Using the Scheduling+ In-App Messenger

Epicor S+ has a module called the In-App Messenger that lets both managers and employees engage in two-way communication. You can use the tool using the Scheduling+ application (web & mobile), without ever having to exchange any personal contact information.

The In-App Messenger is a secure, fast and intuitive collaboration tool that managers can further customize to create Company and Store-wide announcement groups for sharing important organizational updates and choose who gets to post in that group by managing their employee permissions.

In this article, we will cover:

• Accessing Messages on Web and Mobile App
• Creating and Sending Direct Messages
• Sending Messages in a Group Chat
• Deleting Direct Messages
• Creating and Sending Announcements
• Managing Employee Messaging Permissions

Accessing Messages on Web and Mobile App

You can receive and read direct and group messages sent from other employees using the In-App Messenger from both the web and mobile applications.

Viewing Chats on Web Messenger

To view messages and chats on the Web messenger:

1. From the Dashboard, click on the Messages icon to navigate to the messenger screen.
   The page displays all your private and group conversations as well as the company/store-wide announcements posted by your manager all at one place. Whenever you receive a new message, a red dot appears on the Messages icon.
   
   
2. Click on the chat threads on the side panel to view the conversations.
   Additionally, on opening the messenger, you can see the total count of new/unread messages against each chat.
   

    

Viewing Chats on Mobile Messenger

To use the messaging feature in the mobile application:

1. From the navigation bar, click on the message icon.
   A blue dot appears when you receive a new message.
   
2. Scroll through the list of conversations and click on any one of them to open the chat window.
   
   

The Messages screen lets you access all your private and group conversations, as well as company or store-wide announcements posted.

Creating and Sending Direct Messages

To have a one-on-one chat with a specific member of the team, employees can create and send direct messages from the S+ messenger (web & mobile).

Sending Direct Messages Using Web App

1. To create a new message, click on the pencil icon .
   This opens a new chat window.
   
   
2. Enter the name of the employee in the Recipient Name field.
   Clicking on the search bar also enables a dropdown menu displaying all the employees.
   
   
3. Write your message in the text field, click on the send button  to send the message. 

Sending Direct Messages Using Mobile App

Direct Chats in Mobile Messenger
To create & send a direct message to one of your teammates:

1. Select the three-dot icon or the overflow menu at the top right corner of the Messages screen. This brings up a drop-down menu on the screen.
2. Now click on the New Chat option.
   This takes you to the Select Contact screen.
   
   
3. Form the Select Contact screen, select the employee you want to send the direct message.
   
   
   

Sending Messages in a Group Chat

To communicate with more than one employee simultaneously, you can create a group chat with your peers to converse effectively.

Messaging in Group Chat on Web App

To create and send a group message:

1. Select the pencil icon  from the chats panel of your web messenger.
   This opens a new chat window.
   
2. From here, click on the Recipient Name field that displays a dropdown menu of all the employees.
3. Enter the names of the employee or select the employees from the list.
4. Once selected, write your message in the message box, and send the message.

 

Messaging in Group Chat on Mobile App

To create and send a group message using the mobile application:

1. From Messages > New Group Chat.
   
   
   
   
2. Select at least two or more participants to create the group.
   
3. Select Create Group Chat.
4. Enter your message in the message box to send the group message.  

Deleting Direct Messages

You can delete direct messages of previous conversations with your teammates from the web and mobile applications.

Deleting Direct Messages on Web App

To delete any of your direct chats from your messenger:

1. Open a conversation from the chat panel.
   When the chat window of the conversation opens, look for a delete icon.
   
   
   
2. Select the trash can icon or the delete button.
   A message prompts you to confirm your decision to delete the chat.
3. Select Delete to proceed with deleting the chat or select Cancel to abort the deletion.
   

Deleting Direct Messages on Mobile App

Just like on the Web, you can delete your direct chats from your Mobile Messenger too by opening that conversation & clicking on the Trash icon.

Creating and Sending Announcements

Announcements allow you to send important workplace updates for a wider range of people across locations. You get to decide whether the announcements are for Store or Company. To share announcements, managers must have messaging permissions assigned to the role/position. You can view the settings from the Permissions page within Company Settings.

Sharing Announcements Using Web App

From the In-App Messenger, click on the speaker icon , this opens a new chat window.

1. Click on the Select an Option field located on top of the chat window to view a drop-down list of all the locations you have the access to create an announcement for.
   
2. Select the Store or location, if you want to create a store-wide announcement.
   Or, select Company-Wide option to send an announcement to all your employees in the company.
3. Frame your message in the message box.
4. Before sending the message, you can also choose to share the announcement as an SMS and/or an Email.
   
5. Enable the toggle buttons as required.
6. Click on the send button or press the Enter button.

Please note that the ability to create announcement channels & posting messages is only available for the web messenger. However, the S+ employee app displays the store-wide and company-wide announcements posted in the messenger.

Managing Employee Messaging Permissions

If you are an Administrator or a manager with access to configure permission settings of your employees. You can customize the access levels of your employees for the In-App Messenger.

1. Click the gear icon to expand the settings menu.
2. Select Permissions within Company Settings.
3. Select a Position from the drop-down menu to customize the permissions.
4. Scroll down to locate Message Permissions.
5. Select the boxes applicable to reflect the permissions set for your employees.
   
6. Save your changes.