Have you ever wanted to create your own customised badge for use within ServiceM8?
This post explores the option of how to do just that.
Part of the ServiceM8 experience is the use of badges. The idea of badges, however, can seem a bit perplexing, particularly for ServiceM8 newcomers. This may stem from the array of badge types, each fulfilling distinct functions.
ServiceM8 categorises some badge types as Job badges, Marketing Source badges, and Job Source badges, which, admittedly, may not be the most descriptive terms. Further compounding this complexity is the introduction of new badge types upon the activation of specific add-ons.
To streamline understanding of the available badge types, we propose a more intuitive categorisation:
- Informational Badges
- Automation Badges
- Form Badges
- Asset Badges
This post delves into the first category, namely informational badges. We’ll specifically discuss how you can design and personalise your very own informational badge to align with your system’s requirements.
Informational Badges
Informational badges serve as the most fundamental type of badge available. They can be likened to mini-stickers attached to a file, acting as visual reminders about a job or client.
Upon enabling the Badge add-on, ServiceM8 supplies a wide array of pre-configured badges that can be applied to your job or client cards. Each badge carries a “badge face” (the graphical element) and a “badge label” (a descriptor of the badge’s purpose).
For instance, one of the pre-configured badges is “Warranty,” marked by a large “W” as its badge face and labelled “Warranty.” This badge can be utilised for any job under warranty, allowing swift recognition of the warranty-covered jobs by you and your team.
Employing ServiceM8’s pre-configured badges lets you tailor your system to align closely with your work preferences.
Personalising Badges
There might come a time when none of the pre-configured badges meet your requirements. In such instances, creating a custom badge becomes essential.
Here are two methods to construct a bespoke badge for your system:
- Repurpose an existing badge
- Design a new badge
Repurposing an Existing Badge
The quickest way to generate a custom badge is to modify an existing badge’s label. For example, if you wish to change the “W” badge from “Warranty” to “Warehouse,” you can merely adjust the badge label. Navigate to Settings > Badges on the Online Dashboard, click the badge label, and edit the name. Simple as that.
Designing a New Badge
In case you desire a badge with a unique badge face, this method will guide you through the steps to create one. It’s worth noting, however, that the method only supports white text on a red badge and doesn’t allow for customised graphics or colours.
In a nutshell, we can use the Automation add-on to temporarily create and define a badge we want in our system, before discarding the automation as it will no longer be needed.
To design a new badge, follow these steps:
- Enable the Automation add-on, if not done already.
- Go to Settings > Automations screen.
- Click the “New Automation” button to create a new automation.
- Select the ‘Badge Follow-up’ option and proceed.
- Overwrite the existing Badge Name (Follow Up) with your preferred text. Aim for brevity, no more than 7-8 characters.
- Skip through the email follow-up configuration screens.
- You’ll then reach the ‘Setup complete’ screen displaying a preview of your new badge. Click “Finish” to exit.
As you are creating only a badge and not an automation, you can remove the Badge Follow Up automation just created. Your new badge will remain intact. Then, under Settings > Badges, your custom badge will be available in the Active Badges section, ready to use on your job or client cards.