Overview
Instead of notifying a single individual when someone calls, you can use Slack to notify an entire channel! This helps ensure your calls are answered promptly. You can create as many channels as needed to manage different groups of employees, but you can only use one channel per Virtual Front Desk (VFD) location.
Enabling Slack with VFD
Install or re-authorize the app
If you haven't installed the Slack app, you'll need to do that first. Learn how in our installation guide.
If you have never used this feature and already installed the app, you need to re-authorize the Envoy Slack app.
Navigate to Apps > Slack and click Configure.
Click on Step 2, Connect to Slack. Click on Connect account to open a new window.
This will launch a pop-up. Click on Allow to re-authorize the Envoy app.
Back in the Envoy dashboard, click through the remainder of the steps, then Complete setup.
Create a new channel and add Envoy
Now, you need to create a new channel(s) to use for VFD call notifications. The call link will be sent here! All members of the channel will be able to answer calls made on your kiosk. You can edit the channel members in Slack after it's connected to a location.
Create a new channel in Slack or use an existing channel. Remember that all members of the channel can answer calls made on your kiosk.
In Slack, add the Envoy app to your channel under Channel details > Integrations > Add an App. Click Add next to the Envoy app.
Once the Envoy app is added to the channel, send the command
/envoy-virtual-front-desk. You should receive a message stating whether or not the command is successful.
Add your Slack channel as the notification method
Now, you only need to add the Slack channel as the notification method on your location(s) within Envoy.
Navigate back to the Global Overview > Virtual front desk > Locations. Select the ✏️ pencil to edit the location's settings.
Using the dropdown under Who to notify, select Slack channel. Click on Choose a Slack channel and begin typing your channel. If installed correctly, you should see your vfd-enabled channels! Select the channel you wish to notify. Remember to Save.
You can only notify one channel per location, but you can add the same channel to multiple locations.
Recommended: Perform a test call
Once your location's notifications are set to send to a Slack channel, it's a good idea to run a test call to ensure your team knows how to answer.
On the kiosk, tap Call for assistance.
This will send the call link to your new Slack channel!
Answer the call by clicking on the link or the Answer button. Learn more about answering a call.
Once the call has been answered, the status will update to show there is a call in progress.
When the call is completed, the status will change once more to show the call has ended, and how long it lasted.
