SMPP in Action

SMPP allows you to integrate SMS messaging into your current software infrastructure to ensure efficient customer and employee communication.

SMPP, or Short Message Peer-to-Peer, is a protocol that allows for the rapid transmission of bulk SMS messages to mobile devices. It also has two-way functionality, which means that your customers or other bulk SMS recipients can reply to your messages. Although easily integratable, this API (Application Programming Interface) is more often than not used by companies who have their own developers. Quite simply, this means that you can write your own software applications to communicate with customers and employees using the SMPP API.

SMPP In The Real World

To illustrate how SMPP can be employed and perhaps supply you with a couple of ideas as to how you can integrate this powerful API into your business, we’ll look at three real-world examples where SMPP may have been used in conjunction with an existing software infrastructure…

Virgin Mobile USA

In 2006, Virgin Mobile USA launched a story campaign to raise awareness around teenage homelessness. The campaign allowed readers to determine the course of events within the story, which was called “Ghost Town”, by selecting one of two options and replying via SMS. Each choice was then entered into a text message poll, in which the most popular one was selected to be part of the story during the next day.

SMPP has been designed for high-volume SMS messaging, making it the perfect tool to get in touch with a large, distributed audience.

AT&T & 1-800-FLOWERS

Is it possible to mix love and SMPP? For the 2008 Valentine’s occasion, AT&T partnered with 1-800-FLOWERS during their ‘Cupid Goes Wireless’ campaign. AT&T subscribers could log in and send their loved one a free animated flower bouquet.

And as the festive season is upon us, what can you do to make use of SMPP in a similar fashion? “Send your loved ones a carol” or “SMS Mistletoe” are just two of many ideas that spring to mind.

U.S. Airways

Sometimes you wonder “How did I ever live without this?” as a new technology, or simply just an innovative way of using existing technology comes along. U.S. Airways provides up-to-date flight information to “Dividend Miles” members who send an SMS message to a dedicated short code.

Due to its speed and reliability, SMPP can be a lifesaver when it comes to relaying time-critical information to customers and employees.

A Technical Look at SMPP

Those interested in using SMPP to boost their business, or even drive a charitable mobile campaign, will benefit from a short technical overview of the protocol.

If you’re up to date on your SMPP knowledge, you’ll know that there are various versions of the protocol. Although v5 is the most recent, v3.3 is still the most widely used. One of the key differences between v3.3 and later versions is that the former requires a separate TCP and SMPP session to send and receive. Some providers do, however, provide BIND_TRANSCEIVER functionality with the v3.3 version, which means only one of each is necessary to send and receive. The relevance of this information naturally depends on your current software structure and what you aim to achieve with mobile.

SMPP can benefit your business. Why not take the time to familiarize yourself with the finer workings of this fast, efficient and versatile protocol?