SMPP: Why the Big Players Use It

Why should you use SMPP for message delivery? The corporate big boys use SMPP for reliable high-volume message delivery, and so can you.

SMPP: Touching Base

To ensure that everyone’s on the same page, let’s quickly look at the basics of SMPP.

• It’s a protocol
• Synchronous & Asynchronous
• Two-way
• Scalable
• VCard, VCal, Ringtones, Logos Support

So, what the above is essentially saying is that SMPP is an acronym for an abbreviation that means Short Message Peer-to-Peer protocol.

It has two-way functionality (which means messages can be sent and received) and can either be used synchronously or asynchronously. This basically means that message acknowledgments can either be sent after each and every message or collectively for a number of messages at once.

Because SMPP is a protocol, it means that it is perfectly scalable and supports integration with just about any piece of software and architecture out there and supports message formats not only limited to the standard 7-bit characters, but also supports binary messaging and conversion.

Pretty nifty. Pretty flexible. And also a pretty big part of the reason why the big players all like using SMPP for their messaging needs. But there’s a bit more that you might not have known about SMPP, and it’s all got to do with the SMS gateway.

What’s with the SMS Gateway?

The SMS gateway is used to communicate between two dissimilar SMSC’s (Short Message Service Centre). This means that, if you want to send a message from one network to another – and if those networks don’t use the same protocols on their SMSC’s – then an SMS gateway is necessary to translate messages from one format into another. So where does SMPP come in?

The main protocols currently in use on SMSC’s include UCP/EMI, CMID, OIS and, of course, SMPP.

It is exactly this that makes SMPP such a favored protocol; it is not only a reliable means of message delivery, but it is a reliable means of high-volume message delivery and comes with all the bells and whistles one would expect from such a powerful protocol.

And because the SMSC’s use it, it means that messages get sent straight to the SMSC without going through the translation process.

Who Uses SMPP?

SMPP is the preferred protocol of companies and organizations who needs a reliable, fast and high-volume messaging solution. Think in terms of banks and other financial organizations that often have to communicate time-sensitive information to their clients and investors.

Social networks also rely on SMPP, especially since this protocol can be integrated with the custom systems they use and also because the amount of messages they have to send often run into the millions each month. Information sent out by social networks can also be considered time-sensitive – why use an SMS service where notifications might get delayed, thereby proving to have no worth to users?

When Should You Use SMPP?

So let’s look at message volume first. SMPP can be used for any purpose. But it’s performance will only become apparent when it comes to messaging volumes where other API’s might not perform as well.

Also, because SMPP is a protocol, it means that out-of-the-box use isn’t really a feasible option, which means that some coding or development skill would be necessary. However, if those skills are readily available, then SMPP becomes a transparent protocol capable of delivering results according to the most stringent criteria.

What You Should Pay for SMPP

And finally, as with anything else, one has to look at the cost involved. But there’s a catch here: while there are many very affordable service providers out there, the aim should be to find a provider that ensures a certain measure of reliability combined with affordable pricing. And in case you want to send messages internationally, then coverage also becomes an issue.

That being said, if you qualify for all of the above, then this power-protocol is probably the thing you need. Follow the link to the SMPP page for more information.