The Architectures of SMS Management System as a Tool for

Communication
Azmi Md Saman, Shafiz Affendi Mohd Yusof, Salman Sha’ri
Applied Science, College of Art and Sciences
Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia
Email: {azmi1326, shafiz, salman}@uum.edu.my

ABSTRACT SMS service was created to transmit short messages that

contain useful data (Nyuk Mee, and Selamat, 2007).
This paper describes the characteristics, advantages and
disadvantages of a SMS Management System to be used in the Nowadays, mobile technology has assisted the learning and
educational environment. This system is hoped to encourage teaching process in the educational environment (Eteokleous,
communication among lecturers and students in the teaching 2006). As an example, using SMS service lecturers are able to
and learning process. The context of the study was carried out alert the student the submission date for a given assignments
at Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok, Kedah as higher are approaching to assist the student better manage and
learning institution in Malaysia and the study focused on the organise their learning schedule to meet the deadlines (Issack,
teaching and learning process in the Division of Applied Hosany, & Gianeshwar, 2006).
Science, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). The motivation of
the study is due to undergraduate students having to deal with 2.0 MOTIVATION OF THIS STUDY
many issues relating to academic difficulties such as instance
communication with lecturers regarding matters such as There are two problems identified during the making of AAS
assignments, group projects, quizzes and examination architecture; especially in the design and development
problems. Therefore, the SMS Management System processes. We analyzed a few SMS Management System in
architecture will be explored to identify what are the main the market to were consider the academic environment so that
elements and characteristics that must exist in designing and the system designed and developed later could facilitate more
developing an Academic Alert System (AAS) concerning with communication among student and lecturer in teaching and
academic management environment. learning processes.

Keywords Several models of the SMS Management System in the

Short Messaging Service (SMS), SMS Management System, current market were identified and inspected, for example the
Alert System, Academic Environment, Telecommunications Bulk SMS, SMS4Mail, Ping SMS, Short Messaging Service
Protocols. Center (SMSC) Kernel, and SMPP Server. This study is
intended to explore the existing architecture of SMS
1.0 INTRODUCTION Management System and to gather important requirement
concerning of suitability in academic communication
Mobile devices such as mobile phones enable its subscribers environment.
to receive several service for communication such as voice,
voice mail, alphanumeric text through Short Messaging 3.0 REVIEW OF CURRENT SMS ALERT
Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and SYSTEM
now with new features that is third generation wireless
protocol (3G) for mobile communication systems, and video Generally, mobile phones have two main services which are
mail. In the mobile communication systems, it involves a lot voice and SMS. These services involved several wireless
of wireless protocol networks like Wireless Application protocols in mobile communication network such as WAP,
Protocol (WAP), Global System for Mobile Communication MAP, GSM, and other protocols. This study will examined
(GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), and Wireless several wireless protocols and components in mobile
Markup Language (WML). All wireless protocols mentioned transmission process.
above are very important for supporting mobile
communication during transmission. Nyuk Mee and Selamat 3.1 Bulk SMS Messaging
(2007), cited that SMS Management System and Information
Management System are concepts in mobile technology. On Bulk SMS messaging is one of the service that was created by
the other hand, in mobile telecommunication network, the Clickatell (2005), and it is the simplest and easiest way to
send SMS to recipients. As an example, the process of Figure 2: The Architecture of Alert System (Clickatell, 2005).
sending SMS messages include selecting the recipient or 3.3 Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)
group, typing the message and then sending it. This alert
system was developed using a web-based application and it is The Kannel open source WAP and SMS gateway (Kannel,
totally free to use, but users’ requires to pay per message sent n.d.) defined WAP as a collection of languages, tools and an
and first need to register before using it. The interface and infrastructure for implementing services for mobile phones
system were designed with ease of use and each message sent and makes it possible to implement services using hypertext,
from this service can be modified to include the name of the similar to the World Wide Web. WAP can be divided into
recipient. In addition, the sender ID number can be set to two protocols which is WAP push and WAP pull.
either a number or name, such as the name of company. The
following figure 1 shows an interface of this service. The Wireless Markup Language (WML) is completely a new
markup language for the hypertext browser in the phone to
interpret and display it compared to HTML. The following
figure 3 below show several activities in WAP.

