Communication

The instructions in this article relate to Communication. The icon may be located on your StrataMax Desktop or found using the StrataMax Search.

Many areas in the program can send e-mails and SMS. Any reports that come to the screen can be e-mailed from StrataMax. There is also a facility to use the e-mail address already stored in some of the areas in StrataMax to send these reports. These areas include Owners, Creditors, Committees, Agents, Others (Applicants) and Account Managers. Instructions are included below to explain how to use the various email functions included in StrataMax.

The StrataMax Support Team enables and configures emailing in StrataMax, which is called Email Server. Once the email server has been installed, each user must have an email address set up via Security Setup.

Check out the Email Deliverability article to learn more about how e-mails work in StrataMax.

Compose E-mail

StrataMax has various ways to pick up the recipient's details if entered into other areas of StrataMax. If you do not record this information, you can manually type or copy & paste the email address into the To... or Bcc... fields. This area is designed to include the contact information for each individual.

1. Clicking the To... and Bcc... buttons will display a contacts list to choose recipients from.
2. Make a selection for Use Preferences Email Address Purpose with the tick box and the address priority.
3. The Recipient Type drop-down list consists of contacts from the following areas:
   • Owners - Roll/Lot Accounts.
   • Other Debtor - Second Debtor / Debtor Maintenance (available from Sub-Group)
   • Letting Agents - Letting Agents added to a lot within the Roll.
   • Tenant - Tenant contacts added to a lot within the Roll.
   • Creditors - Creditor Maintenance.
   • Office Bearers - These are the members assigned in Office Bearers.
   • Applicant - Applicant Maintenance records used for various areas.
   • Resident - Any contact flagged as Owner Occupied in the Roll.
   • Internal Users - Any internal user configured in Security Setup with a valid email address will be available in this area.
4. Click All to tag all Recipients, or select None to remove Tags so that you can select and tag the Recipients as required. 
5. Review the tagged records and click Select. (Use Ctrl + X to untag all; for more keyboard shortcuts, click here)
   
6. Expanding the Filters option will include the Report Distribution filters and allow for these to be included as needed.
7. An e-mail subject can be typed in the 'Subject' field
8. For attachments, see the next section below.
9. In the body of the e-mail, text formatting can be changed using the toolbar above the e-mail body.
   
   
10. Click the Send button to send the e-mail.
    • A warning may appear to notify you if the e-mail is being sent to more than 20 recipients, just as a precaution in case it gets caught by spam filters, and you can choose to continue or not.
      
      

Attachments Menu

You can attach multiple files to StrataMax e-mail, but only one attachment can be added. 

Within the Compose Email window, click the Attachments menu and then one of the sub-menus.

Add File
It will display the usual Windows Open File prompt where you can navigate to the file.

Add from DocMax
It will display the Select Document window in DocMax, and will already display a list of current documents belonging to the building. You can also use the Advanced Search function as well.

Clear
It will remove all of the attachments in the e-mail.

Options Menu

This section covers the various functions and items under the Options menu.

Signature

StrataMax e-mails support signatures, which can be specific to the user or global for all users. Signatures are created and saved in the bottom section of the Compose Email screen, the default screen appearing when you open the Communication menu.

The global e-mail signature is restricted in the Security Setup menu. The permission is 'Edit the global email signature'.

Personal vs Global Signature

The below instructions apply to both a Global Signature and a Personal Signature.

When running any global processes, for example, Levy Generation, Levy Arrears, or distribution of Meeting Agenda Packs, the global signature may be required. If this is the case, then follow step 2 below. A personal signature can be set up and used for any singular emails sent.

To change either to a Personal or Global signature:

1. Click Options > Signature and tick Use Personal Signature option. 
   • When ticked, the personal signature will be used on any e-mails sent from this user, and any changes made to the signature on the screen will only apply to the personal signature.
2. Click Options > Signature and remove the tick from the Use Personal Signature option. When not ticked, the global signature will be used, and any changes made will be saved to the global signature only. 

There are several ways to insert a signature, including images, text, web links, HTML, lines and tables. It also supports multiple font types for your text, which can be copied and pasted from other programs.

Inserting Images

The accepted file format for images are .jpg and .png. Files. Any images that need to be inserted into a StrataMax e-mail signature should be stored in a network folder on a server.

Moving, removing or renaming the file in Windows will remove it from StrataMax.

1. In the signature section, on the Compose Email screen, right-click your mouse and select Insert > Image.
2. In the Href: field, insert the image's file path, including the image name.

An easy way to do this is to use a handy Windows feature called Copy as path. To use it, hold the keyboard Shift key and right-click the file. This will copy the entire file path so you can simply paste it into the Href: field. However, the double quotation marks need to be removed.

For example, for the above image, the text in the Href field should be the following:

3. In the Text: field, placeholder text can be typed, which can be whatever is needed - it doesn't need to be the image file name.
4. Align the Image by clicking the drop-down arrow and selecting the preference.
5. Click the Insert Image button, and the image should appear in the signature section.
6. Click Options > Signature > Save Signature.

