Feature Availability 

Vtiger Editions: One Pilot | One Growth | One Professional | One Enterprise | One AI

Introduction

SMS Gateway Center is a leading SMS service provider based in India, offering reliable messaging solutions for businesses of all sizes. Its user-friendly platform enables organizations to easily create, send, and manage SMS campaigns.

SMS Gateway Center provides a wide range of messaging services, including:

• Bulk SMS
• Transactional SMS
• One-Time Passwords (OTP)
• Voice Messages

It also offers robust API integration, enabling businesses to seamlessly integrate SMS services into their applications and automate communication workflows.

SMS Gateway Center Integration with Vtiger CRM

The SMS Gateway Center integration with Vtiger CRM allows you to send and receive SMS messages directly from the CRM.

Integrating SMS Gateway Center with Vtiger CRM gives businesses a powerful and comprehensive solution for SMS communication and customer relationship management. Using this integration, you can:

• Manage your SMS messages on a single platform
• Generate real-time delivery reports
• Track messages 
• Monitor the success of your campaigns
• Use workflows to automate your SMS messaging process

Benefits of SMS Gateway Center Integration with Vtiger CRM

The benefits of integrating SMS Gateway Center with Vtiger CRM are:

• Send SMS directly from Vtiger CRM without switching between multiple applications.
• Leverage SMS Gateway Center's Bulk SMS service to send messages to multiple Contacts, Leads, or Organizations from within the CRM.
• Use SMS templates with merge tags to personalize messages using CRM record data.
• Track SMS activities by maintaining a history of sent messages against the associated CRM records.
• Automate SMS notifications using workflows for events such as lead creation, appointment reminders, order confirmations, and follow-ups.

In this article, you will learn about:

• Installing the SMS Gateway Center Add-on
• Creating an API key on SMS Gateway Center
• Creating a Sender ID on SMS Gateway Center
• Creating a DLT template in SMS Gateway Center
• Creating SMS API in SMS Gateway Center
• Adding SMS Gateway Center SMS Provider in Vtiger CRM
• Sending an SMS using SMS Gateway Center
• SMS Message record and actions

Key Terminology

Prerequisites

Before integrating SMS Gateway Center with Vtiger CRM, make sure the following requirements are met: 

• A registered mobile number for the recipients stored in Vtiger CRM records.
• Approved DLT Templates created and approved in your SMS Gateway Center account before sending SMS messages. 
• An active SMS Gateway Center account with valid login credentials.
• A Sender ID configured in your SMS Gateway Center account.
• SMS templates for composing and sending personalized SMS messages. 

Installing SMS Gateway Center Add-on

Follow these steps to install the SMS Gateway Center Add-on:

1. Log in to the CRM.
2. Click the User Menu in the top right corner.
3. Click Settings. The Settings page opens. Note: You can also access the Settings page from the main menu in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
4. Look for Extensions.
5. Click Add-ons. The Add-ons page opens.
6. Search for SMS Gateway Center.
7. Click Install.

You can find the SMS Gateway Center as an SMS service provider under SMS Provider configuration on the Settings page.

Integrating SMS Gateway Center with Vtiger CRM

The integration requires you to do the following:

• Step 1: Creating an API key on the SMS Gateway Center
• Step 2: Creating a Sender ID on SMS Gateway Center
• Step 3: Creating a DLT Template in SMS Gateway Center
• Step 4: Creating an SMS API in SMS Gateway Center
• Step 5: Adding SMS Gateway Center as an SMS Provider

Note: Keep both tabs open as these steps require you to move back and forth between Vtiger CRM and the SMS Gateway Center website.

Step 1: Creating an API key on SMS Gateway Center

You must create an API key from the SMS Gateway Center account. You will need this API key to add SMS Gateway Center as an SMS provider in Vtiger CRM.

Follow these steps to create an API key on SMS Gateway Center:

1. Log in to your SMS Gateway Center account.
2. Click My Account on the sidebar.
3. Click API Key.
4. Click the Generate tab.
5. Enter the valid Captcha.
6. Click Generate.
7. Click Show. The API key is displayed on the screen.

Copy or note down the API. You will be adding the API key in Vtiger CRM. 

