DB Connect: chat with other companies on the network

DB Connect is Dispatch Bros' private messaging network between companies. Instead of texting a partner locksmith or a referral company from your personal phone, you chat with them from the DB Connect page in the sidebar — a WhatsApp-style inbox with direct chats, groups, voice notes, images, and job cards. Every company on the network has a public Connect ID (format: DB-12345-ABC) that partners use to find you; nothing about your customers or finances is shared unless you send it.

Before you start

• DB Connect must be included in your plan. If it isn't, the page shows "DB Connect is not on your plan" with a link to billing.
• Owners and admins always have access. Dispatchers and technicians need to be switched on individually (see below).

The inbox

Open DB Connect in the left sidebar. The layout mirrors familiar chat apps:

• A search box (Search or start a new chat) and filter pills: All, Unread, Favorites, Groups.
• Conversation rows with unread badges, mention markers, and draft previews.
• A three-dot menu per conversation with Mute for 8 hours, Mute for 1 week, Mute always, Archive, and Pin. You can pin up to 3 conversations — after that the menu shows Pin limit reached.
• The New chat button starts a direct chat or a group — see invite a company and share a job card.

Before your first conversation the list reads "No conversations yet." with the hint "Tap + to start a new chat or create a group."

Your company identity and who can use it

Open the settings panel (gear icon in the inbox header):

• Your company photo and display name — what partners see.
• Your Connect ID with a one-click copy button. Partners use this ID to find your company and start a conversation.
• Who can use DB Connect — owners and admins show as Always on; every dispatcher and technician has an individual on/off switch. Only owners and admins can manage access — everyone else sees "Only owners and admins can manage access."

The AI Closing group

Every company gets a pinned AI Closing group thread. When the AI Closing system detects a job closing in your conversations it posts a structured job card there — job number, service type, schedule, customer first name, city/state — so nothing gets buried. Clicking a card opens the job on your Jobs page. Details on job cards are in invite a company and share a job card.

Sending messages

The composer works like any modern chat: type in the "Type a message" box, attach images, video, or documents with the paperclip, record voice messages, add emoji, and @-mention members in groups. Messages support replies, reactions, forwarding, and starring.

Troubleshooting

• "DB Connect is not on your plan" — your current plan does not include cross-tenant messaging. Upgrade from billing.
• "You don't have DB Connect access" — your role needs the individual switch turned on: "Ask your owner or admin to grant you DB Connect access from Settings."
• "DB Connect is not activated yet" — the company profile hasn't been activated. An owner or admin opening DB Connect activates it.
• The composer says "Activate your DB Connect profile to send messages." — same cause; have an owner or admin open the page first.
• "Subscription not active" — the company subscription lapsed. Resubscribe to regain access.