Getting started with Connect

Accessing Connect

To begin using Connect in NICeMail, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Log in to https://mail.gov.in
2. Select Connect from the top menu.
3. You can access Feeds, Groups, Tasks, Boards, Forums, Town Halls, Events, Dashboard and much more.

Feeds

Feeds act as your organization's social wall, where members can post updates, share ideas, and engage in discussions.
To post an update, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Log in to https://mail.gov.in
2. Select Connect from the top menu.
3. Click on the Feeds section.
4. Type your message in the text editor.
5. Use @mentions to tag individuals or groups.
6. Attach files or links as needed.
7. Click Share to publish it in your network.

Feeds help keep everyone informed and encourage open communication. 

Groups

Groups in Connect serve as dedicated spaces for teams to collaborate on specific topics or projects.
To create a group, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Log in to https://mail.gov.in
2. Select Connect from the top menu.
3. Click Groups in the left menu.
4. Click the + New Group icon in the left extended menu.
5. Fill in the group name, description, select the group type (All-hands, Public, or Private), and add members.
6. Click Create to finalize.

Available group types:

• Public: Anyone can view content, but only admins can add members.
• All-hands: Anyone can join and participate
• Private: Only invited members can access.

Admins can control who can create groups and manage group settings.

Tasks & Boards

Connect offers task management through Boards, enabling teams to track work progress effectively.
To create a board, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Log in to https://mail.gov.in
2. Select Connect from the top menu.
3. Go to Tasks from the left menu.
4. Click + New Board.
5. Define columns (e.g., To Do, In Progress, Done) and add tasks accordingly.
6. Assign tasks to team members, set due dates, and monitor progress.

Boards can be customized to fit various workflows and project needs. 

Manuals

Manuals function as your team's knowledge base, allowing for organized documentation and easy access to critical resources.
To create a manual, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Log in to https://mail.gov.in
2. Select Connect from the top menu.
3. Go to Manuals from the left menu.
4. Click + New Manual.
5. Add contributors, organize content into chapters and articles, and set visibility permissions (public, group-specific, or restricted).

You can add multiple articles with restricted permissions under a manual. Each manual and article has its own discussion wall, facilitating conversations and feedback.

Town Hall

Town Hall is a space where senior executives and leadership people can interact with employees through virtual Q&A sessions either with or without video. It encourages transparency and open communication in your company.
To host a town hall, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Log in to https://mail.gov.in
2. Select Connect from the top menu.
3. Go to Town Hall from the left menu.
4. Click + New Town Hall on the left-bottom corner.
5. Add a title, session details, session type, and set the date and time. Also, you can add panelists to answer the questions.
6. Enable the Q&A option if you'd like participants to submit questions.
7. Invite users and groups to join the session.

Admins and hosts can review submitted questions and respond to them in real time. Town Hall ensures everyone's voice is heard and leadership stays connected to employees.

Forums

Forums provide a structured environment for in-depth discussions, idea sharing, and problem-solving.
To start a forum, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Log in to https://mail.gov.in
2. Select Connect from the top menu.
3. Go to Forums from the left menu.
4. Click the + icon on the right.
5. Write the forum title, description, and set visibility permissions.
6. Click Publish in the top-right corner to post it. You can also add categories and tags if you want.

Forums are ideal for knowledge exchange and collaborative decision-making.

Events

The Events module helps in scheduling and managing organizational activities.
To create an event, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Log in to https://mail.gov.in
2. Select Connect from the top menu.
3. Go to Events from the left menu.
4. Click + New Event.
5. Fill in event details like title, date, time, and description.
6. Invite participants and set reminders.

Events ensure that team members stay informed about upcoming meetings, deadlines, and other important dates. 

Dashboard

The Dashboard offers a personalized view of updates, pending actions, and shortcuts to essential modules. It gives users a snapshot of what’s happening across their network.
To access your dashboard, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Log in to https://mail.gov.in
2. Select Connect from the top menu.
3. Click Home from the left menu.
4. Click the Pen icon in the right-bottom to edit the dashboard with custom and system widgets.
5. Also, you can edit the color and background for each widget.

You can use suitable widgets to view updates like pending tasks, upcoming events, top discussions, company wall announcements, recent posts, etc,. Dashboard helps you stay on top of your work and track key activities at a glance.

Survey

The Survey module allows you to gather feedback, conduct polls, or measure engagement within your organization.
To create a survey, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Log in to https://mail.gov.in
2. Select Connect from the top menu.
3. Go to Survey from the left menu.
4. Click + New Survey.
5. Add a title and description.
6. Use the builder to add questions (multiple choice, rating, text response, etc.).
7. Choose the audience, set response permissions, and publish.

You can view real-time results and download reports to analyze responses. Surveys are useful for collecting insights, running internal polls, and audits.

Files

Connect's Files module serves as a centralized repository for all your documents and media. 
To manage files, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Log in to https://mail.gov.in
2. Select Connect from the top menu.
3. Access the Files section from the left menu.
4. Upload documents, images, videos, and other files.
5. Organize files into folders and set access permissions.

This feature ensures that resources are easily accessible and securely stored.

Ideas

The Ideas module is a collaborative space where employees can pitch suggestions, propose improvements, whilst voting on others’ ideas.
To submit an idea, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Log in to https://mail.gov.in
2. Select Connect from the top menu.
3. Go to Ideas from the left menu.
4. Click Share an Idea on the top-right corner.
5. Enter a title, describe the idea, and add tags if needed.
6. Set visibility (public or group-specific).
7. Click Share to post it.

Others can upvote, downvote, and comment on shared ideas. This encourages innovation by allowing everyone's voice to contribute to organizational growth.

User Management

Administrators have comprehensive control over user roles and permissions within Connect.
To manage users, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Log in to https://mail.gov.in
2. Select Connect from the top menu.
3. Click on the People icon in the right menu.
4. You will see the list of members, admins, and external users in separated tabs. You can Add or remove people, assign roles, and set permissions.

Effective user management ensures a secure and organized network and Connect has it all covered for you.

Notification preferences

Stay informed with customizable notification settings in Connect.
To configure notifications, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Log in to https://mail.gov.in
2. Select Connect from the top menu.
3. Click on your Profile image.
4. Select Notification Preferences.
5. Choose your preferences for email, push, and Cliq notifications.

Personalizing notification settings helps you stay updated only for the activities you choose.

By adopting Connect's useful features, your organization can foster a collaborative environment, streamline workflows, and boost overall productivity.