Take a Tour of Cottage Companion

Welcome to Cottage Companion's demo platform! This how-to guide will walk you through a tour so you can get a feel for how our web & mobile app works. Let's get started!

3 Steps to Get Access

1) Go to https://portal.cottagecompanion.com/signup and type in your name and email address. You’ll receive an email to complete your Cottage Companion registration. Click on the Create New Password to complete this step.

2) You can now access the app either through the browser at https://portal.cottagecompanion.com or by downloading the app at https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/cottage-companion/id6476620781 (recommended).

3) Open the app and sign on using your email and password. Select the first option - “Take a Tour”. Once you’ve checked the boxes to accept the Authorized User Terms and Privacy Notice and clicked on the submit button, you’ll have access to Cottage Companion’s demo platform where you can view existing and create new work orders.

Summary Page

Upon logging into the demo platform, a Summary Page will be displayed. This is your central hub, where you can get a quick overview of your property maintenance activities. From here, you can easily access other features and take necessary actions.

To search for specific work orders in the Summary View, simply use the search feature by entering relevant keywords or details. It quickly filters the results for your convenience.

Message Maintenance Company: Are you interested in telling your maintenance company about Cottage Companion? This option allows you to send a message directly to them! More details about this are below.

1. Recommend the Feature: Once you've explored the app and are ready to recommend it to your maintenance company, locate the "Message My Maintenance Company" button from the Summary screen. Click on this button to initiate the messaging process.

2. Update Fields on the Form: On the messaging form, you will need to update a few fields. Update the Company section with your Property Maintenance Company's name. Then, enter your primary contact's name and their email address.

3. Personalize or Use the Default Message: Cottage Companion has prepared a default message that you are welcome to use. However, you can also personalize the message by editing the content to your liking.

4. Send the Message: Once you have updated the fields and made any necessary changes to the message, click on the Send button. The message will be sent from your logged-on email account, ensuring that it reaches your Property Maintenance Company promptly.

Contact Cottage Companion: Have any questions or concerns? Our friendly Cottage Companion support team is just a click away. Use this option to contact us directly. We are here to assist you!

Create New Work Order: Want to experience how easy it is to create a new work order? Clicking on this option will guide you through the process step-by-step. You can easily submit the necessary details, such as the type of maintenance required, preferred dates, and any additional notes.

View Existing Work Orders: To keep track of your property maintenance history, select this option. You will be able to view all the details of your existing work orders, including status, dates, and any updates provided by your maintenance company.

Setting Up Notification Preferences

Welcome to Cottage Companion's demo platform! Follow these simple steps to customize your notification preferences for a seamless property maintenance experience:

1. From Main Menu: Start by locating the User Preferences option on the Main Menu screen.

2. User Preferences: Click on User Preferences to access your notification settings.

3. Select Notification Method: In the User Preferences section, you will see a list of various work order statuses. Tick the boxes next to the statuses for which you prefer to receive notifications, whether through the app or via email.

4. Submit: Once you have selected your preferred notification methods, click on Submit to save your settings.

5. Return to Main Menu: To go back to the Main Menu after setting up your notification preferences, simply click on the back arrow located at the top left corner of the screen.

6. View Notifications: Keep an eye on important updates by clicking on the bell icon in the top-right corner of the screen. This is where notifications will be displayed for your convenience. Click on the "x" on this screen to close notifications screen and return to the Main Menu.

That's it! You've successfully customized your notification preferences on Cottage Companion's demo platform. This is how you would stay informed and up-to-date with your property maintenance activities.

Viewing Property Setup

Welcome to Cottage Companion's demo platform! Manage your properties with ease by following these straightforward steps:

1. Access My Properties: From the Main Menu, locate and click on the My Properties option. This will take you to the section where you can view and manage your property details on both the web and mobile app.

2. Multiple Properties & Maintenance Companies: If you have multiple properties and/or work with different property maintenance companies, this is where you will see all the details listed on the live solution. It provides a centralized view for efficient management.

3. Additional Features: Next to your "demo" property details, you will notice three horizontal dots. Click on these dots to access the option to invite additional users.

