15 Other Functions

15.1 RSS

It is possible to provide constant and real time updates to all vtenext users through the RSS Feed links available on the web or specially created by the company. vtenext provides the option of choosing from a list of RSS feeds available for users and viewing every available article on the display.

Each RSS feed has a unique address similar to the web URL searched for on the Internet. To see an RSS feed, you must enter this address in vtenext.

15.1 [1].png

15.2 My Sites

This area allows you to view websites of interest directly on vtenext. The system is also very useful for connecting to shipment tracking or communicating with web-based suppliers.

15.2 [1].png

15.3 License and number of users

Since the 19.10 version, and only for On-Site installations, you can see how many users are available for that particular license and how many of them have been activated.

The expiration date of the installed license is also available in the same popup.

15.3 [2].pngLicense on Cloud

15.3 [2].png
License On-Site

15.4 Synchronizations

From vtenext settings the crm synchronization function can be accessed with other applications. The synchronizable platforms available are as follows:

The synchronizable modules are different and based on the chosen platform. The following diagram summarizes which modules can be synchronized.

VTENEXT

 

  • HelpDesk
  • Accounts
  • Contacts
  • FAQ
  • Providers
  • Assets
  • Leads
  • ProjectTask
  • Potentials
  • ProjectPlan
  • Products
  • Services
  • TicketComments
  • Users

Note: This function is essential when linking two vtenext installations, for instance, to synchronize the TEST environment with the PRODUCTION environment.

Warning: The vte authentication password for synchronization with another vte must be defined using its access key and NOT the user’s login password

Hubspot (only cloud version)

  • Trouble Ticket
  • Accounts
  • Contacts
  • Potentials
  • Targets
  • Users

*record deletions from Hubspot to vtenext are not covered

 

N.B. The "scopes". The crm indicates to insert the following "scopes":

image-1663685096632.png

ATTENTION: it is essential to select exactly those indicated, otherwise the synchronization will not work!

Salesforce

  • Trouble Ticket
  • Ticket Comments
  • Ticket Attachments
  • Emails
  • Accounts
  • Campaigns
  • Contacts
  • Installations
  • Leads
  • Potentials
  • Products*
  • Users

SuiteCRM (only on-premise version)

  • Trouble Ticket
  • Accounts
  • Campaigns
  • Contacts
  • Installations
  • Leads
  • Potentials
  • Products*
  • Users

*images are not imported

Jira (only cloud version)

  • Trouble Ticket
  • Project Tasks
  • Projects
  • Ticket Comments
  • Users

vtiger (only cloud version)

  • Trouble Ticket
  • Accounts
  • Contacts
  • Vendors
  • Installations
  • Leads
  • Potentials
  • Products*
  • Services
  • Users

*images are not imported

Magento (only on-premise version 2.4.0)

  • Accounts
  • Currencies
  • Sales Orders
  • Products*
  • Configurable products
  • Taxes

*images are not imported

Prestashop (only on-premise version 1.7.6.7)

  • Accounts
  • Currencies
  • Sales Orders
  • Products*
  • Configurable products
  • Taxes

*images are not imported

Shopify (only cloud version 2019-20)

  • Accounts
  • Currencies
  • Sales Orders
  • Products*
  • Configurable products

*images are not imported

 

ATTENTION: To synchronize Shopify products, it is necessary to also set up the Configurable Products module in the configuration.

WooCommerce (only on-premise version 4.4.0)

  • Accounts
  • Currencies
  • Sales Orders
  • Products*
  • Configurable products
  • Taxes

*images are not imported

Zapier

 

PAY ATTENTION: To properly set up the Zapier connector, it's essential to carefully read the ZAPIER MANUAL provided in Chapter 15.7.

FOTO

Zendesk

  • Trouble Ticket
  • Accounts
  • Ticket Comments
  • Ticket Attachments
  • Users

When accessing the configuration page from SETTINGS > BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGER > SYNCHRONIZATIONS the synchronization to be set and towards which system can be configured with a few simple steps. The page is identical to the page shown in the image below.

