Two Way Messaging and Reply Processing

Not every method of delivery supports a reply route, so it isn't always possible for people and automated systems to reply to the messages and API calls you send. However, many methods of delivery do support reply systems and this gives you the ability to use two-way messaging with PageGate.

Two Way Messaging with PageGate's GUI Client

When using either of 2-way messaging methods listed below, replies can be sent back to workstations using the GUI Client. This allows conversations to be initiated by the PageGate Client and for replies to those messages to come back to the workstation. This feature also allows client workstations to message each other in a chat style interaction.

HTTP/S response by API or Protocol

This is most commonly used when delivering messages with a messaging API or carrier enterprise system like AT&T's Firstnet and Verizon's EMAG gateways. This is also used when bi-directionally communicating with ticket tracking systems, alarm systems and similar.

PageGate has an HTTP/S data receiver (webdata.exe) that can receive input and responses from nearly any API or protocol that offers an HTTP return like HTTP GET, HTTP POST and WCTP.

APIs and protocols that have the ability to send replies require that you provide a URL for the responses to go to. This means that, typically speaking, you will need to host PageGate's webdata receiver on an web server the host can respond to. In some cases, this will be an internet host and you will need to host PageGate's webdata receiver on an internet accessible web server. Otherwise, the hosts won't be able to route the replies and responses to you.

Click here for more information and configuration steps.

Cellular Hardware

When using cellular hardware to deliver SMS, the people who receive those SMS have the option to reply to them. When they reply, their message is delivered back to the sending cellular device, where it waits in memory. PageGate can be configured to check the cellular hardware for reply messages received by these devices and process them in a number of ways.

In the most basic configuration, all reply messages are sent to a specific recipient or group. However, reply messages can be fed through the GetASCII API for basic processing, which allows you to conditionally modify what is done with the replies in some circumstances.

Using a Filter Pack in conjunction with the SMS replies and the GetASCII API allows you to modify any part of the replies being processed, from what the message should say to whom the message should be delivered. It also allows you to implement conditional modifications. For example, if a certain word or keyphrase appears in the body of the message, you could have the filter pack completely change who that message is intended to go to.