Inserting Text, Lines, Web Links

Text

1. Right-click in the signature section and select Insert > Text.
2. In the Enter Text field, type in the required text and click OK.

Line

1. Right-click in the signature section and select Insert > Line.
2. Click and drag the line to the required location.

Web Link

1. Type the text you want to link, then highlight it with your mouse.
2. Right-click the text and select Insert > Web Link.
3. Type the full web address in the Href: field, including the http:// at the beginning.
4. Click the Insert Href button, and the text should change to blue and be underlined.

Inserting HTML

Inserting HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is for being able to consistently enclose tags within angle brackets and write scripts to enable the display of a signature. We recommend having at least some understanding of HTML coding when using this; however, it's not essential.

1. In the Communication window, select Options and make sure 'Use HTML' is ticked.
   
   
2. Right-click in the signature section in the bottom section of the Communication window, and select Insert > Html.
3. Paste the required HTML and click OK.

Outlook Signature HTML

It can be handy to copy and paste the HTML from an existing signature, such as your email client (Outlook). The location of your Outlook signature will depend on which version of Windows you are using and the version of Outlook.

However, if you have Outlook 2013, 2016, or 2019 installed, you can open the Signature folder like this:

1. In the Outlook main screen, click File in the top left.
2. In the File menu, select Options.
   
   

3. In the Options menu, select Mail, then hold the keyboard Ctrl key and left-click the Signatures... button.
   
   

5. Once located, right-click the signature file, hover your mouse cursor over Open, and click Notepad.
   
   
6. Once Notepad opens with all the HTML, select all the text and copy it.
7. Now back in StrataMax, right-click in the signature section in the Communication window, and select Insert > Html.
8. Paste the HTML and click OK.

Inserting a Table

Inserting a table can assist with the alignment of an email signature. To insert a table into the signature:

1. Right-click in the signature section and select Insert > Table.
2. After changing the Caption, Table, and Cell Properties, click Insert.
3. To change the table, right-click on it and select Table > Properties.

Charging

The charge options in the Communication menu will only apply to e-mails and SMS messages sent manually. Automated communications will be charged as per the settings in the Disbursements Setup menu.

Record Set
Will record only a single e-mail or SMS sent from the Communication menu, regardless of how many recipients are in the To... field. For example, one e-mail to fifty recipients will only record a single e-mail or SMS.

Record To Each Recipient
Will record every e-mail sent from the Communication menu, for each recipient. For example, one e-mail to fifty recipients will record all fifty e-mails.

Record Each Page
Will record each page of an attachment sent through the Communication menu.

Communication Setup

1. Search or select Communication  menu.
2. Click Options > Communication Setup.

Communications Sender Details

The Sender Name and Email Address are configured under Security Setup, you may need to discuss with your StrataMax Administrator in your office to arrange for this detail to be updated.

1. Sender Name (User Setting configured under Security Setup): The name that will appear as the sender in the recipient's e-mail client.
2. Email address (User Setting configured under Security Setup): The e-mail address that the e-mail will appear to be from.
3. SMS Email (User Setting): The e-mail address that will appear as the sender on the SMS at the recipient's end.
4. Personal Signature (User Setting): Tick to enable insert the personal signature for all e-mails. This is effectively the same as clicking Options > Signature > Use Personal Signature.
   
   
5. Use HTML: Allows the formatting and framework of an email to be displayed in a graphic / link supported message type.
6. Email Receipt: Requests an email receipt for emails sent manually from the system. This does not include global or bulk functions like Levies or EFTs Remittance Advices.

Installation (Pausing and Delay Messages)

1. Pause Messages by Default: Will allow emails and faxes to be viewed in the Communication Log, and will not be sent without manual confirmation.
2. Delay Messages: Will place a delay on all emails sent within StrataMax. It should be used in conjunction with the Delay Message Time field. Any emails that are subject to a delay, will appear with a ready Status in the Communication Log until the delay timer expires.
3. Delay Message Time: Used in conjunction with the above setting. The field format is in days.hours:minutes:seconds.

Auto Phone Dialer

1. External Access Number: 
2. Phone ID: 
3. Phone Number: 

Set Default Font

This opens the Font window where the default font for the body of the e-mail can be chosen.

1. Select the Font.
2. Select the Font Style.
3. Select the Size.
4. Select the Script (Western is the default).
5. Check that the Sample looks like what is required.
6. Click OK.

Use HTML

This is ticked by default and is recommended. By removing the tick, the editing toolbar in the Compose Email window will disappear. See step 5. in the Compose E-mail section at the top of this article.

Receipt Required

When ticked, a delivery receipt will be requested from the e-mail recipient. Similar to the Request a Delivery Receipt setting found in Outlook.

Check Spelling

StrataMax can also check the spelling of emails before being sent. Just click this option right before click the Send button.

