Version 17.2
On this page:
[Show/Hide]- 1. MindLink Mobile for Android
- 2. Configuring
- 3. Logging On
- 4. Automatic Re-connection
- 5. MindLink Mobile for Android Home Screen
- 6. Notifications
- 7. Conversations
- 8. Presence
- 9. LiveStream
- 10. App settings
- 11. Multiple Chat Clients Behaviour
- 12. New Feature Support for Lync 2013
- Appendix
- 1. MindLink for BlackBerry Dynamics (Android)
Introduction
MindLink Mobile for Android is an extension of the MindLink suite, which you can use whilst on the go. It is a secure and real-time collaboration client designed to extend and complement the powerful features of various bases, such as Microsoft Office Communication Server 2007 R2 with Group Chat, Lync 2010 and 2013 and Skype for Business 2015 with Group Chat.
MindLink Mobile allows you to choose which channels you want to take with you whilst away from your desk, enabling you to be at your most efficient when on the go.
MindLink Mobile for Android can be used from a range of devices with OS versions 2 and above.
This document shows usage on MindLink Mobile on the Android device, giving an overview of the various features of MindLink Mobile for Android.
With MindLink Mobile you can:
- View contacts and groups
- Join or import groups from your desktop
- Leave groups
- Find and add contacts
- Send and receive instant messages and alerts and receive links and stories
- Set your presence for others to see your availability
- View of all the activity in your favourite groups
It also explains some of the behaviour of MindLink Mobile for Android, such as the error messages and the behaviour exhibited when multiple clients are being used at the same time.
1. MindLink Mobile for Android
Figure 1a – Home screen MindLink icon
The application icon will be downloaded onto the main screen of the Android device.
Tap on the icon to launch the application.
If you are using a containerised version of the application please refer to the relevant appendix for additional instructions.
2. Configuring
Figure 2a – Screen prompting server details
When the MindLink Mobile app is launched for the first time, you will be prompted to enter the server details into your device (see Figure 2a).
These details are provided by the administrator. For example:
3. Logging On
Figure 3a – MindLink Mobile for Android log on screen
After the initialisation, the log on screen will be shown.
Enter your user name and password to log on. For more options, click on ‘Show advanced settings’.
Before selecting the ‘Log on to MindLink button, it is possible to select any chosen presence state through the advanced settings.
Figure 3b – Advanced settings screen
To avoid having to re-enter your username every time you log on, select the ‘Remember me’ option – Section 3.2
By selecting ‘Disable IM’, you will not be able to receive and initiate one-to-one conversations with contacts.
Only groups will be available to see and converse with – Section 3.3
Figure 3c – Log on presence toggle
Before selecting the ‘Log on to MindLink button, it is possible to select any chosen presence state through the advanced settings.
The options for this are displayed in the toggle box (Figure 3b). See section 9 for further details on ‘Presence’.
3.1 Failure to Log on
Figure 3.1a – Log on failure due to credentials being incorrectly entered
If logging on has not been successful, an error message will appear to alert you of this.
Different error messages will appear according to the reason why log on was unsuccessful.
In this case, the username and/or password has been entered incorrectly, so the log on has failed.
Figure 3.1b– Log on failure due to network coverage
This message shows that the log on has failed due to ‘host details’ or ‘network problems’.
There are several reasons why MindLink Mobile might not be able to connect:
- Your mobile device has been unable to reach the server.
- The internet connection is not sufficient.
- The server is down.
- The server address may be wrong.
- If VPN is required, it could be that VPN is switched off or has not been configured correctly.
3.2 Remember Username
MindLink Mobile has a ‘Remember me’ option. To store your username for future sessions, select the ‘Remember me?’ option before successfully logging on.
3.4 Logging out
Figure 3.4a – Logging out via the menu
To log out, select the More Options button (…) which is located at the top far right of the screen. There is a ‘Log out’ option. Press this to close the application.
A log out warning will appear asking you to confirm.
4. Automatic Re-connection
MindLink Mobile will automatically attempt to reconnect - if it is disconnected at any time.
