Reusable Python Code Modules, Part 8 - Notifications - SMS

Scalable Alerts: Creating Reusable SMS Notification Modules

SMS notifications are vital for alerting users about critical events, sending verification codes, and providing real-time updates. Integrating SMS notifications into your Flask application can enhance user engagement and communication. This guide covers how to structure reusable SMS notification modules in Python using Flask, manage notifications efficiently, and integrate common libraries.

Common Libraries and Tools

1. Twilio

Twilio is a widely-used cloud communications platform that provides APIs for sending SMS messages

Key Features

• Comprehensive API: Supports sending and receiving SMS, MMS, and more

• Scalability: Handles large volumes of messages efficiently

• Global Reach: Offers global SMS delivery

• Detailed Documentation: Provides extensive documentation and examples

2. Nexmo (Vonage)

Nexmo (now part of Vonage) provides APIs for SMS and voice messaging

Key Features

• API for SMS and Voice: Supports both SMS and voice messaging

• Delivery Reports: Provides detailed delivery reports and analytics

• Global Coverage: Offers SMS delivery to a wide range of countries

• Security: Ensures secure message transmission

3. Plivo

Plivo is a cloud communications platform that provides APIs for SMS and voice messaging

Key Features

• High Throughput: Supports high message throughput

• Global Reach: Offers international SMS delivery

• Cost-Effective: Competitive pricing for messaging services

• Extensive API: Provides a comprehensive API for SMS and voice

4. AWS SNS (Amazon Simple Notification Service)

AWS SNS is a fully managed messaging service that supports SMS, email, and push notifications

Key Features

• Scalability: Handles large volumes of messages with ease

• Multi-Channel: Supports SMS, email, and push notifications

• Integration with AWS: Seamlessly integrates with other AWS services

• Detailed Reporting: Provides detailed message delivery reports

Comparison

• Twilio: Best for comprehensive SMS API with global reach and scalability

• Nexmo (Vonage): Ideal for applications needing both SMS and voice messaging with detailed delivery reports

• Plivo: Suitable for high-throughput messaging with competitive pricing

• AWS SNS: Best for applications already using AWS services with multi-channel notification support

Examples

Example 1: Twilio

Setup:

$ pip install twilio

Configuration:

import os
from twilio.rest import Client

account_sid = os.getenv('TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID')
auth_token = os.getenv('TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN')
client = Client(account_sid, auth_token)

Usage:

def send_sms(to, body):
    message = client.messages.create(
        body=body,
        from_='+1234567890',  # Your Twilio number
        to=to
    )
    return message.sid

send_sms('+9876543210', 'Hello, this is a test message from Twilio')

Example 2: Nexmo (Vonage)

Setup:

$ pip install vonage

Configuration:

import os
import vonage

client = vonage.Client(key=os.getenv('VONAGE_API_KEY'), secret=os.getenv('VONAGE_API_SECRET'))
sms = vonage.Sms(client)

Usage:

def send_sms(to, text):
    response = sms.send_message({
        'from': 'VonageAPI',
        'to': to,
        'text': text,
    })
    return response['messages'][0]['status']

send_sms('9876543210', 'Hello, this is a test message from Nexmo')

Example 3: Plivo

Setup:

$ pip install plivo

Configuration:

import os
import plivo

client = plivo.RestClient(auth_id=os.getenv('PLIVO_AUTH_ID'), auth_token=os.getenv('PLIVO_AUTH_TOKEN'))

Usage:

def send_sms(to, text):
    response = client.messages.create(
        src='+1234567890',  # Your Plivo number
        dst=to,
        text=text
    )
    return response.message_uuid

send_sms('+9876543210', 'Hello, this is a test message from Plivo')

Example 4: AWS SNS

Setup:

$ pip install boto3

Configuration:

import boto3
import os

sns = boto3.client(
    'sns',
    aws_access_key_id=os.getenv('AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID'),
    aws_secret_access_key=os.getenv('AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY'),
    region_name=os.getenv('AWS_REGION')
)

Usage:

def send_sms(phone_number, message):
    response = sns.publish(
        PhoneNumber=phone_number,
        Message=message
    )
    return response['MessageId']

send_sms('+9876543210', 'Hello, this is a test message from AWS SNS')