After knowing our team project, some of my friends interested on how to develop a software application to send and receive SMS, just like the one in our project. I have been explaining to them the way I know and the advantages and disadvantages of each way. I guess keep on repeat explaining to each of my friend when they ask was not a good way, so I plan to share it through my blog post. I guess this knowledge is very useful for those who want to join upcoming Imagine Cup because mobile penetration rate is very high compare with internet access.
Basically, I know 3 way of sending and receiving SMS through application.
SMS Server Toolkit
This toolkit is develop by Microsoft Research Lab India that allow application to send and receive SMS through Windows smartphone (require at least Windows Mobile 5.0).
Advantages:
- Easy to configure for .NET application.
- Build-in easy to use function (Example: bulk SMS using Excel)
- Free.
Disadvantages:
- Lack of documentation to setup.
- Only support .NET language.
- Required a Windows smartphone.
- Limited number of SMS can be send and receive at the same time.
- Maybe buggy.
Link: http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/2bdeb3c6-9945-4804-a9bc-0d53704d35da/default.aspx
SMS Lib
A free java base library that allow application to send and receive SMS through GSM modems capable phone (Most mid-end and high-end phone nowadays are GSM modems capable phone).
Advantages:
- Support Java and .NET language. (.NET part is still in beta).
- Require only mid-end mobile phone.
- Free.
Disadvantages:
- Hard to understand the setup document.
- Function call is not easy to understand at the first try.
- Limited number of SMS can be send and receive at the same time.
Link: http://smslib.org/
SMS Service Provider
You can purchase a SMS service from provider like WebSMS2U. You can send SMS by connect to their service through HTTP call.
Advantages:
- Easy to setup (No setup require actually).
- Send and receive large number of SMS at the same time.
- Suitable for all kind of languages.
Disadvantages:
- Require internet access.
- Not free and require to pay for the service (expansive for low-budget project)
- Required a web server if you want to receive SMS (A web server with domain name, not localhost).
Link: http://www.websms2u.com/
I Hope this information can be helpful for those who are developing software application that utilize SMS functionality.
Ooiks's Blog 
did u heard of ozeki message server be4?
if im using VB.net, can use SMS Lib or not?
ned to use phone or i can use my broadband device to do the sms tasking?
# Hard to understand the setup document.
u mean the setup is hard izzit?
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I heard of Ozeki message server before, but I never actually try it out before due to licensing problem. It is not free and free trial is valid for some time only.
SMS Lib support .NET that include VB .NET but I never try using .NET for SMS Lib before, but I only try using Java for VB Lib. (because when I using SMS Lib. it only support Java).
I’m not sure about your broadband device support GSM modem or not. You may need to check out yourself, but mobile phone will be more easy to configure as the document will guide you through.
Yes, the setup is not easy to understand if you have no knowledge in COM port, bluetooth setting and so on, but once you get it down, you can go without problem.
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well, i dun think i hav time to do my FYP during my internship…
will look for ur help if got chance when i b pg after intern
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