Message Center and Chat

The Message Center displays internal messages and provides a forum for members to interact through a Chat session. Messages can be sent automatically by the Rules Manager for a given event, such as a new work order, change in status on a purchase order, or other events, or manually composed by members with access to the Maintenance, Repair and Operations Work Center, or Technician Work Center. Service Requesters do not have access.

Members of access groups with permission to use the Message Center have an button on the main toolbar.

Access the Message Center:

• Click the Message Center button on the toolbar.

  The icon displays the current number of unread messages.

  The Message Center opens in a new window.

The Message Center can be summarized as follows:

• Header: The top of the Message Center includes a header with a Repair Center filter, allowing you to filter to members from a particular repair center. The Repair Center filter does not affect the messages displayed in the Inbox. The Header also includes a Close button to close the Message Center.

• Member List: On the left side of the Message Center is a list of members with access to this feature. Service Requesters do not have access. Additionally, Members will not be displayed unless they are associated with an Access Group that has permission to use the Message Center.

  Members who are currently Online are listed in the upper section. Members who are currently Offline are listed below. The Member List scrolls to display additional members as needed.

• Members: Each individual member record displays the member name and image, if available. As you hover your cursor over a record, options display.

  • If the member is online and is a member of an access group with permission to chat, options to send a Message and Chat both display.

  • If the member is offline or does not have permission to chat, only the option to send a message will be displayed.

• Inbox: The right side of the Message Center displays the Inbox. In most circumstances, the Inbox displays by default when opening the Message Center. However, if you are in an active chat or responding to a chat request, the active chat opens by default and you will need to select the Inbox tab to open it.

  The Inbox displays system generated notifications associated with events. These are defined in the Rules Manager by a System Administrator. The Inbox also displays messages manually composed by other members. Messages that have not yet been read are displayed in bold.

• Chat Windows: A tab is displayed for every Chat window that is open or active.