Twilio SMS: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - Rachelle Swan

Filmed during IU REDCap Day 2023 - go.iu.edu/iu-r...
Twilio is a third-party platform you can integrate into your REDCap project to text participants survey links and appointment reminders. In the past, it has been a relatively affordable SMS option with an easy-to-understand cost structure and set-up protocol. However, due to recent measures by the United States government to reduce the number of “spam texts” floating around, Twilio now requires additional set-up requirements and costs. These changes and the language used to describe them are not “researcher friendly” because they were created for businesses selling goods and services-not research labs collecting data.
The goal of this presentation is for you to walk away with a better understanding of the benefits and costs of using Twilio SMS and, if you are still inclined, how to set up your Twilio account to comply with the new registration requirements. I will translate Twilio’s new requirements in terms researchers can understand, using examples from two large studies I manage at the iCAN Lab at Purdue University and a string of correspondence with multiple Twilio representatives. Some of the questions I will answer are: (1) What is A2P 10DLC registration and its requirements?; (2) What is my “brand,” and how do I accurately register it?; (3) What is a “campaign use case,” and which do I select for my project?; (4) How does Twilio charge each SMS?; (5) How will my costs change once I register my brand?; (6) What am I risking if I am not A2P 10DLC compliant; and (7) Are there Twilio SMS alternatives compatible with REDCap?
Based on these answers, interested researchers will be able to decide if Twilio is right for their project and, if so, successfully implement and register their study.
To view a PDF of the slides, to learn more about the presenter(s), or to see more presentations from IU REDCap Day 2023 visit: iuredcapday202...
IU REDCap Day was hosted by Research Technologies (RT). RT is a division of University Information Technology Services and a center in the Pervasive Technology Institute at Indiana University.
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Filmed May 18, 2023