Close Balance of Shift
As previously communicated, you have the option to check a box to automatically close the balance of a shift when you sign a member on to a partial shift, eliminating the need to close the rest of the shift manually. This checkbox is unchecked now by default.
- Example: Shift: 0800-2000. Employee scheduled for 0800-1600; the 1600-2000 portion will be closed.
Please contact Support to activate this feature (no charge).
Message Members of Open Standby Shift
We added the option to message members of an open standby shift to provide the same functionality as you have with standard shifts. You will now see an “Email & Text Members of Open Shift” button you can use to communicate an open standby shift to members who are cleared to work that shift.
Telegram for Administrator Messages
A new option using Telegram for members to receive administrator messages has been added to eSchedule. Telegram would replace the text messages for any users who sign up for Telegram and add the eSchedule bot. Please note Shift Notifications will continue to be sent via text and/or email, whichever option is selected in the user’s messaging preferences.
After downloading and logging in to the Telegram app, users would follow these steps to get setup to receive administrator messages through Telegram:
- Add the eSchedule bot by searching for “eSchedule Notifications” and adding the bot
- Type /start then /login followed by your eSchedule email and eSchedule password. For example, /login batt@goeschedule.com pass1234
- You should see “Success! Your Telegram account has been linked to eSchedule”
- To stop receiving administrator messages through Telegram, type /stop. Administrator messages via text will then resume.
Time Clock Authorization
Microsoft sunset Internet Explorer as of June 15th, which means that MAC addresses will no longer be an option for authorizing Time Clock PC’s to allow for clocking in and out. With this change, we have developed a new way to authorize Time Clock PC’s using a Chrome Extension. You can also continue to use your external IP address to allow any computer or mobile device connected to your network to be used as a Time Clock PC.
Please review this video for instructions on using the new Chrome Extension to authorize a Time Clock PC. You can use both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge as supported browsers for Time Clock PC’s. For Edge, when accessing the Chrome Web Store, select Allow extensions from other stores in the banner at the top of the page and then proceed with the installation of the extension and Time Clock PC authorization process.
Mobile App
We continue to make good progress with the development of the eSchedule Mobile App. While we expect there will be bugs we need to work out with the initial release, we have our beta test customers ready to help us make improvements and get the app ready for full release. The app should be ready for beta testing very soon!
Support Chat
We are beta testing a web-based text chat option for reaching out to us for support with a group of our newest customers. Depending on how the test goes we are looking at rolling out Chat for all eSchedule administrators.
Please let us know your thoughts – would you like to be able to chat with eSchedule Support when you need assistance?
