Epicor ERP Advanced Dashboards Course
Epicor ERP Advanced Dashboards Course
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Revision: December 01, 2015 5:03 p.m.
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Advanced Dashboards Course Contents
Contents
Advanced Dashboards Course...............................................................................................5
Before You Begin....................................................................................................................6
Audience.........................................................................................................................................................6
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................6
Environment Setup..........................................................................................................................................7
Workshop Constraints..............................................................................................................................8
Overview of Advanced Dashboard Techniques...................................................................9
Authorization........................................................................................................................10
Advanced Dashboard Techniques.......................................................................................11
Create New Dashboard..................................................................................................................................12
Dashboard Program Properties................................................................................................................12
Workshop - Create New Dashboard........................................................................................................14
Add PartBin Query...........................................................................................................................14
Change Grid Caption......................................................................................................................15
Publish Fields...................................................................................................................................15
Add Jobhead Query.........................................................................................................................16
Change Grid Caption......................................................................................................................16
Publish Job Number.........................................................................................................................16
Apply Filter to Jobs Grid...................................................................................................................17
Image Columns..............................................................................................................................................18
Workshop - Add Image Column to the Parts Grid...................................................................................18
Add Image Column to Parts Grid.....................................................................................................18
Apply View Rule to Image Column..................................................................................................19
Advanced Searches........................................................................................................................................20
Workshop - Customize a Tracker View....................................................................................................21
Add Tracker View............................................................................................................................21
Test the Advanced Search................................................................................................................21
Workshop - Add Advanced Search with Range.......................................................................................23
Add Groupbox................................................................................................................................23
Add Field 1......................................................................................................................................23
Add Field 2......................................................................................................................................24
Add Label........................................................................................................................................24
Run Search......................................................................................................................................25
Workshop - Modify Dashboard Properties...............................................................................................26
Assign the Like Columns in Dashboard Properties............................................................................26
Verify Results in Part Maintenance...................................................................................................26
Dashboard Browse.........................................................................................................................................27
Workshop - Add Dashboard Browse.......................................................................................................27
Add Sheets and Grids....................................................................................................................................29
Workshop - Add Sheets and Grids..........................................................................................................29
The advanced dashboard techniques discussed in this course provide flexibility with the way the data displays
and functionality that allows you to access the data you need.
A dashboard is your personalized information and command center. It is a visualization tool that displays the
current information and processes that help you perform your tasks more efficiently. The data you choose to
display is refreshed periodically, so you are able to act on changes as they occur.
Set up the dashboard to match your needs. Spend some time thinking about the information that is helpful to
you, then set up these queries through one of the available views, and link the processes that relate to this
information. The dashboard becomes an efficient tool, as you are able to both view information and then act on
it from one location.
It is expected that users taking this course have previous familiarity with the dashboard. This course does not
review basic elements and functionality of the dashboard but focuses on advanced techniques not discussed in
the Introduction to the Dashboard course.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
• Create a new dashboard using existing queries.
• Modify dashboard properties to make it available as an advanced search.
• Add images to a new column in the current grid.
• Create an advanced search page on the dashboard and enable fields for searching.
• Add an advanced search with a range for searching for multiple records.
• Add a Dashboard Browse to the dashboard.
• Add multiple sheets with grids to the dashboard.
• Understand and create foreign key views and sub table views that display information from related tables on
the dashboard.
• Build and deploy dashboards to the Main menu and Favorites bar.
• Create an updatable dashboard.
• Use the excel uptake and the publish view functionality.
• Create a mobile dashboard.
Read this topic for information you should know in order to successfully complete this course.
Audience
Prerequisites
To complete the workshops in this course, the necessary modules must be licensed and operating in your training
environment. For more information on the modules available, contact your Epicor Customer Account Manager.
It is also important you understand the prerequisite knowledge contained in other valuable courses.
• Navigation Course - This course introduces navigational aspects of the Epicor application's user interface.
Designed for a hands-on environment, general navigation principles and techniques available in two user
interface modes - Classic Menu and Modern Shell Menu. Workshops focus on each of these modes and
guide you through each navigational principle introduced.
• Introduction to the Dashboard Course - This course provides an introduction to the dashboard - a
personalized information and a command center.
