Using the Assistant

Create, manage, and understand everything in Otto using the Assistant


1. What the Assistant Does

The Assistant is the primary way to interact with Otto.

You can use the Assistant to:

  • create and manage work
  • organize information
  • schedule operations
  • ask questions about your property

Otto is not just a database or a work tracker. The Assistant helps you use everything in the system quickly and naturally.


2. You Can Use the Assistant in More Than One Place

You can use the Assistant:

  • inside Otto
  • by texting the Assistant via SMS

This means you can interact with Otto whether you are at a desk or on the move.

Examples:

  • “Create a ticket for a leak in the upstairs bathroom”
  • “When was the last generator service?”
  • “Who services the pool heater?”


[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER — Assistant in Otto]
[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER — texting the Assistant via SMS]



3. What You Can Do with the Assistant

The Assistant can help you work across the entire system.

Create and manage work

You can ask the Assistant to:

  • create tickets
  • add tasks
  • update tickets
  • assign work
  • add notes

Build and organize the system

You can ask the Assistant to:

  • create assets
  • add locations
  • create wikis
  • add contacts
  • organize information

Schedule and standardize work

You can ask the Assistant to:

  • schedule events
  • create recurring work
  • build templates

Ask questions about your property

You can ask the Assistant things like:

  • “How does the pool system work?”
  • “Where is the generator located?”
  • “What issues have we had with the boiler?”
  • “When was the filter last replaced?”
  • “Who is the electrical provider?”

4. How the Assistant Answers Questions

The Assistant can answer questions by using the information already stored in Otto, including:

  • Wikis for reference information and instructions
  • Assets for equipment and systems
  • Locations for where things are
  • Tickets for issue and work history
  • Tasks for work details
  • Files for photos, layouts, and documents
  • Contacts for vendors and service providers

The Assistant can combine this with reasoning to help answer operational questions about the property.

When available, the Assistant may also use outside information to help answer a question more completely.


5. Why Good Data Matters

The Assistant works best when Otto is well organized.

That means:

  • assets are clearly named
  • locations are accurate
  • tickets are linked properly
  • wikis contain stable reference information
  • notes are meaningful

Better system data leads to better answers and better results.


6. How to Use the Assistant

Option 1 — Message the Assistant in Otto

Open the Assistant and type what you want in plain language.

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER — Assistant prompt area]

Option 2 — Text the Assistant by SMS

Send a text message with your request or question.

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER — SMS conversation with Assistant]

You do not need special commands. Use normal language.


7. Examples of Good Requests

Create work

  • “Create a ticket for the kitchen sink leaking under the cabinet.”
  • “Create a ticket for the pool pump making noise and assign it to John.”

Update work

  • “Add a note that the technician is coming tomorrow at 10 AM.”
  • “Mark the generator ticket as waiting on parts.”

Create records

  • “Add an asset for the wine fridge in the kitchen.”
  • “Create a wiki for the pool system with maintenance instructions.”

Ask questions

  • “What do we know about the generator?”
  • “When was the last time the pool filter was changed?”
  • “Who services the HVAC system?”

8. When to Use the Assistant vs the Interface

Use the Assistant when:

  • you want to move quickly
  • you are creating something
  • you are asking a question
  • you are on your phone
  • you are not sure where something belongs

Use the interface when:

  • you want to review records in detail
  • you need to edit structured fields directly
  • you are managing lists, history, or linked records

For most users, the Assistant should be the starting point.


9. Best Practices

Be specific

Include the location, asset, or issue when you know it.

Ask direct questions

The Assistant can usually help faster when the request is concrete.

Review important results

After creating or updating something, confirm the details are correct.

Keep wikis and records clean

The Assistant gets smarter and more useful when the system is well maintained.


10. Common Mistakes

Thinking the Assistant is only for creating tickets

The Assistant can help across the whole system.

Being too vague

“Something is wrong” is harder to act on than a specific request.

Not using the Assistant for property questions

This is one of the most powerful ways to use Otto.

Ignoring system structure

The Assistant works best when locations, assets, tickets, and wikis are connected.


11. Key Takeaway

The Assistant is the preferred way to use Otto.

You can:

  • message the Assistant inside Otto
  • text the Assistant by SMS
  • create and manage records
  • ask questions about the property
  • use the interface for review and refinement

12. Related Articles

  • Start Here: First-Time User Guide
  • Tickets Overview
  • Create a Ticket
  • Wikis
  • Assets