Installation and Setup

If your organization is part of the DFID GPAF grant, all FrontlineSMS and Payments downloads and installations will already have been done. Should you need to install Payments on supplementary computers, the below steps will need to be followed. Note you should consult SIMLab prior to doing this to understand the implications of sending Payments with multiple computers. 

Installing FrontlineSMS with Payments is an easy process. Download the installation files from [NEED LINK ftp://frontlinesms.com/payments/download?/]. Once the files have been downloaded, double click and launch the installer file and walk through the steps. The application should install within a few minutes. Upon completion, the app should launch and take you to a window within your browser which says ‘Setting up Payments’.

Currently, FrontlineSMS with Payments versions 1.0 and above supports only Android connections running FrontlineOS and FrontlineSync to send payments. FrontlineSync can be downloaded from the Google Play Store, FrontlineOS can be downloaded here [NEED LINK]. For receiving payments, Safaricom modems and Mobile phones are also supported. Please read through our device database to see a list of devices tested and proven to work with FrontlineSMS by our user community. 

Using the Android connections 

Once FrontlineSMS with Payments has launched, a window will appear that says 'Configure Payments'. On the right hand panel, you will see the Android Identifier and PIN required for configuring FrontlineSync with the device. Follow the instructions in Getting started with FrontlineSync for setting up the connection, using the Android Identifier and PIN created on the Configure Payments page.  

Using Modems and Phones 

You require the following to properly set up these;

  • A cable to connect your phone to your computer – only needed if you are using a mobile phone rather than a modem; Ensure that you are using the correct cable. Many cables will fit phones they are not intended for and using the wrong cable may prevent your computer from recognizing your device.
  • An installed driver for your phone; A missing, corrupt or invalid driver will prevent your computer from recognizing your phone or from properly connecting. To install drivers follow the instructions to install the modem’s device management software, which will include the appropriate driver. Normally this will be automated. Some modems ask that you install their drivers separately before inserting the device; check the instructions provided with the device.
  • Software to access your phone on your computer

To ensure that your phone, computer or device works with FrontlineSMS, see the Phones and Modems article. 

We rely on our users to share their experiences with the FrontlineSMS community and to help populate our crowd-sourced device database. If you use a phone or USB device that is not on our list of working devices, let us know. Fill out a New Report about the device you have tested.

MPesa PIN

Every time you send a payment using FrontlineSMS, Safaricom needs to verify your MPesa PIN. To make this easier for bulk payments, FrontlineSMS stores an encrypted copy of your PIN that it passes to Safaricom with each payment.

To enter your PIN, you must go to Settings> Configure Payments

On the right hand panel, you will see a menu item that lets you enter your PIN. When the drawer slides out, enter the PIN, and click save. You must update your PIN inside FrontlineSMS each and everytime you change your registered PIN with Safaricom, this will not happen automatically.



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