SMS Project

Submitted by tony on Tue, 15/09/2009 - 12:39

General User's Discussion

Hi Everyone,

Given the recent conversation on email functionality I thought it would be opportune to discuss SMS functionality as well.

I have been thinking about this and the actual SMS functionality itself is pretty straight forward. Sign up with a SMS provider and then provide a mechanism for the user to compose an SMS and send through the providers interface. The complication is, like with so many other things, every provider has a different interface (no standard as yet) which would require development of some kind.

The alternative would be build an interface for a specific provider first and then as other providers wanted a piece of the action they could develop or sponsor development of an interface to their service. Given our open source choice based philosophy this approach doesn't sit that well.

Another approach which may solve these issues is to utilise email to SMS gateways that are common to many providers. These allow you to send an email to a specific email address i.e 0411999999[at]smsprovider.com[dot]au and fill in a subject and the message in the email body and send. With this approach we do not require specific interface software and minimal development as we already provide internal email support. The other benefit of this approach is many email to SMS gateway providers support return emails with SMS replies. A very handy feature. A quick google search in OZ finds a heap of companies that provide this service.

I envisage a hot-key SMS button that would be available anywhere in the application should the current customer have a phone number (mobile) that has been tagged to Allow SMS. A screen would pop up and the message could be composed including macro support etc and sent. The application would look after sending the email based on settings in the Practice information.

What do people think about this approach ?

Cheers
Tony

Re: SMS Project

Submitted by chris (not verified) on Tue, 15/09/2009 - 18:00.

Would save heaps of time and money on phone calls, great idea. I think your alternative is the way to goChris On Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 11:39 AM, <tony@openvpms.org> wrote:

Hi Everyone, Given the recent conversation on email functionality I thought it would be opportune to discuss SMS functionality as well. I have been thinking about this and the actual SMS functionality itself is pretty straight forward. Sign up with a SMS provider and then provide a mechanism for the user to compose an SMS and send through the providers interface. The complication is, like with so many other things, every provider has a different interface (no standard as yet) which would require development of some kind.

The alternative would be build an interface for a specific provider first and then as other providers wanted a piece of the action they could develop or sponsor development of an interface to their service. Given our open source choice based philosophy this approach doesn't sit that well.

Another approach which may solve these issues is to utilise email to SMS gateways that are common to many providers. These allow you to send an email to a specific email address i.e 0411999999@smsprovider.com.au and fill in a subject and the message in the email body and send. With this approach we do not require specific interface software and minimal development as we already provide internal email support. The other benefit of this approach is many email to SMS gateway providers support return emails with SMS replies. A very handy feature. A quick google search in OZ finds a heap of companies that provide this service.

I envisage a hot-key SMS button that would be available anywhere in the application should the current customer have a phone number (mobile) that has been tagged to Allow SMS. A screen would pop up and the message could be composed including macro support etc and sent. The application would look after sending the email based on settings in the Practice information.

What do people think about this approach ? Cheers Tony _______________________________________________ OpenVPMS User Mailing List users@lists.openvpms.org To unsubscribe or change your subscription visit: //lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users" target="_blank">http://lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users Posts from this mailing list can be viewed online and replied to in the OpenVPMS User's forum- //tinyurl.com/openvfu" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/openvfu

Re: SMS Project

Submitted by Matt C on Tue, 15/09/2009 - 19:00.

Really nice. I could see certain appointment types being linked to scheduled sms reminders... very cool.

Matt C

On Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:53:04 +1000, wrote:

Would save heaps of time and money on phone calls, great idea. I think your alternative is the way to goChris
On Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 11:39 AM, <tony@openvpms.org> wrote:

Hi Everyone,

Given the recent conversation on email functionality I thought it would be opportune to discuss SMS functionality as well.

I have been thinking about this and the actual SMS functionality itself is pretty straight forward. Sign up with a SMS provider and then provide a mechanism for the user to compose an SMS and send through the providers interface. The complication is, like with so many other things, every provider has a different interface (no standard as yet) which would require development of some kind.

The alternative would be build an interface for a specific provider first and then as other providers wanted a piece of the action they could develop or sponsor development of an interface to their service. Given our open source choice based philosophy this approach doesn't sit that well.

