This tutorial describes the process to install DirectFax for Slack.

Prerequisites

Before reading these instructions be sure that the following prerequisites are met:

  • Slack is installed on your computer or workstation.

  • A Slack account with permissions to download apps.

Due to group permissions within organizations, unless authorized, you may need an IT Administrator’s help when attempting this tutorial.

In Slack, these changes may need to take place in “Settings & Permissions”.

Complete Setup Video

Below you will find a video covering the entire setup process for DirectFax Messenger on Slack

Instructions

Download DirectFax via Web Browser

  1. In your preferred web browser visit https://www.slack.com/apps

  2. In the search bar, type “DirectFax”, one-word, no spaces

  3. If you are not signed into Slack in your browser, you will be asked to “Sign in to Install”. Otherwise, click the option “Add to Slack”

Download DirectFax via the Slack App

  1. Open the Slack application and on the left-hand navigation bar click the “Add apps” button and search for “DirectFax”, one-word, no spaces.

  2. Click “Add” under “DirectFax Messenger”, you will be taken to the Slack App Directory in your web browser.

  3. From there, click “Add to Slack”, on the next page click “Allow” to confirm permissions for the DirectFax Messenger to access your workspace.

Now that you have installed DirectFax Messenger to your Slack, you will need to create an account with etherFAX to use the service.

Create an Account with etherFAX

  1. While still on the https://etherfax.net/slack-installation page, click “Activate Device” above. This would also work from the etherFAX homepage at https://etherfax.net.

  2. Determine your account type, and fill out the form and click “Next”

  3. On the next page, select “Slack” as your product type. Then decide on whether you would like to port an existing fax number you own, or if you would like etherFAX to choose a fax number for you. If you only wish to send faxes outbound, there is an option for this as well. When you are ready click “Next”.

  4. Determine billing information for your account, confirm your pricing plan, and agree to the terms and conditions. Then click “Summary”.

  5. If the information on the next page looks correct, click “Save”. You will be taken to a page that looks like this:

Be sure to go to your email address and set up your password. Doing so will allow you to access the etherFAX Account Management Portal.

If you require a fax number, ported or provided by etherFAX, you will need to wait and hear from the etherFAX Line Number Porting team before receiving fax messages at your Slack user.

Registering your etherFAX Account to Slack

  1. On the etherFAX-Slack Account activation page we are given an enrollment code. Copy the code and open Slack:

  2. In the DirectFax Messenger app, in the “Messages” tab, use the “/” to bring up the shortcut menu. From there, use another “/” and then type “fax_enroll”. You should see the command appear as seen below:

    Add your copied enrollment code to the end of “fax_enroll” and then click the Enter key.

  3. You will now be given a message stating your device registration was successful. We can confirm this by opening up the shortcut menu (“/” followed by another “/”) and then selecting “fax_status”.

    We can confirm our account is ready to start faxing by seeing that “Enabled” is set to “True” and that there is a “Registered On” date.

If you are porting/requesting a new DID, you will need to wait from the etherFAX LNP team for further instruction.