How to integrate SAS Flex with Google Contacts

One of the many features that Google offers is Google Contacts, software that works just like your email or cell phone Contacts list. If you have been manually entering new leads, integrating the Google Contacts app into your script paths will push the data that the operators collect from your callers directly to your contacts list. This information would be immediately available every time an operator closes a call.

In this article we'll discuss:

Connect Google Contacts to the SAS Google Contacts App
Set Contact Data Parameters
Map Contact Data
Integrate Google Contacts Into Your Script

Connect Google Contacts to the SAS Google Contacts App

Within SAS Flex, go to the Integrations button on the left-hand navigation panel.

From the Apps screen, click Install next to the Google Contacts icon. On the next screen, you'll connect the email address where your Google Contacts are saved.

Click the Connect button.

You'll see a pop-up which will instruct you to select the Google account you wish to connect.

On the next screen, you'll need to allow SAS access to your Google Account. To do this, click Allow.

Setting Contact Data Parameters

Now that Google Contacts is connected to the app, click Add Configuration to begin setup.

Under the Configure tab, add a Name for the integration.

Now, you'll need to decide whether you'd like the system to  Update and Overwrite existing contact data.

If   Don't update existing contacts. Create new ones. is chosen, SAS will look for an email match in your Google Contacts installation. If there is no match, it will create a new contact. If there is an email match that corresponds to your mapped fields, it will do nothing. For example, let's say that you map Work Email in your integration. Your contacts list has the email address joe@none.com as a Work Email, and the operator takes that same information from your caller. The SAS app will leave the contact as-is, and will not create a new one.

If   Update contacts by overwriting any data with details from SAS. is chosen, SAS will look for an email match in your Google Contacts installation. If there is a match, it will overwrite any existing customer data with data we've received from the call.

If   Update contacts by appending details from SAS without overwriting existing data. is chosen, SAS will look for an email match in your Google Contacts installation. If there is a match, it won't overwrite data but will add any new details received.

Map Your Contact Data

Now, you'll need to map the data that you'd like to include in each entry.

Under the Mapping tab, select the contact list from the drop down list.

Note that the options in this drop down list are linked to the Contacts lists in your Google account.

Next, click Add Mapping.

In the first drop down, you'll need to select either Collector or Text.

Collector will allow you to use specific script variables to populate Google Contacts fields. If you select this option, the second column will allow you to select a script variable, or a collector. The majority of the data mapped will be based on the available collectors.

Text gives you the option to type your own data rather than using SAS variables. If you select Text, the second column will be a blank box where you can type specific information. Adding custom Text is useful for the Notes field in Google Contacts. For example, you may want to include SAS Lead in each entry.

After you've completed the second column, you will either Select a Collector or enter your desired Text.

Collector column

Text column

Once you've set a variable or typed in your text, use the drop down list in the last column to select the corresponding Google contact variable.

Note that you will not see FirstName (givenName) or LastName (familyName) in the Google contact variable list. The caller's full name is automatically captured by the app without the need to map specific name fields.

After all columns are set, you'll see your data listed below.

Repeat the steps in this section for all of the contact data you'd like to include. When you are finished, click Save.

Integrate Google Contacts into Your Script

When all of your integration settings are complete, contact SAS at service@specialtyansweringservice.net to add the integration into the appropriate block in your SAS script, or follow these instructions to integrate the app yourself.

If you've disconnected and reconnected your configuration at any point, you'll need to re-integrate it into your script.