Apparatus and method for routing communications between networks and devices

A method for providing communications between a first communications network and a second communications network, comprising:

• receiving, at a processor of an interface device, data in a first format from a first device associated with the first communications network;
• identifying, by the processor, a second device associated with the second communications network for receiving the data, the second device associated with a second format;
• testing, by the processor, functionality of the second communications network to determine whether the second communications network is functioning properly,
• wherein testing the functionality of the second communications network comprises sending a ping to the second communications network;
• and
• in response to determining that the second communications network is not functioning properly, then
• identifying, by the processor, a third device associated with a third communications network for receiving the data,
• identifying, by the processor, a third format compatible with the third communications network,
• translating, by the processor, the data from the first format to the third format, and
• transmitting, by the processor, the data translated to the third format to the third device via the third communications network.

An interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second device, comprising:

• an input for receiving data in a first format from the first device;
• a processor;
• memory storing a program that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform operations comprising
• identifying a second device for receiving the data via a first communications network,
• testing functionality of the first communications network to determine whether the first communications network is functioning properly,
• in response to determining that the first communications network is not functioning properly, identifying a third device for receiving the data via a second communications network,
• identifying a second format compatible with the third device,
• translating the data to the second format, and
• testing functionality of the interface device to determine a status of the interface device, wherein testing the functionality of the interface device comprises testing components of the interface device to determine if the components are accessible and functioning, and wherein testing components of the interface device comprises sending a ping to at least the components of the interface device and waiting for a reply from the components;
• and
• an output for transmitting the data translated to the second format to the third device.