Articles in this section
Telegram Integration with Vtiger CRM
Table of Contents
Introduction
Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging application focusing on speed, security, and privacy. It provides a platform for sending text messages, multimedia files, and voice and video calls.
The Telegram app is available for Android and iOS users who can install it from your app stores. Then, you must create an account with BotFather and generate a Bot token to integrate with Vtiger CRM.
Telegram Integration in Vtiger CRM
Integrate Telegram and Vtiger CRM to show texts and emojis in Live Chats. You can send GIFs, JPG/PNG images, and PDF documents as downloadable links.
Messaging in Telegram is possible because of a feature called BotFather. The BotFather acts as a bot creation and administration tool, allowing you to generate Bot tokens for their bots.
Telegram is available as a free add-on installed from the Extension store.
Feature Availability
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefits of integrating Telegram Messenger with Vtiger CRM
The following are the benefits of integrating Telegram Messenger:
- Real-time communication- Telegram integration provides real-time between team members and customers directly within the CRM platform.
- Centralized Communication- Telegram messages related to a specific customer or deal can be centralized within the CRM system, thus helping to maintain a unified and organized record of interactions for better customer relationship management.
- Efficient Collaboration- Telegram integration can help us collaborate more effectively by sharing information, updates, and insights through Telegram channels directly linked to Vtiger CRM.
- Easy file sharing and storage- Telegram integration helps you share files and distribute documents, images, and other files easily.
In this article, you will learn about:
- Installing the Telegram app
- Installing the Telegram Add-on in Vtiger CRM
- Installing the Live Chats in Vtiger CRM
- Retrieving the bot token from the Telegram app
- Configuring the Bot Token in CRM
- Sending Messages using Telegram
Key Terminology
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Installing the Telegram Add-on
Telegram is a free add-on in Vtiger CRM that can be installed from the Extension Store.
Follow these steps to install the Telegram add-on:
- Log in to the CRM.
- Click the User Profile on the top right corner of the screen.
- Click Settings.
- Go to Extensions.
- Click Add-ons. The Add-on page opens.
- Type Telegram in the search bar. The Telegram Add-on appears.
- Click Install. Are you sure you want to install? message window appears.
- Click Yes.
A success message will be displayed.
Once you have installed it successfully, follow these steps to find the add-on:
- Log in to your CRM account.
- Click the Main Menu.
- Click Essentials.
- Go to Tools.
- Look for Others. Telegram is now available under Others.
Integrating Telegram Messenger with Vtiger CRM
In this section, let us learn how to integrate Telegram Messenger with Vtiger CRM.
Integrating Telegram with Vtiger CRM requires:
Step 1: Installing the Telegram app
Step 2: Retrieving the Bot token from the Telegram app
Step 3: Configuring the Bot token with Vtiger CRM
Step 4: Installing the Live Chats in Vtiger CRM
Step 1: Installing the Telegram app
Android users can go to the Play Store app on their phone and download the app. iOS users can download it from the App Store.
Once you install the app, set up a Telegram account for your phone number using BotFather.
Step 2: Create an account and Retrieve the Bot token from the Telegram app
After you install the Telegram app on your phone, you must set up an account using your phone number.
Once your account is set up, you must create a new bot using BotFather. After your Bot is created, a Bot token is generated. This token has to be pasted in the Telegram module in the CRM.
Follow these steps to retrieve the Bot token:
- Log in to your Telegram app.
- Type @BotFather in the search bar. The BotFather chat window opens.
- Click Start to start the conversation.
- Type /newbot.
- Click Send.
- Type a unique username that ends in bot (Can be used by other Telegram Users to search for and identify your bot)
- Click Send. BotFather will generate an access token.
- Copy it.
You will see a message as an access token copied to the clipboard. Now, you can configure the Bot token in the Vtiger CRM.
Step 3: Configuring the Bot Token with Vtiger CRM
Follow these steps to configure the Bot Token:
- Log in to the CRM.
- Go to Tools.
- Select Telegram. The Telegram module opens.
- Click Settings.
- Click Add Bot Token.
- Paste the Bot token copied from the Telegram app. (Step 2: 8th point)
- Click Save.
If the configuration is successful, the system displays a success message. You can now start messaging from the Telegram app.
Step 4: Installing the Live Chats in Vtiger CRM
After configuring Telegram in the Vtiger CRM, you must install Live Chats to chat with agents directly from your Telegram app.
Follow these steps to install the Live Chats in Vtiger CRM:
- Log in to the CRM.
- Click the User Profile on the top right corner of the screen.
- Click Settings.
- Go to Extensions.
- Click Add-ons. The Add-on page appears.
- Type Vtiger Live Chats in the search bar. The Vtiger Live Chat add-on appears.
- Click Install. Are you sure you want to install this Add-on? message window appears.
- Click Yes.
A success message will be displayed. Once installed, you will find it under the Help Desk> Customer Issues app in the CRM.
Sending and Receiving Messages Using Telegram
You can send messages from the following modules:
From Live Chat
You can send messages from the Live Chat module in Vtiger CRM.
From Contacts
You will find the Telegram icon when you hover over a Contact record. On clicking the icon, you can send messages.
Follow these steps to send a message from the Contact record:
- Log in to the CRM.
- Go to Contacts.
- Hover over a Contact record.
- Click the Telegram icon. A Send Telegram Message window opens.
- Type your message.
- Click Send.
You will receive a message in your Telegram app.
From Deals
You can send messages from the Deal record.
Viewing Telegram records in the CRM
The sent and received messages can be viewed in the Telegram module in the CRM. There are two views in the Telegram module - The List View and the Kanban View.
The List View displays the messages sent and received in Telegram. These records cannot be deleted.
Limitations
- You can configure only one token at a time.
- You cannot access the phone number for incoming updates. Therefore, existing phone numbers in the CRM for contacts will not be linked.
- This feature is only available for the Contacts and Leads module.
- Lookup and linking of contacts depending on the telegrammed field.
- Currently, you cannot make phone calls using the Bot API.