Another approach which may solve these issues is to utilise email to SMS gateways that are common to many providers. These allow you to send an email to a specific email address i.e 0411999999@smsprovider.com.au and fill in a subject and the message in the email body and send. With this approach we do not require specific interface software and minimal development as we already provide internal email support. The other benefit of this approach is many email to SMS gateway providers support return emails with SMS replies. A very handy feature. A quick google search in OZ finds a heap of companies that provide this service. I envisage a hot-key SMS button that would be available anywhere in the application should the current customer have a phone number (mobile) that has been tagged to Allow SMS. A screen would pop up and the message could be composed including macro support etc and sent. The application would look after sending the email based on settings in the Practice information.

What do people think about this approach ?

Cheers Tony _______________________________________________ OpenVPMS User Mailing List users@lists.openvpms.org To unsubscribe or change your subscription visit: //lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users" target="_blank">http://lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users Posts from this mailing list can be viewed online and replied to in the OpenVPMS User's forum- //tinyurl.com/openvfu" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/openvfu

Re: New or updated comment for General User's Discussion Forum t

Submitted by Matt Young on Tue, 15/09/2009 - 22:00.

Would it be worth approaching some gateway providers to see if they would be interested in sponsoring the development and/or providing a discount for OpenVPMS users. They could potentially gain alot of new business by supporting the OpenVPMS community?

Matt Y.

Re: New or updated comment for General User's Discussion Forum

Submitted by Yuri Sos (not verified) on Wed, 16/09/2009 - 15:00.

On Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:00:02 +0000 (UTC), you wrote:

>Would it be worth approaching some gateway providers

My ISP has had a direct SMS facility for a couple of years now (first 20 per month free, then 8c each). There's a basic freeware interface someone wrote for it, but never went further. They do have API documentation for anyone who wants to develop a functionality from other software (I refrain from naming the ISP as I'm unsure of this forum's policy on naming 3rd parties, but can upload links to their PDFs - it does look pretty simple).

We've found the response rate is much higher than posted reminders and less intrusive and time-wasting than phone calls.

But as has already been said, there's no standard interface so what works for one ISP may not work for another.

Cheers

Yuri. _______________________________________________ OpenVPMS User Mailing List users@lists.openvpms.org To unsubscribe or change your subscription visit: http://lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users Posts from this mailing list can be viewed online and replied to in the OpenVPMS User's forum- http://tinyurl.com/openvfu

Re: New or updated comment for General User's Discussion Forum

Submitted by Tony De Keizer (not verified) on Wed, 16/09/2009 - 18:00.

Hi Yuri,Yes, I noticed some providers bundled SMS services. I think some of these also provide Email to SMS gateways so I would assume these would be included in the bundle.No problems mentioning third party providers on forums. I suppose the only thing we would like to limit is blatant self promotion activities on the forums i.e marketing specific services rather than supplying insights and advice. Agree that the use of SMS's would be a good additional method of alerting customers to reminders. What do people think about them being the primary and only method used for some customers ?or would you like the option to list/email/post as well as SMS on certain reminders and reminder counts ? CheersTony

Re: New or updated comment for General User's Discussion Forum

Submitted by chris (not verified) on Thu, 17/09/2009 - 09:00.

Sending out he follow up would be the go. If others are like me they would forget the SMSChris On Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 4:05 PM, Tony De Keizer <tony@verticalconnect.net> wrote:

Hi Yuri,Yes, I noticed some providers bundled SMS services. I think some of these also provide Email to SMS gateways so I would assume these would be included in the bundle. No problems mentioning third party providers on forums. I suppose the only thing we would like to limit is blatant self promotion activities on the forums i.e marketing specific services rather than supplying insights and advice.

Agree that the use of SMS's would be a good additional method of alerting customers to reminders. What do people think about them being the primary and only method used for some customers ?or would you like the option to list/email/post as well as SMS on certain reminders and reminder counts ?

CheersTony _______________________________________________ OpenVPMS User Mailing List users@lists.openvpms.org To unsubscribe or change your subscription visit: //lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users" target="_blank">http://lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users Posts from this mailing list can be viewed online and replied to in the OpenVPMS User's forum- //tinyurl.com/openvfu" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/openvfu

Re: SMS Project

Submitted by M Arnott (not verified) on Wed, 17/08/2011 - 10:50.

