CMX2: Messaging Services

Overview

The explosive growth of interactive SMS services shows no sign of slowing down, and adding MMS, WAP Push and Email into the mix requires a powerful and flexible yet easy to configure messaging platform, which is exactly what CMX2 provides.

Unified architecture

CMX2 messaging services are almost completely medium-agnostic, meaning that an interactive mobile application designed in CMX2 makes no distinction as to the type of message it is exchanging with the user. With integration into the full suite of MX Telecom's leading gateway offerings, this means CMX2 can send and receive SMS, MMS, WAP Push, Email and HTTP messages.

Graphical flowchart design of workflow

Visualising the decision trees and multi-stage interactions with a user in a typical mobile application can be complex at the best of times. CMX2 eases this burden by providing a graphical, flowchart-based editor for service flows. Individual blocks representing actions such as sending a message, making a decision or performing some processing can be arranged in complex sequences to create almost any workflow conceivable. The service can be designed and edited simply by pointing and clicking, and the graphical representation speaks more about the internals of an application than any written documentation.

Wide range of components to choose from

Rather than being based around monolithic plugins, CMX2's messaging system encourages services to comprise a number of discrete components, each of which performs a simple task well. The ever-expanding list of components includes all the common tasks for wireless applications, including:

• Sending a message (SMS, MMS, WAP Push, etc.)
• Waiting for a message
• Identifying content
• Storing or testing variables
• Accessing user state (personal details, subscriptions, etc.)
• Integrating with other services and applications

Templates for common and complex service patterns

Either as a starting point for a customised service, or as a means to instantly emulate many of the common types of application, CMX2 provides a range of templates for messaging services. After gathering some salient details on a simple form, the system will create the workflow tree automatically. This can either be used "as is" or enhanced further by editing the tree, adding additional components and changing the configuration. Templates include such services as content delivery, SMS quizzes, voting and subscription handling. The range of templates will be expanded as the needs of our customers evolve.

Advanced user and service state management

CMX2 allows all kinds of state information including user details, answers to quizzes, text of previous messages, etc., to be maintained across multiple interactions with the same user. Per-service and per-user state variables are supported, as well as application-wide variables, enabling interaction and user recognition across the messaging, publishing and content features of CMX2.

Flexible message routing control

Incoming messages can be routed to a destination service by looking for an exact match, searching for a keyword or matching against a more complicated expression. In addition, CMX2 seamlessly manages multiple-message conversations between a user and a single service behind the scenes, so explicit routing need only be performed for initiating services.

About MX Telecom MX Telecom is a leader in wireless technology. MX Telecom offers an easily accessible gateway to data, voice and video messaging services including 2-way and premium SMS, multimedia messaging, interactive voice response, location-based services, video short codes, Internet and TV related solutions. For more information, MX Telecom can be reached on 0845 666 7778, or via email at sales@mxtelecom.com.