Custom Fields are SM’s method of extending their base system for specific industries. Mosquito Control requires certain information to be available that is unique to the pest industry. Generally, these are used on two areas: Contacts and Appointments.
Control Panel>>Custom Fields
Base Custom Fields: On the Add A Contact form, in the Custom Field area there is a place for tabs. These are controlled in the Custom Fields Category. You get an “Other” tab without designating. You may add as many Custom Field Categories as you like. As a best practice, usually create one called “Intake” that has the fields that are used by most new customers. Phone labels are located in the base area, too. Enable any you wish and set the Texting field.
Contact Custom Fields: Click the Contacts button. Here add or modify any you wish. The help guide is good: Help>>Search on “Custom Fields” and click on the article.
Appointment Custom Fields: Click on the Appointments button. Again, the help is good here in SM. Note that as the Appointment Custom Fields are used in the webapp for technicians completing appointments, the required and phase fields are important.
Shortcodes for Custom Fields: Any time a new custom field is created, Serviceminder assigns that custom field a unique short code. These short codes can then be placed into communication templates to pull the information into an email or text.
To find the shortcode, first click the name of the custom field (not the edit link)
In the custom fields details screen, near the bottom, you will find that custom fields' shortcode