This article covers how student information reaches Finalsite's Mobile App, including how Messages XR Enterprise operations feed each module, how cafeteria and library links work, and how to verify the setup and troubleshoot student information.
💡 Quick answers
- How does the app get student information? The app reads the same Messages XR Enterprise data that powers the Messages XR Enterprise parent and student web portal, so no separate upload is needed.
- How current is the information? As current as the school's last SIS sync, which varies by integration. The app retrieves the information live each time a screen opens.
- How is the setup verified? Log in with a test parent account linked to a student and confirm each expected module loads.
- Where are incorrect values corrected? In the source system. The app is a read-only view.
In this article
- Understand the information flow
- Manage grades, attendance, and schedules
- Deliver secure documents
- Connect cafeteria and library links
- Add other links
- Verify with a test parent account
- Troubleshoot student information
- Contact Support
Understand the information flow
The school's SIS and other connected systems feed Messages XR Enterprise. When a parent or student opens a screen in the Student view, the app requests that information from Messages XR Enterprise. How current it is depends on the SIS sync schedule into Messages XR Enterprise, which varies by integration. Schools can also send automated alerts about this information, such as attendance and low balances. See Send an Automated message with Messages XR Enterprise. Families see the result in Student information in the Mobile App for families: Overview and getting started.
Manage grades, attendance, and schedules
These follow the same workflow already used in Messages XR Enterprise. For schools without a daily SIS integration, see Manage the Upload accounts tab.
Deliver secure documents
Report cards, student IDs, locker combinations, and other documents are uploaded as secure files in Messages XR Enterprise. Documents uploaded in the Messages XR Enterprise web portal also appear in the Student view. Learn more in the article, "Help your community access securely delivered documents." For the upload steps and the Main Student Page setting, see "Manage the Upload student data tab." Families find the documents in Student information in the Mobile App for families: View cafeteria, library, bus, and documents.
Connect cafeteria and library links
The Cafeteria button in the Student view opens a URL that comes from the school's Messages XR Enterprise data, and the button appears when the data includes a cafeteria URL. The Library button works the same way with its own URL.
Changing a vendor means changing the URL in the school's Messages XR Enterprise data, so it is a request to Finalsite. Contact your Client Success Manager or email clientsuccess@finalsite.com to request a change.
Add other links
Payments and other actions happen in the school's third-party system. Schools can add a custom link elsewhere in the app that opens it.
- Step 1: Open Mobile Apps in the CMS and go to Content Settings.
- Step 2: Scroll past the existing links and click + Add Custom Link.
- Step 3: Enter the link details and save.
See Mobile App for school leaders: Manage your CMS connections for more details.
Verify with a test parent account
Log in with a test parent account linked to a student and confirm the following:
- The Student view appears for the test account.
- The toggle shows the correct children, and each child's information is correct.
- Each expected module loads current information.
- Each module appears when it has information to show, and attendance displays No absences recorded when the list is empty.
Troubleshoot student information
Check the following before contacting Support:
- The school's SIS is sending that type of information to Messages XR Enterprise.
- The parent-student relationship exists in Constituent Manager for the family.
- Messages XR Enterprise data visibility is enabled for the school. Support can verify this.
- The cafeteria or library URL is in the school's Messages XR Enterprise data when that button is expected.
- Parent accounts include the StudentID for each child. See Manage the Upload accounts tab.
- Grade and attendance files arrive on schedule. Monitoring alerts flag a late file. See Configure notifications for automated messages.
Correct information at the source
If information shown in the app needs a correction, make the change in the source system, such as the SIS. The app reflects the change the next time the data is retrieved.
Contact Support
If the checks above leave questions, contact Finalsite Support.