Referring now to FIG. 2, an example software flow 200 is shown. A mobile phone sends an SMS message 210. The SMS message is on an originating cell phone and is referred to as an MO (Mobile Originated) message. A keyword ENTER <SUB> 212 is entered in, this tells the receiver that an entry is requested at a particular substation. If either the keyword, or substation is invalid 214, an automated SMS message advises the user to call Jurisdiction Control or try again. If the keyword and location are valid the system determines whether the location is on a do not enter (DNE) list 216. If the location is on a DNE list, an automated SMS message is sent 218 advising the user not to enter and to call Jurisdiction Control. If the location is not on the do not enter list, a Jurisdiction Control console is updated 220 with the data associated with the user and location. The location and phone are added 222 to the checked in list. An automated SMS message is sent 224 to the phone acknowledging entrance to the location. After work is completed at the location an EXIT SMS message is sent 226 to the short code from the cell phone. The EXIT keyword is queried for in the SMS message 228, and if it is not found and automated SMS message is sent 230 advising the person to call Jurisdiction Control or try again. If the EXIT keyword is found a record is moved 232 to the recently checked out list and an acknowledging SMS exit message is sent 234 to the cell phone.