• Introduction to Customization Course - This course explores the customization tools embedded within
the Epicor ERP application. Unlike personalization, users can customize a form and then make it available to
multiple users in a company.
• Business Activity Query Course - This course introduces Business Activity Query (BAQ) Designer data
extraction tool. It provides techniques for creating static Business Activity Queries (BAQs) as well as updatable
BAQs. You can use both queries as the foundation for reports and dashboards, or to review specific details
of your business.
• SQL Server Reporting Services for Epicor ERP Course - This course introduces Microsoft SQL Server
Reporting Services (SSRS) reports and their implementation in Epicor ERP.
• Required Industry Knowledge - Fundamental knowledge of relational database concepts such as table
relationships, records, and field types. An understanding of the functionality of the current release of the
Epicor application.
Environment Setup
The environment setup steps and potential workshop constraints must be reviewed in order to successfully
complete the workshops in this course.
Your Epicor training environment, in which the Epicor demonstration database is found, enables you to experience
Epicor functionality in action but does not affect data in your live, production environment.
The following steps must be taken to successfully complete the workshops in this course.
1. Verify the following or ask your system administrator to verify for you:
• Your Epicor training icon (or web address if you are using Epicor Web Access) points to your
Epicor training environment with the Epicor demonstration database installed. Do not complete
the course workshops in your live, production environment.
Note It is recommended that multiple Epicor demonstration databases are installed. Contact
Support or Systems Consulting for billable assistance.
• The Epicor demonstration database is at the same service pack and patch as the Epicor
application. Epicor's education team updates the Epicor demonstration database for each service pack
and patch. If your system administrator upgrades your Epicor application to a new service pack or patch,
he or she must also download the corresponding Epicor demonstration database from EPICweb > Support
> Epicor > Downloads and install it. If this is not performed, unexpected results can occur when completing
the course workshops.
• Your system administrator restored (refreshed) the Epicor demonstration database prior to
starting this course. The Epicor demonstration database comes standard with parts, customers, sales
orders, and so on, already defined. If the Epicor demonstration database is shared with multiple users
(that is, the database is located on a server and users access the same data, much like your live, production
environment) and is not periodically refreshed, unexpected results can occur. For example, if a course
workshop requires you to ship a sales order that came standard in the Epicor demonstration database,
but a different user already completed this workshop and the Epicor demonstration database was not
restored (refreshed), then you will not be able to ship the sales order. Epicor's education team has written
the course workshops to minimize situations like this from occurring, but Epicor cannot prevent users
from manipulating the data in your installation of the Epicor demonstration database.
2. Log in to the training environment using the credentials manager/manager. If you are logged into your
training environment as a different user, from the Options menu, select Change User.
3. From the Main menu, select the company Epicor Education (EPIC06).
Note To refresh your Epicor training database, send a request that includes your site ID to
[email protected]. Refreshing your training database may take up to 72 hours after the
request is received.
Workshop Constraints
Workshop Prerequisite
Workshop - Add a URL to the Dashboard Access to the Internet must be established in your testing
environment.
Workshop - Uptake from Excel Microsoft® Excel® must be available in your testing environment.
Workshop - Create Mobile Dashboard Epicor Mobile Access 2.0™ must be installed in your testing
environment.
Tip
See the Epicor ERP 10 Installation Guide for more information on how to install the above Epicor ERP
extensions. If necessary, contact your system administrator for assistance.
Dashboards are very flexible and powerful tools that provide easy access to critical information in a real-time
environment. Dashboards can often replace the need for workbenches, shop vision reports, ad hoc reports, and
simple business intelligence reports.
Dashboards display current database information you need to more efficiently perform your tasks.
Dashboards are developed to meet the needs of individual designers. The main features of dashboards include:
• Design environment
• Totally customizable
• Use Business Activity Query (BAQ), updatable BAQ or external BAQ as data source
• Provide various views of the BAQ data, such as grids, charts, trackers
• Components synchronize with system entry programs using publish and subscribe functionality
• Conditional formatting
• Copy and paste enabled
• Export and import dashboard definitions
• Technical and personal notes
• Direct access to Epicor ERP programs
• URL/XSLT View
• Gauge View functionality to monitor and display data changes
• Main menu and Favorites bar deployment
• Updatable Dashboard based on updatable BAQs
• Targeted for either Mobile device, or for full size use as Smart Client or Epicor Web Access (EWA) forms
• Available to use in Microsoft SharePoint environment that displays dashboards as web parts
This course demonstrates how to display information through a variety of dashboard views using advanced
techniques. Workshops are available to provide a hands-on experience throughout this course.
