HOWTO: Enable Zetafax to receive SMS messages to the Zetafax client

ZTN1243

ID: ZTN1243

This Zetafax technical note applies to:

• Zetafax 8.01 and later

Summary

It is possible to configure the Zetafax server so that the SMS device controller will receive any text messages sent to the GSM modem it is connected to. These messages will then be viewable from the Zetafax Client by the user configured as the receiving user for the SMS device. Note that the options for routing to different Zetafax users are limited compared to received faxes (no DTMF, routing to email etc). This technical note tells you how to configure Zetafax to receive text messages.

Configuring the SMS device controller to receive

To configure the Zetafax server to receive SMS message work though the following steps.

1. Start Notepad (or a similar text file editor) and open the 'Setup.ini' file in the 'System' folder under your main 'ZFAX' directory where your Zetafax server is installed.
2. Scan down to the paragraph of settings for the SMS device you wish to configure (e.g. '[SMS-1]', [SMS-2]', etc).
3. There should be a line reading 'RecdUser:' (If no such line is present this needs to be added). Add the name of the Zetafax user you wish to be the default recipient for SMS messages, so the line reads something like 'RecdUser: JSMITH'.

Note: Remember this is the Zetafax user name, not the network logon or full name.

4. Save you changes to 'Setup.ini' and restart the Zetafax server.

You should now be able to receive text messages to the GSM modem the SMS device controller is connected to. That is any message sent to the mobile number of the SIM card in the GSM modem. The Zetafax Server Monitor program will show the messages being received and if the Zetafax user nominated as the receiving user is running their Zetafax client they will see the received text message and be able to view it - just like a received fax.

Routing received SMS messages

There are fewer routing options with SMS as compared to FAX, as there is no equivalent of DTMF available. Routing rules based on the Calling Line Identifier (CLI) will work in the same way however. Note that forwarding of received text messages to email gateway users is not currently supported.

References

ZTN1288-HOWTO Install a GSM Device with Zetafax

Last updated 07 November 2005 (LD/EB)

Date published 01 November 2004 (SV/DH)

Keywords < SMS> < Receive> < Text messages>