How to implement 2-way communication between Lex and a user through text messaging without using AWS Pinpoint or Twilio

Question

I have a Lex bot that I need to implement a way to talk to through SMS. I was asked to try and make it work using Amazon SNS.

I understand that Amazon SNS is a notification service. It seems simple to send messages from Lex as they did inthis tutorial . However, it is my understanding that AWS SNS doesn't save sessions, which some of my Lex intents require. I'm also not sure how SNS can receive messages from the user.

Is there a way I can have 2-way communication between the Lex and user through text messaging? Ideally using Amazon SNS.

Answer 1

Amazon Pinpoint is probably the solution you're looking for in this scenario.

Pinpoint supports two-way SMS with integration into the rest of the Amazon stack; including Lex.

Here's the link to the documentation and here is a tutorial that will help guide you along the way.