SOLUTION4

To send SMS messages to mobile phones upon the occurance of alarm tags in a PLC you do the following:
- buy a GSM modem and connect it to the Windows XP professional Serial/USB port.- Install an OPC DA Server (OPC Data Access)- Install ICONICS AlarmWorX32 Multimedia software
In case your OPC DA server also includes the OPC A/E specification (alarms & events) you can directy have AlarmWorX32 Multimedia subscribe to the OPC A/E information and the alarms/events will be presented on the screen, logged to a database and directed to FAX, EMAIL, SMS, Text-To-Speech...
In case your OPC DA server is not that modern yet, you can configure the ICONICS OPC Alarm Server to set the alarm limits (Hi/Low, HiHi/LoLo), digital alarms (on/off), rate of change alarms and deviation alarms. AlarmWorX32Multimedia will then subscribe to this OPC A/E server.
The software will start at about US$2000. It's a bit more than your budget allows, but then also provides you with a complete scheduler to have multiple users with their own working schedule. Also escalation is provided to ensure that an alarm will be redirected in case action is not taken in time.
When connecting a GSM Modem to your PC (instead of using a standard modem) it can receive the Alarm Acknowledgement via SMS.
To get the budget you explain the enduser that AlarmWorX32 is web-enabled. This allows to open up a web browser to monitor and acknowledge the alarms in the list. Certainly handy when the mobile phone runs on low battery on the recharger was left behind on site.
Good luck!