FASTSMS Glossary of Terms
As SMS is essentially a technological service, at times we may refer to terms that are foreign to you. Below you will find a list of relevant terms with brief explanations. If you still don't understand something fully you can call us on 0800 954 5305, use our online enquiry form or email helpdesk@fastsms.co.uk.
Alternatively - for more learning resources visit our information section.
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API (Application Programming Interface)
An application programming interface (API) is an interface implemented by
a software program to enable interaction with other software, much in the
same way that a user interface facilitates interaction between humans and
computers. APIs are implemented by applications, libraries and operating
systems to determine the vocabulary and calling conventions the programmer
should employ to use their services. It may include specifications for routines,
data structures, object classes and protocols used to communicate between
the consumer and implementer of the API. FASTSMS offers access to their
API on all accounts, this is available using the following programming protocols;
HTTP, SMTP, FTP/SCP and XML. Supporting documentation with sample scripting
for PHP, ASP.net and XML is also provided.
Auto-Responder
Auto-responder is the FASTSMS tool that allows you to set up automated responses
to either all incoming messages, or specific messages that contain a certain
keyword.
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Background Send
Background Send is a feature exclusive to NetMessenger. It can be used for
smaller broadcasts, although we strongly recommend its use for broadcasts
of over 1000 recipients. This allows for the system to run the process in
the background, allowing the system to manage the throughput whilst the
user can continue using NM. Note that this has an effect on the reporting
and a Background Send Report should be run to check the progress of the
broadcast.
Blacklisting
Blacklisting is a feature of NetMessenger that allows users to manage numbers
that should not be sent to again, whether by request of the recipient or
other circumstance. Adding a number to the blacklist will stop any messages
being sent to this number from the account. This feature can be found in
the “Lists” section of NetMessenger.
Bulk Import Messaging Report
Bulk Import Messaging Reports are used in NetMessenger when a broadcast
is sent via the Bulk Import Send option. This is available from the send
page in NetMessenger and works for lists of numbers that you want to send
to once as it bypasses the need to create a List and import the numbers
to be held in your account. These are also available for distribution lists,
background sends or FTP/SCP uploads.
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Contact Groups
This is a feature in NetMessenger allowing you to group your contacts into
categories so they are easier to find, manage and send to.
Coverage (Network Coverage)
These are the regions and handsets with which you can communicate with using
SMS. FASTSMS offers global GSM coverage. Follow
this link to see the latest list of available networks.
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Digital
A digital signal, like SMS, is composed of electrical pulses representing
either zero or one. Because digital signals are made up only of binary streams,
less information is needed to transmit a message. Only digitized information
can be transported through a noisy channel without degradation, as long
as the one zero pattern is recognizable, the original information content
can be perfectly replicated at the receiving end. This means SMS is one
of the most reliable forms of communication available.
Distribution Lists
Distribution lists are a feature in NetMessenger and are a great way to
organise your recipients. You can send to a distribution list regularly
as quickly as if you were sending to a single number.
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Email To SMS
Email to SMS (or SMTP) allows all FASTSMS users to send an SMS text message
from within any email client, anywhere in the world. It is also a simple
solution for developers wanting to add SMS functionality to an application
that already has email sending capability.
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FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol used to exchange
and manipulate files over a TCP/IP based network, such as the Internet.
FTP is built on a client-server architecture and utilizes separate control
and data connections between the client and server applications. The FASTSMS
API offers FTP/SCP to its users so they can upload lists of numbers to be
sent to and when, allowing the complex scheduling of message broadcasts.
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GPRS - (General Packet Radio Service)
General packet radio service (GPRS) is a packet oriented mobile data service
available to users of the 2G cellular communication systems global system
for mobile communications (GSM), as well as in the 3G systems.
GSM - (Global System for Mobile Communications)
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is the most popular standard
for mobile phones in the world. FASTSMS Network Coverage includes all GSM
operators which is around 80% of the global mobile market. GSM is used by
over 3 billion people across more than 212 countries and territories.
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HLR (Home Location Register)
Home Location Register (HLR) is a database that operators access to find
out if a number is available and if so, where it is located (network, country,
cell) so it can then send your message.
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is an application-level protocol for
distributed, collaborative, hypermedia information systems. FASTSMS offers
HTTP connections via its API. This is the most common option developers
use to integrate SMS functionality into their applications.
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Keyword Message List
Keyword Message Lists allow you to define keywords, in NetMessenger, for
your Virtual Mobile Numbers to take various actions. When you receive a
message containing said keyword, various actions can be taken: Auto-Response,
Add to List, Forward Message.
