FrontlineSMS allows you to text message with large groups of people anywhere there is a mobile signal.

Using Clickatell with Frontline SMS

Is anyone using Clickatell along with Frontline? I'd like to know the benefits of doing this and any cost implications. eg. are outgoing SMS rates cheaper using a gateway like this? Why combine it with Frontline? Does anyone have an experience?

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Permalink Reply by Alex Anderson on September 8, 2008 at 6:55am: Hi Katherine,

The main advantage of using Clickatell to send SMS messages is that it will send much quicker than through a phone. It is often cheaper too - you can check costs here http://www.clickatell.com/pricing/message_cost.php

The drawback with using Clickatell is that it requires a working internet connection. However, if your internet connection is not working, FrontlineSMS will detect this, and send the messages through other connected devices. Also (currently) you will still need a phone attached to FrontlineSMS to receive messages.

Hope this helps!

Alex; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Aluta on September 29, 2008 at 8:33am: How do I connect to clickatell using frontline. I have used my clickatell API ID, username and password. Frontline gives message that connection not detected.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Alex Anderson on September 29, 2008 at 9:31am: Hi Aluta,

Have you followed the instructions on this page? You must remember to click "Add" when you have finished entering the account details in the "Clickatell Account Management" screen. Once this is done, the Clickatell account should appear on the Phones tab even if it cannot connect.

Cheers,

Alex; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Aluta on September 29, 2008 at 9:35am: Ok, I will try it again and let you know.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Aluta on October 1, 2008 at 5:05pm: Hi,

I managed to connect. How do I manage surveys using clickatell HTTP?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by kiwanja on October 2, 2008 at 4:29am: Hi Aluta

FrontlineSMS can only currently send messages through Clickatell, not receive any, so you cannot run surveys this way. If you want to get responses from users, you will need to attach a phone or modem to your computer, and register the mobile number you are using (with Clickatell), and set that number as the reply number on your outgoing Clickatell messages.

Instructions for doing this are in the Help section ("Settings").

Ken; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Aluta on October 2, 2008 at 6:47am: Thanks Ken.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by James BonTempo on June 19, 2009 at 11:16am: Hey Ken et al. :) Any plans for adding this "receive messages via Clickatell" functionality to FLSMS? Haven't really thought through how that would work exactly, but thinking it would be nice to have a single messaging channel. Playing with Clickatell right now...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by kiwanja on June 19, 2009 at 11:21am: Hey James!

We should add the return support for Clickatell soon, but it does cost money to use these services (in case you didn't know).

We do support IntelliSMS both ways (again you have to pay them something). Might be worth playing with that instead. ;o) The team behind the Ushahidi project in Madagascar (Foko) are using this functionality, which gets return messages in via email. Check the "Help" files in FrontlineSMS for more.

Ken; ▶ Reply to This