Step 2: Creating a Sender ID on SMS Gateway Center

Follow these steps to create a Sender ID on SMS Gateway Center:

1. Log in to your SMS Gateway Center account.
2. Click Bulk SMS on the sidebar.
3. Click Sender ID. Your Sender ID will display if it already exists. 
   1. If there is no Sender ID available
      1. Click +Add. The Add New Sender Name window appears.
      2. Enter the Sender Name.
      3. Click Save Changes. The Sender ID will be created and sent for approval.

Once the Sender ID is approved, you will be notified, and the Sender ID will be ready to use. Ensure you copy or note the Sender ID for reference while adding SMS Gateway Center as an SMS provider in Vtiger CRM.

Step 3: Creating a DLT Template in SMS Gateway Center

Delivery Templates (DLT) are pre-approved SMS templates used to send messages through SMS Gateway Center. They can include dynamic information, such as the recipient's name or other CRM data, making your messages more personalized. 

Note: DLT template approval typically takes 15 minutes to 24 hours, but it may take up to 2–3 business days, depending on the DLT platform and the review process.

Follow these steps to create a DLT template in SMS Gateway Center:

1. Log in to your SMS Gateway Center account.
2. Log in to your SMS Gateway Center account.
3. Click Bulk SMS on the sidebar.
4. Click DLT Templates.
5. Search for the required DLT template if it already exists.

Or

6. Click +Add.
7. Enter or select information for the following:
   1. Template Identifier: Enter a title for the DLT template.
   2. Sender ID: Select all the required Sender IDs from the drop-down.
   3. Message: Enter the content of the DLT template.
      1. Click Add Variable to add merge tags. To know more about merge tags, check out SMS Templates in Vtiger CRM.
   4. Template Type: Select the required type of template.
   5. DLT Template ID: Enter a template ID (Minimum characters are mentioned at the top).
   6. Click Save Changes.

Once the DLT template is approved, you will be notified, and the template will be ready to use. Ensure you copy or note the DLT Template ID for reference while adding SMS Gateway Center as an SMS provider in Vtiger CRM.

Step 4: Creating an SMS API in SMS Gateway Center

To integrate SMS Gateway Center with Vtiger CRM, you must generate an SMS API in your SMS Gateway Center account. The API credentials are used to establish a secure connection between the two applications, enabling SMS communication from within Vtiger CRM.

Follow these steps to create an SMS API in the SMS Gateway Center:

1. Log in to your SMS Gateway Center account.
2. Click SMS API on the sidebar.
3. Click Build SMS API. The Build SMS API window appears.
4. Enter or select information for the following:
   1. Username: Enter your Username if the screen does not display the available name (by default).
   2. API Type: Select Send SMS Batch from the drop-down.
   3. Mobile: Enter the required mobile numbers separated by a comma.
   4. Text Message: Enter the content of the SMS message.
   5. Message Type: Select the type of message from the drop-down.
   6. Sender ID: Enter the approved Sender ID.
   7. DLT Entity ID: Enter your DLT Entity ID.
      1. You can find the DLT Entity ID in the Profile Settings under User Profile in the top right corner.
   8. DLT Template ID: Enter the copied DLT Template ID.
   9. Schedule Date/Time: Check the checkbox to schedule the time to send the SMS message.
   10. Remove Duplicate: Check the checkbox to remove any duplicates.
   11. Response Output: Select the required response from the drop-down.
5. Click Build API.

The SMS API is displayed on the right side of the screen. Copy or note down the SMS API. 

Step 5: Adding SMS Gateway Center as an SMS Provider 

In this step, you will add SMS Gateway Center as an SMS service provider in Vtiger CRM. After you add the service provider, you can start sending SMS messages using SMS Gateway Center.

Follow these steps to add SMS Gateway Center as an SMS provider in Vtiger CRM:

1. Log in to the CRM.
2. Click the User Menu in the top right corner.
3. Click Settings. The Settings page opens.
4. Look for Extensions
5. Click SMS Provider Configuration.
6. Click +New Configuration.
7. Enter or select the following information:
   1. Provider: Select SMS Gateway Center from the drop-down.
   2. Provider Name: Enter a name for the provider.
   3. Active: Click the checkbox beside the required option.
   4. Default Provider: Click the checkbox beside the required option.
   5. Sender ID: Paste the Sender ID copied earlier from SMS Gateway Center.
   6. User ID: Enter your SMS Gateway User ID.
   7. Password: Enter your SMS Gateway password.
   8. DLT Entity ID: Paste the DLT Entity ID copied earlier from SMS Gateway Center. 
   9. Callback URL: Available by default (read-only).
8. Click Save.