Note Some of the features reviewed in this course utilize the standard customization toolset. You do not
need to have user customization security privileges for any of the features in this course; however, you
must have the Dashboard Developer privilege enabled in User Account Maintenance to complete the
workshops in this course.
Authorization
Use User Account Maintenance to enter basic information, security access, and Epicor application privileges
for all users. Anyone who accesses the application must be set up in this program.
Menu Path: System Setup > Security Maintenance > User Account Security Maintenance
Important This program is not available in Epicor Web Access.
Important User Account Maintenance is typically only accessible to system administrators. If you do not
have access to this program, contact your system administrator or IT personnel at your company for
assistance.
All users can access a dashboard once it is placed on the menu, but creating a new dashboard, or updating an
existing one requires a security privilege.
To allow a user to work in the Designer Mode for dashboards, navigate to the Options sheet and select the
Dashboard Developer check box.
Note When you enable this functionality, it becomes available in the Tools menu in the Dashboard
program. This allows a user to toggle the mode on and off as needed.
The course focuses on advanced techniques and functionality that exist in the dashboard. The section teaches
you how to work with existing queries and display the information using the dashboard.
The first step in the process is to add a Business Activity Query (BAQ) to the dashboard. Use Business Activity
Query Designer to create a query that displays information from a table (or multiple tables) in the database. You
can add multiple queries to the same dashboard to display related information.
Before you create a dashboard, it is important to consider what information will be helpful to employees at your
organization. Initial questions may include:
• What is the appropriate format for this information?
• Do you need to display a dashboard using the smart client, web client, as a web dashboard using Microsoft
SharePoint, or would you like to target the dashboard for a mobile device?
• Should it be more graphical in nature?
• Should users be able to search for the data that displays in the dashboard?
• Should users be able to update the data that displays in the dashboard?
• Is there an existing query you can use on the dashboard, or should you create a new one?
Once you obtain this information, begin the process of creating a customized dashboard.
Tip
Throughout the course your will work with existing queries. For more information on creating queries from
scratch, see the Business Activity Queries course.
This topic discusses the main elements found on the Dashboard program. It helps you understand the key features
prior to designing a new dashboard.
The program is comprised of three design sheets where you define the overall definition for the current dashboard
or specific items within the dashboard:
• General sheet
• Titlebar
• Advanced Search
The General sheet and its sub-sheets display automatically each time you launch the Dashboard program.
General sheet
The following are the fields found on the General sheet:
• Dashboard ID - This is the Epicor ERP application's identifier for the dashboard definition.
• Caption - This value defines the name of the dashboard menu item deployed to the Main Menu and the
Favorites list. If you generate a mobile dashboard, this value defines the dashboard tile caption.
• Description - Use this field to enter a brief description about the purpose of the dashboard.
• Enable Refresh All - When selected, the Refresh All button is added to the Standard toolbar in the dashboard.
The Refresh All button allows you to refresh all query data in the dashboard.
Important For customers with large databases, the Refresh All button can cause performance issues
with the dashboard.
• All Companies - Indicates whether the current dashboard is available to all companies within your organization
or tenant. This dashboard cannot be used by companies that reside in a different tenant from the Owning
Company.
• Owning Company - Displays the company inside which the current dashboard was created. You cannot
change this value; only users within the Owning Company can modify this dashboard. This field also defines
which companies can share the current dashboard. If the All Companies check box is selected, then companies
that share the same organization or tenant can use this dashboard.
• System Dashboard - Indicates whether the current dashboard is installed with the Epicor ERP application.
If the current dashboard is a system dashboard, you cannot make changes to it.
• Target Mobile Device - When you target the dashboard at a mobile device, you can select a mobile profile
which specifies the device dimensions (height and width) and modify the design surface accordingly within
the constraints of the device. When you generate an Epicor Web Access definition for the dashboard, it is
generated in lightweight mobile form if the dashboard is targeted at a mobile device.
