Introducing Messaging Copilot: Your Localization and Routing Expert

Introducing Messaging Copilot: Your Localization and Routing Expert

One of the most commonly asked questions we get from messaging customers is “How can I best scale my Twilio application?” It’s a complex question, because scale refers to a lot of different aspects. There’s the challenge of sending high traffic: “How do I reach large audiences via SMS?” to deliverability: “What happens if a message doesn’t go through?” to global expansion: “I’m going expand into Germany, how do I ensure my app uses a German number to deliver those messages?”. Writing additional software logic used to be the answer to all these questions. And while effective, writing software takes time to build and maintain. So today, that answer changes, and it’s a lot more simple.

Use Messaging Copilot.

Copilot, launching today in private beta, does exactly what an airplane copilot does — it makes things run smoothly. Copilot offers Twilio customers a global routing and delivery system that they can count on, without requiring ongoing attention – or engineering resources. Copilot’s power stems from its ability to automatically select the best number to send a message based on delivery goals you select.
 
Companies like iCracked are already counting on Copilot to power their business. “Messaging Copilot will be a huge time saver and stress-reliever for us,” says Martin Amps, CIO of iCracked Inc. “We were planning to build a lot of this routing functionality out, and now we can just flip a switch and know it will work. That’s the ideal.” But before we get into the nitty gritty of how you can leverage this new tool for your app, let’s dig into how it works.

How Does Copilot Work?

Copilot consists of two components: a number pool (a group of Twilio Phone Numbers you designate) and delivery options.

Number Pool

A number pool is a designated group of your phone numbers that you choose to deliver messages for your application. You can add existing numbers from your inventory, or you can buy new numbers from Twilio’s global inventory. Copilot will only send from the numbers you’ve added to your pool.

Delivery Options

Once your numbers are in your pool, you can click a series of checkboxes to mark your delivery preferences. These delivery options will apply to your number pool. What you see listed below (Geo-Match, Sticky Sender, Scaler, and Reroute) are the delivery features that you’ll find in your dashboard today at launch.
 

After your number pool and delivery preferences are selected — you’re ready to send messages. Simply insert the SID associated with the number pool and delivery options (called the Application SID) in the From parameter, and your application will intelligently route your messages. No coding or maintenance needed.

Copilot Delivery Features

There are three key delivery features ready for your use today, with another on the way before we make this product generally available. Here are the features:

Geo-Match: Create a familiar experience with local numbers in different countries

Using a number that is local, or familiar, to your end recipient is a key part of making a good first impression – and to getting your recipient to open your message. Geo-Match will automatically use the number in your number pool that matches the country of your recipient.

Sticky Sender: Enable your customers to associate your business with one number

Users are more likely to to open messages that come from phone numbers they recognize. Sticky Sender ensures that end users continue to see the same phone number every time they receive a message from you.

Scaler: Reach large audiences by leveraging many numbers to send messages

Activate Scaler to intelligently distribute your traffic across multiple numbers; this enables businesses to successfully deliver SMS & MMS to many people.

Reroute (coming soon): Automatically use standard numbers to augment short code message delivery

Reroute knows when carriers are unable to accept SMS from short codes. If enabled, Messaging Copilot will automatically default to a long code when needed.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’d like to join us in our private beta, let us know here. We’re looking forward to hearing feedback from our early Copilot users so that we can continue to refine the existing functionality and add new features you most want to see.

Here’s to a future of headache-free scaling — we can’t wait to see what you build with all the extra time on your hands.