Web services imply using sychronous communication. However, the use case you describe implies that asynchronous, so-called fire-and-forget, communication is better suited to your needs.
For example, with sychronous communication, the system is unaware of the exact moment a TXT or CSV file will come in. Also, when the system is processing a file, all other processing waits until the system finishes. This may cause synchronicity problems if multiple files come into the system in quick succession.
ColdFusion has an asynchronous solution that suits every requirement of your use case. The following methods will enable you to receive the file, to automatically enter it into the database and to generate an SMS message. Use ColdFusion's DirectoryWatcher gateway to monitor the directory in which the TXT or CSV files are dropped, and ColdFusion's SMS event gateway to send SMS messages.
Whenever a third party drops a file into the directory, an event is triggered, setting the DirectoryWatcher into action. Implement a query in the onAdd method of the DirectoryWatcher's listener CFC to store the file in the database. Following the query, use the sendGatewayMessage method to send the SMS message.