Directory Connect - Detailed Feature Descriptions

Robust Member Directory Search

Directory Connect is a member directory tool that allows community members to connect. Members can use an extensive list of search parameters to locate other members in the community. Directory Connect even provides proximity search capabilities in order to allow members to search for other members in their area. Proximity search as well as all other search features can be limited or completely turned off by community managers.

Complete Member Directory for Community Managers

With Directory Connect, community managers receive the benefit of a complete member directory. This allows community managers to gather information on all members of the community, including members that have private profiles. Community managers will be able to use an extensive list of search parameters to locate community members and they’ll also be able to view a comprehensive member listing if you give them the capability to do so. The data returned by a search is completely customizable and can include as much or as little information as desired. In addition, features like the ability to send email and the ability to export search results to a CSV file can be extremely useful for community managers.

Create an Unlimited Number of Search Profiles for Different Purposes

Directory Connect is a powerful, custom search tool that was designed to be configured differently for different users and for different purposes. The power of this versatile tool comes with the ability to create an unlimited number of Search Profiles, each enabled for a specific set of users. Search Profiles allow you to determine the search parameters available, the data returned by a search, and whether export capabilities or email capabilities are allowed.

Assign a Search Profile to a Specific Set of Users

With Directory Connect, you can configure a Search Profile for a specific purpose and then assign the Search Profile to a specific set of users. For example, one Search Profile may be assigned to community members so that they can search for other community members, while another Search Profile may be assigned to community managers so that they can send mass emails or export member information to an Excel spreadsheet.

Extensive Search Parameters

With Directory Connect, users can search for a complete list of members just by clicking the search button without entering any search parameters. All Search Profiles include the ability to search by first name, last name, username, city, state, and country. Furthermore, you have the option to include additional search parameters like the ability to search by role or proximity. Even though users can search for community members by last name, the search results do not have to display a member’s last name. The type of data returned by a search is completely customizable and is independent of the search parameters.

Option to Search for Users by Role

With Directory Connect you have the option to provide users with the ability to search for members by role. This can be a great way for community managers to filter search results as it allows them to search for a specific type of user.

Option to Search for Users by Proximity

With Directory Connect, you’ll also have the option to enable proximity searches for users. A proximity search allows users to enter a zip code to search for users around them. This is a great tool for members that want to find other members in their area. It is also a useful tool for regional community managers that want to locate all of the users in their region. When you enable a proximity search, you also have the ability to set limits on the radius to use for the proximity search.

Configure Member Data to be Returned by a Search

Directory Connect allows Community managers to determine the user information that will be returned by a search. Options include first name, last name, username, email address, city, state, country, address, phone number(s), and privacy settings. You can select different options for different search profiles. For example, a search profile that will be used by members searching for other members may only display first name, username, and city in order to preserve a member’s privacy, but a search profile used by an administrator may also need to return a user’s last name, email address, and phone number.

Provides Capability to Send Email to Members Returned in Search Results

With Directory Connect, you’ll also have the ability to enable users to send email to members returned by a search, either individually, or all at once. Simply select the check box next to the member listing and click send email. An email editor will pop up and the recipient’s email address will be prefilled for you. You’ll have text formatting capability, spell check, and all of the features you’d find in a standard email client without having to leave the page you are on. When you are done entering your email message, click send and the pop-up will close, returning you to the search results. You can even select all of the check boxes at once by clicking on a “Select All” button. This is perfect for community managers who want to send mass emails to community members.

Provides Member Data Export Capability

Directory Connect also has export capability. That means that users can export search results to a CSV or Excel file if you allow them to. The data that can be exported is completely customizable. Options include first name, last name, username, email address, city, state, country, address, phone number(s), and privacy settings. Plus, the data that can be exported is completely independent of the data displayed on the screen so you can export as much or as little data as desired.

Ability to Limit the Number of Search Results

With Directory Connect, you have the option to limit the number of search results that are returned. This is especially helpful in discouraging data mining as it would take a lot of time to go through and search for all the data in the system.