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How to Download and Install the Instant Messaging (IM) Software

 

Click on the link below and it should open a pop-up box.  Click on RUN or OPEN to start downloading and installing the file. 

IM Software

After you install it, it will run automatically. The first thing  you will need to do if you have a firewall is unblock/allow the program to access the internet. Then you will need to fill out the Registration Screens.

Please follow these instructions carefully.

The first screen should be filled out like this:

Press the Add button to get the screen below & fill out like so:

 
The next screen appears:

 

For Jabber ID: enter your Agent Code-FirstName@apfcinc.com.  Example for Janet at Agency Z99   enter:  Z99-Janet@apfcinc.com .  Then enter any password you desire, then re-type the password entered.  For the remaining settings, Change your settings to be exactly as above.

Press the Register button & the next screen will display:

 

Press the continue button.

 

The next screen displays:

Press OK.

The next screen displays:

Click the Preferences tab on this screen:

Check the Automatically connect on startup , check Ignore SSL warnings box and clear Data Transfer Proxy & click Save.

A STAR should now be present in the System Tray (lower right corner of your screen).  Right Click the Star and select Status, then select ONLINE.

The Instant Messanger (IM) program should now start automatically and attempt to login to our computer.  The Login process may take up to 1 minute, please be patient.  You will see the "Connecting" message at the lower right of your screen during the connection process.

Next the below screen will appear.
It is important to fill-in the screen properly.
You must enter your Name and Nickname.  The Nickname must be your Agent Number followed by a dash followed by your First Name.  Example:  Robert from Agent ZZZ would enter:  ZZZ - Janet

You may enter any other information you wish on any of the 4 Tabs - General, Location, Work, About.  When done Click Publish, then Click Close.

 

After you are ONLINE, you will see a list of all employees broken down by department.  If the star next to a person's name is yellow, that person is online & available for chat. Any other color means you will need to send a message instead of chat as they are not available at that moment. As soon as they return, they will get your message.

 

PERSONALIZE YOUR SETTINGS

Set IM to LOGIN automatically when you start your computer.
Right Click the Star in the System Tray (lower right corner of your screen), select PSI, then select ACCOUNT SETUP.  When the Accounts Screen displays, Click on MODIFY.  Click on the PREFERENCES Tab at the top. 
Check Automatically connect at startup.  Click on SAVE.

To prevent the notifications at the lower right when someone goes Online or Offline
To prevent the notifications in the lower right, Right Click the Star in the System Tray (lower right corner of your screen), select PSI, select OPTIONS.  Click EVENTS on the left side.
Check Enable Pop Up Notifications, UNcheck When a contact becomes available and UNcheck When a contact becomes unavailable.
Click on APPLY to save changes.

To cause new messages to Pop-Up automatically
Right Click the Star in the System Tray (lower right corner of your screen), select PSI, select OPTIONS.  Click EVENTS on the left side.
Check Auto-open New Messages and Check Auto-open New Headlines.  Check Auto-authorize contacts.


Ready to Chat or Send Messages

In order to send or receive a message, you Status must be ONLINE.  To change Your Status to online, Click on the bottom right status indicator and select online.  You may also Right Click on the Yellow Star   in the lower right tray of your screen and select Status, then Online.

How to SEND A MESSAGE

To Send a Message, Right Click on the name of the person you wish to communicate to and click on Send Message.  A box appears.  Type your message and Click Send to have the message sent.

 


How to CHAT

If you wish to chat instead, just double-click the name to open a chat window. Type your message & press Enter. The person you are contacting will then reply in the same window. Once the chat is complete simply close the chat window.

IM Hints and FAQs