Manage agents

Follow the instructions on this page if you want to manage agents using the partner-based RBM model. These instructions don't apply to the legacy RBM model.

To determine which model you're using, open the Business Communications Developer Console. If Partner account settings displays on the homepage, then you're using the partner-based RBM model. If you don't have access to Partner account settings, you're using the legacy RBM model.

All agents belong to a brand (business, organization, or group). Before an agent can be created, it's necessary to create an owning brand. Brands are purely organizational to help you group related agents together

Code snippets on this page are taken from the Java samples and Node.js samples.

Create an agent

To create an RBM agent, you need to define its basic information.

Node.js

const businessCommunicationsApiHelper =
  require('@google/rbm-businesscommunications');

const privateKey =
  require('../../resources/businesscommunications-service-account-credentials.json');

businessCommunicationsApiHelper.initBusinessCommunucationsApi(privateKey);

const newAgentDetails = {
  displayName: 'My new agent',
  name: brandId + '/agents/',
  rcsBusinessMessagingAgent: {
    description: 'This is the agent description that will be displayed in the Agent info tab in Messages',
    logoUri: 'https://agent-logos.storage.googleapis.com/_/kt90w53vzw2QSxK6PG1uCeJf',
    heroUri: 'https://agent-logos.storage.googleapis.com/_/kt90vzob74GQcfeHoEQbVRTP',
    phoneNumbers: [
      {
        phoneNumber: {
          number: '[phone]'
        },
        label: 'Call support'
      }
    ],
    // emails and websites are optional
    privacy: {
      "uri": 'https://policies.google.com/privacy',
      "label": 'Our privacy policy'
    },
    termsConditions: {
      "uri": 'https://policies.google.com/terms',
      "label": 'Our Terms and Conditions'
    },
    color: '#0B78D0',
    billingConfig: { billingCategory: 'BASIC_MESSAGE' },
    agentUseCase: 'TRANSACTIONAL',
    hostingRegion: 'EUROPE'
  }
};

businessCommunicationsApiHelper.createAgent(brandId, newAgentDetails).then((response) => {

}).catch((err) => {
  console.log(err);
});

Java

Brand brand = api.getBrand(brandId);
logger.info("Brand to operate on: " + brand);
String displayName = flags.getOrDefault("agent_name", "Test RBM Agent: " + now.getSecond());
String suffix = flags.getOrDefault("agent_data_suffix", "API");
RcsBusinessMessagingAgent agentData = AgentFactory.createRbmAgent(suffix);
Agent agent = api.createRbmAgent(brand, displayName, agentData);
logger.info("RBM agent has been created: " + agent);

This code returns the new agent information and a unique identifier assigned to the agent:

{
  name: 'brands/40bd963f-ff92-425c-b273-8f0892d2d017/agents/my_new_agent_dxuewtvy_agent',
  displayName: 'My new agent',
  rcsBusinessMessagingAgent: {
    description: 'This is the agent description that will be displayed in the Agent info tab in Messages',
    logoUri: 'https://agent-logos.storage.googleapis.com/_/kt90w53vzw2QSxK6PG1uCeJf',
    heroUri: 'https://agent-logos.storage.googleapis.com/_/kt90vzob74GQcfeHoEQbVRTP',
    phoneNumbers: [ [Object] ],
    privacy: {
      uri: 'https://policies.google.com/privacy',
      label: 'Our privacy policy'
    },
    termsConditions: {
      uri: 'https://policies.google.com/terms',
      label: 'Our Terms and Conditions'
    },
    color: '#0B78D0',
    billingConfig: { billingCategory: 'BASIC_MESSAGE' },
    agentUseCase: 'MULTI_USE',
    hostingRegion: 'EUROPE'
  }
}

Look up an agent definition

An agent can be retrieved using its unique identifier (name).

