Unlock your potential with the Solution Manager role in SmartSuite. Learn how to configure and publish custom Solutions tailored to your team’s needs.
Plan Availability: | All plan types |
Permissions: | Granted by Administrators, Solution Creators, or other Solution Managers. |
Related Reading: |
What Is a Solution Manager?
A Solution Manager in SmartSuite is a user with a permission, not a role, that is assigned on a per-Solution basis. Solution managers have limited administrative capabilities for their assigned Solutions, giving them control over public views, Tables and their fields, field placement on the edit record page, and all of the Solution’s data.
Specifically, a Solution Manager can do the following:
Modify Tables and their fields in Solutions where they are assigned the Solution Manager permission.
Configure permissions for their Solutions
Add or remove Solution Managers at their discretion.
A Solution Manager has full access to the solution, including the ability to configure permissions
The original Solution Creator (or Administrator) that creates a Solution is the initial Solution Manager. Solution Creators get Solution Manager permissions by default in a Solution they've created, but can lose those permissions.
For example, they can be downgraded to Viewers, or they can be removed as a solution manager.
Note: Administrators always have access to all data and configuration options within the Table.
In contrast, General Access users cannot modify SmartSuite Solution configuration or change permissions, but can take advantage of communications functions, @mentions, starred items, and more. General Access users can be granted Solution Manager permissions in a given solution by an existing Solution Manager of the Solution or a user with the Administrator role.
How to Become a Solution Manager
To make a General Access user a Solution Manager, you must grant them Solution Manager permissions for a specific Solution. Solution Manager is a permission, not a role, and it must be assigned on a per-Solution basis.
Here's how to grant Solution Manager permissions to a General Access user:
Access the Solution's Permissions Settings: You must be a Solution Manager or an Administrator for the Solution to grant this permission.
Access the Solution and open the Solution options menu by clicking the arrow to the right of the Solution name.
Click on "Permissions"
Set the Solution permission to something other than "Private to me". If a solution is set to "Private to me," only the user who created it and administrators can access it.
Add the User as a Solution Manager:
The Solution permissions dialog box will display a list of current Solution Managers at the bottom.
Click the "+" icon in the bottom-right corner.
Select the Member you want to grant Solution Manager permissions to.
Who Can Grant Solution Manager Permissions?
The following users can grant Solution Manager permissions:
Administrators: They can grant Solution Manager permissions across the entire workspace.
Solution Creators: They can grant Solution Manager permissions for the Solutions they have created. When a Solution Creator creates a solution, they get Solution Manager permissions by default.
Existing Solution Managers: They can grant Solution Manager permissions for the Solutions they manage.
What Can a Solution Manager Do?
Once a user is a Solution Manager for a specific Solution, they gain several capabilities:
They have full access to the solution, including the ability to configure permissions.
They can modify public views, Tables and their fields, and field placement on the edit record page.
They have control over all of the Solution's data.
They can add or remove other Solution Managers.
They can be removed as a solution manager or downgraded to a "viewer," even if they were the original creator of the solution.
Important Considerations
General Access users cannot modify SmartSuite Solution configuration or change permissions unless they are made a Solution Manager.
Solution Manager permissions are granted on a per-Solution basis. A user who is a Solution Manager in one Solution might not have any special permissions in another Solution.
Solution Manager is not a "role," but a "permission". User roles are defined by the level of system access and capability they have within SmartSuite, like Administrator, Solution Creator, General Access, and Guest.
Practical Scenarios and Use Cases
Streamlining Project Workflows
Scenario: Your team uses a pre-built Solution for project management but needs additional fields and automations. Solution: Become a Solution Manager to customize the Solution and optimize it for your team’s workflow.
Building a Custom CRM
Scenario: Your sales team requires a CRM tailored to their unique process. Solution: Assign the Solution Manager permission to a Member of a newly-installed CRM template, allowing them to customize it to the needs of their team or workflow.
Scaling Business Operations
Scenario: A growing team requires new Solutions for HR, finance, and operations. Solution: Solution Managers can assist Solution Creators and Administrators with the configuration and management of multiple Solutions to meet department-specific needs.
Summary
In summary, the Solution Manager permission is a powerful tool that provides granular control over individual solutions, allowing users to customize and manage their work within SmartSuite.