From version 1.00.24.175 (or later) it is possible to initiate a WhatsApp conversation from within Influence.
It relies on you having a WhatsApp account, and a suitable Device (normally a mobile phone) that you can link to the WhatsApp via the Web.
NOTE: With this feature WhatsApp conversations can be initiated from within Influence, but rely on a connected device (e.g. Mobile Phone) in order to work. The conversations themselves are not logged or recorded within Influence, and will be stored as part of the conversation within WhatsApp itself, not within Influence. IMPORTANT: The 'WhatsApp Web' feature does not work with the macro manager (⚙️ at the top of the screen) so you will not be able to start/send multiple WhatsApp conversations as a 'batch' [It will never do this, as it is opening a single conversation on your phone/device.] Put simply, this feature only opens WhatsApp web via your web-browser from within the database, without the need to go into a separate browser. |
Contents (click an item to jump to the section)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
System Setup (Parameters)
If you are using the simple 'URL' generation for WhatsApp, then there is a parameter which should be set
| PARAMETER | Details |
| WhatsApp Mode Url or API* | Set to U when using the simple 'WhatsApp' web mode. When using simple (URL) mode, it is only possible to open a chat with 1 person at a time; WhatsApp messages cannot be used in Macro Manager and will display a warning that this mode cannot be used in Macro Manager A (API Mode) - This is for use with WhatsApp business, but is not currently implemented. |
* The API setting is for future development use and is currently not relevant.
{In future, the API mode will allow use of WhatsApp Business. When using WhatsApp business there will be charges - imposed by WhatsApp - for the use of messaging, and strict rules regarding messages, and message windows.
It is likely that the API will allow use of 'batch' messages sent via the Macro Manager. }
1. How it Works
Very Simple.
Just go to a Candidate (or Contact) in the system, and click the WhatsApp icon next to their Mobile No.
The system will open a web browser with the link https://wa.me/xxxxxxxx where xxxxxxxx is the mobile No.
It then opens WhatsApp Web (or the WhatsApp program if you installed it on your PC)
You can then chat/Msg as you normally would on your Phone/Device, just using your PC screen and keyboard.
See below
All conversations started in this way are stored on your WhatsApp account only, and do not create a journal or record the chat details in Influence.
| Detailed Info When you click the icon it will open a screen where you can click Continue to Chat If your phone/device is already linked, then it will open WhatsApp and you can chat as you normally would.  If you don't have WhatsApp installed or haven't linked your phone yet, just click the Download option to install it (or use WhatsApp Web) That's it. You can now chat via WhatsApp like you normally would. |
IMPORTANT For help with WhatsApp please see their documentation and support articles. Influence is not the support team for WhatsApp. |
Opt out of WhatsApp via Consent Centre
Candidates can opt out of being contacxted via WhatsApp.
Just click the padlock to open the Consent Centre, and record they do not want to be contacted in this way.
The WhatsApp icon will then change to a padlock, and will be prevented from within the database.
2. Clarifications
When using WhatsApp from within Influence, please be aware of the following clarifications.
| NOTE: When using the simple URL (WhatsApp Web) feature, will only work for starting a WhatsApp conversation with an individual; you can only start a WhatsApp conversation with one contact at a time. The feature does not work with the macro manager (⚙️ at the top of the screen.) so you cannot start/send multiple WhatsApp conversations as a 'batch'. |
a) WhatsApp conversations are not recorded in Influence. All WhatsApp communication is stored and recorded in your individual WhatsApp account, linked to the device which you registered.
For example, if there were 3 influence users, each with their own phone/device, then each user who had conversed with the candidate would have their own conversations stored against their own WhatsApp account.
b) Other users will not be able to see these WhatApp conversations unless you share an account/device.
c) Any problems with WhatsApp, or any WhatsApp applications are not supported by Influence. All that is happening is that the system is generating a web link in the format https://wa.me/nnnnnnnnnn (Where nnnnnnnnnn is the relevant mobile phone No.) Clicking the web link will open the relevant web page, but from that point onward, everything is handled by WhatsApp.
You can 'test' the web link by simply opening any Web Browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, etc.) and typing the web link directly into the address bar.
3. Troubleshooting
When using WhatsApp from within Influence, please be aware of the following clarifications.
Invalid Mobile Numbers / +44....
The Mobile No, field of the candidate record can contain the mobile in a variety of formats, such as 07890 123 456 or +44 7890 123 456
Howver, some number are invalid (e.g. +44 7123 123 456) - and if you try to pas that to whatsApp web, you may get a message like below, informing you the number is invalid.
4. Whatsapp Desktop App
Whatsapp desktop app should not be installed on Remote Desktops Servers:
* WhatsApp do not support deployment on RDS servers no matter the operating system and recommend to only use the browser version.
* it can only be installed per person. Any future updates would also need to be installed the same way
* A number of WhatApp users have complained that the desktop app dose not have the same features as the browser version
* When an update is required it will often stop the app from working until installed
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