F
igu
re
3:

WAP Architecture (Kannel, n.d.).

Figure 1: The Interface of Bulk SMS Messaging (Clicketell, 2005).

3.4 Short Messaging Service Center (SMSC) Kernel

3.2 Oracle Application Server Wireless (OASW)
According to IMImobile (2005), mentioned the SMSC Kernel
Oracle Application Server Wireless is one of the components
can accept SMS services from mobile network, and
of Oracle Application Server (Clickatell, 2005). It offers a
application and then delivers it to multiple destinations. The
broad platform for extending the reach of the enterprise
SMSC kernel will managed the entire pending message in the
applications by providing a highly scalable device to deliver
queue and it involves several component such as messaging
messages using mobile devices. A lot of applications have
queue manager, router and generates billing information.
been included in the mobile messaging such as system alerts,
notifications, information and content services.
3.4.1 SS7 Server
XMS web service and SMPP service are two methods used to As explained by IMImobile (2005), the SS7 Server will allow
connect the OASW with Clickatell messaging gateway and interconnection with mobile networks in the Mobile
both of the services involved default drivers, and requiring a Application Protocol (MAP) layer, GSM network, IS-41 layer
permanent Internet access. The following figure 2 as general and CDMA/TDMA networks.
architecture of SMS Management System is produced by
Clickatell.
3.4.2 Short Message Client Interfaces (SMCI)

The SMCI allows other applications to connect to the SMSC

Kernel as well as it enables the operator to provide extensive
value added services (IMImobile, 2005). The interfaces of
SMCI include the GUI Interface, MAP Interface,
GMSC/IWMSC Interface, HTTP Interface, TCP/IP Interface,
File Based Interface, SMTP Interface and POP3 Interface.

3.4.3 SMPP Server

IMImobile (2005) cited that the role of SMPP Server as a

receiving mobile that consists of originated SMS messages,
replying to prior email messages and SMS notifications.
Profiles or conversion process will be used for extracts
destination email addresses from the SMS and it describe how
to handle notification messages returned by remote SMSCs in email or sending SMS. This alert system will send e-mail or
response to previously sent email-to-mobile messages. send an SMS alert when there is a Ping timeout and it allows
user to set numbers of packs, bytes of packets, and time
3.4.4 Billing Server intervals. This application is a standalone program; where
user is required to install the software first and configure a
According to IMImobile (2005), a Billing Server will be able setting such as add host name, put mail server name, email
to generate charging information and also allows enabling or account, and password.
disabling of individual CDRs.
The following figure 5 shown to demonstrate the interface of
3.4.5 CDR Generator Ping Alert version 1.2 and it option setting as SMS alert
system sample was used by SMS4Mail. The sending process
IMImobile (2005) stated that the CDR Generator is of Ping Alert as well is shown in the same figure as well.
responsible to keep a record during calls process and then it
will generate CDR data in an ASCII format such as MSISDN
number, time stamp, MT/MT, and DCS.

3.4.6 Database Server

IMImobile (2005), explained that Database Server are uses as

data achieve and it based on Oracle 9i.

3.4.7 Admin Console

IMImobile (2005), mentioned that Admin Console is

responsible in operation, maintenance, configuration and start
or stop monitoring of all the SMSC components.

The following figure 4 shown the Short Messaging Service

Center (SMSC) architecture that applied by IMImobile
(2005), and it involved several mobile protocols before and
after message are received by recipient.

Figure 5: The Interface of Ping Alert version 1.2 and it Option

Setting.