We really like the idea Tony and our IT people seem to know a cheap way to set up the email to SMS gateway, so would be great. The sooner the better!

Manty

Re: SMS Project

Submitted by Matt C on Fri, 19/08/2011 - 00:38.

Hi Manty,

We only need $1335 of fund pledges to get the first steps of the SMS functionality underway.

If you are interested in pledging some funds, public pledges can be made to this forum topic or email me directly by clicking here (link only works in the forum).
Development will not commence until fully funded.

Matt C

SMS project

Submitted by paravet (not verified) on Mon, 21/09/2009 - 14:01.

Hi Tony et al,

Your email to sms certainly sounds like a great solution in the short term at least and the hot key available from all areas, especially schedules, would be fantastic.

I have just come back from the AVBA conference and some people are converting most of their reminders to SMS and / or Email and finding very good response rates - I'm sure 'gen Y' has a lot to do with this.

You said email to smswould require minimal development - there have been several small projects like this that have been discussed in the past and I wonder how rapidly are they developed - can some of the smaller projects be fast tracked into 1.4 and bigger projects that don't have a hoep of reaching 1.4 be delayed temporaily? Maybe this already happens.

Cheers,

Nick

Re: SMS project

Submitted by Tony De Keizer (not verified) on Tue, 22/09/2009 - 18:00.

Hi Nick,I think email and SMS reminders as standard are inevitable and desirable. I still think SMS needs to be a additional rather than a replacement reminder approach. i.e mark Reminder Types to send SMS as well as email/print/list if customer has approved SMS contact. In regards what projects get precedence it very much depends on priorities set by users and the funding available. In essence you guys dictate what goes into each release. The development committee does add in some bug fixes and sometimes some core application changes to improve speed, stability etc but all new or enhanced features go through this process. The thing to remember that for a feature to get into the list of features to be developed it needs to be discussed and end up a JIRA, added to the active projects list and then funded. Here is the current list of issues developed or being developed for the 1.4 release.//openvpms.atlassian.net/browse/OVPMS?report=com.atlassian.jira.plugin.system.project:roadmap-panel">https://openvpms.atlassian.net/browse/OVPMS?report=com.atlassian.jira.plugin.system.project:roadmap-panel Other candidates for inclusion in the 1.4 release are those active development projects noted on the web site home page as "Seeking Funding" or "Stalled". There are other candidates such as SMS, Email enhancements, contact enhancements, Clinician context changes, Dicom work lists, appointment transfer, report exporting etc that have not been JIRA'd yet but could be with a little more discussion. Now some of these are bigger projects and in reality will need to wait till the next version to be released as 1.4 has been in the wind for a while and I believe it needs to get done and dusted. Some could definitely sneak in as I don't see them delaying 1.4 and could be developed in parallel with existing funded developments. The question is which ones do you think should take priority :-)CheersTony On Mon, Sep 21, 2009 at 1:01 PM, <paradisevets@internode.on.net> wrote:

Hi Tony et al, Your email to sms certainly sounds like a great solution in the short term at least and the hot key available from all areas, especially schedules, would be fantastic. I have just come back from the AVBA conference and some people are converting most of their reminders to SMS and / or Email and finding very good response rates - I'm sure 'gen Y' has a lot to do with this.

You said email to smswould require minimal development - there have been several small projects like this that have been discussed in the past and I wonder how rapidly are they developed - can some of the smaller projects be fast tracked into 1.4 and bigger projects that don't have a hoep of reaching 1.4 be delayed temporaily? Maybe this already happens.

Cheers, Nick _______________________________________________ OpenVPMS User Mailing List users@lists.openvpms.org To unsubscribe or change your subscription visit: //lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users" target="_blank">http://lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users Posts from this mailing list can be viewed online and replied to in the OpenVPMS User's forum- //tinyurl.com/openvfu" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/openvfu

Re: SMS project

Submitted by Matt C on Wed, 23/09/2009 - 10:00.

Hi everyone,

Thanks Tony for that summary of a larger projects that will require more discussion.

