Messages
Send a message straight to a worker's Workstation tablet, and get notified when a worker messages you back.
Why it matters
Not every heads-up to a worker needs a phone call or a personal text. Messages gives you a direct line to anyone on your team who uses Workstation — a job update, a schedule note, a quick question — without handing out your cell number.
How it works
Each worker has one running thread with your shop's managers and admins. Open a worker's thread from the Messages inbox, read what they've sent, and reply. When a worker sends you a message, everyone with access to Messages who has the FabWise Supervisor iOS app installed gets a push notification. On the web, the worker's unread count shows up in your Messages inbox.
Messaging is off by default for new accounts — you turn it on for your shop before it appears anywhere.
Where to find it
- Page: Admin → Messages
- Path to enable: Settings → Time Tracking → Enable Workstation Messages
- Who can see it: Admins, managers, and supervisors, once messaging is enabled for your account
What you'll see
The inbox
A list of your workers, one row each. A row shows the worker's name, their most recent activity, and an unread count badge if they've sent you something you haven't read yet. Workers with no messages yet show "No messages yet" instead of an activity time.
A worker's thread
Tap a worker's row to open their thread. You'll see every message exchanged with that worker, oldest to newest, each labeled with who sent it and when. Opening the thread marks anything the worker sent as read.
The reply box
At the bottom of a worker's thread, type your message and tap Send.
What to do
- Turn on messaging under Settings → Time Tracking, if you haven't already.
- Open Messages to see your inbox — workers with unread messages show a badge.
- Tap a worker's row to open their thread and read what they sent.
- Reply from the same screen.
The same inbox is available on the FabWise Supervisor iOS app, so you can check and reply from your phone.
Common questions
Q: Do I get notified when a worker messages me?
A: Yes — if you have the FabWise Supervisor iOS app installed, you get a push notification when a worker sends a message. On the web there's no pop-up; the unread count appears in your Messages inbox when you open it.
Q: Do workers get notified when I reply?
A: No push notification goes to the worker. They see your reply as an unread badge on their Workstation Messages tab the next time they're at the tablet.
Q: Can I message a worker who isn't on Workstation?
A: Messages only works with workers who have Workstation access. If a worker doesn't use Workstation, there's no thread to send to.
Q: Can I edit or delete a message after sending it?
A: No. Messages are a permanent record once sent — there's no edit or delete.
Q: Why don't I see Messages in my navigation?
A: Either your account hasn't turned messaging on yet (Settings → Time Tracking), or your role doesn't have access to it.
Related
- [Enroll a Worker for Workstation Access](enrolling-workers-for-workstation.md)
Last updated: 2026-07-03