Node.js

const businessCommunicationsApiHelper =
  require('@google/rbm-businesscommunications');

const privateKey =
  require('../../resources/businesscommunications-service-account-credentials.json');

businessCommunicationsApiHelper.initBusinessCommunucationsApi(privateKey);

// Retrieve details of the first agent (if one has already been created)
businessCommunicationsApiHelper.getAgent(agent.name).then((response) => {

}).catch((err) => {
  console.log(err);
});

Java

Agent agent = api.getAgent(flags.get("agent_id"));
logger.info("Agent: " + agent);

This code returns the agent information:

{
  name: 'brands/40bd963f-ff92-425c-b273-8f0892d2d017/agents/my_new_agent_dxuewtvy_agent',
  displayName: 'My new agent',
  rcsBusinessMessagingAgent: {
    description: 'This is the agent description that will be displayed in the Agent info tab in Messages',
    logoUri: 'https://agent-logos.storage.googleapis.com/_/kt90w53vzw2QSxK6PG1uCeJf',
    heroUri: 'https://agent-logos.storage.googleapis.com/_/kt90vzob74GQcfeHoEQbVRTP',
    phoneNumbers: [ [Object] ],
    privacy: {
      uri: 'https://policies.google.com/privacy',
      label: 'Our privacy policy'
    },
    termsConditions: {
      uri: 'https://policies.google.com/terms',
      label: 'Our Terms and Conditions'
    },
    color: '#0B78D0',
    billingConfig: { billingCategory: 'BASIC_MESSAGE' },
    agentUseCase: 'MULTI_USE',
    hostingRegion: 'EUROPE'
  }
}

Submit an agent for verification

Brand verification is required for agent launch. You must submit an agent for verification before making a launch request. Note that you don't have to wait for brand approval before making the launch request; brand approval happens as part of the launch approval process.

Node.js

const businessCommunicationsApiHelper =
  require('@google/rbm-businesscommunications');

const privateKey =
  require('../../resources/businesscommunications-service-account-credentials.json');

businessCommunicationsApiHelper.initBusinessCommunucationsApi(privateKey);

let agentVerificationContact = {
  partnerName: 'Alice',
  partnerEmailAddress: '[e-mail]',
  brandContactName: 'Bob',
  brandContactEmailAddress: '[e-mail]',
  brandWebsiteUrl: 'https://thebrand.com/'
};

businessCommunicationsApiHelper.verifyAgent(agent.name, agentVerificationContact).then((response) => {

}).catch((err) => {
  console.log(err);
});

Java

AgentVerificationContact contact = AgentFactory.createRbmAgentVerification();
AgentVerification verification = api.requestAgentVerification(agent.getName(), contact);
logger.info("Verification requested: " + verification);

This code returns the verification information:

{
  "name": "brands/40bd963f-ff92-425c-b273-8f0892d2d017/agents/my_new_agent_ciymyd2b_agent",
  "verificationState": "VERIFICATION_STATE_UNVERIFIED",
  "agentVerificationContact": {
    "partnerName": "Alice",
    "partnerEmailAddress": "[e-mail]",
    "brandContactName": "Bob",
    "brandContactEmailAddress": "[e-mail]",
    "brandWebsiteUrl": "https://thebrand.com/"
  }
}

Look up an agent's verification status

The status of an agent's brand verification can be queried.

Node.js

const businessCommunicationsApiHelper =
  require('@google/rbm-businesscommunications');

const privateKey =
  require('../../resources/businesscommunications-service-account-credentials.json');

businessCommunicationsApiHelper.initBusinessCommunucationsApi(privateKey);

businessCommunicationsApiHelper.getAgentVerification(agent.name).then((response) => {

}).catch((err) => {
  console.log(err);
});

Java

AgentVerification verification = api.getAgentVerification(agent.getName());
logger.info("RBM agent verification: " + verification);

This code returns the verification status:

{
  "name": "brands/40bd963f-ff92-425c-b273-8f0892d2d017/agents/my_new_agent_ciymyd2b_agent/verification",
  "verificationState": "VERIFICATION_STATE_UNVERIFIED",
  "agentVerificationContact": {}
}

Submit an agent for launch

An agent can be submitted for launch on one or more carriers. The completed launch questionnaire must be provided as part of the launch.

