The Parent-Child relationship feature in ClientPoint allows you to connect multiple ClientPoints to a primary (or "parent") ClientPoint, creating an intuitive and seamless navigation experience across different levels of content. This feature is especially useful for businesses or organizations that want to manage hierarchical content, such as departmental data or event-specific details, while maintaining a cohesive connection to a central main ClientPoint experience.
What is a Parent-Child Relationship?
A Parent ClientPoint serves as the central hub of information, while Child ClientPoints act as secondary experiences connected to the parent. This relationship allows users to easily navigate between departmental or specific content and the broader, company-wide or event-level information. It’s like having a “back” or “home” button that allows users to quickly return to the main content.
For example:
- A conference may have different ClientPoint sections for various vendors and event details. With the parent-child relationship, users can access vendor-specific information and easily navigate back to the main conference page.
- A company-wide portal can have sections dedicated to different divisions, where users can navigate to specific division content and then return to the overall company experience without needing to log in again.
How to Set Up the Parent-Child Relationship
Only Administrators have the permissions to configure this parent-child structure. Below are the steps to set it up:
Determine Your Main and Secondary ClientPoints:
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- Decide which ClientPoint will be the Parent (main experience) and which will be the Child (secondary experience).
- For instance, the Parent might be titled ClientPoint “Main”, and the Child would be ClientPoint “2nd Level”.
Assign the Same Division:
- Ensure that both the Parent and Child ClientPoints belong to the same division. If needed, create a new division to align the ClientPoints.
Configure the Child ClientPoint:
- Go to the Child ClientPoint (e.g., ClientPoint "2nd Level").
- Navigate to Settings > Workspace > Division.
- Select the appropriate division where the relationship will be established.
- Click Edit.
Link the Parent ClientPoint:
- When in the Edit screen, you will see a field to search for the Parent ClientPoint (e.g., ClientPoint “Main”). Select the appropriate Parent ClientPoint.
- This links the Child ClientPoint to the Parent, enabling users to navigate easily between them.
Accessing the Parent Experience:
- When clients or customers visit a ClientPoint that has a linked relationship, they will see a Home icon in the Table of Contents of the Child ClientPoint. This icon will take them directly back to the Parent ClientPoint, providing a streamlined navigation experience.
Setting Up Parent-Child ClientPoints with a Directory Tool
Organizing and managing multiple ClientPoints within a larger structure - such as events, divisions, or departments - can be streamlined using the Parent-Child ClientPoint setup. This article outlines how to effectively create a parent ClientPoint, associate it with child ClientPoints, and configure a directory tool to display them in one centralized view.
Step 1: Set Up a New Division and Parent ClientPoint
Begin by setting up a new division within your ClientPoint account. Create a Parent ClientPoint, which will serve as the centralized hub for your associated content. Once the parent is created, associate it with the division. This ensures that any ClientPoints created under that division will automatically include a "Home" button linking back to the parent - creating a consistent and intuitive navigation experience.
Step 2: Add and Configure the Directory Tool
To make this structure function properly, you’ll need to use a Tool that displays all associated (child) ClientPoints or directories within the parent. A commonly used version of this is the Conference Directory Tool, though it can be renamed based on your specific use case.
Navigate to the Parent ClientPoint and locate the directory tool.
Click on the Tool, then select Edit.
The tool will prompt you to define the data source. Under "Where does info pull from?" select the appropriate Child ClientPoint (e.g., “Conference”).
Choose the data table you’d like the tool to populate - for example, a list of vendors.
Customize the label for the Visit Button that will appear with each child ClientPoint listed.
Step 3: Manage Datatables for Child ClientPoints
If you need to update or configure information for child ClientPoints, you can do so through the Manage Datatables function:
Click Manage Datatables from within the tool editor. A new browser tab will open, redirecting you to the Custom Fields/Data Table section.
Search for the relevant Child ClientPoint - in this case, "Conference."
Click the child ClientPoint, then select Manage Data. This will take you to a full list of associated ClientPoints.
From here, you can:
Add, edit, delete, or upload new records
Export data as a CSV file
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Edit details such as:
ID
Name
Description
Logo
Booth number
URL
Featured status (Yes/No)
Enable or disable status
⚠️ Important: Make sure the Datatables match correctly between the child and parent ClientPoints for everything to display properly.
Step 4: Finalize and Preview
Once you’re satisfied with the data setup:
Return to the Tool tab where you clicked Manage Datatables.
Click Submit.
Click Save and Continue, then head over to the Preview tab to verify everything is working as expected.
Use Case Examples
- Corporate Structure: A large corporation can maintain a ClientPoint for the company-wide initiatives (Parent) and separate ClientPoints for each department (Child). This enables employees to access relevant departmental information and easily return to the central corporate page.
- Event Management: For conferences or events, the main ClientPoint might hold general event details, while each vendor or attendee group has its own dedicated ClientPoint (Child). Attendees can view vendor information and easily return to the main event page using the Home icon.
Additional Notes
- Custom Parent Links: You can also link any valid external website as the Parent ClientPoint, offering even greater flexibility in how you structure your content.
- User Experience: This relationship enhances user experience by minimizing the need for multiple logins and providing easy access to related information within the same environment.
By leveraging the Parent-Child relationship, ClientPoint offers a robust solution for organizing and managing hierarchical content in a seamless and user-friendly manner.
For more information on setting up and managing Parent-Child relationships, feel free to contact support@clientpoint.net.