After adding the SMS Gateway Center as an SMS provider in Vtiger CRM, you will see a success message in the top right corner.

Sending an SMS using SMS Gateway Center

You can send SMS messages to your Contacts, Leads, and Organizations from the List View or respective module. Let us see how to send an SMS message to a contact, and similarly, you can do it for a lead or an organization.

Before sending an SMS using SMS Gateway Center, you must create an SMS message template. This template will have the same Template ID and SMS content as the SMS template you created in SMS Gateway Center. To know more about creating an SMS template, click here.

Follow these steps to send an SMS using SMS Gateway Center:

1. Log in to the CRM.
2. Click the main Menu.
3. Click Essentials.
4. Click Contacts. The Contacts List View appears.
5. Hover over the required contact in the List View and click the SMS icon. The Send SMS window appears.
6. Enter or select the following information:
   1. Select Phone Number: Select a phone number from the drop-down.
      1. Note: Please ensure the phone number is in international E.164 format 
   2. Select SMS Gateway: Select SMS Gateway Center from the drop-down.
   3. Message: Select the SMS Template created in SMS Gateway Center from the drop-down.
   4. Click Send.

You can view the message in the SMS Messages module. You can find the SMS messages sent under Main Menu > Essentials > Conversation > SMS Messages.

Viewing SMS Message Record

The SMS messages you sent are listed in the SMS Messages module. The SMS Messages List View displays information such as Message, Status, Assigned To, Created Time, and Modified Time. 

You can view SMS record information in the following views:

• List View: Displays all SMS records along with key details such as the recipient, message, and delivery status.
• Summary View: Provides an overview of the SMS conversation, including the activities associated with the message.
• Details View: Displays complete information about the selected SMS record. The Details View includes the following information:
  • Status Message: Displays the current delivery status or response received from the SMS service provider.
  • Message: Shows the content of the SMS that was sent or received.
  • Assigned To: Displays the user or group responsible for managing the SMS record.
  • SMS Campaign: Indicates the SMS campaign associated with the message, if applicable.
  • Related Contact/Lead: Displays the Contact or Lead record to whom the SMS was sent. 

Click the required SMS record to perform the following actions:

• Check the status of the SMS message
• Delete the SMS message record

Checking the Status of an SMS 

You can check the status of the SMS message sent to a contact, lead, or organization under the Details tab of an SMS record. Checking the status of an SMS regularly helps you determine the next action towards the customer.

Follow these steps to check the status of an SMS through its record:

1. Log in to the CRM.
2. Click the main Menu.
3. Click Essentials > Conversations.
4. Click SMS Messages. The SMS Messages List View appears.
5. Click the required SMS message record. 
6. Click the Details tab on the right sidebar.

You can find the status of the SMS message in the Status Message field. 

Or

1. Log in to the CRM.
2. Click the main Menu.
3. Click Essentials > Conversations.
4. Click SMS Messages. The SMS Messages List View appears.
5. Click the required SMS message record. 
6. Click the More icon in the top right corner.
7. Click the Check Status icon.

The status of the SMS message is displayed in the top right corner.

Deleting an SMS 

You can delete an SMS record if it is no longer required. Deleting an SMS record will not affect the message that has already been sent to a contact, lead, or organization. 

You can also delete multiple SMS records at once from the SMS Messages List View by selecting the required SMS records using the checkbox beside them and clicking the Delete icon.

Follow these steps to delete an SMS from its record:

1. Log in to the CRM.
2. Click the main Menu.
3. Click Essentials.
4. Click SMS Messages. The SMS Messages List View appears.
5. Click the required SMS message record. 
6. Click the More icon in the top right corner.
7. Click the Delete icon.
8. Click Yes, delete.

A success message appears after the deletion is done.

References

• SMS Messages
• SMS Templates in Vtiger CRM
• SMS Alert Gateway
• Configuring SMS Gateways in Vtiger
• Merge Tags in SMS Templates