How do I add apps to the Apps tab?

Simpplr allows you to customize your Apps Launcher by adding your organization's most commonly used applications directly to your Simpplr Home dashboard.
apps_launcher_1.png

 

Note:

To set up the Apps Launcher with your own apps, the App manager or System admin for your intranet must connect the applications with the instructions below.


Begin by adding custom JSON to your Simpplr intranet. To do so: 

  1. Navigate to Manage > Apps & links.
    apps_launcher_2.gif
  2. Select Custom JSON from the dropdown.
  3. Enter your custom JSON code in the box. Below is a sample of what your code should look like. Copy & paste this into the box, or download the attachment at the bottom of this article to use as your template. 
    [{    "name": "Google Mail",    "url": "http://google.com",    "img": "https://www.abc.xyz/text.jpg"}, {    "name": "Google",    "url": "http://google.com",    "img": "https://www.abc.xyz/googleicon.jpg"}, {    "name": "Simpplr",    "url": "http://simpplr.com",    "img": "https://www.abc.xyz/simpplricon.jpg"}, {    "name": "Another App",    "url": "http://google.com",    "img": "https://www.abc.xyz/icon.jpg"}, {    "name": "Workday",    "url": "http://workday.com",    "img": "https://www.abc.xyz/workdayicon.jpg"}]
  4. Replace the "name" and "url" components with your own app name(s). For example, if you user Microsoft 365, your line of code may look like this: {
    "name": "Microsoft 365",

    "url": "https://office.com",

    "img": "https://affinityit.co.uk/uploads/images/content/_large/Microsoft_365_-_New_Website.png"

    },
  5. When replacing the "img" component to show the app's logo/icon, you'll want to make sure you're hosting the image file on a dedicated server. This will allow you to copy the image endpoint and enter it into your JSON. If the image source file is already hosted on a platform, simply copy & paste the file url to your JSON (as in the example above). The image(s) used must have the sharing settings set to Global, or Anyone with link if stored on Salesforce (more on this below).

Note that the maximum total apps that can be added via JSON is around 100, depending on the length of characters you input.

We've provided links to some of the most common company logos/icons used by our customers in the Apps launcher. Feel free to download the images and upload them to your hosting server. These images are in the optimal size to work on the Apps launcher, so you won't need to edit them before placing them on your hosting server.

 

Note:

When getting the logo image files, make sure the background of each image is transparent. Simpplr will by default include a white background for all the logos. Also make sure your images are 220x80 pixels. This is the accepted file size for Apps launcher icons.

 

To ensure the app icon visibility across the intranet, we recommend hosting the image file either on a Simpplr's site file folder or on your organization's Salesforce instance, then set the file sharing settings to allow visibility to anyone with the link.

To save images on a site's file folder:

  1. As an App manager or System admin, navigate to one of your intranet's sites. A good location to host your icons may be an IT site or Marketing site. 
  2. Go to the Files section of the site and create a new folder.
    apps_launcher_3.png
  3. Name your folder Apps icons or something easily memorable, then assign Read only permissions. Click Create.
    apps_launcher_4.png
  4. Click into your newly created folder and upload the icon image you want to use for your app.
  5. Now go to your Salesforce instance by removing everything after .com in your Simpplr url. Find the image url by navigating to the Files section of Salesforce. You can do this by clicking the + icon a the top of the home page and scrolling down to Files.

    Note:

    You can also upload a new image/icon to the Files section. The image must be 110x40 pixels.
    file_sharing_settings_1.gif
  6. Locate the image file you uploaded to your site click into it. Right click and choose Open Image in New Tab.
    open image in new tab.png 
  7. In the new tab, right click the image and select Copy Image Address, or copy the URL from the top bar.
    copy_image_address.png
  8. Navigate back to your JSON editor in the Manage > Apps & links menu and paste the url you just copied into the "img" source location. Once complete, scroll down and click Save. The changes may take a moment to go into effect.
    apps_launcher_5.gif

 

To save images as documents in Salesforce:

One other method for saving your images in Salesforce is to upload them as documents in a document library. The steps are similar to uploading as files. To do so:

  1. Click the + icon on the home dashboard of your Salesforce instance. 
  2. Scroll down until you see Documents and click.
  3. Click New.
    save_image_doc_library_1.gif
  4. Find the image file you're looking to add and upload it in the Choose file section. Uploading this image should auto-populate the Document Name and Unique Name fields. If it doesn't, just title the image file. the Unique Name will autofill.
    Save_image_as_document_2.gif
  5. Check the box next to Externally Available Image. Then click Save.
  6. From the next page, you'll see the image you just uploaded. Right click into the image and choose Copy Image Address.
    save_image_as_document_3.png
  7. Navigate back to your JSON editor in Simpplr and paste the url you just copied into the "img" source location. Once complete, scroll down and click Save. The changes may take a moment to go into effect.
    save_iamge_as_document_4.png

Analytics

You can view analytics on your apps' performance by going to Analytics > App and selecting the Content tab. 

Under Apps & links usage, you'll see analytics on the ten most-clicked apps. While the analytics UI only shows up to the ten most-clicked apps, you can download a CSV to compare click rate on all apps. 

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Comments

3 comments
  • How many Apps can we have listed in the App Launcher? I swear this article used to say 15... but now it doesn't?

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  • Hey Linda. If you're using custom JSON to add your apps, there is a character limit in the code of 131,072 characters, so as long as you're not going over that, you can add quite a few apps. There isn't a specific app limit. If you're using Okta, the max number will depend on your Okta settings.

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  • I added another App today but forgot to upload it into my app icons folder. I uploaded it directly into Salesforce. Is there a way I can move it on the backend so it appears in the folder? If so, will it break the link? I can create a new one if needed. Thanks.

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