iba error code paging

[Ric]

My iba (WashWorld) calls our cell phones when an error occurs. If it were calling a numeric pager it would leave an error code telling us what the problem is. Is there a way to get these numeric codes via cell phone. We have tried different setups, texting, etc. and can't seem to come up with anything. Maybe we just need to purchase pagers...do they still sell those Any ideas?

 

[bigleo48]

My iba (WashWorld) calls our cell phones when an error occurs. If it were calling a numeric pager it would leave an error code telling us what the problem is. Is there a way to get these numeric codes via cell phone. We have tried different setups, texting, etc. and can't seem to come up with anything. Maybe we just need to purchase pagers...do they still sell those Any ideas?

Ric,

Alpha Numeric Pagers use the TAP protocol. Most cell carriers have a TAP to SMS (Cell phone short message) gateway to bridge the two. My Unitec WSII entry system is configured to call the paging system TAP access number (provided by my carrier), it then enters the PIN I configured (usually your cell phone number) and then the test message. Has worked fine for me. I'd call washworld and ask if this is the case with them. They may also know the config and the local dial in numbers for every carrier.

BigLeo

 

[Ric]

Ric,

Alpha Numeric Pagers use the TAP protocol. Most cell carriers have a TAP to SMS (Cell phone short message) gateway to bridge the two. My Unitec WSII entry system is configured to call the paging system TAP access number (provided by my carrier), it then enters the PIN I configured (usually your cell phone number) and then the test message. Has worked fine for me. I'd call washworld and ask if this is the case with them. They may also know the config and the local dial in numbers for every carrier.

BigLeo

Yep, our Unitec works that way also. We can get a text message from it on our cell phones. The WashWorld we cannot however. In most cases an error from the WashWorld does not trigger an error on the Unitec. In some cases (with WashWorld's virtual attendant feature) the WashWorld resets itself. If we could get a code from it we would know what's going on and weather to rush to the wash or not. In other cases when it does not reset itself, the Unitec still is up and running and takes the customers money but of course the wash is down and they get nothing (I guess that is another issue).
I'm just looking to see how some of you handle these issues.

 

[bigleo48]

Ric,

OK, I'm confused. I thought you said if the machine would send the message to a numeric pager, you would get the code. If this is correct, Washworld's unit must use TAP? Are you now saying it does not?

Yes I am aware that the Unitec WSII does not interface well with your machine or my M5. I installed a PLC in between to communicate better with it. But my WSII is set for 30 seconds before it send me a message that the wash is out of service. My M5 also emails me for any problem, so I hear from it first. So the first thing I would do is shorten the time that the WS reacts to the WW machine being out of service so you get the message that something happened. Then I would work on getting the WW machine to send you a message to you cell phone. I am very familliar with Paging and Cellular systems...but not the WW machine.

Big Leo

 

[Ric]

Big Leo,

I'm beginning to get confused myself. The WashWorld does send a code to a numeric pager. We have not been able to figure out how to get the code sent to a cell phone. When it calls a cell phone all we hear is a lot of touch tones going off.

 

[bigleo48]

Ric,

See my first message. If it can send a code to a numeric pager, it's using TAP (Telelocator Access Protocol). Once the modems at both ends connect, TAP is the language your WW machine uses to transfer information to the carrier's paging terminal. Usually, the paging terminal would then send it to a pager based on the pager's identity (CAP code). But what you want to do is forward the message to the cellular system so that they can send it to your cell phone. So, you need to have your WW machine configured to call the local TAP number for your carrier. You can call your carrier to get it (or here's a list http://www.notepage.net/tap-phone-numbers-a.htm ). To get the paging system to forward it to your cell phone, the WW machine needs to enter your pin (which usually is your 10 digit cell phone number and you would also configure this in the WW machine)...that way the carrier's paging terminal recognize the number as a cell phone and forwards it to the SMSC (Short Messaging Service Center), which will then forward the message to you phone. BTW...this is how your WSII would work also.

Make sense? I would imagine that WW should be able to walk you through this.

Big Leo

 

[ken-pro]

The problem here is that the Washworld is not using TAP, it is simply dialing the pager phone number, waiting a specified delay time, and then simulating a touch tone phone to enter a numeric code.

I was recently researching this, and came across this: http://www.interpage.net/sub-direct.html

They are a company with local access numbers that simulate a pager, but sends the information to up to 10 different email / SMS addresses.

I have never used them, but thought it would be a good solution to the problem of needing a seperate pager - Cost seemed reasonable at $10/month.

The other solution would be to upgrade the Washworld to the new High Speed remote option, but it requires high speed internet on site.

 

[bigleo48]

Now that's going back in time. How old is this WW machine?

I would still discuss with your cellular carrier as there may still be a link between the paging terminal and the SMSC for numeric paging. I know Cingular (now AT&T) did it. But this is getting to be old technology and so this service can disappear at any time:

 

[Bud]

Ric, our pager company went "belly-up" last year. We also live in an area where MANY pager companies do not have coverage. A friend of mine had the same problem. We both signed up with USA Mobility. 866-433-8726. He found out they have something called Carbon Copy. I already had their pager but it did not have coverage in my area so I called and asked about the Carbon Copy. That same day I was hooked up. It runs me about $8.00 per month (about same as pager). I don't quite understand how it works but the system in my "JO" on my PDQs sends out the error code to my pager and it actually gets converted to a text message at their tower so I can read it on my cell. It could be the same thing others are saying here but it is converted elsewhere.

 

[Washmechanic]

Bud, I'm very interested in this system. I don't have a pager and my jo's call my cell. It rings two or three times and then hangs up. I know the location by the call number, but have no idea what the fault code is. How did you program your Jo pager system to make this system work? Thanks.

 

[bigleo48]

I just read up on the USA Mobility service extention called Carbon Copy. So basiclly the paging terminal that your machine calls will not only forward the info to your pager, but can also 'carbon copy' the message and 'email' it to you cell phone. So it's fairly simple, they just linked their paging terminal to a mail server. The mail server sends it out over the net, it routes to your cell phone carrier's SMSC, who then puts the information into an SMS message that is forwarded to your cell phone once the system knows your phone is active. BTW, if the service is active, you can email your cell phone by using the carriers format. For example with sprint it would be your_10_digit_mobile_number@messaging.sprintpcs.com , with Verizon it would be your_10_digit_mobile_number@vtext.com

BigLeo

 

[Bud]

Washmechanic, You don't program the JO, you have to have a pager even though you don't physically need the pager. USA Mobility makes you buy the pager so they can assign you a pager number but when the JO calls the pager it sends the signal to another tower and converts it to call your cell phone and you receive the error codes via a test message. It is called "Carbon Copy" The only programing you have to do is put the new pager number into the JO. I am probably the last person who should be explaining this as I don't understand how it totally works. The best thing to do is call USA Mobility. Its real nice not having to carry a cell & pager plus if there is a need to shut your cell off, like at night to recharge and there was a problem overnight, your cell will alert you to the text message as soon as you fire it up in the morning. I used to hate having my pager go off at 3 in the morning.