SMS Gateway Project

I was asked to create a system in which a user can easily integrate GSM Communication with Web Services. The first goal is to publish content to web by sending and SMS from a mobile phone. This can be done by storing the SMS data into a MySQL Database where a web application can easily utilize such information.

I was faced with several options in giving a solution to this problem. First, is to make use of the local Service Provider’s API for such services wherein it would cost a lot and not to mention the trouble of having to sign contracts and legal papers for such service.  Second is to purchase a software like Oxygen Software which can be used to access the SMS, MMS, Phonebook and other mobile phone services.  But this kind of application would cost us € 500.00.  The third option is to purchase a commercial SMS Gateway like Ozeki which can easily integrate SMS Functionality in several application environments.

From the third option, an idea of creating a similar application hit me.  Ozeki is just a normal application which was designed to perform services of an SMS Gateway used by GSM Service Providers.  If a computer can communicate with a mobile phone in realtime, every data received by the mobile phone could easily be manipulated by the computer.  These data can be used in delivering services such as the SMS to Web functionality.  The next problem is determining where to start.