Using Redis for session management
If there is a redis connector setup and allocted to this GLU.Engine, the option of using the GLU.Engine memory cache or redis will appear. Redis can be used to manage USSD sessions in a load balanced environment (where each service can access the same Redis DB in order to manage the ussd menu session). Once this connector is selected, the GLU.Engine will push session details to the DB and there won’t be any further configuration required.
Defining the API
Here you define the Inbound Connector that will receive the Request from the USSD Gateway. This Connector must be pre-configured in the Connectors Tool and once configured there should be selected from the Drop-down list.
Additionally, the following settings can be made (these would be provided to you by the USSD Gateway operator):
- ‘Timeout’ in seconds for the USSD Gateway can be set. (We have found this setting to be critical to the interaction and control of the session.)
- ‘Maximum Character Length’: that the USSD Gateway supports should be set (some may support up to 160 chars, others as few as 120 chars). Note – the ‘Maximum Character Length’ can be set per Language. Should your USSD menu support multi languages, it is important to ensure that you have your max characters set for each language. A warning will display should you not set it for the alternate language/s.
- ‘Format Line Break’:
Transaction Sets
One can configure one or more Transaction Sets. Each Transaction Set defined should be assigned a ‘Transaction Code’. Within the Configuration Panels you define the Request Payload, the Response Payload and the Handlers to direct the USSD Server on what do do with the received Request.
Request Definition
A Transaction Set is essentially defined by an inbound Request Payload, different Request Payload structures would typically require different Transaction Sets to be configured. This request payload would often be defined by the USSD Gateway Service.
Request parameters
Parameter Types:
Input Data
The parameter marked as input data will be used as the input to receive the customers action on the USSD String. e.g. 2, for the user selecting 2 etc
Device
The parameter marked as device is used to indicate the unique customer (the customers device).
Other
Can be used for any other data that is required to be pulled from the incoming request payload.
Short Code
Used to indicate which parameter on the incoming request payload is marked as the shortcode.
SessionID
If no specific sessionID parameter is added, USSD session is by default created using the parameter that is set as the ‘device’ on the request parameters. Otherwise the added parameter marked as ‘Session ID’ will be used.
Customized Session ID
This allows you to concatenate parameters to create a customised session ID.
Response Definition
The Response Template should be used to define the response message structure that the USSD Gateway expects to receive. Within that Response Template, the variable ${result} would be used to return the result or outcome from the USSD interaction to the USSD Gateway. So the output of the menu process, will be posted back through the ${result} field in the response payload.
Transaction Handlers
In order to add a handler to the transaction – the following syntax must be used:
Condition: ${paramName}==3 then include the menu set that should be routed to when that condition is met.
Shortcode sets
This is where you define the USSD Shortcode string that will invoke the session:
Long Codes and Jump Codes
In this example, to get to “Enquire about our Credit Service” you can do any of the following:
- Dial *811# then select option 10 for Airtime
- Dial *811*10# for “Airtime”
- Dial *811*567# to jump straight to “Airtime” – This is especially useful when going several layers deep in a USSD menu.
