edna: WhatsApp as an inbound channel
With edna, you can automate processes and build an ecosystem for dialog between your company and customers, as well as integrate various channels, for example, WhatsApp.
To use edna WhatsApp as an inbound channel in JAICP:
Creating a channel
Go to JAICP and click Channels → Inbound → Connect channel in the dashboard. Select WhatsApp MFMS in the Messengers and social networks section.
Fill out the fields:
- Name — specify a name for the channel or keep the default one.
- API key — leave the field blank.
- Branch — specify the project branch you want to deploy into the channel (
masterby default). You can also select a Git tag or enter a specific commit hash. - Agent — select a customer engagement platform or leave blank.
- Deployment — select Automatic (whenever any change made to the project is saved) or Manual (using the Deploy button in the channel description line).
You have to deploy a script before starting the chatbot. At this stage, the system builds the chatbot, checks the script syntax, and performs tests.
Click Create.
Under the name of the created channel click Get webhook, it will be copied to the clipboard. You will need the copied webhook later when configuring the edna service.
Setting up the edna service
Log in to the edna platform as an administrator. Go to the user profile. Here, in the Your API key section, click Generate. Copy the key, you will need it at the channel connection stage.
In the Callback URL field, insert the webhook you copied earlier at the channel creation stage.
In the Test phone numbers section below, specify here the phone numbers with which you will test the chatbot.
Connecting the channel
Go to JAICP. Click next to the channel name → Edit. You are now in the channel settings.
In the API Key field, paste the previously copied API key → save changes.
Testing the bot
You can test the work of the chatbot. For this, click the corresponding link on the top bar in the edna web interface. Then, follow edna instructions.
Deploying the bot
To deploy the bot, you need to submit the WhatsApp Business API registration form. Then, follow the instructions on the edna platform.
More about bot reply types and events for the edna WhatsApp channel.