Node.js

const businessCommunicationsApiHelper =
  require('@google/rbm-businesscommunications');

const privateKey =
  require('../../resources/businesscommunications-service-account-credentials.json');

businessCommunicationsApiHelper.initBusinessCommunucationsApi(privateKey);
  
let agentLaunch = {
  questionnaire: {
    contacts: [
      {
        name: 'James Bond',
        title: 'Mr 0 0 7',
        email: '[e-mail]'
      }
    ],
    optinDescription: 'Users accepted our terms of service online.',
    triggerDescription: 'We are reaching preregistered users',
    interactionsDescription: 'This agent does not do much.',
    optoutDescription: 'Reply stop and we stop.',
    agentAccessInstructions: 'This is a a simple agent that reaches registered users.',
    videoUris: [
      'https://www.google.com/a/video'
    ],
    screenshotUris: [
      'https://www.google.com/a/screenshot'
    ]
  },
  launchDetails: {}
};

businessCommunicationsApiHelper.launchAgent(agent.name, agentLaunch).then((response) => {

}).catch((err) => {
  console.log(err);
});

Java

Optional<Questionnaire> q = Optional.of(AgentFactory.createRbmQuestionnaire());
AgentLaunch launch = api.requestRbmAgentLaunch(agent.getName(), regionIds, q);
logger.info("RBM agent updated launch: " + launch);

This code returns the agent launch information:

{
  "name": "brands/40bd963f-ff92-425c-b273-8f0892d2d017/agents/my_new_agent_7jo0trhw_agent/launch",
  "rcsBusinessMessaging": {
    "questionnaire": {
      "contacts": [
        {
          "name": "James Bond",
          "title": "Mr O O 7",
          "email": "[e-mail]"
        }
      ],
      "optinDescription": "Users accepted our terms of service online.",
      "triggerDescription": "We are reaching preregistered users",
      "interactionsDescription": "This agent does not do much.",
      "optoutDescription": "Reply stop and we stop.",
      "agentAccessInstructions": "This is a a simple agent that reaches registered users.",
      "videoUris": [
        "https://www.google.com/a/video"
      ],
      "screenshotUris": [
        "https://www.google.com/a/screenshot"
      ]
    },
    "launchDetails": {
      "/v1/regions/some-carrier": {
        "launchState": "LAUNCH_STATE_PENDING",
        "updateTime": "2023-02-24T15:02:13.903554Z"
      }
    },
    "launchRegion": "NORTH_AMERICA"
  }
}

Note that launchRegion is deprecated and is scheduled to be removed soon.

Look up an agent's launch status

The current launch status of an agent can be retrieved.

Node.js

const businessCommunicationsApiHelper =
  require('@google/rbm-businesscommunications');

const privateKey =
  require('../../resources/businesscommunications-service-account-credentials.json');

businessCommunicationsApiHelper.initBusinessCommunucationsApi(privateKey);

businessCommunicationsApiHelper.getAgentLaunch(agent.name).then((response) => {

}).catch((err) => {
  console.log(err);
});

Java

AgentLaunch launch = api.getAgentLaunch(agent.getName());
logger.info("RBM agent launch: " + launch);

This code returns the launch information and the launch status for each target carrier:

{
  "name": "brands/40bd963f-ff92-425c-b273-8f0892d2d017/agents/my_new_agent_7jo0trhw_agent/launch",
  "rcsBusinessMessaging": {
    "questionnaire": {
      "contacts": [
        {
          "name": "James Bond",
          "title": "Mr O O 7",
          "email": "[e-mail]"
        }
      ],
      "optinDescription": "Users accepted our terms of service online.",
      "triggerDescription": "We are reaching preregistered users",
      "interactionsDescription": "This agent does not do much.",
      "optoutDescription": "Reply stop and we stop.",
      "agentAccessInstructions": "This is a a simple agent that reaches registered users.",
      "videoUris": [
        "https://www.google.com/a/video"
      ],
      "screenshotUris": [
        "https://www.google.com/a/screenshot"
      ]
    },
    "launchDetails": {
      "/v1/regions/some-carrier": {
        "launchState": "LAUNCH_STATE_PENDING",
        "updateTime": "2023-02-24T15:02:13.903554Z"
      }
    },
    "launchRegion": "NORTH_AMERICA"
  }
}

Note that launchRegion is deprecated and is scheduled be removed soon.

Add additional carriers to an agent's launch

Additional target carriers can be added by retrieving the current launch information and adding more carriers.