Titlebar sheet
The Titlebar sheet displays a summary of the queries publishing information on the dashboard, as well as all the
fields published to the title bar. This window allows you to modify any fields published to the dashboard title bar
in one place, instead of having to access each query individually.
You can use the Title Caption field to enter the text that displays on the title bar.
Advanced Search
To have a dashboard added as an advanced search, you must enable the Advanced Search check box. The
Advanced Search functionality is designed around the concept of Like fields. Similar to the Like fields used in a
BAQ Search, the Advanced Search also uses Like fields; however, the data displays as a Dashboard and opens in
a separate window on your workstation. You can then use the dashboard to search for specific data, select a
record, and retrieve the record back to the original program you were searching from.
Note You can use Advanced Searches wherever you can launch a Search window. To launch an Advanced
Search, use the Search button or a context menu search option.
In this workshop, create a new dashboard. You first add business activity queries and select data you want to
display within the dashboard. You then synchronize the information displayed by the queries using the publish
and subscribe functionality.
Navigate to the Dashboard.
Menu Path: Executive Analysis > Business Activity Management > General Operations > Dashboard
Important This program is not available in Epicor Web Access.
3. In the Definition ID, Caption and Description fields, enter XXX-PartBinWorkBench (where XXX are
your initials).
1. In the dashboard tree view, right-click the grid icon, and select Properties.
The Dashboard Grid Properties window displays.
2. In the Grid Caption field, delete the content and enter Parts.
6. View the XXX-PartBinWorkBench (where XXX are your initials) dashboard and the Parts grid that displays
data returned by the query.
Publish Fields
Publish the Part Number field for use as a filter to the additional query views added later in the workshop. Publish
the Part Description field to the title bar of the Dashboard.
1. In the dashboard tree view, right-click the query icon, and select Properties.
The Dashboard Query Properties window displays.
2. On the General sheet, select the Auto Refresh on Load check box.
This refreshes the data automatically when you launch the dashboard.
Note Use caution when enabling this check box, as queries that retrieve many records take more
time to load to the dashboard when it is initially opened.
5. In the Publish Columns section, select the Part_PartNum and Part_PartDescription check boxes.
9. On the Standard toolbar, click Refresh and verify the results on the title bar of the dashboard.
6. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Job Info.
8. Click Save.
1. In the dashboard tree view, right-click the zjobhead01: Summary grid icon and select Properties.
The Dashboard Grid Properties window displays.
1. In the dashboard tree view, right-click the query icon for Job Info, and select Properties.
The Dashboard Query Properties window displays.
8. On the Standard toolbar, click Refresh and verify the results on the title bar of the dashboard.
Notice the part and job now display in the title bar of the dashboard.
1. In the dashboard tree view, right-click the grid icon for zjobhead01: Summary and select Properties.
The Dashboard Grid Properties window displays.
Field Data
ColumnName JobHead_PartNum
Condition = (equal sign)
Value EPIC06-PartBin- Part and Bin Information: Part_PartNum
Note
EPIC06-PartBin- Part and Bin Information: Part_PartNum is the Part Number field published from the
EPIC06-PartBin query above.
6. On the Standard toolbar, click Refresh to execute the query and refresh the data.
7. Verify the results by selecting parts from the Parts list and reviewing the jobs that display for that part.
Scroll down and use parts DCD-100-SP and DCD-200-ML as an example of parts that have jobs in the
database.
Image Columns
You can ad Image Column to a dashboard grid to and define rules for its displaying. There are many standard
images that you can select to display. Each column can be set up so that it does not have a default image. This
allows you to populate it with images when specific rule conditions are met. To define the rules that determine
when the image displays, use the View Rules sheet.
Example
To display an image next to a part when it has a negative on hand quantity:
1. Create an image column and select the appropriate image (graphic) that you want to display.
2. Establish the criteria on the View Rules sheet that defines when the on hand quantity is less than zero,
the column displays the selected image.
You can immediately use this functionality to display any image included within the application. You can also
display your own images through Resource Editor.
The Resource Editor is a tool that allows you to add, edit, and delete the images used within the customized
program or dashboard. It allows you to create a custom resource file that automatically loads when you launch
the application. You can then reference these images within the application.
While you are in Developer Mode for either a customized program or a dashboard, you can selected these images.