15.4 [1].png

View of the synchronizations configuration page

Configuration

  1. The first required action is to choose the External system in the available drop-down menu
  2. Specify the Instance address to which you wish to connect (where required)
  3. Now choose the required synchronization modules from those available and take them to the Selected modules column by means of the right-pointing arrow
  4. Once the operation in step 3 has been completed, a popup will open in which you can select the synchronization method for each of the selected modules (see example in the image below)

    15.4 [2].PNG
    View of the synchronization configuration of the Trouble Ticket module selected in point 3

  5. Enter the authentication data, stating the authentication mechanism Type, Username and Password for login. By clicking on the icon it is possible to have further information to retrieve the data to be entered in the username and password that differ for each synchronizable platform.

image-1616160325840.png

N.B.: synchronization occurs in accordance with the interval set for the crons, which is every minute by default, but which can be subject to variation depending on the number of synchronizations set, other cron processes, and the machine workload.

15.5 Recycle Bin

The crm has a module called Recycle bin which allows to restore every removed entity from every module. Using the research placed in the lower left and typing "Recycle Bin" you will be able to click on the menu item to visualize it.

cestino eng 1.png

Recycle Bin detail

How to restore a deleted record?

Firstly, in the upper right you must select the module form where the record has been deleted (ex. Accounts or Help Desk).

cestino eng 2.png

Module selection from where restore the entities in detail

Once you have selected the module, a list of removed records will appear. From here, you can filter among the provided fields by searching for deleted item.

image-1692888464234.png

Here you can find several possibility:

image-1692888631151.png

  1. By selecting manually different entities it is possible to restore them by clicking on the appropriate button placed in the upper left: RESTORE
  2. It is possible to restore a single entity by clicking the button "Restore" placed on the row of the selected record.
  3. By clicking SELECT ALL placed in the upper left you will select every removed record from the module you have chosen. Then, you can click on "Restore" to restore all the records. If you do this, you will be able to find those records by opening the module itself. 
  4. Eventually, by clicking EMPTY RECYCLE BINEVERY RECORD OF EVERY MODULE WILL BE REMOVED DEFINITELY!

 

15.6 Push Notifications

As soon as the version 23.08 is installed or updated, in the CRM's notification area, you will find the following notice:

With this update, it's now possible to send push notifications to devices using the Wilson app. Each user can select the events to enable on their own device. If you want to provide this functionality to your users, click here to enable the service.

Once you click the link, you will be directed to the SETTINGS > OTHER SETTINGS > PUSH NOTIFICATIONS area.

 

image-1692970370644.png

Push Notifications Page in the vtenext Settings

From this page, you can enable notifications for all CRM users by clicking the ACTIVATE button directly on the right side of the screen.

image-1692970414307.png

Once done, in the AVAILABLE SERVICES area, the status label will change from NOT AUTHENTICATED to AUTHENTICATED. Further down, you will find another section called MOBILE DEVICES, where you will see the list of all devices of users who have chosen to activate vtenext's push notifications from the Wilson app (but we'll see that shortly).

So, once push notifications are activated, you will need to access the Wilson app and proceed as follows:

image-1693382802361.png

Firstly, Wilson will ask to ENABLE push notifications. Simply tap the ENABLE button to activate them. If you choose to enable them 'later', you can always do so from the app settings.

image-1693383125336.png

By clicking on ENABLE, the Wilson app will show us this screen, giving us the option to choose which notifications to enable. Specifically, you can enable notifications for:

2FA

allows receiving notifications for two-factor authentication

Talks

enables receiving notifications for the Conversations module.

CAUTION: A notification won't be sent each time a new conversation is received; they are grouped.

Messages

enables receiving notifications for the Messages module.

