Custom-developed alarm solution for Niagara environments – SN-SMSEagle driver | Chapter 1

At SmartNode, we regularly face operational challenges where off-the-shelf solutions only offer compromises. In these cases, we do not rely on boxed products, but develop custom solutions designed to address real, practical operational needs.

This article marks the first chapter of a new product and development showcase series, in which we present our own Niagara-based modules and solutions developed to improve system reliability, response time, and day-to-day operation. In the upcoming chapters, we will introduce further developments and integrations.

Active alarm handling for critical systems

In the supervision of critical infrastructures, delayed information is not an option. A missed or late alarm can result in serious operational disruptions, financial loss, or even safety risks. Based on our experience, alarm systems relying solely on SMS notifications are inherently passive: messages can easily go unnoticed, especially during night shifts or in noisy industrial environments.

The goal of the SN-SMSEagle driver is exactly this: to ensure that alarms do not just arrive, but actively demand attention.

Native SMSEagle integration in Niagara environments

SMSEagle is an industrial-grade, locally deployable SMS gateway that sends and receives messages and calls directly via the mobile network. The SN-SMSEagle driver integrates this functionality directly into the Niagara Framework, without the need for external middleware or workarounds.

The driver supports the following communication methods:

• SMS messaging

• multi-channel alarms (SMS + voice call)

• voice calls

• text-to-speech (TTS) playback

• advanced, multi-language TTS voice models

All functions are available through native Niagara components.

Why SN-SMSEagle is more than a simple SMS alarm?

1️⃣ Immediate voice calls – no more missed alarms 📞

While SMS is a passive channel, a voice call triggers immediate attention. The SN-SMSEagle driver converts Niagara alarm messages into spoken messages and automatically initiates calls to designated recipients.

Supported call types include:

• simple call notification,

• text-to-speech playback,

• advanced multi-language TTS voice models.

Result: faster response times, fewer misunderstandings, and reduced operational stress.

2️⃣ Reliable operation even under heavy load 🛡️

During major incidents, multiple alarms are often generated simultaneously, which can overload traditional solutions. The SN-SMSEagle driver includes a built-in queue mechanism that:

• sequences outgoing messages and calls,

• ensures that no alarms are lost,

• supports handling of up to 300 queued messages.

The queue is always active, meaning no data loss occurs even in case of network or modem issues.

Result: no frozen modem, no lost alarms – stable operation even in critical situations.

3️⃣ SMS and voice calls within a single alarm logic

The driver manages different alarm types through dedicated Niagara components:

• SNSmsEagleCall – voice calls and TTS alarms

• SNSmsEagleSms – SMS and multi-channel notifications

• SNSmsEagleUser – user, group, and recipient management

This structure enables a clear, unified alarm strategy within Niagara-based systems.

4️⃣ Engineer-friendly commissioning 🛠️

Ease of deployment was a key design principle of the SN-SMSEagle driver. The module:

• can be installed on both Supervisor and JACE devices,

• provides a native Niagara palette,

• requires no custom scripting.

Typical application areas

The SN-SMSEagle driver is ideally suited for:

• industrial automation systems,

• building management systems (BMS),

• critical infrastructure projects,

• data centers,

• on-call and remote monitoring systems.

  
  

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Summary – custom development, real operational reliability

The SN-SMSEagle Niagara driver is not just an SMS-sending module, but an active alarm solution that literally calls for attention at the right moment.

As a custom-developed solution, it directly addresses real-world operational challenges:

• reduced response times,

• increased system reliability,

• predictable operation even under extreme load.

In the next chapters of this series, we will present further SmartNode developments and Niagara integrations, all with a strong focus on practical application.

👉 If you are interested in our custom-developed SN-SMSEagle driver,

please do not hesitate to contact us.

(Source: SmartNode Kft, SMSEagle, Canva)

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