Send messages to internal staff members

The Client Portal is a versatile tool that serves as both an external communication platform and an internal communication hub.

In addition to easily sending messages and sharing files with individual users or groups within your firm, you can create channels to keep everyone up-to-date and on the same page. 

Learn how to use the Client Portal for your firm's communication needs.

Starting an internal conversation or group chat

The Client Portal allows you to collaborate and internally message other firm members. This will help keep all correspondence with staff in one place.

Direct messaging is available on the Communicate Android and iOS apps as well as within Smokeball. 

To start an internal message:

1. Select Messages from the main Smokeball window.
2. Select the Plus icon in the Direct Messages section.
3. Tick one or more staff members from the list, then select Go.
   
4. The conversation window will open in the Messages tab, where you can send messages or files to your recipients. 

Like in a conversation with your client, you can view files shared and pinned messages from the Files and Pinned tabs.

Internal Direct Messages can also be viewed from the Communicate Mobile App.

Loop in staff members on a matter

With the Client Portal, you can easily collaborate with other firm members and send internal messages about specific matters. This ensures all correspondence and activity related to a particular matter stays within Smokeball.

You can access the Internal Matter Conversations feature on both the Android and iOS apps as well as within Smokeball.

1. Open a matter file and select the Messages tab.
   
2. Select the plus icon under Internal Matter Conversations.
3. Tick the staff you wish to message, then select Create.
   

The internal conversation will be accessible from the left-hand panel of the matter file at any time. They can also be accessed from the Communicate Mobile App.

Start a message channel

Use channels to start a conversation around a specific purpose or topic, ranging from firm-wide alerts to social event planning.

Firm users can create, join or leave a channel. All participants of a channel will get an unread notification when a new message is sent.

To create a channel:

1. Select the Messages tab from the main Smokeball window.
2. Select the plus icon under the Channels section on the left-hand panel.
3. Create a channel name, select the staff you want to include in the channel.
   
4. Select Go.

From the left-hand menu in the Client Portal, you will see the 10 most recent channels. As new messages are received, the list will refresh.

Search for a channel

If you are looking for a specific channel, select the magnifying glass to search or browse through all channels.

Add or remove users from a channel

To add or remove users from a channel, select the three dots on the top-right corner of the channel window, then select Manage Participants. You can also rename the channel from this screen.

Channels are also available on the Communicate Mobile App.