What are Channels?

Channels are the primary way users interact with the VTS Activate platform. Think of them as spaces that are designed with a specific purpose in mind, where people are allowed in under different roles.

Channel Settings

This article will review the following channel settings:

• Public vs Private Channels
• Discoverable Channels
• Email Filters
• Invite Only Channels
• Max Users
• Automatically Join Parent Channel
• Subscribers don't actually join this channel

Public and Private Channels

The content in channels can be made all Public or all Private. 

• In a Public Channel, content can be viewed in other channels, or as a link.
  • Any non-member can view the content when provided with the link.
    
    
• In a Private Channel, content can only be viewed by members of the targeted audience.
  • A non-member will receive a Not Authorized message if following a link to a content item in a Private channel and will be asked to login.
    
    

Discoverable Channels

Users may see and join Discoverable channels as a Workplace Member.

• A Discoverable Channel appears in the list of channels that a user may search and join.
• A channel that is not discoverable does not appear in this list.

In the mobile app, Discoverable channels can be found under the Subscriptions menu in the Profile tab:

Email Filters

Only new members who sign up with an email address from the specific domain may join the channel.

Example: by entering "vts.com" only VTS employees may sign up for the channel using their work email address. 

Invite Only Channels

Invite Only channels may be public, discoverable, and appear in the Subscriptions menu, but users cannot join unless an administrator of that channel invites them.

Examples:

• A Building Maintenance channel where only the property's managers, security, maintenance and , parking staff are invited to join.
  
  
• A Diversity & Inclusion channel where only members of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee are invited to join.

Max Users

Max Users creates a maximum limit on the total number of users who can join the channel, in any team.

Automatically Join Parent Channel

In some situations it is helpful for users to automatically join the Parent channel when joining a channel. 

• A new employee can automatically join VTS when they join VTS Toronto, VTS NY, or VTS Chicago.
  
  
• A new administrator can join the Parent channel when they are added to the channel they will manage.

Subscribers don't actually join this channel

Used in combination with Public channels, this is for situations where you want to share a link to content in a channel with the public but do not want them signing up and becoming Workplace Members in the channel.

Example: Since the global pandemic has resulted in shifting regulations and requirements, an informational channel that lists the current guidelines would be helpful to the general public who are planning to visit the building or a company.

If you have any questions or need more help, contact VTS Activate Support at support@activate.vts.com and we’ll be happy to advise.