The development of the messaging system Sanomalaitejärjestelmä ("Message device system") that Sanomalaite M/90 belongs to was started in the 1970s and the system went operational in 1983. Sanomalaite M/90 is an upgraded version of the original SANLA which was released in 1983. The messaging system includes also Partiosanomalaite and Keskussanomalaite. There is also a version for air surveillance posts. (Ilmavalvontapääte) The main difference between this type and the others is that it includes reporting buttons for different types of aircraft. (Bomber, fighter, turboprop, jet etc.)