CAUTION: A notification won't be sent for every new email received; they are grouped

Process Tasks

allows receiving notifications for process tasks involving the logged-in user

Event Reminders

enables receiving notifications for upcoming Events

Task Reminders

enables receiving notifications for upcoming Tasks

General CRM notifications

enables all generic CRM notifications (by default, this option is disabled due to the potentially high number of push notifications it could generate)

image-1693383933097.png

Additionally, you can configure WHEN TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATIONS, with the following options:

Custom Schedule

allows receiving notifications during user-selected days and hours. For example, you can set to receive notifications from Monday to Friday, between 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM

Always

allows receiving app notifications at all times, any day of the week.

image-1693383358762.png

Here's how the screen for choosing the custom schedule for receiving Wilson app notifications looks:

image-1693383529414.png

Finally, you can enable or disable the app's concurrent usage check. This feature allows vtenext to check if the user is using the app concurrently with the web client. You can set an idle time, so if the user is using the web client and is away from their workstation for a certain number of minutes, as determined by the idle time, they will start receiving notifications on their mobile device. If the web client continues to be used with this option active, push notifications will stop being sent to the mobile device.

image-1693383610835.png

And here is how the interface for selecting the idle time looks. The available options, determined in minutes, are: 5, 10, 15, 30, 60.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.7 Synchronization with Zapier

Zapier is a product that allows end-users to integrate web applications and automate workflows. It enables the connection of various web applications through "ZAPs," which can be customized based on user needs. Zapier functions as a bridge between different applications, allowing the automation of business processes and saving valuable time.

The purpose of this tutorial is to configure the integration with vtenext in Zapier and aftwerwards 2 examples will be shown.

Hot to create an integration with vtenext in Zapier

1. The first step is to go to https://developer.zapier.com/, log in with your Zapier credentials, and click on "Start a Zapier Integration".

image-1688997649695.png

2. It is then necessary to fill in all the fields that the Zapier screen requests.

Example:

Name: vtenext
Description: Integrate vtenext with Zapier
Audience: Private
Role: I have no affiliation with...
Category: CRM

image-1688998674505.png

3. After a successful save message and successful creation, you will be able to configure the type of authentication.

image-1688998892622.png

You should select BASIC AUTH and then click on SAVE accordingly.

image-1688998997284.png

STEP 1: Leave it blank and click on CONTINUE.

image-1688999648720.png

STEP 2: Enter in the test, the POST method, and configure the URL with the following string: https://VTE-URL/restapi/v1/vtews/listtypes (where VTE-URL is the absolute address of your vtenext installation).

image-1689002049644.png

STEP 3: It's time to test the authentication by clicking on the blue "Sign In" button and finally clicking on SAVE & FINISH.

CAUTION: The password to use is the access key of the vtenext user, which can be found in the user's preferences.

image-1689003982494.png

4. Trigger creation

This step is optional, it's necessary only if we want to execute Zapier actions when in vtenext some condition is met (for example, when a Lead is created, or when a condition of a process is satisfied).

Let's add a trigger as shown below:

image-1691677394684.png

Clicking on the CREATE A TRIGGER button will present a screen with some fields to fill in. These fields should be managed based on what you want to achieve with the trigger itself (in the example, it involves intercepting the creation of a new Lead).

image-1691677670950.png

Once all the fields are filled in, click on SAVE & CONTINUE at the bottom of the page on the right.

Immediately after, the following page will appear, where you will need to click on API CONFIGURATION to create a webhook.

image-1691677894652.png

In STEP 1, choose the following parameters:

SUBSCRIBE

  • REST Hook (select it)
  • POST (select it from the dropdown menu, then enter the following webhook, replacing VTE-URL with the correct address of your CRM)

image-1691680316892.png

https://VTE-URL/restapi/v1/vtews/zapier.subscribe
{"module":"Leads","hookUrl":"{{bundle.targetUrl}}","zapid":"{{bundle.meta.zap.id}}"}

In this code, you can replace "Leads" with the module you want to configure.

