Directory Connect is a robust membership directory system that makes it easy for community members to meet other members in their area. It is also an extremely useful tool for community managers that need a way to export community member data and market to the members of their communities. With Directory Connect, it’s possible to create a more integrated community for members and at the same time provide tools to managers that enable better communication, analysis of community trends, and even the ability to organize events.
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 from the ability to create an unlimited number of Search Profiles, each enabled for a specific set of users. Search Profiles allow community managers to determine the search parameters, the data returned by a search, and whether any additional tools will be enabled.
For example, one Search Profile may be used by community members to search for other community members while another Search Profile may be used by community managers to send mass emails or export member information to an Excel spreadsheet.
With Directory Connect, users can search for a complete list of members just by clicking the search button without entering any search parameters. However, all Search Profiles include the ability to search by first name, last name, username, city, state, and country. Furthermore, administrators 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.
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. Administrators will want to 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 a community manager may also need to return a user’s last name, email address, and phone number.
Directory Connect also allows community managers to enable additional search tools for a Search Profile. Community managers can provide export capability and/or the ability to send email to members returned by a search, either individually, or all at once. The data that can be exported to a CSV or Excel file is determined by the Search Profile, and does not have to match the data that is displayed on the screen. Search Profiles can also be configured to limit the number of search results returned, or the radius to use for a proximity search.
With Directory Connect, the ability to search is just the beginning! This highly configurable tool can be used in a variety of ways to enhance user experience and simplify community maintenance.