SMOKEBALL INTEGRATION GUIDE
| The PI Point Smokeball integration connects your Smokeball Matters to PI Point's nationwide network of licensed private investigators and process servers. Post assignments from a Matter, message providers, exchange documents, and track progress in one workspace. Supported updates are written back to the Matter as folders, memos, and tasks. |
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Open Your PI Point Smokeball Matter Workspace
Connect your Smokeball firm, select a Matter, and open the PI Point workspace for that Matter.
| Before you begin: Have your Smokeball username and password available. Your firm may require an owner or administrator to authorize the initial connection. |
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First-time access
1. Open PI Point for Smokeball
From the PI Point listing in the Smokeball Marketplace, select Visit Website. You can also open the connection page directly: app.pipointsolutions.com/integrations/smokeball/open
2. Connect your Smokeball firm
On the PI Point for Smokeball page, select Connect Smokeball.
3. Sign in and authorize PI Point
Sign in with your Smokeball firm credentials when prompted. Review the requested permissions, then authorize PI Point.
4. Confirm the connected firm
Smokeball returns you to PI Point. In the Connection status panel, confirm the correct firm and Smokeball user are shown.
5. Choose a Smokeball Matter
Open the Smokeball Matter list and select the Matter you want to work with.
6. Open the Matter workspace
Select Open Matter Workspace. The workspace opens for that Matter, with the Matter name and a Matter selector at the top.
Return quickly next time
Use either option for faster repeat access.
Option 1: Save a browser bookmark
Open the connection page, save it with your browser's bookmark control, then open the bookmark, choose a Matter, and select Open Matter Workspace. If Smokeball asks you to reconnect, sign in and authorize PI Point again. app.pipointsolutions.com/integrations/smokeball/open
Option 2 (Recommended): Save PI Point to your home screen
Install PI Point from your browser and open it from its own icon on a desktop or mobile device, with no app store.
Chrome or Edge: select the Install icon in the address bar, or choose Install PI Point from the browser menu.
iPhone or iPad: open the page in Safari, select Share, then Add to Home Screen.
Android: open the browser menu and select Install app or Add to Home screen.
Open the icon, choose Smokeball, then your Matter, and select Open Matter Workspace. Once in, switch Matters from the selector at the top of the workspace. Reconnect Smokeball if authorization has expired.
Post an assignment
The assignment stays linked to the Matter shown at the top of the workspace.
1. Confirm the Matter
Check the Matter name at the top. To change it, use the Matter selector at the top right.
2. Open Post Assignment and choose the service
Select the Post Assignment tab, then choose Investigator or Process Server. The form shows only the fields for that service.
3. Enter the assignment details
Complete the required fields and add general notes. Notes appear on the Assignments Board, so keep them non-sensitive.
Investigator
Case type: One is required. Add more only if they describe the same assignment.
Dates: A due date alone is fine. Add start and end dates only for a real operating window.
Workload: Select the requested surveillance hours and expected witnesses or interviews, if applicable.
Process Server
Prefill: Choose a party in Location from a Matter party to fill the ZIP, city, and state.
Recipients: Add each recipient separately, and confirm the location, serve-by date, service method, document type, and page count for each.
Serve speed: Choose Standard, Expedited, Same Day, or Post. Suggested rates are location-based guidance only. Final terms are agreed directly with the member.
4. Review and post
Check the Matter, service, location, dates, and notes, then select Post Assignment to PI Point. It appears in the Assignments tab.
5. Review interested members
When a member expresses interest, open their entry to see their profile, availability, and proposed rate. Select Assign only after confirming the fit.
6. Add handoff details and assign
In the handoff dialog, add confidential names, addresses, phone numbers, and vehicles. Choose a Matter contact to prefill, and every field stays editable. Select Assign Member, or skip them with Assign Without More Details. These details are shared only with the member you assign.
Work the assignment
Messages: Message the member from the Messages tab. Select Request Status Update for a quick progress check.
Documents: Upload to the assignment in the Documents tab. Members' reports and affidavits appear there too. Use Add from Google Drive or OneDrive to bring files in, and Save to Drive or OneDrive to copy them out.
Attempt check-ins: When a process server checks in, you see the time, a map of the location, and a record of the attempt.
Payments: Review invoices and payment status in the Payments tab.
Complete: In the Assignments tab, under In Progress, select Mark Completed when the work is done.
Sync your calendar
The Calendar tab shows your assignments by month, week, day, or agenda, and can copy them to the calendars you already use.
Connect: Select Connect Google Calendar, Connect Outlook Calendar, or Connect iCloud Calendar. You can connect up to three Google and three iCloud accounts per login.
Sign-in: Google and Microsoft open a pop-up. Close it when it says Connected. iCloud uses your Apple ID and an app-specific password.
Choose what syncs: Select Mine for assignments you posted, or All of the firm's.
Changes: If you change an assignment date in your calendar, the assignment updates and the assigned member is notified.
What appears in Smokeball
Folder: PI Point creates a PI Point Transfers folder in the Matter, with a subfolder for each assignment. Synced documents and process server attempt records are stored there.
Memos: Each step is added to the Matter's Memos with a date and time: posting, interest, assignment, messages, documents, check-ins, and completion.
Tasks: Each new message, document, and check-in adds a Smokeball task that can be assigned for follow-up.
Important workflow notes
Matter context: The workspace is Matter-specific. Switching Matters changes the assignments, documents, messages, and payments shown.
Posting is not assigning: Posting makes the assignment visible to eligible PI Point members. Nobody is assigned until you select a member.
Keep sensitive details separate: Don't put names, addresses, phone numbers, or documents in general notes. Add them in the handoff dialog when you assign.
Connection interruptions: If Matters stop loading or the workspace asks for authorization, return to the connection page and reconnect. Existing assignments stay linked to their Matters.
Questions or support
Submit a ticket from the Support tab in your workspace or in the PI Point application, or email support@pipointsolutions.com.