How a Bulk SMS integrated gateway was built on AWS
About the Client
Our client is a bulk SMS service provider that required a scalable and independent SMS gateway solution. This new tool needed to integrate seamlessly with telecom services and other SMS gateway providers, ensuring reliable delivery and smooth operations at scale.
In this project, we developed a bulk SMS integrated gateway on AWS to provide a scalable and efficient solution for a leading SMS service provider.
Objectives
The objective of the project was to built a product that was scalable both horizontally and vertically, while the features worked perfectly as compared to their existing tool.
The client was looking to implement a load-balanced and queueing mechanisms where the gateways would switch based on credits and length of the queue at each integrator.
The tool is supposed to perform well under load situations and the reports must be pulled up quickly for sharing with the stakeholders.
The primary objective was to build a bulk SMS integrated gateway that could handle high volumes of SMS traffic while scaling both horizontally and vertically. This new gateway needed to surpass the client’s existing tool in terms of features and reliability. Key objectives included:
Challenges in Developing the Bulk SMS Integrated Gateway
Challenges
- The software was planned to be built on top of an opensource platform Jasmin SMS gateway, which had limited API’s exposed based on the requirements put forward by the customer.
- Each integrator had its own set of limitations and configurations, which needed to be embedded to the interface we are building.
- The mechanism for queuing the SMS internally and within Jasmin had to be treated separately because of the auto-switch feature that needs to be implemented.
- Limited APIs in the Open-Source Platform
The solution was based on the Jasmin SMS gateway, an open-source platform that met most of the requirements but had limited APIs. This required our team to design custom integrations and build out additional features. - Inconsistent Integrator Configurations
Each SMS integrator had its own settings, limitations, and configurations. We had to design an interface that could accommodate these variations seamlessly, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance across different integrators. - Distinct Queuing Mechanisms
Since we planned to implement an auto-switch feature, the queuing mechanisms for SMS messages needed to be handled separately for internal operations and for Jasmin. This added complexity in managing message queues and load balancing effectively.
The Activelobby Difference
The product development was completed in 6 months time with the aid from our experienced DevOps team.
- Optimized Development with DevOps Expertise
Our DevOps team played a pivotal role, optimizing the entire development and deployment process to achieve performance goals. By focusing on efficient resource utilization and automated scaling, we ensured that the gateway could handle peak loads without performance drops. - Custom API Extensions and Integrations
Where Jasmin’s default APIs fell short, we created custom API endpoints to meet the client’s specific needs. This allowed us to implement advanced queuing and load-balancing features, creating a solution that met the client’s unique requirements. - Six-Month Development Timeline
With the expertise and dedication of our DevOps and development teams, the project was completed in just six months. This timeline included design, testing, and full implementation, allowing the client to quickly bring their new tool to market.
Tools Used
- AWS EC2 and Auto Scaling: Ensured the gateway could scale horizontally and vertically as demand increased.
- Amazon SQS (Simple Queue Service): Managed the queuing mechanisms for SMS messages, ensuring efficient message handling across integrators.
- Jasmin SMS Gateway: Provided a strong foundation for the gateway while allowing custom integrations to meet the client’s requirements.
- CloudWatch and Monitoring Tools: Enabled real-time monitoring, allowing quick responses to load spikes and performance issues.
This project showcases our ability to design scalable, high-performance cloud-based solutions on AWS. By building a bulk SMS integrated gateway with a focus on efficiency, reliability, and adaptability, we delivered a tool that met the client’s needs and exceeded their expectations. This gateway now serves as a core part of their business operations, empowering them to offer a reliable SMS service to their customers.