Updating Work Orders

Welcome to Cottage Companion's demo platform! Follow this practical guide to easily update your work orders and streamline your property maintenance tasks:

1. Multiple Screens to Add Work Orders: To add a new work order, you have a few options. Access the Summary View or go to the Main Menu and select the Work Orders section. Both screens allow you to add work orders efficiently.

2. Accessing Work Order Menu: In the Work Orders section, click on the + sign located in the top right corner of the screen. This will open a new work order screen where you can provide the necessary details.

3. Select Work Order Type: On the new work order screen, choose the type of work order from the dropdown list. Please note that this demo version lists a limited range of options. When working with your Property Maintenance Company, the dropdown list will include all the services they offer.

4. Add Description: Enter all relevant details of the work order in the description field. Be clear and concise, providing any important information that your maintenance company needs to know.

5. Upload a Photo: If there is a photo related to your work order request, you have the option to upload it. This can help provide visual context and assist your maintenance company in understanding the scope of work required.

6. Set Requested by Date: Specify the date by which you would like the work order to be addressed. This helps your maintenance company prioritize and schedule the tasks accordingly.

7. Choose One-Time or Repeating Event: You can specify whether the work order is a one-off event or needs to be repeated. This feature ensures that recurring maintenance tasks are properly managed and scheduled. For repeating activities, follow the provided prompts to enter the frequency, specify the number of occurrences, or indicate the last required date. This helps in managing recurring tasks effectively.

8. Click Submit: Once you have completed all the necessary details, click on "Submit" to add the new work order to Cottage Companion. On the live platform, this action will trigger the seamless integration of the work order into your property maintenance system.

Adding a New Note to an Existing Work Order

Adding a new note to an existing work order in Cottage Companion is a simple and straightforward process. Include this as part of your tour to see how straightforward it is!

1. Open the appropriate existing work order, and you'll be presented with an overview that provides details about the work order.

2. There are two ways to add a note. First, you can click on the "Add Note" button at the top of the screen. Alternatively, you can scroll down and click on the "+" button in the Notes section.

3. By clicking the "Add Note" button at the top of the screen, you'll see the work order type, the current status, and the description. Locate the text area labeled "add new note here" and type in the update or information you wish to add to the work order. Be clear and concise in your note to ensure effective communication.

4. If you need to attach an image or file to provide further context or documentation, simply click on the attach button and follow the prompts to add the necessary file. This feature enhances the clarity and accuracy of the note.

5. Finally, click on the "Submit" button to save your note and add it to the existing work order.

Viewing Calendars on Cottage Companion Demo

Welcome to Cottage Companion's demo platform! Explore the convenience of viewing your maintenance schedules and work orders easily with these simple steps:

1. Access the Calendars Menu: From the Main Menu, click on Calendars to view both the Requested and Scheduled Calendars for maintenance tasks. This comprehensive view allows you to stay organized and keep track of your property maintenance activities.

2. Requested and Scheduled Dates: On the Calendars screen, you will see work orders categorized by their requested and scheduled dates. The scheduled date is assigned by your Property Maintenance Company once they have confirmed it. Easily navigate between these two calendars to stay updated on the status of your maintenance tasks.

3. Scroll and Switch Views: Scroll through the calendars to see different work orders by date. At the bottom of the screen, you can choose from month, week, and day views to suit your preference. These different views provide a clear and organized representation of your maintenance schedule.

4. Explore Work Order Details: For additional information about a specific work order, simply click on it from the calendar view. This action will open a new screen where you can see all the pertinent details of that work order. Stay informed and informed about the work being scheduled for your property.

Accessing Help & Support on Cottage Companion's Demo App

Welcome to Cottage Companion's demo platform! We understand the importance of having quick and easy access to help and support.

1. From the main menu, locate and click on the "Help & Support" option. This will direct you to the Help & Support menu page.

2. To learn more about how to use both the web and mobile app effectively, click on the "App How-To Guide" option. There is a category dedicated to taking a tour of the Demo App. When selected, a new tab will open, presenting you with a guide that contains all the information you need to make the most out of a tour of Cottage Companion. Within the guide, you can search for specific topics or browse through different categories to find the guidance you require.

3. Back at the Help & Support menu, should you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to click on the "Contact Support" option. This will enable you to reach out to our support team, who are ready to provide friendly and professional assistance to address any concerns or issues you may encounter.