When you add a new grid to a dashboard, the Image Column sheet allows you to display your custom images
on the custom grid. This separate utility is available for download from EPICweb at Epicor Downloads. Use this
utility to find, select, and add your own images to the Epicor application.
Create a new image column and add it to the dashboard. Apply a rule on the new image column that displays
the image when there is a negative on hand quantity for a part.
1. Verify the XXX-PartBinWorkBench (where XXX are your initials) dashboard created earlier is open.
2. In the dashboard tree view, right-click the EPIC06-PartBin: Summary grid icon and select Properties.
The Dashboard Grid Properties window displays.
The number entered in this field determines where the column will display in the grid. The number one
indicates that this is the first column to display in the grid.
Remain in the Dashboard Grid Properties window.
Field Data
Select Field PartBin_OnhandQty
Rule Condition LessThan
Rule Value 0
4. Click the > blue arrow button to save the rule and move it to the available rules list.
Field Data
Select Field NegOH
Image Name Exclamation
7. Click the > blue arrow button to save the rule action and move it to the available actions list.
Advanced Searches
An Advanced Search allows you to enter criteria to search for specific data within the Dashboard. Also known
as a Tracker View, the Advanced Search uses the Epicor application customization tools to create the view and
enable the fields for data entry.
Not only can you enable certain fields for data entry, you can also set up multiple fields to allow a range to be
entered and data can be filtered.
Example Searching for open sales orders within a specific date range.
Add a tracker view that serves as an Advanced Search filter to the dashboard.
1. Verify the XXX-PartBinWorkbench (where XXX are your initials) dashboard created earlier is open.
2. In the dashboard tree view, right-click the EPIC06-PartBin query icon, and select New Tracker View.
The Dashboard Tracker View Properties window displays.
3. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Advanced Search.
The text entered here displays in the header of the Tracker View and also in the tree view of the dashboard.
5. In the display columns list, select the Visible and Prompt check boxes for the following columns.
• Part_PartNum
• Part_PartDescription
• Part_TypeCode
• PartBin_WarehouseCode
Note By selecting the Prompt check box, the field changes from read only to enabled for user input.
6. For the Part_PartNum column, in the Condition field, select StartsWith and accept all other defaults.
The Condition field determines how the data entered in each field is used for searching.
Tip By selecting the Embed Grid View check box, the query's grid displays within the Tracker View.
Do not select this option for this example.
8. Drag the Advanced Search pane up and dock it to the EPIC06-PartBin: Summary sheet.
Within the Part and Bin Information pane, there are two sheets at the top of the screen - the
EPIC06-PartBin: Summary sheet and the Advanced Search sheet.
4. Navigate to the EPIC06-PartBin: Summary sheet and click Refresh to view the results.
Notice only manufactured parts display.
8. Navigate to the EPIC06-PartBin: Summary sheet and click Refresh to view the results.
Notice only parts that start with the letter C display.
Add a search range for part numbers to the Advanced Search sheet on the dashboard. Modify the newly created
Advanced Search sheet, add a groupbox, as well as two new Part fields for entry of the range.
Add Groupbox
1. In the dashboard tree view, right-click the Advanced Search tracker view, and select Customize Tracker
View.
The Customization Tools Dialog window displays.
2. Arrange the dashboard and the Customization Tools Dialog windows to see both.
3. In the Customization Tools Dialog window from the Tools menu, select Toolbox.
The Toolbox window displays.
5. Under the Warehouse field, click in the Advanced Search sheet to add the new groupbox.
6. Resize the box so it fits two text boxes inside for the part range entry fields.
9. In the Misc group, in the Text field, delete the content and enter Part Range Search.
Add Field 1
This field is used as the start range parameter for the advanced search.
2. On the Advanced Search sheet, click inside the previously added groupbox to add the new field.
5. In the Data group, in the Text field, delete the content and leave the field blank.
Add Field 2
This field is used as the ending range parameter for the advanced search.
5. In the Data group, in the Text field, delete the content and leave the field blank.
Add Label
Add a label to the search groupbox.
2. Click inside the groupbox between the two EpiTextBox fields to add the new label.
4. In the Misc group, in the Text field, delete the content and enter To.
Run Search
Modify the dashboard properties by adding this dashboard to the available advanced searches in the Epicor
application. Identify the Part Number and Job Number as Like columns. As a result, this dashboard is added to
the available advanced searches anywhere a Part search or Job search window is initiated.