3.6 SMS4Mail Version 3.1

By referring to the SMS4Mail (n.d.), it states that SMS alert

system process will be verifying and filtering user e-mail
accounts and then send messages to recipient mobile phone.
The SMS4Mail version 3.1 is a new version program by
SMS4Mail and it send SMS messages only. This system will
involved the POP3 services for e-mail communication
protocol and SMS messages may send to multiple mobile
Figure 4: SMSC Architecture (IMImobile, 2005). phones at the same time. At a time, the SMS alert system
enables maximum 160 characters per messages only. This is a
3.5 Ping Alert Version 1.2 sample SMS message that already sent by SMS4Mail:
“F:[email protected]*Date:Wed, 02 Jan 2002 14:57:16
According to SMS4Mail (n.d.), Ping Alert is a useful alert 0800*S:say hello!!*B:Dear Amy, Tell you a good program
system that can automatically alert (ping) someone by using SMSmail,which will check your POP3 account and send SMS
to your mobile phone while you got my mail” (SMS4Mail, vital roles and always communicating with each other during
n.d.). the academic management process. The figure 8 below shows
the general view of relationship among the parties that
Explanation: involve in the academic environment.
F: Sender email ID S: Subject B: Text Body *:
Separator Library
The following figure 6 was demonstrated the interface of
SMS4Mail version 3.1 as SMS alert system sample was used
by SMS4Mail.
Registry Bursary

Internal
Departments Colleges

Figure 8: General view of relationship among the parties involved in

the UUM academic environment.

The studies will be focusing more on the process of learning

and teaching management in the Division of Applied Science
(CAS) that will draw the involvement of several parties in the
Figure 6: The Interface of SMS4Mail Version 3.1 (SMS4Mail, n.d.).
division level such as the division chair, head coordinator,
program coordinator, lecturer, instructor, technician, and
The following figure 7 shown below demonstrates the student themselves. The next figure 9 below shows the
common architecture of SMS4Mail services. relationship between several parties in the division level as
already been mentioned before.

Figure 9: Relationship among the parties of Applied Science division

as involve in the process of learning and teaching management.
Figure 7: The common architecture of SMS4Mail Services
(SMS4Mail, n.d.) In teaching and learning process there’re four parties that
communicate directly with each other which is students,
4.0 DISCUSSIONS lecturers, instructors, and technicians. This process can be
described via the figure 10 below.
Academic Environment

There are several parties that involves directly or indirectly in

the UUM academic environment such as registrar, bursar,
library, internal departments, and colleges. All parties play a
 • Online based using credit
system application cards,
service by tools like PayPal, Wire
Clicketell. PHP Transfers,
language. UK Deposit,
• Simple to SA Deposit,
configure/se Euro Deposit
tting up the and
program, MoneyBooke
where SMS rs.
gateway and • Need Internet
host server connection to
already set access
after user database
register this server and
program. SMS
• User- gateway.
friendly
Interface
and up to
date.
• •
Ping Alert
Version 1.2
Standalone
application
Enable user
to send
• Users need to
install the
system. messages
SMS4Mail
• System using email
software first
can send or SMS.
before using
email • Unlimited
the system
or/and characters e.g. sending
Figure 10: General figure of teaching and learning process in the SMS per message SMS
Division of Applied Science (CAS), Universiti Utara Malaysia. messages. send by user message.
especially
• Complicated
send email
By referring to the figure above, student’s academic problems messages. to configure
can easily be identified. Based on this hypothesis, if an alert or setting up
• User can
the program
system has been developed in the academic environment, the use both because users
student can be reminded about their current academic method to have to
send
problem (Issack, S.M., Hosany, M. & Gianeshwar, R., 2006). messages
configure
With the existing alert systems in placed, it is found that it both method
such as if user want
can enhance the student’s academic achievement during email to use both
learning and teaching process. setting and method to
SMS setting send
or user can messages
This paper examines the architecture of current SMS alert choose such as email
system as three samples architecture in designing AAS for either the setting and
academic environment. This study helps the researcher to first or the SMS setting.
second
design and draw the illustration of the AAS architecture. In method. • Need Internet
this study only three (3) the SMS Management System have connection to
been identified and tested. Firstly Bulk SMS Messaging by access the
Clickatell and secondly Ping SMS and thirdly is SMS4mail host server.
version 3.0. Both Ping SMS and SMS4mail are produced by SMS4Mail • Standalone • Simple to • Users need to
Version 3.1 application configure install the
SMS4mail. The characteristics, advantages and disadvantages system. the program SMS4Mail
about these systems were stated in the table 1 below: • Can only setting. software first
send SMS • Simple to before
messages. send SMS, sending SMS
Table 1: The Characteristics, Advantage and Disadvantage of SMS user just put message.
Alert System in Current Markets. sender ID, • Maximum
mobile 160
number, characters per
Type Characteristics Advantage Disadvantage text message
Bulk SMS • Web-based • Easy to use • Maximum messages send.
Messaging application and manage 160 and then • Need Internet
system. the program characters per send it to connection
• Send SMS because it message recipients. for access
messages was send. • Simple to host server.
to developed • User required use and
recipients. using web- to purchases manage the
 system. International Conference on Information Technology in
Asia 2007 (CITA’07), 10th – 12th July 2007, Hilton
Based on the above table 1, each of this SMS Management Hotel, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
System has its advantages and disadvantages, and these
services enable users to send messages to the recipient easier Issack, S.M., Hosany, M., & Gianeshwar, R., (2006), A M-E
and faster. The characteristics and the architectures of this (Mobile-Elearning) Adaptive Architecture to Support
SMS Management System can be merged into the design of Flexible Learnin. Vol. 3, No.1, pp 19-28. Retrieved
the AAS system architecture in order to suit with academic February 3, 2009, from Malaysian Online Journal of
management environment specifically in the Division of Instructional Technology (MOJIT).
Applied Science (CAS).
Mikleia, E., (2006), Mobile Devices to be applied as
supporting tools in Research Methods Class for
Undergraduate Student. Retrieved December 12, 2008,
form International Conference on Learning Sciences
5.0 CONCLUSIONS (ICLS).