Continuing the configuration, scrolling down the page, we find the UNSUBSCRIBE option, which should be configured with the following code.

image-1691680531292.png

https://labs2.vtecrm.net:8443/restapi/v1/vtews/zapier.unsubscribe
{{bundle.subscribeData.id}}

Continuing with the PERFORM LIST parameter, you will need to configure the following code:

image-1691681473958.png

https://VTE-URL/restapi/v1/vtews/zapier.perform_list
Leads

Finally, for PAGINATION, there is nothing to configure, and you can click on SAVE API Request & Continue.

image-1691681817484.png

At STEP 2 of the Trigger configuration, nothing needs to be configured.

image-1691682003664.png

At STEP 3 of the Trigger configuration, it is necessary to leave the field in that block empty.

image-1691682110724.png

5. Creating Actions

Also in this case, this step is optional, it's necessary only if we want to execute actions in vtenext when the Zapier trigger satisfies its conditions. Actions available in vtenext are: search of a record, creation, update or deletion.

Moreover, it's possible to only create the actions required by your own integration.

I. Search Action

On the left-hand column, click on the ACTION item, and then on the right, click on the CREATE ACTION button.

image-1691682308455.png

It will open the following screen, which needs to be filled out as shown.

image-1706195800205.png

After completing the fields as shown in the previous image, you can click on SAVE AND CONTINUE. This will allow you to move to the next TAB to configure the INPUT DESIGNER.

image-1691760259231.png

In this screen, click on ADD, choose INPUT FIELD, and the next configuration screen will appear.

image-1691760482484.png

Enter the variables in the appropriate fields as indicated and then click on the SAVE button. This will move you to the API CONFIGURATION tab.

image-1691761672586.png

In this screen, enter the variables as shown. Replace "VTE-URL" with the full address of your vtenext installation. Finally, click on SAVE API REQUEST & CONTINUE.

https://VTE-URL/restapi/v1/vtews/zapier.search
SELECT id FROM Leads WHERE email='{{bundle.inputData.email}}';

In the TEST phase of STEP 2 on this page, enter a valid and existing email address for connection testing.

For the OUTPUT tab:

  1. Use the response from the test data.
  2. Generate output field definitions.
  3. Set the appropriate type for each field.

Finally, click on SAVE OUTPUT & FINISH at the bottom right.

II. Create Action

Click on ADD ACTION to create a new action and fill the Settings tab as the following image:

Screenshot_20240411_145655.png

Click SAVE AND CONTINUE and move to the next TAB, to configure the INPUT DESIGNER, where a new INPUT FIELD should be added and configured in this way:

2024-04-11-15-36-developer.zapier.com.png

Click on SAVE and move to the tab API Configuration and configure parameters in the STEP 1 like this:

Screenshot_20240411_154825.png

https://VTE-URL/restapi/v1/vtews/zapier.create

module = Leads
data = {{bundle.inputData.dataField}}

Clearly, VTE-URL should be replaced with the complete address of your vtenext installation, while the term "Leads" can be replaced with another module, in case you wish to create a different entity (for example Contacts or Accounts). Then click on SAVE API REQUEST & CONTINUE.

In STEP 2, to make a test choose "Raw" and replace all the code with the following:

{
  "inputData": {
    "dataField": {
      "firstname":"Test lead",
      "lastname":"Zapier",
      "phone":"123456789",
      "company":"Test Company Zapier"
    }
  },
  "authData": {},
  "environment": {},
  "subscribeData": {},
  "cleanedRequest": {
    "url": "https://example.com/hook-request-origin",
    "method": "POST",
    "body": {},
    "headers": {
      "Content-Type": "application/json"
    }
  }
}

and click on Test Your Request, which should result in the creation of a Lead with name "Test Lead" and surname "Zapier" in your vtenext instance. Then click Finish Testing & Continue.

In STEP 3 click on Use Response from Test Data and then Generate Output Field Definitions to automatically map the returned fields. Finally, click on Save Output & Finish.

