This window allows a user to configure modems and the HTTP templates so as to set up (Short Message Sending) SMS connections.
First, we register the modem and/or Http Template. The modem is used for receiving and sending SMS. The Http is used for sending bulk SMS. Modem and the HTTP connections can be used independent of the other
Note:
1. To be able to use this functionality of SMS reminders, you should have installed the necessary drivers which are found in the loan Performer installation directory i.e. "C:\LPF817\External Files\SMS Banking".
2. The SMS functionality will require internet connectivity in order to send bulk messages via HTTP under the menu System/Configuration/SMS messaging/ Modem Setup. Please contact an SMPP service provider in your country.
3. You need at least one EDGE modem and a SIM card. The modem is used for sending and receiving messages but also for ‘pushing’ the mobile phone application to the client’s phone. This means that as a micro-finance institution you can install ‘LPF Mobile’ on the end-user’s phone without having his/her phone present. Loan Performer has a ‘push’ button that you can click to install it (See the menu Clients/Mobile Banking Clients/Mobile banking clients setup). This works with Java enabled phone only. Other phones will have to send SMS messages by typing in the commands. Anyway the problem is that every time you want to push an application, the server needs to be restarted. That’s why some institutions prefer to use 2 EDGE modems instead of one. Then one is used for normal message transfer, while the other is used for pushing the LPF mobile application to the end-user’s phone.
6. Though we are not a Mobile Money services provider, we can link up to one of them in your country and make mobile money disbursements and repayments possible. We have already done this for M-Cash in Uganda, MTN, Airtel and UTL. We have linked up with Yo! Uganda which operates as an ‘aggregator’. An aggregator is an intermediary operator between the companies that need to receive payments, like National Water, Electricity etc and the mobile money providers. What is possible here in Uganda is possible in any other country as well. You just need to bring us into contact with the local aggregator and we take it from there.
7. The institution should obtain a public IP address for the server on which the Loan Performer database is hosted so that it is accessible outside the office. It is also recommended that the MFI purchases an SSL certificate to protect the web server from phishing attacks to give its members assurance that their data is safe.
8. If the MFI has an account with the "Aggregator" your clients will be able to withdraw money by initiating the process using particular codes.
9. In order carry out Mobile Money transactions, you must have indicated the API address of the Mobile Money services provider under the menu System/Configuration/SMS messaging/Mobile Money Setup. This address will give you access to the telecommunications operator's database. Other software developers can now enter data into Loan Performer database via the API. This makes it possible for others to develop applications that talk to the Loan Performer API and populate the database.
10. In the menu Clients/Mobile banking clients/Send messages, Loan Performer gives you the possibility of sending general messages to all clients of the MFI, subscribed and non subscribed to SMS messaging. For this, ensure that you have selected the option "Non subscription". Examples of general messages include those announcing public holidays, new products and opening and closing hours. The same window enables you to send specific messages to only subscribed clients by ticking the option "Subscription based messages".
12. While currently the communication is via SMS messaging, we also anticipate USSD in future. These are short codes that you type on your phone to obtain the menu. Unlike SMS messaging, which is store and forward based, USSD establishes a real time session between a mobile handset and an application handling service. So while with SMS messaging, every time you send a message you have to wait for a reply, USSD is practically immediate. Another difference is that while the LPF SMS application depends on Java enabled phones, USSD works on all phones. The national communication commission issues what is called a “short code”, something like *999-99# that they issue to organisations like National Water etc The first 3 digits indicate the phone company and the next two indicate National Water etc. This will then show a menu on your phone where you can chose what you want to do. Another advantage is that whereas with SMS, messages can get lost, with USSD that is not possible.
13. You need at least one EDGE modem with a sim card. If you have engaged a bulk SMS service provider, in this case you will need only one modem for receiving of messages. Otherwise, you will need two modems, one for sending and the other for receiving of messages.
To configure modems and the HTTP so as to set up (Short Message Sending) SMS connections you got to System/Configuration/Mobile Banking Set up/Mobile Banking Modem Setup and the following screen shows up:
Note that the (HTTP SMS Messaging String) URL address that is broken down into HTTP settings is not from LPF or crystal Clear Software Ltd. The MFI needs to partner with a bulk SMS provider.
Saved Modems: This section displays all the modems that have been registered and saved to your system. From the list, choose the modem that you want to use.
Connected Modems: The drop down list displays all the modems that are connected to your system.
Test Sending: Click on this button to check whether the modem selected is connected and functioning well.
Test Receiving: Click on this button to check whether the modem selected is connected and functioning well.
Tel: Enter the telephone number that you will use with the modem .e.g "+256791743415" it has to be in international format.
Service Center Tel Number: In this text box enter the service center number for the telephone service network. Normally each telephone service network has a specific service center number e.g. "+256790000012" for orange Uganda.
Pin No: Enter the PIN code. This is only necessary if the sim card requires a pin code to open.
Confirm PIN: Re-enter the PIN Nofor the sim card that you entered above.
Delete message from sim card after receiving: Check this box if you don't want to store the messages after receiving them on the sim card in the modem. However a copy will be stored in the Loan Performer database.
Default SMS line: Tick this box to make the modem that you are setting up the default one. This means that, by default, all transactions will be carried out by this modem.
User Profile: Select from the drop down username, this is the designated LPF account for SMS transactions that the SMS server will use to carry out SMS transactions. This account should have supervisor rights to carry out withdrawal, deposits and transfer transactions. The user should also have a default cash account set at System\Configuration\Users.
Preview Template: On Clicking the “Preview Template” button, the http request is automatically built to resemble the one provided by the bulk SMS service provider like one below:
You can test the string by clicking the “Test Sending” button.
Click the Add button to save your configurations you can also Edit your settings and update or even remove to delete.
(II) How do we register and set up HTTP connections
The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is designed to enable communications between your computer and servers of the service provider.
HTTP works as a request-response (Send - Receive) protocol between a client and server.
Saved SMPP Servers: This section displays all the SMPP servers that have been registered and saved on your system. Select from the list the server that you want to use.
SMMP server: Enter the URL of the SMMP server.The bulk SMS Service Provider will provide an URL.This is the URL of the server responsible for sending the sms messages.
Type: From the drop down menu, select the type of SMMP server that you are going to use. Note that this can be an HTTP or SMPP server.
Password: Enter the password that you will use while carrying out transactions.
Delete message from SMPP server after receiving? Check this box if you don't want to store the messages on the SMMP server after receiving them. However a copy will be stored in the Loan Performer database.
User profile: From the drop down list select the name of the person using the SMS function.
Default SMPP Server? Tick this option to make the server that you have set up above the default for your SMS connections.
SMS provider: Type here the bulk SMS provider.
Method: Select the appropriate HTTP method for sending or receiving data this will depend on how you and the bulk SMS service provider implemented e.g "POST" for sending.
Click the Add button to save your configurations and on the Close button to exit the menu.
