Hey there! Planning to connect Envoy with Slack? Smart move. But before you dive deep into setup instructions, let's talk about what you're actually getting – and whether there might be a better path forward.
What Envoy Slack Integration Actually Offers (The Good Stuff)
The Slack integration makes it easy for employees to use Envoy features in the integration they use most. Employees can register to come on-site, book desks, get notified when their visitors and deliveries arrive, and check in to meeting rooms.
Here's what Envoy brings to the table:
Core Features That Work Well
- Visitor notifications: Envoy will send a Slack direct message to your employees every time a visitor arrives to see them.
- Basic desk functionality: Type /envoy-desk into slack to view your desk.
- Check-in/out commands: Type /envoy-in into slack to check in with Envoy and /envoy-out into Slack to check out of work via Envoy.
- Schedule viewing: Type /envoy-schedule into Slack to view your schedule.
How to Set Up Envoy Slack Integration (The Full Process)
Want to give it a try? Here's the complete setup process:
Step 1: Admin Prerequisites
You'll need to be an admin on your Slack account to complete this setup. If you're not an admin, you'll need to get one involved.
Step 2: Install from Slack
- Click on the '+Add apps' section in the left sidebar.
- In the search bar, type 'Envoy' and select the Envoy app from the results.
- Click the 'Add to Slack' button.
Step 3: Connect Through Envoy
Go to Integrations > All Integrations. Search for Slack. Click Install.
Step 4: Authorization
Select or sign in to your team. Review the information, and click Allow.
Step 5: Configuration
Optionally, under Workspaces, choose the workspace to block from messaging. Select Next step, and Complete Setup.
Important note: To receive notifications from the Envoy bot, an employee must be listed with the same email address both in your Envoy employee directory and on your Slack team.
The Reality Check: Where Envoy Falls Short
Now, here's where things get real. After helping dozens of companies through this process, I've seen the same frustrations pop up again and again:
Limited Desk Booking Features
While Envoy lets you view your assigned desk, the actual booking experience is... basic. You're looking at simple commands that don't give you the full picture of availability or help you make smart booking decisions.
Complex Multi-Step Processes
Notice how many steps that setup took? And that's just the beginning. Go to Visitors > Settings > Notifications. Click Edit next to Slack. Toggle on Host replies. Every feature seems to require navigating through multiple menus and settings.
Missing Social Context
Here's what really gets me – you can see your desk, but what about seeing who else is coming in? That's the magic sauce that actually drives office attendance in hybrid teams.
Why Officely Smart Booking Changes Everything
Look, I've been in this space long enough to see what actually works. While Envoy gives you the basics, Officely was built from the ground up to solve the real problem: getting hybrid teams to actually want to come into the office.
Native Slack Integration (Not Just Commands)
Unlike Envoy's command-based approach, Officely lives directly inside Slack. No slash commands to remember. No switching between apps. Just natural, intuitive interactions that feel like... well, like they belong in Slack.
Smart Social Features
This is where Officely really shines:
- See who's coming in before you book
- Encourage attendance through social visibility
- Build office culture by making it easy to coordinate with teammates
Advanced Booking Intelligence
Officely doesn't just let you book a desk – it helps you make smart decisions:
- Real-time availability across multiple office areas
- Team coordination features
- Parking and meeting room integration
- Simple analytics that actually matter
The Bottom Line: Simple vs. Smart
Here's the thing – The most powerful, feature-rich platform is useless if your employees find it a hassle. By living directly within Slack and Microsoft Teams, Officely meets your team where they are.
Envoy Integration Reality:
- Multiple setup steps requiring admin access
- Command-based interaction (remember those slash commands?)
- Limited social context
- Visitor-focused rather than desk-booking-focused
Officely Advantage:
- One-click setup for most teams
- Natural conversation flow in Slack
- Social visibility that drives attendance
- Purpose-built for hybrid desk booking
Making the Smart Choice for Your Team
Don't get me wrong – Envoy has its place. If you're primarily focused on visitor management with some light desk booking on the side, it might work for you.
But if you're serious about:
- Increasing office attendance
- Simplifying the booking experience
- Building office culture in a hybrid world
- Getting actual adoption from your team
Then you owe it to yourself to check out Officely.
Ready to See the Difference?
Why not experience what frictionless office booking actually looks like? Officely integrates with your existing Slack workspace in minutes, not hours. Your team can start booking desks and seeing who's in the office without learning a single new command or downloading any apps.
Try Officely with 5 Employees for Free ->
Transform your hybrid workplace with smart booking that actually drives attendance – all from inside Slack.
Still have questions about Envoy vs. Officely? Our team has helped hundreds of companies make the switch to smarter office management. Get in touch and we'll walk you through exactly what each platform offers for your specific needs.
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