1. Verify the XXX-PartBinWorkbench (where XXX are your initials) dashboard created earlier is open.
4. In the Available "Like" columns list, select Part.PartNum, and click the > right blue arrow button.
This moves the selected item to the Advanced Search "Like" columns.
2. Navigate to the Advanced sheet and verify the XXX-PartBinWorkbench (where XXX are your initials)
dashboard displays in the grid.
You could now use the dashboard as an advanced search for Part Maintenance.
Dashboard Browse
A Dashboard Browse provides the ability to use a standard search button on the dashboard, along with the
Standard navigational toolbar. The standard search button (indicated by a binoculars icon) allows you to initiate
a standard search for records. The navigational tools area allows you to scroll through selected records, or select
the record from a list of search results.
Use a special filter on the query to add a Dashboard Browse to the query level of a dashboard. To apply a filter,
right-click the query icon in the tree view and select Properties. You must also determine which field to use for
the search. For example, the Part Number field in the Part master file.
A dashboard can contain more than one Dashboard Browse. Each query added to the dashboard can contain its
own dashboard browse, however, one is indicated as the Primary Browse. A Primary Dashboard Browse displays
next to the Standard toolbar at the top of the screen above the contents pane of the dashboard. A Dashboard
Browse not marked as Primary displays in the Contents pane of the dashboard and at the same level as the query
itself.
1. Verify the XXX-PartBinWorkbench (where XXX are your initials) dashboard created earlier is open.
2. In the dashboard tree view, right-click the EPIC06-PartBin query icon, and select Properties.
The Dashboard Query Properties window displays.
Field Data
ColumnName Part_PartNum
Condition = (equal sign)
Value Dashboard Browse (at the bottom)
6. In the Drop Down Columns list, hold the Ctrl key and select PartDescription and PartNum.
7. Click the right arrow button > to add the fields to the selected fields list.
8. If the PartNum field is not listed first, select the PartNum field, and click the ^ up arrow to move it to the
top of the list.
16. In the Search Results grid, highlight all DCD parts and click OK.
17. Use the standard navigational tools in the Dashboard Browse to navigate through the selected records.
Once you create a dashboard, you can add a custom sheets with user-defined grids. This allows you to determine
the information that displays in the grid format. All grids contain the same basic functionality such as cut, copy,
paste, print selected, Group By, and Summarize options.
Add three new sheets to the dashboard that display job assembly, job material, and job operation information.
Later in the course, you will add grids to each sheet to display the related job information.
1. Verify the XXX-PartBinWorkbench (where XXX are your initials) dashboard created earlier is open.
2. In the dashboard tree view, right-click the Job Info query, and select New Tracker View.
The Dashboard Tracker View Properties window displays.
3. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Job Details.
1. In the dashboard tree view, right-click the Job Details tracker view, and select Customize Tracker View.
The Customization Tools Dialog window displays.
2. Arrange the Dashboard and Customization Tools Dialog windows to see both.
3. In the Customization Tools Dialog window, navigate to the Wizards > Sheet Wizard sheet.
5. In the Dockable Sheets list, select the number of the parent sheet.
Field Data
Name JobAsmbl
Text Job Asmbl
Tab Text Job Assembly
7. Click the right arrow button > to add the sheet to the Custom Sheets list.
Field Data
Name JobMatl
Text Job Matl
Tab Text Job Material
Field Data
Name JobOper
Text Job Oper
Tab Text Job Operations
10. In the dashboard, in the Job Details pane, view the new sheets.
2. In the Customization Tools Dialog window from the Tools menu, select ToolBox.
The ToolBox window displays.
4. Click in the top left corner on the canvas on the Job Assembly sheet, to add the new grid to the sheet.
Resize the box so the grid spans the length and height of the Job Assembly sheet. You may have to move
the Customization Tools Dialog window out of the way so you can add the grid.
Example
7. Click Save.
9. In the Customization Tools Dialog window, from the Tools menu, select ToolBox.
11. Click in the top left corner on the canvas on the Job Material sheet, to add the new grid to the sheet.
Resize the box so the grid spans the length and height of the Job Material sheet.
