Remote Notification to Mobile Phone via Short Message Service

February 7, 2000

[SQL Server Version 6.5] [SQL Server Version 7.0] An alternative for Pager Notifications for Operaters can be accomplished using Text Messaging on a mobile phone. This option can be simple and free to implement as it does not require third-party software, just an EMail-SMS service provider .

Unfortunately while developing this method I have only found UK based EMail-SMS service providers. While I realise that this will restrictive, some people should find it useful and hopefully someone may know of other EMail-SMS service providers in other countries that can be included within the article.

Overview

The remote notification is accomplished by sending SQL Mail messages to an email address that will route the message to a mobile phone as a text message.

The SQL Mail messages are sent from SQL Server to the mail client using:

Microsoft Mail
Exchange Server

The mail client forwards messages to a routing email address
The messages are sent to the mobile phone handset as SMS Text Messages

Installation

Creation of a Routing Email account:

This account is created on a site such as BT Cellent's Genie site [http://www.genie.co.uk/]. A free account can be registered that will route emails to a mobile phone using SMS. The email address will be of the format user@sms.genie.co.uk.

Click on Register, at the top of the home page
Fill-in the application
For CHOICE OF SERVICE option, select 'Register for the Genie web site service only'
Click the Accept button

I suggest that you test the email address once it has been set up (e.g. send an email with the current time). The email should only take a few minutes to reach the handset.

Forward SQL Mail notifications to Mail client:

Emails from the SQL Server Microsoft Mail (or Exchange Server) account are forwarded to the Routing Email Account using Rules with Microsoft Outlook. The email addresses of the SQL Server and the routing email account should be the Outlook Contacts / Global Address List (see Step 7 & 10).

Set up a Rule with the following steps:

Select Rules Wizard from the Tools menu
Click on New...
Select rule type Build as I go
Select When I recieve a message in my Inbox, for when to apply the rule
Click the Next > button
Select from people or distrubtion list
In the Rules Description box click on the from people or distrubtion list underlined link and select the SQL Server Operator mail account
Click the Next > button
Select forward it to people or distrubtion list
In the Rules Description box click on the forward it to people or distrubtion list underlined link and select the routing email account
Click the Next > button
Select any exception that may apply
Click the Next > button
Give the rule a name and select Turn on the rule
Click the Finish button

Comments

The installation assumes that SQL Mail is already operating on the SQL Server. If this is not the case the following articles should assist in setting-up of SQL Mail:

SQL Mail using NT Post Office

Configuration of SQL Mail on Local NT Post Office

SQL Mail using Exchange Server

SQL Mail with SQL Server 6.5

The installation also assumes that Operators have been set up for both the SQL Server and the mail client.

Microsoft Outlook is the only mail client that I have used so far. Microsoft Exchange client does not appear to support mail forwarding through rules. Any other clients that do please inform me this article can be updated.

Comments welcome.

Remote Notification to Mobile Phone via Short Message Service

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