Based on this study, the SMS Management System involved IMImobile (2005), Short messaging service center (SMSC):
many component and protocols process in the architecture White paper. IMImobile: A Division of IMI Software
especially to deliver SMS to the recipients. After observing Ltd.
the three of SMS Management System architecture alike Bulk
SMS messaging, Ping Alert and SMS4Mail, several Kannel (n.d.), Kannel architecture and design. Retrieved
characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, component and October 26, 2006, from:
protocols for mobile communication had been identified and http://www.kannel.org/download/1.3.2/arch-1.3.2/arch.ht
it consist of WAP Gateway, WAP Push Protocol, and WAP ml#AEN16
Pull Protocol, GSM, GPRS, TCP/IP, WML, WMLScript,
Wireless Datagram Protocol (WDP), Wireless Transaction Clickatell (n.d.), Bulk SMS messaging. Retrieved October 23,
Protocol (WTP), Wireless Session Protocol (WSP), XML 2006, from: http://communicator.clickatell.com/
Language and other concerning. Based on the observation
that has been made on three SMS Management System Clickatell (2005), Enabling mobile messaging with OracleAS
mentioned above, it can be concluded that the Bulk SMS Wireless and Clickatell. Retrieved October 23, 2006,
messaging system architecture will be used as a fundamental from: http://www.clickatell.com/brochure/oracle.php
guideline to develop the alert system’s architecture and will
be altered to make it suitable in the academic environment. SMS4Mail (n. d.), SMS4Mail V3.0. Retrieved November 2,
The reason behind the selected architecture it is because the 2006, from: http://www.sms4mail.com/detaile.htm
Bulk SMS messaging system was developed from web based
platform and by following its architecture, it is much easier to
integrate the system with other existing systems in UUM,
especially in the Division of Applied Science -- for instant
Learning Care, UUM Portal Community, UUM Web Cube
Community and Lecture Attendance System (LeCas). Users
do not need to install any software to run the system. If the
alert system for academic environment had been developed
base on a standalone architecture platform such as Ping Alert
and SMS4Mail, it will become complicated because it will
require each user to install the alert system’s software before
using it and it will be difficult to access that system. The
study in this field is relatively new in Malaysia educational
environment especially in UUM and researchers require more
observation and analysis for future direction.

6.0 REFERENCES

Nyuk Mee, V., & Selamat, A., (2007), SMS Management

System for Direct Sales and Network Marketing. In: Fifth