III. Update Action

Click on ADD ACTION to create a new action and fill the Settings tab as the following image:

Screenshot_20240411_155651.png

In the INPUT DESIGNER tab, create 2 fields of type Input Field, with the followinf characteristics:

  1. Key = id, Label = ID, Type = String, Required = yes
  2. Key = dataField, Label = dataField, Type = Dictionary, Required = no

Once created, we should have the following situation:

Screenshot_20240411_155841.png

Move to the tab API Configuration and configure parameters in STEP 1 like this:

Screenshot_20240411_160149.png

https://VTE-URL/restapi/v1/vtews/zapier.update

id = {{bundle.inputData.id}}
data = {{bundle.inputData.dataField}}

Replacing VTE-URL with the full address of your vtenext installation. Then click on SAVE API REQUEST & CONTINUE.

In STEP 2, to make a test choose "Raw" and replace all the code with the following:

{
  "inputData": {
    "id": "2x53",
    "dataField": {
      "phone":"556677"
    }
  },
  "authData": {},
  "environment": {},
  "subscribeData": {},
  "cleanedRequest": {
    "url": "https://example.com/hook-request-origin",
    "method": "POST",
    "body": {},
    "headers": {
      "Content-Type": "application/json"
    }
  }
}

but replacing the "53" at line 3 with the ID of a lead in your installation:

Screenshot_20240411_160633.png

Screenshot_20240411_160758.png

By clicking on Test Your Request you should get a result like the following:

Screenshot_20240411_161033.png

Finally, in STEP 3 click on Use Response from Test Data and then Generate Output Field Definitions to automatically map the returned fields. Click then on Save Output & Finish.

IV. Delete Action

Click on ADD ACTION to create a new action and fill the Settings tab as the following image:

Screenshot_20240411_162620.png

In the INPUT DESIGNER tab, create a field of type Input Field, with the following characteristics:

2024-04-11-16-27-developer.zapier.com.png

Move to the tab API Configuration and configure parameters in STEP 1 like this:

Screenshot_20240411_162822.png

https://VTE-URL/restapi/v1/vtews/zapier.delete

id = {{bundle.inputData.id}}

Replacing VTE-URL with the full address of your vtenext installation. Then click on SAVE API REQUEST & CONTINUE.

In STEP 2 insert as test value the ID of the Lead you wish to delete, in webservice format, so like "2xCRMID", for example:

Screenshot_20240411_163208.png

In this action it's not necessary to configure STEP 3 about the output fields.

Congratulations! The creation of the integration is complete!

You can now configure specifics ZAP to integrate different services with vtenext.


Examples: How to create ZAP

Example 1 - Trigger from vtenext with action in Zapier

in this example we send an email when a Lead is created in vtenext:

  1. Go to https://zapier.com/app/dashboard
  2. Click on Create
  3. Trigger: vtenext, event = new lead, account = use a valid account
  4. Test it, you should get a Lead, click on Continue with selected record
  5. Add an action, for example Email by Zapier -> Send Outbound Email
  6. In this action, configure the fields:
    • To: email address which will receive the email
    • Subject: Lead Created + variables from the email
    • Body: Text of the email with variables

Screenshot_20240411_164935.png

Click on Continue and check if you received the email. Click then on PUBLISH and verify that the Zap is active.

Now, to set off the trigger from vtenext a process containing the call to Zapier must be created.

In the simplest case, the process can have this flow:

image.png

And one of the actions should be of type "Call External Webservice", using the webservice that was automatically created when the Zap was actrivated. The action should be configured as follows:

image.png

In the Raw body the string to use is

$sdk:vte_json_record($1-crmid)

where $1-crmid is the record handled by the process, that we want to send to Zapier

or

$sdk:vte_json_field_string($1-crmid, firstname, lastname, phone, ...) 

To send only some fields. You can choose the ones that interest you the most.

Once the process is active, when the action is executed, Zapier will receive the record and on it the action configured in the Zap will be executed.

