***The Forum module is enabled upon request. If it is not currently enabled in your portal, please contact Channeltivity Support to activate it. ***


Before setting up and configuring the Forum, you should first decide how it will be used. If your Partners are collaborative, you can use the Forum to encourage them to share their knowledge and expertise with other Partners as well as provide feedback to help you improve your products and services. If your Partners are competitive vs. collaborative, then we recommend having an Internal User monitor the discussions between Partners. 


Configuring the Forum:


  1. Go to Settings > Portal Customization > Navigation & Custom Pages. 
  2. Click the "Edit" button next to the Forum.
  3. Choose an icon (for the left navigation menu).
  4. Update the name.
  5. Add a Welcome Message.
  6. The default setting for Forum Admin Notifications is to send the notifications to your Portal Support Email. However, you can change this as well as add more recipients by updating the "Recipient(s) of admin email notifications" field with the recipients' email addresses separated by a semicolon. 
  7. Configure the Workflow Settings to meet the needs of your program (See FAQs below for more information). 
  8. Click "Save" to save your changes. 

Navigation & Custom Pages - Edit Forum Screen

                                                    


Creating a Category: 


You can categorize your Discussion Threads using Categories, which allows you to organize topics efficiently making it easier for Users to navigate and find relevant discussions. 


To create a Category: 

  1. Select the Forum from the left navigation menu. 
  2. Click the "New Category" button to create a new Category. 
  3. You'll then enter a Title and Description for the Category > Save.

New Category Window


Creating a Thread:


With your Categories created, you can start engaging with your Partners by adding Threads. 


To create a Thread:

  1. Click on the Category you want to start the Thread in > click New Thread.
  2. Enter the Thread's Title and add your Post. 
  3. Click "Save" to save your changes. 

New Thread Window 


When a User creates a Thread, they are automatically subscribed to the Thread and will receive email notifications about any activity in the Thread. This also applies to Users that comment on the Thread. Users can also subscribe by clicking the  "Subscribe" button on the Thread. 

Forum-Thread


Users can view their subscriptions by going to the “My Subscriptions” tab in the Forum module.

Forum Tab - Navigation Menu


FAQs:


What permissions are available for the Forum module? 

Internal Group Permissions: 

  • Forum Administration: Manage Categories and Threads, moderate discussions.
  • Forum General Access: Create new discussion Threads and comment on existing discussions.
  • Forum Read-Only Access: Read-only access to all discussions.


Partner and Distributor Group Permissions: 

  • Forum General Access: Create new discussion Threads and comment on existing discussions.
  • Forum Read-Only Access: Read-only access to all discussions.


Can Partner Users see posts from other Partner Users in the Forum? 

Any User assigned to a Group that includes access to the Forum will see all posts, including those from other Organizations. 


How do I enable Post Moderation?

Go to Settings > Navigation & Custom Pages > click the "Actions" button next to Forum > Edit. Scroll down to the “Workflow Settings” section to enable Post Moderation. By default, the system will send the email notifications to your Portal Support Email, but you can add additional email addresses by scrolling up to the "Email Settings" section on the page. 

Edit Forum Screen - Post Moderation

 

Who approves posts?

With Post Moderation enabled, System Admins and Internal Users with Forum Administration access can approve posts by clicking Actions > Approve. 

Forum- Pending Post


They can view a list of pending posts by clicking the “Pending Posts” tab under the Forum tab in the left navigation menu. 

Forum Tab - Navigation Menu 



Can I customize the email notifications?

 Yes, you can edit the email notifications by going to Settings > Forum > Form Module Settings.


Who’s notified when a post is approved?

The User that posted to the Forum is notified, and the Users that are subscribed to the Thread are also notified about the new post.


How do I unsubscribe from a Thread?

Users can unsubscribe from Threads by clicking on the title of the Thread > Unsubscribe.  

Forum Thread - Unsubscribe


How do I archive Categories and Threads?

To enable archiving, go to Settings > Navigation & Custom Pages > click the  “Actions” button next to Forum > Edit. Scroll down to the "Workflow Settings" section to enable archiving and choose whether or not you want non-admins to be able to view archived Threads and Categories. 

Edit Forum Screen - Archiving  


Once enabled, System Admins and Users with Forum Administration access can archive Categories and Threads by clicking on the Category or Thread > Actions > Archive title.

Forum Thread - Archive

 

How do I view archived Categories and Threads? 

Users can view archived Categories and Threads by clicking the "View archived Categories" and "View archived Threads" buttons. 

Forum - Categories Screen