Described below are the possible applications of the LCSMS system which is an all-purpose SMS Gateway suitable for a wide range of SMS applications. Short Message Service (SMS) is the system by which this gateway operates. SMS has been used in the Philippines for messaging, entertainment and marketing. But, due to unavailable low-cost software, those SMS applications are usually monopolized by the mobile network providers or those that can afford expensive software.
Monitoring of IP networks (i.e., ISPs, corporate LAN/WAN, etc) usually requires a Network Monitoring (NetMon) software whis is is installed in the network's operation center (NOC) functioning as the window where network administrators look and monitor their network. Some software have features of notifying the network engineer thru email/pager if in case there is a network trouble. In the Philippines, pagers are a thing of the past. Almost all Filipinos have mobile phones equipped with the cheapest messaging system called SMS or Text Messaging. Using the LCSMS software, SMS can now be used to remotely monitor and control your network using your own cellphone. "Satellite link Down!" is a simple notification to alert the administrator of the network trouble. Aside from notification, this system can be used to query network status such as status of network links, servers, routers, services etc via SMS. And most of all, this software can be used to remotely login to a server and be able to execute unix commands. This remote network monitoring and control solution is applicable to ISPs and networks that needs to maintain a more efficient network operations using a cheap but reliable system.
Not so long ago, email technology was once the most effective way of communication which almost replaced the snail / postal mailing system. But, email is only accessible via Internet or mobile internet. In the Philippines, Internet is very expensive making it not available to all. Since most people have cellphones, why not have an interface between Internet email and SMS? An ISP can offer this service to its subscribers whether for free or additional feature. It only needs a single Internet connection where this software can pop emails from outside (i.e., yahoo mail or hotmail) and convert it to SMS. Similarly, an SMS message can be converted by this gateway into an email which can be sent to the Internet.
Since this software is equipped with a web interface, users can access its web interface via Internet Explorer or Netscape browsers. Others can also access it from the LAN or Internet in order to send a message or administer the SMS gateway. This is also equipped with an authentication system so that only registered users can be able to send message and also it is equipped with PostgreSQL database so that you can actually count the number of text messages the user has spent which is applicable for billing.
Similar with feedback forms wherein users can fill-in a form in a website and by clicking "Submit" button, an email is sent to the intended recipient. What if the recipient does not have an Internet? The solution is apply this software as a Web Form to SMS CGI gateway. A web form can then call it through POST or GET method such as: http://smsgateway.com/pregisms?cellnum=09202612660&msg=message. Using this system, the feedback from a website surfer can easily reach the website owner wherever he is. No need to check emails for website feedbacks or inquiries. It has authentication system based on originating IP address or hostname.
Short information such as news, stocks, jobs, emails and invitations can be easily sent using this system. One good example of this is a calendar of events that can send schedule of events to the mobile users.
Vending machines and ATM machines are almost everywhere. How can the owner of this machines monitor them? Using this SMS solution, we can remotely administer our vending machines or control the behavior of our ATM machines.
How about buying a coke without inserting paper money into the vending machine? The payment to your coke will be thru your mobile phone account.
Mostly used now in entertainment such as TextTube or Fuse. But how about giving instant comment, question or feedback to the announcer while you listen and view your TV? It can be used for Interactive Radio/TV programs such as Quiz Bees and Talk Shows.
Web forums or discussion boards is such a good interface for people who wants to chat and participate in a discussion found in the Internet. Similar system can be adapted in SMS wherein chatters will communicate via cellphone not PC. Why not revive party phone lines system or have a community of anonymous people discuss sensitive issues such as love, politics etc.
There are already a lot of trading sites in the Internet but as always only those people with access to Internet can be able to use it. Using an on-line store equipped with SMS, a merchant who posted a product in the Internet can still participate and communicate with a buyer throuh SMS chat.
This can be used by a company with lots of information which can be accessed by its personnel and staff. This can also be used for inquiry of schools, students, subjects, and schedules of colleges and universities. Parents may want to retrieve the grades of their children regularly just to monitor his child's performance in school. Not only this software can be used to retrieve database information but also update databases. How about forming a system that will allow users to share, post and update information in a community of mobile users?
One example of this is UPS company which has shipping services. Through SMS, the customer can track his package as it is shipped by UPS to its destination. How about tracking your application for a telephone line? Or knowing the status of your application for a credit card? This software has endless applications in terms of package and transaction tracking as a value-added service.
Consultaion services by an IT or engineer or a doctor is very difficult to avail as of this time. If you have no telephone, you cannot consult a doctor or someone whithout meeting him personally. Or what if you want to have an advice on how to cook a kare-kare? Or you want to have an advice on how to invest in a company? This consultancy services and information sharing can be a good and cheap and invaluable service for all of us.
What if you have remote LCD billboards in the different parts of the city? Would you want to update those remote displays remotely via your phone? Or how about you want to monitor your home and be able to switch on your garage light or close your windows and operate your appliances remotely?
So for all those Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who searches for alternatives but effective information and business tool, you may want to consider LCSMS as one of your low-cost SMS solutions.