1. If any misspelled or unknown words are detected, it will display the content of the e-mail, with any unknown/misspelled words in red.
2. To change the word you can either type the replacement word manually into the Replace with: field or click one of the words in the Suggestions: field, then click the Replace button.
3. Click the Replace All button to replace this word throughout the whole email.
4. Clicking Ignore or Ignore All ignore the spelling error.
5. Clicking Add will add the word to the dictionary and it will no longer be flagged as an incorrect word in future emails from the Communications menu.
6. The Options will display the general options available for how the dictionary in StrataMax works and what configuration is available.

View Log

The Communication Log displays a history of any email that has been sent from within StrataMax. This includes emails that were sent manually or via various processes, such issuing of levies. This can be used to check email addresses and dates for troubleshooting emails that an owner claims they didn't receive for example.

The top section displays a list of emails in a table with various headers. An important header to make a note of is the Status header. Different Status' have different meanings, which affect which actions can be performed on that email. The bottom section contains the body of the email.

1. From with the Communication window, click File > View Log.
2. Use the filters on the right side:
   • Date from: and Date to: fields to select a date range.
   • From: Current User tick box should not be ticked to display e-mail from all StrataMax users.
   • Limit to # emails field to display a certain number of emails.
   • Recipient: field to enter part of or the whole name of a recipient, which will search the Recipient column after clicking the Refresh button.
3. The body of the email will be displayed in the bottom section of the screen.
4. The Attachment field in the top right will display any files that are attached to the email selected from the list. Double-click the file to open it, or click the View Attachment button.
   
   
5. Right-clicking an email in the list will display a sub-menu with contextual options, so some of them won't always be available :
   

Send
Will send an email that has a Status of ready, or if it has a status of Sent it will ask you if you would like to send it again.

Edit
Will let you edit the body of an email that has a Status of ready or paused. The editing is done in the bottom section of the screen, and the Save Changes button must be clicked before sending the email. Click the Cancel Edit button to discard any changes.

Delete
Will place the email into a deleted Status. A confirmation will display before deletion. If the email was previously in a ready Status, it will not be sent after the delay expires.

Pause/Resume
Changes an email Status of from ready to paused, or vice versa.

View Log Messages
Displays a more detailed breakdown of the different stages of the email.

Print
Will print the body of the email. The Windows printer dialogue will appear first to let you change any preferences.

View Log | File Menu

Export to file
Exports the current log to a .xml file, which can be opened in Excel.

View all errors
If there are any errors in the log, using this option will open a new window with only the e-mails that have errors.

Resend Todays Failed Messages
Will attempt to resend any messages that failed that day.

Search Logs

This menu has been designed for users to locate specific emails by apply filtering criteria and narrow down the searches to specific buildings and/or users. Columns, Sort Order, and the maximum number of results can be limited from 10 to unlimited. Results can be restricted with the following fields:

• Building Number
• Date/Time
• From
• Id
• Receipt Requested
• Send Delay After
• Send Status
• Subject
• To
• Type
• User (This will only be available if the user searching has permissions to search other users)

1. Open the Communication menu and click File > Search Logs.
   • By default, some Filters are already added, so if those meet your requirements, simply click the Refresh button.
   • If more Filters need to be added, proceed to the next step.
2. Click the green 'plus' button to add another filter or the red minus button to remove a filter.
   • Select the required Field from the drop-down list.
   • Select the relevant Condition, which is dynamic and will vary depending on which Field you have selected.
   • Select the appropriate Value, which is dynamic and will vary depending on which Field and Condition you have selected.
3. Click the Advanced button to reveal these tabe:
   • Columns lets you choose which columns you'd like displayed in the results window.
   • Sort Order lets you choose the order in which you'd like your results displayed. Newest to Oldest, by building number, etc.
   • Advanced has a drop-down menu to choose Maximum Number of Records to Retrieve, varying from 10 to unlimited.
4. After clicking the Refresh button, the results will be displayed.
5. Click on one of the e-mails to display its contents as well as a links to any attachments in the preview window on the right.
6. Click the Export button to export the table of results to Excel.

SMS Functionality

To enable the SMS functionality within StrataMax you will need to establish an account with a telecommunications service provider to send a message. The StrataMax Support team will then need to configure the provider's IP address to forward emails to for conversion into SMS messages. The service provider then forwards these messages to a mobile phone as an SMS.

When speaking with the service provider, please be fully aware of the costs involved in sending messages via SMS, as costs vary depending on the account type as well as how many SMS you plan on sending each month. All charges to both the building and the recipient should be confirmed at the time of arranging an account with a telecommunication service provider. 

This option must be investigated to its full potential for integration between StrataMax and the SMS service provider to ensure connectivity. 

Important information for sending an SMS through StrataMax:

• There is no Subject line on an SMS message, only text from the body of the email window.
• Formatting will not be kept; like standard SMS messages, it will be treated as one line, as this is how the recipient will receive it.
• The Report Distribution window will allow multiple buildings to send an SMS based on the SMS template set.

• The alternative method is available via the Communications menu, which is a per building option.

To initiate the SMS option, please e-mail the StrataMax Support Team at support@stratamax.com.au

See the SMS Broadcast website for more information: https://www.smsbroadcast.com.au/