Overview
Welcome to the SMS Gateway module for Odoo 17—an innovative,
cost-effective solution designed to revolutionize how you send SMS
messages within Odoo! This module seamlessly integrates with Odoo’s
built-in SMS functionalities, empowering you to leverage custom SMS APIs
instead of relying solely on Odoo’s default IAP (Internet Application
Provider) service, which can be prohibitively expensive, especially for
users outside the EU. Whether you’re a business owner looking to cut
communication costs or a developer seeking a flexible SMS integration,
this module offers a powerful, tailored approach to SMS delivery.
Cost-Effective Communication
At its core, the SMS Gateway module intercepts SMS messages originating
from Odoo’s SMS system (typically sent via IAP) and redirects them
through your chosen custom APIs—only when you want it to. This
redirection is fully configurable, giving you the freedom to decide how
and when to use external providers.
Imagine you’re running a business in India, where Odoo’s IAP charges
0.0320 credits which if the EUR rate is 90, will be ₹ 2.88 per SMS. With
this module, you can integrate a local SMS provider offering messages at
just ₹0.255 each or maybe even less. Simply configure a gateway, set the
country prefix to +91, and any contact number starting with +91, 0091,
or 91 will automatically use this affordable local API. Ta Da, Your
savings start immediately!
But the cost-cutting doesn’t stop there. The module’s intelligent
prefix-matching system lets you drill down even further. For example, in
a country like Pakistan, SMS costs can vary significantly between mobile
networks. If you have a local provider offering ultra-low rates for
same-network messages (e.g., Mobilink to Mobilink), you can set a
gateway with a network-specific prefix like +9230. When a contact’s
number begins with +9230, the module routes the message through this
gateway, ensuring it’s sent via the Mobilink network to another Mobilink
recipient. This precision slashes costs even more, making bulk SMS
campaigns or customer notifications incredibly economical.
Unparalleled Flexibility and Reliability
Flexibility is a cornerstone of this module. You’re not locked into a
single provider or approach. Configure multiple gateways with different
prefixes—say, one for +91 (India), another for +9230 (Pakistan
Mobilink), and a third for +1202 (US)—and the module will intelligently
select the right gateway based on the recipient’s number. If no prefix
matches, you’re still covered. The module includes configuration
settings (res.config.settings) that let you define a default custom
gateway. If that fails or isn’t set, and you’ve enabled the IAP fallback
option, it gracefully hands off the message to Odoo’s IAP service. This
ensures no message goes undelivered, balancing cost savings with
reliability.
Technical Powerhouse for API Integration
Technically, this module is a powerhouse for RESTful API integration. It
supports both
GET
and
POST
methods, with
POST
requests configurable as
either form data or JSON payloads. Need custom headers like
Authorization: Bearer {token}? It’s
got you covered. Want to define dynamic parameters tailored to your
API’s quirks? You can do that too. Whether your provider requires a
simple query string (e.g.,
?to={phone}&text={message}) or a
complex JSON body (e.g.,
{"recipients": "{phones}", "message": "{message}"}), this module adapts effortlessly. It even handles Unicode messages,
so you can send greetings in Arabic, Urdu, or any language your
customers understand.
Seamless Integration and Global Adaptability
In short, the SMS Gateway module transforms Odoo into a cost-efficient,
globally adaptable SMS platform. It’s tightly integrated with Odoo’s SMS
system, intercepting messages only when you choose, and redirecting them
through custom gateways that align with your budget and region. From
small businesses in emerging markets to enterprises with diverse
customer bases, this module empowers you to communicate smarter,
cheaper, and more effectively. Dive into this guide to unlock its full
potential—whether you’re configuring a gateway via the intuitive UI or
extending its capabilities as a developer! Best of all, integration is
effortless. It works flawlessly with odoo current SMS module; just
configure the gateway(s), and it automatically integrates with Odoo’s
built-in SMS marketing, notification, and other features.