Just going to reiterate what Tony has said in his previous post. The projects that have been developed quickly have had the following features common to them:

1. A particular user very keen to push and keep discussion alive.

2. A surge of interest from users.

3. A similiar surge of funding pledges.

Keep an eye on the active development summary list on the OpenVPMS home page and don't be afraid to give projects stuck in "Seeking funding" or "Under Discussion" a freindly push!

Cheers,

Matt C

On Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:01:51 +1000, wrote:

Hi Nick,

I think email and SMS reminders as standard are inevitable and desirable. I still think SMS needs to be a additional rather than a replacement reminder approach. i.e mark Reminder Types to send SMS as well as email/print/list if customer has approved SMS contact.

In regards what projects get precedence it very much depends on priorities set by users and the funding available. In essence you guys dictate what goes into each release. The development committee does add in some bug fixes and sometimes some core application changes to improve speed, stability etc but all new or enhanced features go through this process. The thing to remember that for a feature to get into the list of features to be developed it needs to be discussed and end up a JIRA, added to the active projects list and then funded.

Here is the current list of issues developed or being developed for the 1.4 release.

//openvpms.atlassian.net/browse/OVPMS?report=com.atlassian.jira.plugin.system.project:roadmap-panel">https://openvpms.atlassian.net/browse/OVPMS?report=com.atlassian.jira.plugin.system.project:roadmap-panel

Other candidates for inclusion in the 1.4 release are those active development projects noted on the web site home page as "Seeking Funding" or "Stalled".

There are other candidates such as SMS, Email enhancements, contact enhancements, Clinician context changes, Dicom work lists, appointment transfer, report exporting etc that have not been JIRA'd yet but could be with a little more discussion.

Now some of these are bigger projects and in reality will need to wait till the next version to be released as 1.4 has been in the wind for a while and I believe it needs to get done and dusted. Some could definitely sneak in as I don't see them delaying 1.4 and could be developed in parallel with existing funded developments.

The question is which ones do you think should take priority :-)

CheersTony

On Mon, Sep 21, 2009 at 1:01 PM, <paradisevets@internode.on.net> wrote:

Hi Tony et al, Your email to sms certainly sounds like a great solution in the short term at least and the hot key available from all areas, especially schedules, would be fantastic. I have just come back from the AVBA conference and some people are converting most of their reminders to SMS and / or Email and finding very good response rates - I'm sure 'gen Y' has a lot to do with this. You said email to smswould require minimal development - there have been several small projects like this that have been discussed in the past and I wonder how rapidly are they developed - can some of the smaller projects be fast tracked into 1.4 and bigger projects that don't have a hoep of reaching 1.4 be delayed temporaily? Maybe this already happens. Cheers, Nick _______________________________________________ OpenVPMS User Mailing List users@lists.openvpms.org To unsubscribe or change your subscription visit: //lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users" target="_blank">http://lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users Posts from this mailing list can be viewed online and replied to in the OpenVPMS User's forum- //tinyurl.com/openvfu" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/openvfu

SMS Project

Submitted by bellvet on Wed, 23/09/2009 - 17:45.

Sandra @ Bellarine

As far as reminders go it would may be a good option for some clients but I find once I view an SMS it's very easy to forget about it. I think still having the option to email and post is a must. It would be great to have appointment reminders for those clients that tend to forget - we have a few of those! What would happen if they'd tried to reply to the SMS how would it be received at this end?

Sandra.

SMS Project - The First Steps Funding Update (10%)

Submitted by Matt C on Tue, 03/08/2010 - 01:18.

A user has pledged 10% funding for this very major project!
(10% funded. $4455 remaining)

Please note that the SMS project is in two parts:

Part 1 (First Steps): http://www.openvpms.org/project/sms-project-first-steps

AND

Part 2: (SMS reminders): http://www.openvpms.org/project/sms-project-reminders

Part 2 is dependent on Part 1 going ahead...

Public pledges can be made to this forum topic or email me directly by clicking here (link only works in the forum).
Development will not commence until fully funded.

Matt C

SMS Project - The First Steps Funding Update (20%)

Submitted by Matt C on Tue, 17/05/2011 - 00:30.