12. In the Customization Tools Dialog window, navigate to the Properties sheet.
Verify the object in focus is (C)epiUltraGrid2.
13. In the Appearance group, change the Text field to Job Material.
16. In the Customization Tools Dialog window, from the Tools menu, select ToolBox.
18. Click in the top left corner on the canvas on the Job Operations sheet, to add the new grid to the sheet.
Resize the box so the grid spans the length and height of the Job Operations sheet.
19. In the Customization Tools Dialog window, navigate to the Properties sheet.
Verify the object in focus is (C)epiUltraGrid3.
20. In the Appearance group, change the Text field to Job Operations.
A foreign key is a link to a separate or foreign table that contains logically similar data. Foreign keys allow these
related tables to be linked together to display the desired information. Access these views using customized
sheets, or display them within the dashboard.
This functionality provides a powerful tool that enables the setup of numerous table combinations. You can
create one view and link it to another sub-view, another sub-view linked to that sub-view, and so on. As long as
a logical connection is established between the parent and child columns, you can display the data through a
combination of views.
The Custom Data Dialog option from the Tools menu of the Customization Tools Dialog window allows you to
create and edit custom data views. This customization tool uses foreign keys to link fields in separate but related
tables. Fields that link to foreign key fields in other tables must share the Like property. The Like property defines
which foreign keys can link to the selected field. You can create foreign key views for any query result or data
view that has a field that allows the user to search by its record (GetByID) identifier. You can then create a view
based on this field's value.
Example Order Entry has the PartNum field in the data view, which allows you to create a foreign element
that links the part information to Order Entry.
Create a foreign key view and three sub table views to use in the dashboard. The foreign key view establishes
the Job Number from the Job Header as the key field and as the adaptor. Create three sub table views that allow
you to see job assembly, job material, and job operation information as each job is selected in the dashboard.
After you create the views, link the blank grids on your dashboard (created in the previous workshop) to these
views to display the related job information.
1. Verify the XXX-PartBinWorkbench (where XXX are your initials) dashboard created earlier is open.
2. In the dashboard tree view, right-click the Job Details tracker icon, and select Customize Tracker View.
The Customization Tools Dialog window displays.
3. In the Customization Tools Dialog window, from the Tools menu, select Data Tools.
The Custom Data Dialog window displays.
4. In the Custom Data Dialog window, click the New Custom View button.
Field Data
View Name Job
Parent View Name TrackerQueryView
Column Name JobHead_JobNum
1. In the Customization Tools Dialog window, from the Tools menu, select Data Tools.
The Custom Data Dialog window displays.
2. In the Custom Data Dialog window, click the New Custom View button.
Field Data
Parent View Name Job
View Type Sub Table View
Sub Table Name JobAsmbl
Parent View Columns JobHead_JobNum
Child View Columns JobNum
5. Under the Parent and Child View fields, click the Add button.
1. In the Customization Tools Dialog window, from the Tools menu, select Data Tools.
The Custom Data Dialog window displays.
2. In the Custom Data Dialog window, click the New Custom View button.
Field Data
Parent View Name JobAsm
View Type Sub Table View
Sub Table Name JobMtl
Parent View Columns AssemblySeq
Child View Columns AssemblySeq
5. Under the Parent and Child View fields, click the Add button.
1. In the Customization Tools Dialog window, from the Tools menu, select Data Tools.
The Custom Data Dialog window displays.
2. In the Custom Data Dialog window, click the New Custom View button.
Field Data
Parent View Name JobAsm
View Type Sub Table View
Sub Table Name JobOper
Parent View Columns AssemblySeq
Child View Columns AssemblySeq
5. Under the Parent and Child View fields, click the Add button.
1. Move the Customization Tools Dialog window so you can see the Job Assembly grid on the dashboard.
2. Navigate to the Job Assembly sheet and click inside the grid.
6. Move the Customization Tools Dialog window so you can see the Job Material grid on the dashboard.
7. Navigate to the Job Material sheet and click inside the grid.
10. Move the Customization Tools Dialog window so you can see the Job Operations grid on the dashboard.
11. Navigate to the Job Operations sheet and click inside the grid.
12. In the Customization Tools Dialog window, navigate to the Properties sheet.
6. Navigate to the Job Details sheet and review the Job Assembly, Job Material, and Job Operations
sheets for several jobs listed in the dashboard.