Keyword Summary Report
Keyword Summary Reports allow you to report on Keyword activity on your
account from within NetMessenger.
Keywords
Keywords are terms used to separate text messages into categories. If someone
texts in with a keyword it can be forwarded to the right department, and
even responded to automatically with the correct response. This is a feature
available to all FASTSMS users and can be found in the "Inbox"
section of the NetMessenger system.
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Large Message Report
Large Message Reports are available in NetMessenger and are designed for
larger reports (example: Message Report for all time). This is different
to other standard reports as you have the option to download it rather than
display it on screen. As the report is optimised for bigger numbers it provides
you with a CSV file to be downloaded and viewed.
Linked Messages
Linked Messages allow one SMS to be longer than the standard 160 characters.
By linking messages together longer broadcasts can be sent. This will use
additional credits. Linked messages allow a maximum of 153 characters per
section (459 characters in total) of the message as 7 are used for linking
the messages together. This is available with all FASTSMS solutions as standard.
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Message Body
The Message Body is the text message itself. This has its own field in NetMessenger
and SMSLook and uses 1 credit for each set of 160 characters. For more than
160 characters messages must be 'Linked'. Linked messages allow a maximum
of 153 characters per section (459 characters in total) of the message as
7 are used for linking the messages together.
Message Forwarding
Using Message Forwarding you can have your incoming SMS sent on to an email
address, web page or even a mobile phone. This can also be separated by
Keywords. This option is available to all FASTSMS users and can be found
in the "Inbox" section of NetMessenger.
Message Report
A Message Report tells you the status of a sent message, including Pending,
Sent and Failed. This lets you know when a message has got through, and
if it cannot be delivered due to a mobile phone being out of use. This is
a report available to all FASTSMS users via the NetMessenger "Reports"
section.
Message Templates
Message Templates allow you to save frequently used messages for future
use, saving time. This is a feature available to all FASTSMS users and can
be found in the "Send" section of the NetMessenger system.
Messaging Gateway
A computer system that converts one messaging protocol to another. It provides
an interface between two store and forward nodes, or message transfer agents
(MTAs). The FASTSMS messaging gateway manages all the inbound and outbound
messaging requirements of its users via a Tier 1 network with multiple SMSC
connections.
Metadata
Data that describes other data. The term refers to any file or database
that holds information about another database's structure, attributes, processing
or changes.
MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service)
Multimedia Messaging Service, or MMS, is a standard way to send messages
that include multimedia content to and from mobile phones. It extends the
core SMS (Short Message Service) capability which only allowed exchange
of text messages up to 160 characters in length. The most popular use is
to send photographs from camera-equipped handsets, although it is also popular
as a method of delivering news and entertainment content including videos,
pictures, text pages and ringtones.
MSISDN (Virtual Mobile Number)
This is an 11 digit Virtual Mobile Number (MSISDN). It resembles a UK mobile
phone number (07xxx xxxxxx) and is used to receive SMS messages direct to
your PC through the FASTSMS system. You can also send from this number so
your recipients can reply easily.
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NetMessenger
NetMessenger is the feature rich browser based SMS application developed
and supported by FASTSMS. It is also the driving force behind other FASTSMS
messaging solutions such as SMSLook and Email to SMS.
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OMS (Outlook Messaging Service)
Outlook Messaging Service (OMS) is the FASTSMS text messaging solution that
allows you to send and receive SMS directly from Microsoft Outlook just
as you would an email. OMS is for users of Outlook 2007 or later. Users
of Outlook 2003 or earlier will find a solution using SMSLook (see below).
One-Way Text Messaging
One-Way Text Messaging is the facility, provided by FASTSMS to send an SMS
text message through the Internet to a mobile phone, pager or PDA.
Outlook Integration
Outlook Integration is achieved through the popular FASTSMS desktop software,
SMSLook. It allows the sharing of contact data between the two programs,
and SMSLook can even be opened from within Outlook. Users of Outlook 2007
onwards can achieve total integration using OMS (see above).
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PC SMS
PC SMS is the popular FASTSMS desktop software, SMSLook. It allows the management
of your SMS in a familiar Windows interface and offers some features that
are unique to this solution.
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Recurring Messages
A Recurring Message can be setup within NetMessenger and SMSLook to go out
at scheduled intervals to particular contacts. Great for Reminders.
Reverse Billing
Reverse Billing is a facility usually available with Shortcodes whereby
those that text into that number are charged more than their standard operators
rate and a percentage of that money comes directly to you.
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Shortcode
A Shortcode is a 5 digit number (e.g. 80010), particularly used by corporations
looking for a more professional alternative to a Virtual Mobile Number.
