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Scheduling - Notifications Need Done Better
Idea shared by Curtis Kropar www.HawaiianHope.org - 5/17/2024 at 5:08 PM
Proposed
(edit * I Originally posted this back in May, I am updating and adding to it as this still needs resolved.)
We are using SmarterMail (then May 8797) now 8930. In the calendar scheduling - I keep missing meetings (AARRRGGHHH !!!!). The pop up reminders are NOT working out.  On Smarter Mail v14, it was MUCH better. Meeting Pop Up reminders were a full window that popped up and stayed open in the middle of the screen till you closed it. 
It was a good "get your attention - THIS IS IMPORTANT !" reminder.  

On this newest version of smartermail, pop up reminders are like an apologetic timid little mouse hiding in the corner afraid to look at you. If you are not sitting in front of the computer when the alert happens, and looking right at it, you miss it. - Go get a cup o coffee - miss the alert.  go answer the front door - miss the alert. Swing your chair around to answer the phone - miss the alert. 
I use 3-4 monitors on most of my desks. I am sure others do too. Look at this screen shot. that tiny alert hiding in the corner and it only stays there about 15 seconds.
The current alert pop up is quite useless.


AND the email notification appears to only send to the person that scheduled the meeting or event. Since we have multiple calendars set up (volunteers, donation drop offs, Off Site Events) none of those appointments actually send an email notification that I can see.  

What is needed is : 
1) Put back the v14 style alerts as an option that can be turned on. 
  • ( * ) Turn On Old style "Full Window" Schedule Alert Pop Up.
  • ( * )  Alert Should stay open till I manually close It.
2) ADD a preset / default option, per account
  • ( * )  "Always Send Email Notifications"  
    • so we do not have to manually turn it on every single meeting.
3) ADD an open text box next to "Email Notifications" to be able to add in additional email addresses to be notified. - This would enable us to get text messages on our cell phones as alerts to remind us of REALLY important appointments, and including appointments that are not scheduled on our own calendars. 

If you did not know, all text messaging are actually emails being sent from phone to phone. (phone_number@serviceProvider.abc) And it works through email the same way. I have an email account set up called "alert_cell@ourdomain" and that email account forwards all of our critical alerts to my text messaging on my cell.  This way I can set inbound text messages of a critical nature to something like Sam Kinison screaming to get my attention on my cell phone.  If we can get Open Text box for additional emails added into smarter mail to be able to include a random email address as reminders, this would solve a major issue.

www.HawaiianHope.org - Providing technology services to non profit organizations, low income families, homeless shelters, clean and sober houses and prisoner reentry programs. Since 2015, We have refurbished over 11,000 Computers !

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1
Bump
www.HawaiianHope.org - Providing technology services to non profit organizations, low income families, homeless shelters, clean and sober houses and prisoner reentry programs. Since 2015, We have refurbished over 11,000 Computers !
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Yea, Bump again.  I just missed my state level board meeting yesterday for an international organization because there was no real visible reminder. Nothing to grab my attention and say YO GOOFBALL ! YOU GOT A MEETING !
www.HawaiianHope.org - Providing technology services to non profit organizations, low income families, homeless shelters, clean and sober houses and prisoner reentry programs. Since 2015, We have refurbished over 11,000 Computers !
1
HAve you tried the EAS on mobile devices?? I have a fullscreen reminder on my tablet and phone and in outlook too.


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+1

I agree, SM need a better way to alert users...
Gabriele Maoret - Head of SysAdmins at SERSIS Currently manages 6 SmarterMail installations (1 in the cloud for SERSIS which provides services to a few hundred third-party email domains + 5 on-premise for customers who prefer to have their mail server in-house)

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