Use Online Messaging

Throughout a negotiation, there may be times when you need to communicate with the buying organization to provide additional information or request clarification. You can use online messaging for these communications.

You can participate in multiple online conversations within the context of a negotiation. All messages you initiate are addressed to the buying organization and can be viewed by all members of the buying organization who are also participating in the negotiation. You can reply to messages you're sent by an individual participant of the buying organization.

You can create and view your messages using the Online Messages page. If you have outstanding messages, a Messages button is available followed by the number of unread messages you have. If you have no messages, a Create Messages button is available. Either way, if you click the button you access the Online Messages page.

The Online Messages page shows you your message information for this negotiation, and displays a breakdown of the conversations that exist for this negotiation. Each conversation appears as a folder. You can expand the folder to see all its messages/replies. If you select a message, its text appears in the details region in the lower half of the page.

Creating a Message

To create a new message:

Select the Create option from the Actions menu or click the create icon.
On the Create Message dialog box, specify the scope of the message using the two list of values menus
Enter the name of the subject of the message. This will become the name of this conversation thread and will appear as a new folder in the message hierarchy.
Enter your message in the text box. You can use rich text formatting and you can include attachments.
When you're finished, click the Send Instant Message button.

Replying to a Message

To reply to a message:

Highlight the message you want to reply to.
Select Reply from the Actions menu. Since you're replying to an existing message, when the Reply to Message dialog box appears, note that the subject for the reply has already been entered.
Enter your message in the text box and send the message when you're finished.