The SMS Service for Niagara 4 allows alarms and messages to be sent from a Niagara station to mobile phones. It works with JACE controllers, Web Supervisors, and third-party Niagara controllers. 

The service extends the standard Tridium SMS Service by adding an IP connectivity layer, allowing a Niagara station to connect to an IP-enabled modem and send messages across the IP connection before they are routed out as SMS. 

What the Service Bundle Includes 

• Cellular modem hardware  

• Tridium SMS Service licence  

• HTTPS transport layer  

The service retains the original Tridium SMS functionality, including SMS recipients and on-call features. 

How It Works 

The Niagara station sends messages to the modem over IP. HTTPS can be used for the connection, and the modem certificate is accepted by the Niagara station, so the message sent between the station and modem is secured and protected. 

Preparing the Cellular Modem 

1. Insert a valid SIM card.  

2. Secure the modem with a strong admin password.  

3. Configure the network.  

4. Enable the SMS Gateway.  

5. Configure the username and password.  

If the modem is only required for SMS, the data connection can be disabled because SMS and data operate independently. 

Installing and Configuring the Service in Niagara 

Add the required SMS Service and SMS Transport JAR files, add the SMS Service to the station, select the IP/HTTPS transport, and configure the modem connection details. 

Enter the modem IP address, use HTTPS on port 443, and enter the username and password configured in the modem SMS Gateway. Restart the station and approve the modem certificate before returning to the SMS Service. 

Sending a Test SMS 

Open the Test tab in the SMS Service, enter a mobile phone number and a test message, then click Send. 

Configuring Alarm Recipients 

In the Alarm Service, add an SMS Recipient, route the required Alarm Class to it and configure at least one phone number. Multiple phone numbers can be separated by a semicolon. 

SMS Service Options 

The service includes settings for maximum queue size, maximum messages per day and Use Escape Characters. In the example shown, the queue size is 100, the daily message setting is 100, and Use Escape Characters is enabled by default. 

Using the On-Call Service 

The standard Niagara On-Call Service can be used to rotate user accounts on a daily or weekly basis and link them to a schedule, allowing messages to be sent to the current on-call recipient. 

Key Takeaway 

The SMS Service for Niagara 4 extends the standard Tridium SMS Service with IP modem connectivity while retaining the original SMS recipient and on-call functionality.