Overview & Usage

Overview

The SimplyChat module allows you to send SMS text messages to phone numbers with SMS capabilities. A user must be assigned to a chat group, or a SMS DID assigned to them.

To start an SMS chat, log into the Client Web Portal (https://cwp.thinksimplicity.com). Once logged in click on SimplyChat on the left hand menu. Then choose Chat. You will be greeted with a screen with a text field similar to a chatroom or SMS phone-app screen.

 

SimplyChat Limitations

• 1000 character limit when creating messages in chat window

 

Terms:

• DID: Direct Inward Dialing - A term meaning, for simplicity's sake, a telephone number. For example, a DID of 406-555-5555 would be a DID (direct inward dialing) for a cell phone, business, desk phone, etc.

Types of Conversations

• Visitor: A DID/SMS for non-guest at the hotel (visitors)
• Guest: A DID/SMS for guest at the hotel (check-ins)
• UI Users: Other users of the Client Web Portal/SimplyChat, such as other Front Desk employees, managers of the hotel, etc 
• Groups: A grouping of users where a message can be sent to all members in that group.

Filtering SMS Conversations

 

1. Unread Conversations - Filters and shows all unread conversations for the user
2. All Conversations - Filters and shows all the exisiting conversations for a user
3. Favorite Conversations - Filters and shows only favorited conversations for a user. Favorites allow for quick reference and navigation of often used, or currently being used conversations.
4. Visitor Conversations - Filters and shows only Visitor type conversations
5. Guest Conversations - Filters and shows only Guest type conversations
6. UI Users Conversations - Filters and shows only UI Users type conversations 
7. Group Conersations - Filters and shows only Group type conversations
8. Search Conversations - Allows a users to search conversations by Room, Staff or Group

 

Starting an SMS Conversation

• You can start a new SMS Conversation by secting the Plus Sign button as seen in the image above
  
  

 

Types of New Conversations:

1. New Mobile: Starts a new SMS conversation where you enter a DID (mobile number) not previously used
2. New Contact: Starts a new SMS conversation with a SimplyChat User/Contact
3. New Group: Starts a new group conversation with participants in a group.

 

New Mobile 

Starts a new conversation where you enter a new DID/SMS number that has not been previouisly used before.

1. Enter the recipient's DID/SMS number you wish to communicate with (cell phone number)
2. Select the DID you wish to use to communicate. The recipient will see this telephone number when the text message is sent, and will be replying to this telephone number.
3. DIDs to send messages from can be assigned to individuals or groups. Such a a "Front Desk" Group where everyone in that group will be using the same DID to send messages.
4. Click Create to start the conversation with the entered recipient phone number & selected DID 

 

New Contact

• Starts a new conversation with previously used contact. You can select a contact (circles 1,2, or 3 in the picture below) to resume a chat or start a new one with a previously saved contact. 

• Select Pick Up to take over the chat from another user and begin conversing. (circle 1 in picture below)