With VitalPBX 4 we have introduced the SMS add-on module. This module allows you to connect with homologated vendors to be able to send and receive SMS messages. To start using the module you need to install it under the add-ons module at Admin > Add-Ons > AddOns. The SMS add-on module is a commercial module, meaning you need a license to use it.
The SMS module is only available through any of our licensing plans.
Once the add-on is installed, refresh your browser and you will find a new section in the PBX navigation menu.
For this module, we have homologated multiple VoIP vendors that provide an SMS service. The first step to using SMS with VitalPBX is to create a connection with one of the homologated vendors with your VitalPBX installation. The number of vendors is constantly growing and we can’t cover all of them in this guide. For detailed articles covering each vendor, you can head over to our blog at our website, https://vitalpbx.com/?s=SMS. Depending on the vendor, the fields you will find under PBX > SMS > Messaging Providers will vary.
When you establish a connection, a Web-hook URL is generated. This can be used with the vendor to receive messages and get information on the status of sent messages.
Under SMS Numbers, you will see the numbers you have acquired with the vendor to send and receive SMS messages. You can add the numbers manually by clicking Add Number.
To add a number enter the number with the appropriate format for your vendor, and a description to identify this number. Some vendors allow you to retrieve the numbers through the API, so you can use the Get Numbers from API button.
When sending an SMS message, you will need to enter the recipient in the To field, and the message in the Message field. The format of the number is validated, so you need to enter the recipient with the correct format supported by the vendor. Usually, you need to use E.164 format.
When you have the numbers available, you can edit or delete them from the Actions column. You also have the ability to send an SMS message from a number on the list. This allows you to test that you can send SMS messages from VitalPBX.
Once you have your connection with your preferred vendor, you can now use SMS messaging with VitalPBX in multiple ways. The first one is the Messaging Notifications feature. Go to PBX >SMS > Messaging Notifications.
This module allows you to create an automatic SMS message as a destination in your VitalPBX. Whenever a caller is calling from a mobile device or from a phone number that supports SMS, an SMS message is automatically sent.
To configure a Messaging Notification, you need to enter a Description to identify the notification. You can then select the phone number from which the SMS is sent.
Then, set the Message you wish to send. You can then establish a Final Destination to send the caller to after the SMS message is sent.
Click Save and then Apply Changes.
Optionally, you can define a static recipient for the SMS message in the To field. This way, when a caller reaches this notification, the SMS message is sent to this phone number. This is useful if you want to send an SMS message to a particular user or service as part of your incoming call chain. You can add a Prefix if this is needed as part of your Dial Plan.
Next, you can see your Messaging Logs. This is like a CDR for SMS messages. Here, you can see the history of all the SMS messages sent and received from your VitalPBX. This allows you to keep track of all messages sent and received.
You can set a date range to filter for specific messages, search by number or message content, and delete message entries.
With the SMS module configured, you can now assign the numbers directly to any extension. Go to PBX > Extensions > Extensions. Here, select any extension and go to the Advanced Tab.
Here, you can set an SMS Number assigned to this extension. This way, any device with this extension registered that supports PJSIP messaging can send and receive messages as a PJSIP message. Whenever you send a PJSIP message to an E.164 number this will be sent as an SMS message. When an SMS message is sent to the number assigned to the extension, it will be converted to a PJSIP message, and forwarded to the registered devices for the extension.
With this set, you can now use SMS with VitalPBX.