A user has pledged 10% funding for this very major project!
(20% funded. $3960remaining)

Please note that the SMS project is in two parts:

Part 1 (First Steps): http://www.openvpms.org/project/sms-project-first-steps

AND

Part 2: (SMS reminders): http://www.openvpms.org/project/sms-project-reminders

Part 2 is dependent on Part 1 going ahead...

Public pledges can be made to this forum topic or email me directly by clicking here (link only works in the forum).
Development will not commence until fully funded.

Matt C

Re: SMS Project - The First Steps Funding Update (20%) Yippee!

Submitted by paradisevet (not verified) on Wed, 18/05/2011 - 18:42.

Great - another donor for this project - don't get left behind by our Doctors, Dentists, Hairdressers etc - get behind this excellent project and keep your clients happy, save time and generate more business.

Nick

Also might be worth seeing if your vaccine supplier will get behind stage 2 and put in some sponsorship

Re: SMS Project - The First Steps Funding Update (20%) Yippee!

Submitted by bellvet on Fri, 20/05/2011 - 10:52.

I agree Nick! This would be a great development. We only need another 8 clinics to pledge $495 (10%) and we're on our way. Imagine the amount of $ we could save on postage, postcards, paper, ink cartidges, staff time, etc. etc.

Are there any other clinics out there that would like this?

Sandra.

SMS Project - The First Steps Funding Update (30%)

Submitted by Matt C on Mon, 23/05/2011 - 16:31.

Another user has pledged 10% funding for this very major project! Only 7 more pledges to go....

(30% funded. $3465 remaining)

Please note that the SMS project is in two parts:

Part 1 (First Steps): http://www.openvpms.org/project/sms-project-first-steps

AND

Part 2: (SMS reminders): http://www.openvpms.org/project/sms-project-reminders

Part 2 is dependent on Part 1 going ahead...

Public pledges can be made to this forum topic or email me directly by clicking here (link only works in the forum).
Development will not commence until fully funded.

SMS Project - The First Steps Funding Update (41%)

Submitted by Matt C on Wed, 29/06/2011 - 20:00.

Hi everyone,

This initial step in delivering SMS functionality to OpenVPMS has taken a step forward. Tony and Tim have revised the approach to deliver this project and revised their cost down.

With the pledges to date this takes the project to 41% funded with $2335 remaining.

Thanks Tim and Tony!

Matt C

Re: SMS Project - The First Steps Funding Update (41%)

Submitted by bellvet on Wed, 13/07/2011 - 11:56.

Almost 1/2 way!!!!

Sandra.

Re: SMS Project - The First Steps Funding Update (52%)

Submitted by Matt C on Fri, 05/08/2011 - 01:49.

A user has pledged $500 funding for this project!
(52% funded. $1835 remaining)

Public pledges can be made to this forum topic or email me directly by clicking here (link only works in the forum).
Development will not commence until fully funded.

SMS Project - The First Steps Funding Update (65.1%)

Submitted by Matt C on Sat, 06/08/2011 - 00:20.

ANOTHER user has pledged $500 funding for this project!
(65.1% funded. $1335 remaining)

Public pledges can be made to this forum topic or email me directly by clicking here (link only works in the forum).
Development will not commence until fully funded.

Re: SMS Project - The First Steps Funding Update (70.3%)

Submitted by Matt C on Mon, 05/09/2011 - 12:52.

ANOTHER user has pledged $200 funding for this project!
(70.3% funded. $1135 remaining)

Public pledges can be made to this forum topic or email me directly by clicking here (link only works in the forum).
Development will not commence until fully funded.

SMS Project - The First Steps Funding Update (100%)!

Submitted by Matt C on Sun, 18/09/2011 - 10:59.

This is great news!

The SMS project - First Steps has been FULLY funded with a final generous pledge of 29.7% by Vertical Connect. Considering how much time Tony dedicates to OpenVPMS for free, the user community is very lucky to have such support from our IT professionals.

Work will commence soon. It will hopefully get in the Version 1.5 release but it will depend on how smooth the development process is.

Many thanks to ALL those who have pledged to this project. There were 7 "pledgers" that put their $ where their wishes were! Invoices will be distributed soon.

This will certainly add a very positive note to our upcoming Victorian Users meeting :)

Matt C

SMS Project

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