The Communications section of the Patron menu allows staff members to send a communication message to multiple patrons and configure message templates. Message templates can be used to send a message to multiple patrons (Bulk Communication) or to just one patron (Patron > Communications).
Viewing Communication Tab Records
When a document or email message is generated (or attempted to be generated) for a patron, the message will be listed in the patron’s Communications tab. For example, if email delivery is attempted for a patron with an invalid email address, an error will occur. A record of that attempted delivery, including a detailed error message, will be listed in the patron’s Communications tab.
Viewing Outbox Communication Records
The Bulk Communication Outbox provides a detailed record of Bulk Email and Document Communication messages. For each message, a user can view a record (and result) of each step of the communication process. For a step involving a patron (such as an email delivery), there is an option to view that patron’s profile.
Transaction Log Communication Records
Communication messages sent via Email are recorded in the Transaction Log (accessed from the Reporting module). Records are available for Emails sent via Bulk Communication and Emails sent directly to a patron via the Communications tab.
When viewing the default Transaction Log view, the TransLog.Transaction_Type column displays details about each step of the Email process—including whether the step was completed successfully or failed. Clicking the View Patron icon navigates to the profile of the patron associated with the step.
When using the Advanced Find function to search for Transaction Log records, the following Communication Message Fields (in the TransLog category) can be used:
•Date_Time
•Patron_ID
•Transaction_Type
•Transaction_Type_ID
•User_Name