The amount of time it takes to reconnect depends on the cause of the disconnection.
MindLink Mobile will attempt to reconnect if there is sufficient network coverage, immediately after being disconnected.
MindLink Mobile operates in 2 modes:
- Offline Mode – you will be able to view instant messages, but you will not be able to send or receive new messages. MindLink Mobile will continue to attempt reconnection without any further interaction required, until a connection is made (and Online Mode is activated).
- Online Mode – MindLink Mobile is fully functional.
Figure 4a - Disconnected & Connected message
If you are disconnected, a message will appear below the name of the current view and a red strip will underline the toolbar.
Reconnection is automatic. Upon successful reconnection, a message will appear below the name of the current view and a blue strip will underline the toolbar.
5. MindLink Mobile for Android Home Screen
Once you have logged into the MindLink Mobile application, you will be presented with the home screen menu. The ‘LiveStream’ screen will be available as the default screen.
5.1 Button Functionality
LiveStream
The LiveStream shows the most recent messages in your 'favourite' groups, as well as those from your contacts.
Contacts
Contact view allows you to choose which contacts you have permanently on your mobile device as well as customise and search for new groups you can view.
Menu
This icon allows access to the menu containing appropriate options for your current field of view.
Edit
Use this button to edit favourites in the LiveStream and remove groups and contacts in their respective views.
6. Notifications
MindLink Mobile shows error messages to warn you without any configuration, but some notifications can be configured on the Android device.
6.1 Error Messages
6.2 Standard Notifications
Figure 6.2a- Warning when closing a conversation
If the user tries to close a conversation whilst it is open, they will be prompted with a pop-up window.
7. Conversations
Figure 7a- Conversations screen
To access the Conversations screen, click on the ‘Conversations’ tab at the top of the screen.
Once the Conversations screen is displayed, the search bar will allow you to search and add contacts and groups.
All of the Contacts and Groups you have selected will appear here. Groups with unread messages will display the unread count next to their names.
7.1 Adding Contacts and Groups
Figure 7.1a- Adding Contacts and Groups. Click to play.
There are two ways to add contacts and groups.
Click on the 'Search groups and contacts' input at the top of the conversations view.
Begin typing the name of the group or contact you wish to add.
Your results list will auto-populate itself as you enter your search term.
Figure 7.1b- Syncing desktop contacts. Click to play.
Alternatively, you can select groups you have already joined from another device. For example, groups you have already joined on your desktop.
Click on the 'Sync' icon at the top of the screen.
Select sync groups and contacts.
Add the contacts and groups you wish to have saved on your phone.
7.2 Removing Contacts and Groups
7.3 Chat Features
Some of the additional features provided accross both groups conversations and chats are:
- Alerts
- Mentions
- Custom global or per group notification settings
7.3.1 Alerts
7.3.2 Mentions
Figure 7.3.2a- Mentions. Click to play.
You can tag a message using a colleague’s name so that the message is directed towards them and the specific content is filtered for the user who is then more likely to read it.
The mention appears as @ user’s name with the @ character before the user’s name. The mention is a user link which will initiate a private IM session if it is clicked.
7.3.3 Hashtags
Figure 7.3.3a- Creating a hashtag. Click to play.
You can tag a message or conversation to make a specific filtered thread, making it easier for users to follow within a chat room.
To create a hashtag, simply enter # Name of Tag within the body of the message.
Auto complete will occur as soon as the # character followed by a single character is typed and the application will try to match any existing threads that are accessible to the user.
Figure 7.3.3b- Hashtags Groups display.
From the options menu within the group, the user can select the ‘Hashtags’ option to display the threads screen, which lists all of the threads accessible to the user.
The threads screen within the group lists all of the existing threads the user has access to. It also includes the unread counts on each thread.
7.3.4 Notification options
Figure 7.3.4a- Global notifications settings. Click to play.
It is possible to configure alerts (or notifications) for specific conversations or groups in MindLink Mobile for Android.
For example, you can configure alerts to appear for groups and IMs only, for messages received in any group that is added to the LiveStream (i.e. your favourites), plus IMs.
