.8p each.

If a text message is sent to several users, this counts as one message per user. So, if a message is sent to six people, that counts as six messages.

Whenever a block of messages is purchased, I, fairly arbitrarily, allocate budgets to authorised users. If your credit is low it may be possible to transfer unused credits from another authorised user.

Who are authorised users ?

The current (3/2/9) list is

• Ajay
• Clare
• Jo
• Louise
• Lynne
• Peter

If you want to be authorised to use the system, please clear it with Jo or Ajay. It then takes me a couple of seconds to update the database.

Replies to text messages

If a user replies to your text message, the reply is converted to an e-mail sent to your normal e-mail address, however replies to this e-mail are not converted back to text messages. You have to use the main interface.

Textese

The system does not convert normal English to or from "textese". Messages may not be longer than 156 characters. This is a limit imposed by the text message system.

The "from" number shown on the recipient's mobile phone is the number of the SMS Gateway, it is not related to any JML Dolman facilities or phones.

In order that recipients will recognise the message as having been originated from this gateway, the text "JML>" is placed at the start of all messages.

Logging

All messages (and replies) are logged. The logs may be used to detect possible misuse of the system. If the system proves popular, summaries of usage may be published.

Available recipients

The system cannot, of course, send text messages to people unless their mobile phone number is in the database. The database used is the one behind the web based staff list. however mobile phone numbers are not shown in the staff list unless the user has specifically agreed that this is acceptable.

There is no facility to send text messages to anybody other than those whose details are held in the database.

Future plans

It would be useful to be able use the system to text students with details of assessment appointments or bad weather closure messages. There are almost certainly other uses. The implementation of such a facility depends on the creation of a student record system using a server-based database.

Any other questions ?

Please contact me.