The PI Point integration connects your Smokeball Matters with PI Point's nationwide network of licensed private investigators and process servers. From a Matter, you can create assignments, coordinate securely with providers, exchange documents and messages, track assignment progress, and keep everything organized in one connected workflow.
Every assignment is linked back to its originating Matter, which cuts down on duplicate data entry, keeps communication centralized, and syncs supported updates back into Smokeball — giving your team a complete, accurate record of investigative and process service activity.
Before you begin:
Have your Smokeball username and password ready.
Your firm may require an owner or administrator to authorize the initial connection.
Connect Smokeball and open a Matter workspace (first-time access)
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 to connect to your firm.
4. Confirm the connected firm
After authorization, Smokeball returns you to PI Point. Check the Connection status panel and confirm that the correct firm and Smokeball user are shown.
5. Choose a Smokeball Matter
Open the Smokeball Matter list on the PI Point page and select the Matter you want to work with.
6. Open the Matter workspace
Select Open Matter Workspace. PI Point opens the workspace associated with the selected Smokeball Matter.
Return quickly next time
Once you're connected, choose either option below for faster repeat access to your PI Point Smokeball Matter workspace.
Option 1: Save a browser bookmark
Bookmark the PI Point for Smokeball page: app.pipointsolutions.com/integrations/smokeball/open
Open the bookmark — if your Smokeball connection is still active, your firm and available Matters load automatically. Choose the Matter you want to open.
Select Open Matter Workspace. If Smokeball asks you to reconnect, sign in and authorize PI Point again.
Option 2 (recommended): Save PI Point to your home screen
PI Point can be installed from a supported browser and opened from its own icon on a desktop or mobile device, similar to a standard app, without using an app store.
Save or install PI Point. Open the PI Point Smokeball workspace connection page.
Chrome or Microsoft 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 PI Point and select a Matter. Select the PI Point icon from your desktop, Start menu, dock, or mobile home screen. PI Point opens directly to the workspace launcher. Choose Smokeball, then the Matter you want to open. Once authenticated, you can select other Matters from within the workspace.
Select Open Matter Workspace. Reconnect Smokeball if authorization has expired.
Post an assignment from the Matter workspace
Once the Matter workspace is open, posting an assignment is a short guided process. The workspace keeps the assignment connected to the Smokeball Matter shown at the top of the page.
1. Confirm the Smokeball Matter
Check the Matter name at the top of the workspace before entering assignment information. If you need a different Matter, select it from the Matter control at the top of the navigation menu before continuing.
2. Open Post Assignment and choose the service
Select the Post Assignment tab, then choose Investigator or Process Server. The form updates automatically so only fields relevant to that service are shown.
3. Enter the general assignment information
Complete the required case type, location, timing, and general notes.
Keep sensitive details separate. Do not place names, addresses, phone numbers, documents, or other confidential Matter details in general notes. Use the notes field only for non-sensitive information that is appropriate for the Assignments Board. Add sensitive details later through Secure Details after you select and assign a PI Point member.
4. Complete the service-specific details
For an Investigator assignment:
Field
Guidance
Case types
One case type is required. Add additional case types only when they genuinely describe the same assignment.
Dates
A due date may be used by itself. Enter start and end dates only when the work has an actual operating window.
Workload
If applicable, select the requested surveillance hours and the anticipated number of witnesses or interviews. Most private investigators require a four-hour minimum, though this isn't always the case — requested hours depend on the assignment and any coordination with the PI Point investigator.
For a Process Server assignment:
Field
Guidance
Recipients
Add each recipient separately and confirm that the location, serve-by date, service method, attempts, document type, and page count belong to the correct recipient.
Serve speed
Choose from Standard, Expedited, Same Day, or Post, based on urgency and jurisdictional requirements.
Suggested rate
This is location-based guidance only, pulled from the service card selected for the recipient. Final rates and assignment terms are coordinated directly with the PI Point member.
5. Review and post
Review the summary for the correct Matter, service, location, dates, recipients, and notes, then select the final posting control. The new assignment appears in the Assignments tab for that Matter.
6. Review interested members before assigning
When a PI Point member expresses interest, open that member's entry to review the complete profile card, availability, proposed rate, and any response details. Assign the member only after confirming the fit.
7. Add secure information after assignment
After a member is assigned, use Secure Details to add confidential people, addresses, phone numbers, vehicles, and documents. Use the workspace's Messages, Documents, Payments, and assignment-status tools for ongoing coordination.
What appears in Smokeball after assignment
Smokeball item
What syncs
Matter folder
PI Point automatically creates a dedicated folder within the native Smokeball Matter once a member is assigned. Documents synced through the workspace, and PNG records generated from real-time, geolocated process-server status updates, are stored here.
Matter memos
Related assignment statuses and activity are added to the Matter's Memos section with date and time stamps, creating a chronological record alongside the case.
Message tasks
When a PI Point message is received, a corresponding item is added to Smokeball Tasks — giving you a second notification path that can be assigned to the right person for response and follow-up.
Good to know
Matter context: The workspace is Matter-specific. Switching the selected Matter changes the assignment, document, message, and payment context shown in the workspace.
Posting is not assigning: Posting makes the opportunity available to eligible PI Point members. No one is assigned until you select a member from the interested-member list.
Connection interruptions: If Matters stop loading, or the workspace asks for authorization again, return to the Smokeball connection page and reconnect. Existing PI Point assignments remain associated with their Matters.
Need more help?
Submit a support ticket from the Support area in the PI Point application, or from within your PI Point Smokeball Matter workspace. You can also contact PI Point Support directly at support@pipointsolutions.com.