CPaaS Glossary: Business Messaging Terms Explained
CPaaS, WhatsApp, RCS, SMS and Voice messaging each carry their own terminology - DLT, DLR, OTP, webhook, A2P and more. This glossary defines the terms plainly, in one place, and links to a deeper guide for any concept you need to understand further.
Platform Concepts
CPaaS
Communications Platform as a Service - lets a business add messaging and voice capability into its own software through an API, rather than building telecom infrastructure itself. Learn more →
Omnichannel Messaging
Sending and managing customer communication across multiple channels (WhatsApp, RCS, SMS, Voice) through a single account, API and set of customer records. Learn more →
Intelligent Fallback
Configurable, rule-based routing that moves a message to another channel when it doesn't complete delivery on the one tried first. Learn more →
A2P Messaging
Application-to-Person messaging - communication initiated by an application or platform to an individual recipient, as opposed to person-to-person messaging.
WhatsApp Business Platform
Meta's API-based messaging platform for businesses, distinct from the free consumer WhatsApp Business App. Learn more →
WhatsApp Cloud API
The cloud-hosted version of the WhatsApp Business Platform, where a business doesn't run its own on-premises servers. Learn more →
Message Template
A pre-approved message format with fixed text and variable placeholders, required to start a WhatsApp conversation or send a notification. Learn more →
Business Verification
Meta's process for confirming a business's identity at the Meta Business Portfolio level, separate from phone number verification. Learn more →
RCS
RCS Business Messaging
Rich Communication Services messaging for businesses - branded, interactive messages with cards, buttons and read receipts, built on Google's RCS framework. Learn more →
RBM
RCS Business Messaging - Google's framework for businesses sending RCS messages, distinct from consumer-to-consumer RCS chat.
Brand Verification (RCS)
Google's process confirming an authorized brand representative has verified an RCS agent before it can launch. Learn more →
SMS
SMS Gateway
The infrastructure that routes an SMS from an API request through to the carrier network and recipient. Learn more →
DLT
Distributed Ledger Technology - TRAI's platform for registering business entities, sender IDs and message templates for commercial SMS and voice in India. Learn more →
Sender ID
The alphanumeric header a recipient sees as the sender of an SMS, registered against a business's DLT entity.
OTP
One-Time Password - a short-lived verification code delivered by SMS, WhatsApp or voice call for authentication. Learn more →
DLR
Delivery Receipt - a network-level status signal confirming what happened to a message after submission (delivered, failed, etc.). Learn more →
Voice
IVR
Interactive Voice Response - a call flow that presents a menu, collects input, and routes or acts on it automatically. Learn more →
OBD
Outbound Dialer - automated outbound calling triggered programmatically for notifications or campaigns. Learn more →
Voice OTP
A one-time password delivered through an automated phone call that reads the code aloud. Learn more →
Developer Concepts
Webhook
A URL an application exposes to receive real-time events - like delivery status - pushed from a platform, instead of polling an API repeatedly. Learn more →
Idempotency
Handling a duplicate delivery of the same event safely, so a retried webhook or request doesn't trigger a duplicate action.
Rate Limit
The maximum request/message throughput an account or API key is allowed within a given time window.
CPaaS Terminology FAQs
What is CPaaS?
CPaaS (Communications Platform as a Service) lets a business add messaging and voice capability into its own software through an API, instead of building telecom infrastructure itself.
What's the difference between DLT and DND?
DLT governs which sender and template can send a message in India; DND is a separate consumer registry governing whether a number should receive unsolicited commercial communication at all. See DND & TRAI Compliance for the full distinction.
What is a webhook in business messaging?
A webhook is a URL your application exposes to receive events - like delivery status or an incoming message - pushed to it in real time, instead of your application repeatedly checking an API for updates.
What does OTP stand for?
One-Time Password - a short-lived code used to verify a user's identity, commonly delivered by SMS, WhatsApp or an automated voice call.
What is the difference between RCS and RBM?
RCS (Rich Communication Services) is the underlying messaging standard; RBM (RCS Business Messaging) is specifically Google's framework for businesses sending RCS messages to consumers.
What is A2P messaging?
A2P (Application-to-Person) messaging is communication initiated by an application or platform to an individual recipient - the category most business notifications, OTPs and alerts fall under.
What does DLR mean?
DLR stands for Delivery Receipt - the network-level status confirming what happened to a message after it was submitted, such as delivered, failed or rejected.
Ready to unify your business communication?
Most businesses are live on their own branded panel within days, not months - talk to our team today and see how fast you can start sending.