Communication Channel Integrations

The Awardco communications channel integrations feature allows you to process recognitions with your established Awardco recognition programs directly in your organization's preferred communication application. Here we will walk through linking your accounts to these apps and how to process a recognition. 

This integration is only available for Awardco platforms utilizing the recognition programs feature. Slack and Microsoft Teams are currently the only business communication platforms available for social integration with the Awardco platform. 

This article is for Awardco platform administrators. If you are looking for a guide that explains recognizing using the Slack or Microsoft Teams integrations, please see the Sending Recognitions in Slack or Sending Recognitions in Microsoft Teams articles.

Microsoft Teams: Linking your Awardco and Teams Accounts

Step 1 - Adding the Awardco App to Your Microsoft Teams Workspace

In order to connect your organization's Microsoft Teams workspace with your Awardco account, you must have admin permissions in the Awardco platform. If you do not have these permissions, you will need to work with your organization to either obtain these permissions or find individuals who will be able to complete the initial setup on your behalf. 

To begin, log into your Microsoft Teams account and navigate to the Apps tab on the left of the screen. Search for the Awardco app and click on the app to expand the app details. On this page, you will see details regarding the access you are providing the Awardco app in your Microsoft teams workspace, the Awardco privacy policy and terms of use, and you will see the "Add" button that will download this app into your account. Once you're ready, click "Add" to proceed. 

Once the Awardco app has loaded, you will be brought into the app in your workplace. Here, you will be directed to enter your organization's Awardco URL. Once you have entered your platform URL, click "Next." This will check the Awardco servers for the existence of that URL. Once the information you've entered is verified, a "Setup" button will appear. Click this button to proceed. You will be directed out of the Teams application and to an Awardco login page. Login using your Awardco login credentials. 

After logging into the Awardco platform, you will be brought to a setup page with one button. Click "Accept" to link your Microsoft Teams account. Once you see the following success message, you will be ready to go back into your platform to recognize. After returning to the Awardco app, send the message "help" to see what commands are available inside the Awardco app. 

As you are the admin making the connection between these two softwares, your individual account will be automatically linked when you connect the Microsoft Teams workspace with your Awardco platform. There is no need for you to go through the process of connecting your individual accounts outlined below.

Step 2 - Connecting Your Individual Teams and Awardco Accounts

For guidance on connecting your individual Microsoft Teams and Awardco accounts, and for a guide outlining the process by which a recognition is submitted through the Awardco app in your individual Microsoft Teams account, please see the Sending Recognitions in Microsoft Teams article. 

Slack: Linking your Awardco and Slack Accounts

Step 1 - Adding the Awardco App to Your Slack Workspace

Begin by logging into your Awardco account and navigate to the admin section of your account, click Settings, and Integrations. On the integrations page, click the Details button next to the slack logo. 

On this page, click the Connect to Slack button in the integration status section. This button will redirect you to the Slack website to finalize the integration. 

Once you are brought to Slack's site, sign into your account and click Allow on the permissions page. Learn more about the Awardco app in Slack's app directory. 

After clicking "Allow" you will be presented with a confirmation page letting you know the Awardco app has been added to your Slack workspace. Return to your Awardco platform, navigate back to the integrations tab, and click Details next to the Slack logo. Here you will see the integration status has been changed to "Active." Under the "Settings" section on this page, you will be able to change the channel in your Slack workspace where public recognitions will be posted and shared. 

Your Slack workspace can only be connected to one Awardco platform. If your organization uses one Slack workspace and multiple Awardco platforms, you will need to choose one platform to integrate. For questions about this feature, please contact your Account Manager. 

Step 2 - Connecting Your Slack and Awardco Accounts

Open your Slack application and navigate to any Direct Message or Channel. In the message entry field, type "/recognize" and hit enter. Don't worry, sending this command will not send a message. 

Once the command is sent, a message will appear directing you to connect your Slack and Awardco accounts. Click the "Connect Account" button. 

The link will take you to your Awardco platform and will automatically authenticate your connection once you log in. Once you see this second confirmation screen, you are all set up and ready to recognize in the platform. 

Please also note that each individual employee will need to follow the directions in Step 2 to connect their individual Awardco and Slack accounts. You can direct these employees to Send Recognition in Slack to follow setup instructions for a non-admin user. 

Sending Recognitions in Awardco via Slack

Now that your Awardco platform and Slack workspace are connected, you're ready to begin recognizing. To start, go to any channel or direct message, type /recognize and hit enter. When you hit enter, a recognition pop-up will appear and will prompt you to search for the user you would like to recognize. Search for the user, select the user, and click "Submit." The recognition won't be sent just yet, though—the system needs more information before that happens. You can select as many users as you want. 

Remember, this app is an extension of the recognition programs you have configured in your Awardco platform. This means all eligibility rules, limit guidelines, and approval systems you have in place in the platform will be in place in this app as well. This will function exactly like your in-platform recognition programs. If you mess up along the way, just click "Cancel" and start again from /recognize. 

If you are eligible for multiple recognition programs, you will select those here. Review the programs you are eligible for, and click "Choose" on the program you want to use. If you select the wrong program, close out of the recognition window and start again from the beginning. 

Finally, complete the recognition form required for the associated recognition program. If a budget is associated with the program, you will be able to designate the value of the award here. 

When you click "Submit" the recognition will be sent in the channel or direct message you are in and will be processed in your Awardco platform. If approvals are required for the program you selected, the recognition will be placed in the appropriate approval queues. If no approvals are required, you will be able to see your recognition in the platform immediately. 

Please note, submitting a recognition in a direct message does not necessarily mean the recognition will post as private in your Awardco platform.

If you feel this article left your questions unanswered, please submit a Support Ticket so we can get in touch with you.