@Gio65 (GIOVANNI MANTOVANI) posted a new topic, subject "Alexa recognition in smartthings". It read:

   I can't recognize smartthings alexa. I would like to integrate some smartthings routines with alerts on alexa but I do not understand com never I can not see it.  
    I have to use device?  
    I can also send notifications on all the echos I have at home?  
    if it is possible how can you do?  
    thank you very much for anyone can give me directions

@Paul_Oliver (PCO) replied

    In Smartthings you need to create a special virtual switch which includes a contract sensor.
    
    You can then use that virtual device to trigger an Alexa Routine that can speak to you.

@JDRoberts replied

    See the community FAQ:
    
    FAQ: Can I trigger an Echo Action without Speaking to It?

Then @Gio65 (GIOVANNI MANTOVANI) said

    Paul_Oliver:
    
    > In Smartthings you need to create a special virtual switch which includes a contract sensor.
    > 
    > You can then use that virtual device to trigger an Alexa Routine that can speak to you.
    
    thanks for the answer Paul, where I can find the explanations or you can show me a link

Then @Paul_Oliver (PCO) said

    If you follow 1st posting in the attached link you can install a virtual switch which includes a contact sensor.
    
    [ST Edge] Virtual Things Edge Driver Community Created Device Types
    
    > Hi, Following @TAustin 's great work on vEdge Creator, I was curious to explore a different approach for creating virtual devices. The driver allows creation of devices one-by-one. How to use After installing the driver, press “Add device” and then “Scan nearby”. This will create “vDev Controller” - virtual devices controller (currently it only creates virtual devices, but does not actually allow to control them). Once the controller is created, enter its detailed view. The user specifies a type of the device to create by choosing “Virtual Thing Type To Create” and presses switch button. The controller will report its status (ready/creating/created) and the name of the device being created. When the device is created the switch goes into ‘Off' state and the controller is ready …

After which, @Gio65 (GIOVANNI MANTOVANI) added

    thanks for help.
    
    You can also tell me how to create a unique group with echo dots to be able to send messages to everyone at the same time

To which @Paul_Oliver (PCO) replied

    Create a new Alexa routine and do the folowing:
    
    Your trigger in Alexa will be your Smarttings virtual switch.
    
    Your action will be “Announce”' then type in what you want her to say, went you click next you can pick all or some echoes to make the announcement.

So @Gio65 (GIOVANNI MANTOVANI) replied

    Sorry but I can not configure alexa to be able to use it for ads in smartthings  
    Can someone tell me if a detailed explanation is available or give me directions
    
    Thank you very much

@Paul_Oliver (PCO) replied

    The only things you do with Alexa in Smartthings are:
    
      1. Link the 2 systems. I believe under the menu tab. This will automatically make all your ST devices available in Alexa.
      2. In ST create virtual switches with an integral contact sensors. See my 2 posts above.
      3. You can write ST routines in ST to operate these virtual switches.
    
    
    
    There is nothing else you can do in ST. Then you need to do the rest in Alexa.
    
    In Alexa you can write Alexa routines that are triggered by the ST virtual switches. The Alexa routines can be written to say what ever you want.

After which, @Gio65 (GIOVANNI MANTOVANI) added

    perfect, thank you very much
    
    done, all OK


{'source': 'discourse', 'url': 'https://community.smartthings.com/t/alexa-recognition-in-smartthings/238741', 'title': 'Alexa recognition in smartthings', 'views': 507, 'has_accepted_answer': False, 'word_count': 438, 'like_count': 7, 'reply_count': 4, 'participant_count': 3, 'posts': 10, 'tags': '', 'author': '@Gio65 (GIOVANNI MANTOVANI)', 'participants': '@Gio65 (GIOVANNI MANTOVANI), @Paul_Oliver (PCO), @JDRoberts', 'image_url': [None], 'created_at': '2022-01-29T21:42:19.432Z', 'last_posted_at': '2022-02-14T21:16:15.067Z'}