SMS registration is a mandatory step before you can use Vello text messaging.
All businesses that send SMS messages to United States and Canada mobile numbers must complete SMS registration. The registration:
Is a regulatory requirement from United States and Canada cellular carriers (for example, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Bell, Rogers, and Telus)
Prevents unwanted messages for clients (for example, spam and robocalls)
Note: From August 31, 2023, United States cellular carriers block SMS messages from businesses that do not complete SMS registration.
SMS registration is mandatory for all businesses that use 10-digit long code (10DLC) phone numbers to send text messages (for example, 123-456-7890). The text messages could include:
Automatic reminder messages
2-way texts with your clients
As your text messaging provider and partner in client communications, IDEXX:
Procures a 10-digit long-code phone number for you to use for text messages
Supplies SMS registration information that you enter in Vello to Twilio for approval
Pays the SMS registration fees for you
Until SMS registration is completed, Vello shows a Registration Pending message in its screens. When registration is completed, Vello removes the message and you can send text messages from Vello. The maximum time for Twilio to complete SMS registration is usually three weeks.
Note: While you wait for SMS registration to complete, Vello continues to send SMS messages for appointment reminders and medical service reminders.
The SMS Safe Sender Registration screen
To complete SMS registration, you must enter your business information in the SMS Safe Sender Registration screen in Vello. Then, Vello supplies the information to Twilio for approval.
It is important that you enter business information that is the same as the information shown in legal tax documents for your business. If the business information is incorrect, it causes problems with your SMS registration. And you cannot send text messages to clients until SMS registration is completed.Figure 1. SMS Safe Sender Registration screen (United States)
The table that follows shows the applicable business information that you must enter in the SMS Safe Sender Registration screen if you are in:
United States
Canada
Applicable boxes in the screen
Information for United States customers
Information for Canada customers
Country
Select US.
Select CA.
Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN)
You must enter the correct Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Employer Identification Number (EIN) for the business in the Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN) box .
Not applicable.
Canadian Business Number (BN)
Not applicable.
You must enter the correct Canadian Business Number (BN) for the business in the Canadian Business Number (BN) box .
Only enter the first nine digits of the business number.
Legal Business Name
For Legal Business Name, you must enter the same legal business name as shown in:
Employer Identification Number documents for the business
IRS CP-575 EIN confirmation letter
IRS 147C letter
Other legal tax documents for the business
For Legal Business Name, you must enter the same legal business name as shown in:
A Canada Revenue Agency confirmation letter for the business
Other legal tax documents for the business
Address
Make sure that you enter the same physical address information as shown in legal tax documents for the business.
Business Structure
Select one of these business types:
Partnership
Corporation
Co-operative
Limited Liability Corporation
Non-profit Corporation
Note: Make sure that you select the same business type as shown in legal tax documents for the business.
Primary Contact First Name
Primary Contact Last Name
Primary Contact Email
Primary Contact Phone Number
Make sure that the information that you enter is for the primary person that shows in legal tax documents for the business.
Website Url
You can enter:
The address of your business website
A link to a social media channel that shows that you operate a business (for example, Facebook or Google Business Profile).
Note: Make sure that you enter the address or link correctly. Twilio automatically does a check of the address or link before approval.
