Introduction

FTE Tree provides two messaging systems to help you communicate with your organization's users: dashboard messages for organization-wide announcements, and system messages for targeted notifications.

Dashboard Messages

Dashboard messages are displayed on the dashboard of your users and are a convenient way to communicate with them. For example, you may create a dashboard message containing specific instructions on how to create a position request, or information on your upcoming budget process.

Creating Dashboard Messages

Dashboard messages can be created and edited in your organization's settings. The following fields are available:

  • Title: The title of the message displayed on the user's dashboard.

  • Message Priority: Three levels of priority are available and are used to sort the order in which they are displayed:

  • Alert: A message that shows at the top of the dashboard with a red alert flag. Used for unique or high importance messages.
  • Sticky: A message with a yellow tag.

  • Regular: A typical message with no alert tag.

  • Message Start and End Date: These are the dates over which the message will be displayed. You may leave the End Date blank to leave a message up permanently. Alternatively, you may use a Start Date in the future for a new message to be displayed automatically on that date.

  • Message: The message content shown when the user clicks on the message detail link on the dashboard. This is optional.

  • File Attachments: You may attach files for reference. These will be displayed when the user clicks on the message detail link on their dashboard. To delete a file attachment, click on the delete checkbox next to the file name and press 'Save Changes'.

  • User Can Archive: This value defaults to True, and allows your user to 'archive' the message and hide it on their dashboard. Disabling this option means the message will always be displayed and the user cannot hide it. Users may un-archive any messages at any time.

You may permanently delete a message by navigating to the update form and pressing 'Delete'. Please note this is irreversible.

System Messages

System messages provide a way to send targeted notifications to specific users within your organization. Unlike dashboard messages which are broadcast to all users, system messages are delivered to selected recipients.

Message Features

  • Subject and Body: Each message has a subject line and body content. The body supports HTML formatting for rich content.

  • Recipients: Select one or more organization users to receive the message.

  • Acknowledgment: Messages can be configured to require acknowledgment from recipients. When acknowledgment is required, a custom button label can be set (defaults to "Archive"). Recipients must explicitly acknowledge the message before it can be dismissed.

  • Dashboard Display: Messages can be configured to appear on the recipient's dashboard for increased visibility.

  • Attachments: Files can be attached to messages for recipients to download.

  • Links: URLs can be included with the message, displayed as named links for easy access.

Managing Messages

Recipients can perform the following actions on messages they receive:

  • Read: Messages are marked as read when viewed.
  • Acknowledge: If required, click the acknowledgment button to confirm receipt.
  • Archive: Remove the message from the active inbox. Archived messages can be restored at any time.

Email Notifications

FTE Tree sends email notifications for important events such as approval requests, invitation reminders, and system alerts. Users can manage their email notification preferences through their user profile.

Your organization's administrators can also configure email behavior, including reminder frequency and back-off intervals, through the approval settings and organization user settings.

Need Help?

If you have questions about messaging or notifications, please contact us or email us at support@ftetree.com.