It's hard to imagine a modern workplace without digital tools. How many do you use? In Vicodo, we understand the power of efficient workflow. That's why we allow integrating our app with other applications and tools for all companies, those more tech-savvy with developers on board (we've prepared API documentation for you), and those who have no idea about (or time for) coding but still want to make work easier and more efficient. If you are the latter, read the following article and learn how to automate your work using Zapier.

What is Zapier?

Zapier is a tool that allows you to integrate web applications without coding. From simple spreadsheets to... the list is still growing, now there are more than 3000 applications available! To create an integration, you simply choose the tool you want to integrate with Vicodo and decide what should happen after performing a given action.

In further sections of the article, we will explain how to set up exemplary integrations. The setup process will be very similar for the applications you may want to connect.

How to integrate Vicodo with another application?

In this step-by-step guide, we will show you how to integrate Vicodo with Slack and Google Sheets. Let’s start by defining a simple automation flow: Whenever I receive a message from the Client on Vicodo, I want to be notified on Slack.

Ready to set up your first integration? Follow these steps:

1. Create a Zapier account, it’s quick and easy!
   
   
2. In Vicodo, go to settings by clicking the  icon. Next, click on Integrations and choose the Zapier tab.
   
   
   
   Click on the toggle, so it turns green. Below you will see Zapier ID and Zapier Secret. You need to copy these unique chains and use them later.
   
   
   
   
   

   Zapier Secret becomes encrypted, copy and store it somewhere safe if you want to build multiple integrations. Otherwise, you will have to generate a new secret each time you want to integrate Vicodo with a new app, and all previous integration will become invalid.

   
   
   
3. In Zapier, click the button.
   
   

   Now, it’s time to explain what Triggers and Actions are. A trigger is an event from the first application that causes a given action in the second app. Action results from a trigger and happens in the second app.

   
   Find Vicodo on the application list:
   
   
   
   

   Choose the trigger - the event that will cause an action in the second app that you decided to integrate. 

   In our case, it is New Message From Client. The following triggers are available:

   
   
   • New Case Created 
   • Case Completed
   • New Message From Operator 
   • New Message From Client 
   • Case Deleted
   • Case Reopened
   • Client Cancelled Appointment
   • Operator Cancelled Appointment 
   
   After choosing the trigger, the dialogue window will appear where you need to paste Zapier ID and Zapier Secret from Vicodo.  
   
   
   
   Next, you will see details of the integrated Vicodo account.
   
   
   Once you click the Continue button, Zapier will ask if you want to test this step. You can skip testing and go straight to choosing the action!
   
   
   
   
4. Choose from the list, or type in the application's name that you want to integrate with Vicodo. Next, select the action from the list. Each app has different types of actions listed, specific to its features.
   
   
   
   

   After you choose the action, you will be asked to log into the app you’ve chosen or to select the account you use. 

   Click the Continue button to set up the details. In our case, we need to decide who should receive the notification about the new message on Vicodo. Also, we can determine what elements should be included in the notification.
   
   

   
   
   To confirm, click the Continue button. Now you will see the summary of the setup you’ve made. Click the Test&Continue button. You will receive the test message on Slack. From now on, every time a customer sends a message on Vicodo, the notification with the selected details will be sent on Slack.
   
   

   You can easily turn on and turn off the automation by clicking on the toggle at the right top corner of the screen.

   
   
   

Now, we will explain how to set up a reversed automation flow. Let’s say that we enter the names of prospective clients into a spreadsheet first. Every time the new spreadsheet is created, we want to have a new Case created in Vicodo.

1. If you haven’t already, start by setting up the Zapier account and enabling the integration in Vicodo settings. Simply repeat steps 1 and 2 described in the previous flow.
   
   
2. In Zapier, click the  button. Select the app and choose the Tigger event from the list.
   
   
   
   After you click the Continue button, you will be asked to log in or choose the account you want to use. In our case, we log into the Google account.
   
   
   
   In the Set Up Trigger section, we choose the default option, My Google Drive, as this is the place where Spreadsheets are stored.
   
   
   
   Click the Continue button. You can skip testing and go straight to the next step: Action.
   
   

3. Find Vicodo on the list. There is only one action event available - Create New Case. Select it from the drop-down list and click the Continue button below. 
   
   Now, you choose the account. If you haven’t integrated Vicodo on Zapier yet, the dialogue window will appear where you have to paste Zapier ID and Zapier Secret (you get access to them once you enable integration in Vicodo settings).
   
   Time to set up the Action. Start from the Case name because filling in this field is mandatory to continue. 
   
   
   
   After determining what details the new case on Vicodo should contain, click the Test&Continue button. If the integration works, you will immediately see the case created in Vicodo.
   
   
   
   As you can see - no coding indeed! Using Zapier integrations is all about following simple steps. Automate your work, connect apps you use, and make the most out of Vicodo!