SIM Card
A SIM Card is a Smart card that gives GSM phones their user identity. They
store data such as contacts and information about the owner's available
services.
Smart Phone
A Smart Phone is a digital cellular phone that has text messaging, web access
and other data services along with voice.
SMPP (Short Message Peer-to-Peer Protocol)
The Short Message Peer-to-Peer (SMPP) protocol is a telecommunications industry
protocol for exchanging SMS messages between SMS peer entities such as short
message service centres and/or External Short Messaging Entities. It is
often used to allow third parties (e.g. value-added service providers like
news organizations) to submit messages, often in bulk.
SMS (Short Message Service)
Short Message Service (SMS) is a communication service standardised in the
GSM mobile communication system, using standardised communications protocols
allowing the interchange of short text messages between mobile phone devices.
SMS text messaging is the most widely used data application on the planet,
with 2.4 billion active users, or 74% of all mobile phone subscribers sending
and receiving text messages on their phones.
SMS Credit
An SMS Credit is the standard cost of one 160 character text message sent
through FASTSMS.
SMS To Email
SMS To Email is the ability for someone to text into a Virtual Mobile Number
and then have it forwarded to an email address. This is a feature of the
NetMessenger system and can be located in the "Inbox" section.
SMSC (Short Message Service Centre)
A Short Message Service Centre (SMSC) is a network element in the mobile
telephone network which delivers SMS messages.
SMSLook
SMSLook is the popular FASTSMS desktop application. It has a familiar Windows
interface and is Outlook Integrated. Users of Outlook 2007 will achieve
even greater integration using OMS - see above.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is an Internet standard for electronic
mail (e-mail) transmission across Internet Protocol (IP) networks. This
is used for email to SMS.
SNPP (Simple Network Paging Protocol)
Simple Network Paging Protocol (SNPP) is a protocol that defines a method
by which a pager can receive a message over the Internet.
SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol)
SOAP, originally defined as Simple Object Access Protocol, is a protocol
specification for exchanging structured information in the implementation
of Web Services in computer networks. It relies on Extensible Mark-up Language
(XML) as its message format, and usually relies on other Application Layer
protocols (most notably Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and HTTP) for message
negotiation and transmission.
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Text Label
A Text Label is who the Text Message will appear to be from in the recipient's
Inbox. This can either be a phone number (see Virtual Mobile Number) or
an 11 character alphanumeric tag such as a company name.
Text Messaging (SMS)
Text Messaging (or SMS) is a communication service standardised in the GSM
mobile communication system, using standardised communications protocols
allowing the interchange of short text messages between mobile phone devices.
SMS text messaging is the most widely used data application on the planet,
with 2.4 billion active users, or 74% of all mobile phone subscribers sending
and receiving text messages on their phones.
Third Generation (3G)
3G is a family of standards for mobile telecommunications. Services include
wide-area wireless voice telephone, video calls, and wireless data, all
in a mobile environment. 3G allows simultaneous use of speech and data services.
Thus, 3G networks enable network operators to offer users a wider range
of more advanced services while achieving greater network capacity through
improved spectral efficiency.
Throttling
Throttling is a tool used when sending a mass broadcast that is intended
to provoke a response. If you are sending out a broadcast that is to result
in recipients calling your office, you can throttle the sends to a desired
rate to maintain a steady flow of enquiries over a period of time to be
better managed. This is a feature of the NetMessenger system and can be
located in the "Send" and "Lists" section.
Two-Way Text Messaging
Two-Way Text Messaging is available through FASTSMS when you have a Virtual
Mobile Number.
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Usage Report
Usage Reports, available through NetMessenger, show an overview of your
account's activity, broken down by message status.
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vCard
vCards give you the ability to send a phone contact directly to a mobile
device. The recipient will be informed that it is a business card and asked
if they want to store the contact in their phone.
VMN (Virtual Mobile Number) / VRN (Virtual Reply
Number)
This is an 11 digit Virtual Mobile Number (MSISDN). It resembles a UK mobile
phone number (07xxx xxxxxx) and is used to receive SMS messages direct to
your PC through the FASTSMS system. You can also send from this number so
your recipients can reply easily.
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WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is an open international standard for
application-layer network communications in a wireless-communication environment.
Most use of WAP involves accessing the mobile web from a mobile phone or
from a PDA.
Web SMS
Web SMS is made possible through the FASTSMS browser based system, NetMessenger.
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XML (Extensible Mark-up Language)
XML (Extensible Mark-up Language) is a set of rules for encoding documents
electronically. It is defined in the XML 1.0 Specification produced by the
W3C and several other related specifications; all are fee-free open standards.
This is available to all FASTSMS users via the API.
