2. System Overview
assist:directory is essentially a database of companies/organisations and contacts. These are referred to as 'Directory Members'.
The directory provides a public facing search and a login for directory members to check and update their details. Directory administrators can also login to access a range of 'behind the scenes' features designed to help them keep their directory up to date and communicate with their directory members. assist:directory Help covers these administrative features.
- 2.1. Managing your Data
- 2.2. Communicating with Directory Members
- 2.3. Downloading your Data
- 2.4. Customising your Directory
- 2.5. Regional Systems
2.1. Managing your Data
It is likely that you will have uploaded your existing database of companies or organisations when you first purchased assist:directory. In addition to the pre-loaded records, you can add new members yourself, and people visiting your website can register to join the directory (subject to your approval).
Once companies have been added to your database, their records need to be maintained. You can easily find and update any directory member's record, or the directory member can make updates themselves (subject to your approval).
- Find out more about searching for directory members.
- Find out more about updating the details of directory members.
- Find out more about approving changes made by directory members.
2.2. Communicating with Directory Members
assist:directory offers a powerful mailing feature to enable you to communicate with your members by letter or email.
2.3. Downloading your Data
You can get member data out of your directory in a number of ways. If you want to use the data for reporting, or for use in another application you can download the data in a comma delimited format that can be opened in applications such as Microsoft Excel. If you plan to print your directory you can create a formatted PDF document complete with cover page, introduction and index.
- Find out more about downloading your data to Excel.
- Find out more about creating a print formatted directory.
2.4. Customising your Directory
assist:directory can be customised in a number of ways. You can control who can login to the administrative area for your directory and what they can do once they are logged in by creating and editing user profiles. You can store information specific to your needs by creating custom fields for use on member records, and you can customise the text on automated communications sent from the directory.
- Find out more about creating and editing user profiles.
- Find out more about custom fields.
- Find out more about automatic mails.
2.5. Regional Systems
Depending on how your organisation is set up you may have a Regional System. This divides your data into sub-sections, typically representing geographical regions. You can then control many of the features at a regional level, such as which users are able to manage which regions.
Regional functionality is described in the appropriate sections throughout the help website. If you do not have a regional system this functionality will not be shown, and references to regions in the help can be ignored.