Secure Messages Update: Moving Towards Chat-Like Messenger

Recently, we began our quest to improve the interface and user experience of firms utilizing secure messages by reducing the amount of time it takes to send a message by moving new message creation to the right sidebar  the first step towards a better client communication toolset.

Today we go further and introduce the next phase of secure message improvements — messages are now called ‘Chats’. The ‘Chats’ screen has been completely reworked and is now closer to ‘threads’ in tools such as Slack.

Here’s how it works:

1. Just like iMessage, chats are sorted chronologically by most recent response
2. Visual indicators assist to provide context: You can see how many unread messages are in each chat thread as well as the status of client tasks.
   

Chats also provide progress in providing even more information in real-time. In addition to new messages showing without having to refresh the page, important information is also now conveyed directly in the chat thread. If you attach a document or add a client task, it will show in the body of the chat thread as a notification. Coming soon, you will be able to see visual cues of when someone is typing, but has not yet sent a message.

What’s Next?

The changes above are for the firm side, client interface remains unchanged at the moment. However, in future releases similar changes will be rolled out to their view, as well. 

Client interface updates are coming, as well.

We are also in process of rolling out a Mobile Application for Firm Owners & Staff, which will enable you to communicate with your clients quickly and easily from your iOS or Android in a native application.

Sample image of firm mobile app chat view.