Integrating SMS Alert Configuration in SharePoint 2010

Introduction:
SMS Alerting is a new feature introduced in SharePoint 2010. Business requirements like, user should get a SMS whenever new announcement published or stock level decreased can be fulfilled with SMS integration. In some cases, SMS is preferred than Email message as SMS is fast and Email may get filtered by SPAM filters.

Perform the following procedure step by step to configure SMS integration with SharePoint to establish SMS notification system.

Enable SMS Alerts in SharePoint 2010 - Steps Overview:

1. Obtain the SMS Gateway by registering to any of the SMS gateway providers or Setup your own SMS Gateway.
2. Import the root certificate of the service provider’s Root certificate and create a trusted root authority.
3. Configure Mobile account settings in SharePoint 2010 central Administration.
4. Create Alerts/Use third-party applications (like Nintex Workflows) to use the SMS alerts!

Step 1: Obtain the SMS Provider Gateway

SharePoint SMS providers
There are many SMS gateway services available out there in Internet. It is also possible to setup our own SMS gateway (but more cost involved!). 

• https://www.redoxygen.net
• http://www.zapitsms.com/

In this implementation guide, we are going to use: redoxygen.net

Step 2: Import the root certificate of the SMS service provider and add it to trusted root certificate authority

SSL connection must be used between the SharePoint server and the SMS service provider. So, we need to have the SMS service provider website’s certificate provider in trusted certificate provider authority store before proceeding to next step. 

Obtain a root certificate and create a trusted root certificate authority. Import the root certificate of the service provider's HTTPS Web address, and then create a trusted root authority.

Here, https://www.redoxygen.net uses the certificates from Go Daddy.com, So go to:  https://certs.godaddy.com/anonymous/repository.seam , download the certificate gd-class2-root.cer under Go Daddy Class 2 Certification Authority Root Certificate (DER Format) and place it under: c:\Certificates\ gd-class2-root.cer (or whichever path applicable)

Now, the next step is to: Add the certificate to trusted root certificate authority store. This can be achieved by PowerShell. Here is how:

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1 2	$cert = Get-PfxCertificate "C:\certificates\gd-class2-root.cer" New-SPTrustedRootAuthority -Name "GoDaddy Inc" -Certificate $cert

if you miss the above steps, You will get an error message "There is a problem connecting to the text message (SMS) service" while configuring Mobile account settings.

Step 3: Configure Mobile account settings in SharePoint central Administration

 1.    Go to: Central Administration >> System Settings >> Configure Mobile Account 

 2.    Enter the account details you obtained from https://www.redoxygen.net
          a.    Enter the URL as: https://www.redoxygen.net/oms/service.asmx
          b.    Enter your user name and password.
          c.    Click on "Test Service" to validate the settings. You should see "The account is valid”

3.    Click on “Ok” button to save your settings.

The above steps can be automated using PowerShell cmd-let:

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1	Set-SPMobileMessagingAccount -Identity sms -WebApplication <WebApplicationUrl> [-ServiceUrl <ServiceUrl>] [-UserId <UserId>] [-Password <Password>]

Step 4: Create Alerts / Use third-party applications to use the SMS alerts!

Now, everything is done, SharePoint SMS setup is ready! Create your alerts in any list by specifying the mobile number under delivery method as Text Message (SMS) to receive SMS Alerts. 

That’s all, you are done! SharePoint will send SMS message as per your alert settings.

Technet Reference: Configure a mobile account

Reference:
http://www.sharepointdiary.com/2012/09/integrating-sms-alert-configuration-in-sharepoint-2010.html