The following icon allows users to change their preferences for alerts within MindLink Mobile for Android.
You can configure alerts/notifications to appear within your LiveStream.
You can also receive notifications for messages in any group that you have explicitly enabled for notifications, plus any IMs - you will always receive alerts for IMs.
7.4 Groups
Figure 7.4a- Groups screen
Tapping on a group will open the conversation, showing the chat history and allowing you to share and comment.
Once a group is selected, the options icon (...) in the top right-hand corner of the page can be seen.
Figure 7.4b- Group options menu
By tapping the options icon (...), you can view some extra options for each chat room, such as relevant hashtags, group members, search the group and set notification preferences.
Figure 7.4c - Conversation between user and other contacts in a group
Comments that you have made will appear in blue. Other contacts’ comments will appear with a white background.
Figure 7.4d - Members list
Once the members list icon is selected, the participants of this group will be displayed.
The members list also contains information about the topic and the description of the group.
Users who are not on your contacts list appear with the temporary contact icon. Tap on the ‘+’ icon to add the user as a contact.
Selecting any user’s name other than your own will open a conversation with the user.
To exit the members list, tap on the overlap on the right-hand side.
7.4.1 More History option
Figure 7.4.1a- More History.
The ‘More history’ button can be found by scrolling up in a group conversation.
Once selected, this button can reveal more of a particular conversation further back in time.
The ‘More history’ button reappears each time after it has been selected, allowing the user to scroll back as far as they wish to.
Please note that the ‘More history’ button is only available for groups, not private, one-to-one conversations.
7.4.2 Search Chat History
Figure 7.4.2a- Searching a Group chat history
You can search chat history within a group. There are various search options available where the user can customise the search.
*Please note that when users are not in an active conversation or in the LiveStream then group messages are batched up every 10 seconds before they appear.
7.5 Contacts
7.5.1 Contacts Menu Icons
Figure 7.5.1a- Contacts in the conversation screen
Any open conversations with contacts will show at the top of the contacts screen and they will be slightly highlighted.
7.5.2 Chat view
7.5.3 Moving IMs
Figure 7.5.3a- Moving an IM
Users have the option to move relevant private conversations that are relevant to a business topic. This allows group context and conversation to drive better informed and quicker business decision.
Within the private conversation screen, the user can select ‘Move IM’ from the options menu.
Figure 7.5.3b- Selecting and transfer to a group
Next, the user will be given the option to select which conversation segments they wish to move to a group.
The user must select the destination group where the conversation will be copied to.
A prompt will appear confirming with the user to close the private conversation and copy the segment to the destination group.
Both users engaged within a private conversation will be transported to the destination group to continue their critical discussion.
The segment which is moved appears as a story within the group. Click the blue button to read.
Both users will be referenced within the chat along with their associated messages.
7.5.4 Closing a conversation
8. Presence
Figure 9a- Changing Presence. Click to play.
Tap the More Options icon to change your presence. This updates your contacts on your state of availability.
You can also change your presence prior to logging in, in the log on screen (as described in section 3).
The presence status options available include “Available”, “Busy”, “Do Not Disturb”, “Be Right Back” and “Away”.
9. LiveStream
9.1 Configuring the LiveStream
Figure 9.1a- Selecting favourites. Click to play.
To select which group conversations should be displayed, tap on the edit button on the top left hand corner of the LiveStream.
Here you can select or deselect favourites from all groups that you have joined on your mobile device. After selecting or deselecting the intended groups, tap on the overlay and the LiveStream will update accordingly.
A deselected group will have a white box to the left-hand side of it rather than a green tick.
You are able to sort them alphabetically by selecting the ‘ABC’ button. To select those you have not selected as favourites already, tap on the plain box in the ‘sort by’ bar.
These unselected groups will then be displayed for you to make your selections accordingly.
9.2 Initiating a conversation via the LiveStream
Figure 9.2a- LiveStream quick reply. Click to play.
You can ‘quick reply’ to your contacts in the LiveStream by swiping the Livestream entry from left to right, to reveal the option to IM the contact.