Node.js

const businessCommunicationsApiHelper =
  require('@google/rbm-businesscommunications');

const privateKey =
  require('../../resources/businesscommunications-service-account-credentials.json');

businessCommunicationsApiHelper.initBusinessCommunucationsApi(privateKey);');

// To launch an agent to further carriers, we need to first obtain the existing
// launch information and extend it with the new carrier(s).
businessCommunicationsApiHelper.getAgentLaunch(agent.name).then((response) => {
  let existingLaunch = response.data.rcsBusinessMessaging;

  // Now we add the new carrier to the existing launch
  existingLaunch.launchDetails[config.launchCarrier2] = null;

  // And we submit the launch again
  businessCommunicationsApiHelper.launchAgent(agent.name, existingLaunch).then((response) => {
    console.log('Launch details are:');
    console.log(JSON.stringify(response.data, null, 2));
  }).catch((err) => {
    console.log(err);
  });
}).catch((err) => {
  console.log(err);
});

This code returns the updated launch information:

{
  "name": "brands/40bd963f-ff92-425c-b273-8f0892d2d017/agents/my_new_agent_7jo0trhw_agent/launch",
  "rcsBusinessMessaging": {
    "questionnaire": {
      "contacts": [
        {
          "name": "James Bond",
          "title": "Mr O O 7",
          "email": "[e-mail]"
        }
      ],
      "optinDescription": "Users accepted our terms of service online.",
      "triggerDescription": "We are reaching preregistered users",
      "interactionsDescription": "This agent does not do much.",
      "optoutDescription": "Reply stop and we stop.",
      "agentAccessInstructions": "This is a a simple agent that reaches registered users.",
      "videoUris": [
        "https://www.google.com/a/video"
      ],
      "screenshotUris": [
        "https://www.google.com/a/screenshot"
      ]
    },
    "launchDetails": {
      "/v1/regions/some-carrier": {
        "launchState": "LAUNCH_STATE_PENDING",
        "updateTime": "2023-02-24T15:02:13.903554Z"
      },
      "/v1/regions/another-carrier": {
        "launchState": "LAUNCH_STATE_PENDING",
        "updateTime": "2023-02-24T15:04:50.456552Z"
      }
    },
    "launchRegion": "NORTH_AMERICA"
  }
}

List all agents created for a brand

The developer can retrieve a list of all agents they have created for a brand.

Node.js

const businessCommunicationsApiHelper =
  require('@google/rbm-businesscommunications');

const privateKey =
  require('../../resources/businesscommunications-service-account-credentials.json');

businessCommunicationsApiHelper.initBusinessCommunucationsApi(privateKey);

businessCommunicationsApiHelper.listAgents(brand.name).then((response) => {
  console.log('Current agents are:');
  console.log(response.data);
  datastore.saveJsonData('agents', response.data.agents);
}).catch((err) => {
  console.log(err);
});

Java

Brand brand = api.getBrand(brandId);
logger.info("Brand: " + brand);
ListAgentsResponse response = api.listAllAgents(brand);
List<Agent> agents = response.getAgents().stream()
  .sorted(Comparator.comparing(Agent::getName)).collect(Collectors.toList());
logger.info(String.format("Found %d agents", response.getAgents().size()));
for (Agent agent : agents) {
  logger.info(String.format("Agent [%s]: '%s'", agent.getName(), agent.getDisplayName()));
}

This code returns a list of all the agents owned by the brand:

{
  agents: [
    {
      name: 'brands/40bd963f-ff92-425c-b273-8f0892d2d017/agents/my_new_agent_4fpd1psz_agent',
      displayName: 'My new agent',
      rcsBusinessMessagingAgent: [Object]
    },
    {
      name: 'brands/40bd963f-ff92-425c-b273-8f0892d2d017/agents/my_new_agent_ciymyd2b_agent',
      displayName: 'My second agent',
      rcsBusinessMessagingAgent: [Object]
    },
    {
      name: 'brands/40bd963f-ff92-425c-b273-8f0892d2d017/agents/my_new_agent_helof85o_agent',
      displayName: 'My third agent',
      rcsBusinessMessagingAgent: [Object]
    }
  ]
}

Delete an agent

For security reasons, RBM agents can no longer be deleted. Contact RBM Support for assistance.