Sender IDs
A sender ID is the name a text message appears to come from, such as your organisation’s name instead of a phone number. Diarybook calls these Branded Sender Ids. A message sent from one can’t be replied to.
Why this matters
A message that shows your organisation’s name tells the client at a glance who it is from. In some countries the sender ID is also regulated: in the Republic of Ireland, messages from unregistered sender IDs are labelled “Likely Scam” and may be blocked.
A sender ID is also what makes one-way messaging possible. Any SMS reminder with replies turned off has to be sent from one.
Before you start
- Applying for a sender ID uses a Settings screen, so you need Account Owner, Account Administrator or Change Settings.
- A sender ID has 3 to 11 characters, all capital letters from A to Z. No spaces, digits or symbols. The form converts what you type to capitals and removes anything else.
- Republic of Ireland: register the sender ID with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) before applying in Diarybook, and authorise Iflow as a provider on your registration. Apply in Diarybook once ComReg has approved it and Iflow is authorised.
- Branded sender IDs aren’t available everywhere. If they aren’t supported in your country, the screen shows Sender Ids Are Not Supported and there is nothing to set up.
Apply early. Approval takes time, and reminder settings with replies turned off can’t be saved until an approved sender ID exists. See Your First Week.
Applying for a sender ID
- Go to Settings → SMS Send IDs. The screen is titled Branded Sender Ids.
- Select Apply For Sender Id in the toolbar. If the account has no sender IDs yet, you can select Add New instead.
- In the SMS Alphanumeric Sender ID form, enter the Sender ID.
- Select Apply.
The sender ID appears in the list with the status Pending, and a notice says it needs approval. Approval usually takes up to 48 hours, and you receive an email with the result. The status then changes to Approved or Rejected.
Removing a sender ID
The Branded Sender Ids screen has no option to remove a sender ID. To have one removed, the Account Owner asks customer support. Check first that no reminder setting still uses it.
Where sender IDs are used
Only Approved sender IDs are offered anywhere you pick one.
| Where | How the sender ID is chosen |
|---|---|
| Reminder settings, SMS | With Enable Replies off, choose a Sender Id. With replies on, messages come from a Diarybook number instead |
| Letter By SMS | SMS Sender Id is always required |
| Sending an SMS by hand | The Sender ID list offers Reply Number (clients can reply) and each branded sender ID (no replies). Tick Remember this selection to make your choice the default next time |
| ExcelSend | Chosen when composing the message |
What to watch for
The sender ID isn’t in the reminder setting’s list It is still Pending, or it was Rejected. Only approved sender IDs can be chosen.
The reminder setting won’t save With Enable Replies off, a sender ID is required. Apply for one, and wait for it to be approved.
The sender ID came out different from what was typed Lower-case letters are converted to capitals, and digits, spaces and symbols are removed. The form keeps only the first 11 letters.
Clients reply, and nothing arrives Messages from a branded sender ID can’t be replied to. If you need confirmations, use a reminder setting with replies on, or collect them another way. See SMS Reminders.
Messages fail with status 9132 or 9105 9132 means the destination network doesn’t accept alphanumeric sender IDs. 9105 means the account has no valid sender IDs. See SMS Status Codes.
Irish recipients see “Likely Scam” The sender ID isn’t registered with ComReg, or Iflow isn’t authorised on the registration.