The quick reply feature will launch a compose message box for you to respond to the IM in the livestream - without leaving its confines.
You can ‘quick reply’ to a Group Chat in the LiveStream in two ways.
This can be done by pressing on the name of the Group - which the message appears in.
Alternatively you can swipe the Livestream entry from left to right, to reveal the option to message the Group where the message was posted.
The quick reply feature will launch a compose message box for you to respond to the IM in the livestream - without leaving its confines.
10. App settings
10.1 Timestamps
Figure 10.1a- Standard dating vs Exact timestamp
Timestamps are configurable via the application itself. Toggling, enable timestamps – changes the appearance of the timestamp from the formatting - message sent “2 weeks ago” to more exact detailing – i.e. message sent “15:05 23/12/2014”.
This adds the configurability to change the timestamps displayed - relevant to your enterprise needs.
11. Multiple Chat Clients Behaviour
This section explains how communication will work when the same user is logged into several chat clients.
11.1 Group Chat
A user can log in to the following OCS chat clients:
- Office Communicator 2007(MOC)
- Lync Communicator
- Group Chat client
- Lync Group Chat client
- MindLink Mobile client
- MindLink Desktop client
11.1.1 You initiate the conversation via MindLink Mobile
Figure 11.1.1a- User Initiated conversation in Lync Client
When a user initiates an IM conversation with another person, all messages for that conversation will be received on the chat client that you are connected to.
Once a group is selected, the options icon (...) in the top right-hand corner of the page can be seen. These are the group options.
11.1.2 A contact initiates a conversation
When a contact, regardless of whether they are on your contact list or not, initiates an IM conversation, all of the chat clients for the receiver are notified that a new conversation has been initiated.
All chat clients except MindLink Mobile for Android will notify you of new messages via toast windows and/or flashing task bar icons.
MindLink Mobile for Android will notify you of new messages with the IM notification icon. New entries with unread messages will appear in the active conversations group in the ’Contacts’ screen.
Please note that the chat client you choose to accept the conversation is the one that is going to receive all subsequent messages.
Alternatively, if the conversation is not opened in any chat client, the new messages will go to one client selected by the OCS server (most likely the Office Communicator).
If you have active IM conversations and the Android device is locked, MindLink Mobile will tell the OCS server to terminate the conversation.
If no other client accepts the conversation, the OCS server will select one (most likely MindLink Mobile for Android, in this instance).
12. New Feature Support for Lync 2013
- Unread Count Synchronisation – Unread counts now synchronise across all MindLink products e.g. if a user reads new messages within a chat room using MindLink Mobile for Android, the unread count will be updated across all products such as MindLink Desktop or MindLink Mobile.
- Groups and Filter Synchronisation – If a group is added or filter created within MindLink Mobile for Android, all updates are automatically updated and synchronised and will be available in all MindLink products.
- Contact Unification – MindLink user contacts can now be centrally synchronised across MindLink, Exchange, Outlook and Lync.
- Configuration of MindLink (for Administrators only) – Configuring MindLink Mobile against Microsoft Lync 2013 is now even simpler. The MindLink Management Center can auto configure itself with the push of a button using its new auto discovery and provisioning technology. All server details and settings are discovered by the Management Center saving the administrator from configuring the settings manually.
Appendix
Here we show the processes involved with using one of our supported MDM clients.
1. MindLink for BlackBerry Dynamics (Android)
MindLink Mobile enables MindLink for BlackBerry Dynamics(Formerly GOOD Dynamics) functionality on Android devices.
1.1 Prerequisites
Figure 1.1a- Playstore
First you need to download the latest version of MindLink for BlackBerry from the Playstore.
1.2 Container Screens
Figure 1.2a- Access key provision screen
You will receive the needed credentials for BlackBerry from the BlackBerry admin server.
If the email and access key Have not already been provided, contact your administrator for further information on completing this step.
Figure 1.2b- Loading Screen
Upon successful entry of your login credentials you will see the BlackBerry loading screen.