NOTE: If the zap is deactivated and recreated, the process must be modified to use the new webservice.


Example 2 - Trigger from Zapier and action in vtenext

In this example, we will try to create a lead in vtenext when an email is sent to a Zapier address:

  1. Go to https://zapier.com/app/dashboard
  2. Clock on Create
  3. Trigger: Email by Zapier ->New Inbound Email
  4. Configure a prefix for the mailbox, for example: testvte.trkbqw@zapiermail.com
  5. Send an email to that address and verify that Zapier receives it
  6. Create a new action: Vtenext -> Create Lead
  7. Use the proper account and configure the fields to send to vtenext, remembering to map all mandatory fields (otherwise the Lead cannot be created), for example:
    Screenshot_20240411_170647.png
  8. Make a test to verify the proper creation of the lead.

Finally, click on PUBLISH.

At this point, by sending emails to that configured Zapier address, leads are created in vtenext.

These are just a few examples of what the integration with Zapier can do. You can try and come up with all the triggers you want! Just think that, using Zapier paths, it is possible to create or update records by searching directly in the attributes of incoming emails. But it's just an example that helps you understand the power of the tool.


Name of the fields in vtenext

In this tutorial several internal field names of vtenext have been used. These names are not normally visible from the web interface, so a special page has been prepared, where all field names can be seen, to be used in integrations using the API.

To see them, go to Settings -> REST Webservices and click on Show:

Screenshot_20240412_095750.png

A popup will open, showing the id of the modules and field names:

Screenshot_20240412_095814.png

15.8 Employees Module

The Employees module allows you to register your employees or co-workers, both internal and external, within vtenext. Every time a new user is created, a new collaborator profile is automatically generated.

The module can be managed like all the others, by modifying the picklist entries for "collaboration type" or by adding new fields as desired.

The default fields, such as First Name and Last Name, as well as all those present in the "User Information" section, cannot be modified through the module. Changes can only be made through "User Preferences." Any modifications made in the user preferences reflect within the Collaborators module.

A collaborator profile can be linked to one of the four profiles present in vtenext: Lead, Company, Contact, or Supplier.

Employee - Administrator [18] - VTENEXT 23.08.png

A practical example of using this module could be to input personal evaluations for each collaborator into a field that's only visible to the Human Resources department (dedicated profile).

In this scenario, the Employees module in vtenext allows the HR team to maintain individual performance assessments for employees or co-workers. This information can be entered into a custom field within the module, specifically designed to store performance ratings or comments. The visibility of this field can be restricted to the HR profile only, ensuring that sensitive performance data is accessible only to authorized personnel.

By utilizing the Employees module in this manner, the company can effectively manage and monitor the performance of its workforce while maintaining data confidentiality and security.

15.9 Klondike Co-Pilot (Your Personal Assistant)

(This plugin is sold separately)

Klondike Co-Pilot is an advanced solution that enhances the capabilities of the vtenext CRM, offering automated and assisted support for managing business processes and customer interactions. This integration aims to improve operational efficiency, reduce human errors, and optimize workflow through intelligent automation and proactive assistance.

Key Features

Where to Find Klondike Co-Pilot

  1. General inquiries (ChatGPT-style)
  2. Internal document inquiries (e.g., an online manual)

    image.png

    image.png

In case 1, you can ask general questions, either related to or beyond the current context, for personal information or customer assistance. Essentially, you can use the conversation as if it were ChatGPT, by selecting Klondike as the user.

In case 2, you can query Klondike to search within specific documents or online manuals that it is linked to. For example, the manual you are currently reading could be connected to Klondike in vte, allowing you to search chapters or topics directly through a conversation.

Conclusion Klondike Co-Pilot for vtenext represents a significant step forward in automating customer relationship management and business processes. With its ability to automate, analyze, and provide real-time support, this tool makes vtenext even more powerful and indispensable for companies aiming for efficiency and excellence in customer service.