Note You may need to click the Refresh icon for each sheet to populate the data.
Gauge View
Use the Gauge View functionality to create a gauge graphic that updates when selected data changes within
the query it monitors.
This tool allows you to visualize data you monitor so you can act on changes as they occur. There are several
gauge types available, allowing you to select the type that meets your needs.
In this workshop, use the Job Info query as the data source for a gauge view that monitors the production activity
of individual jobs. Use the basic digital gauge type to display the information.
1. Verify the XXX-PartBinWorkbench (where XXX are your initials) dashboard created earlier is open.
2. In the dashboard tree view, right-click the Job Info query icon, and select New Gauge View.
The Dashboard Gauge Properties window displays.
The StartValueBinding field defines the column from the current query used as the beginning gauge value.
When the gauge evaluates where to place its marker, the StartValueBinding value is evaluated against the
EndValueBinding value.
The EndValueBinding field defines the column from the current query used as the final value on the gauge.
Tip If you want to reuse this gauge view elsewhere, select the Publish View check box. In this
example, do not select this check box.
7. In the dashboard, click the zjobhead01 : Gauge sheet and move it up towards the Job Details sheet.
8. When the grey tab displays at the bottom of the box, release the sheet.
The Job Details sheet and the zjobhead01 : Gauge sheet now display at the same level.
13. In the zjobhead01 : Summary grid, select different jobs and view the production quantity value that displays
on the gauge view.
Example
Tip On dashboard web forms, you can use gauge views in exactly the same way as on smart client
dashboards. For updatable dashboards, radial gauges - that have needles or markers you can grab
and drag around - can be used to update data to the Epicor database.
URL View
The URL/XSLT View allows you to display a website using a URL address or an XSLT Style sheet that displays data
on your dashboard.
When you enter a file name that ends in .xslt in the Web Address field, additional fields become available for
you to further define the Style Sheet details.
There are many different uses for a URL/XSLT link:
• Simple URL link to a defined website.
• URL link to website that is published from a query.
• Link to standard web part such as Microsoft Outlook® Inbox, or Calendar.
• Display dashboard data through an XSLT stylesheet.
URL View
To add a URL to the dashboard you simply enter the caption and website address in the Dashboard URL/XSLT
Properties window. You can optionally link to a website that is published from a query on the dashboard using
the Publisher field.
1. Verify the XXX-PartBinWorkbench (where XXX are your initials) dashboard created earlier is open.
6. Click the Epicor Website sheet and move it up towards the Part and Bin Information sheet.
7. When the grey tab displays at the top of the box, release the sheet.
The Part and Bin Information and Epicor Website sheets now display at the same level.
After you design a dashboard, you must build and deploy it so other users can access it. Use the Tools > Deploy
Dashboard option to compile the dashboard definition into a User Interface (UI) finished assembly and then
deploy it to the server.
When the dashboard definition is compiled, deploy it to the Main menu and the Favorites bar so all users can
access it.
Important
The following workshop demonstrates how you can quickly enable the new dashboard to all users when
you launch the application using the Classic Style.
If you run the application using the Modern Shell Style, exit the application and log in using the Classic
Style to successfully complete the workshop.
Tip To learn how to make your custom dashboard available to users using the Menu Maintenance program,
review the Introduction to the Dashboards course.
Build and deploy the dashboard as the UI application and make it available to all users.
4. In the Deploy Dashboard window, select the Deploy Smart Client Application, Add Menu Tab and
Add Favorite Item check boxes.
6. Once the process is complete and the status pane displays Finished, click OK.
9. When logged in into application using the Classic style, on the Main menu, navigate to the Favorites
sheet.
Tip If the Favorites menu is not displayed on the Main Menu, click View > Favorites to enable this
option.
10. Click the Dashboard Assemblies group and in the list, verify the XXX-PartBinWorkBench (where XXX
are your initials) dashboard displays.
View the dashboard is also embedded on the Main menu as a new sheet.
12. Click the Menu Groups sheet and navigate to Production Management > Job Management > General
Operations
13. Verify the Menu Items sheet displays the content of the General Operations folder.
15. Right-click the XXX-PartBinWorkBench (where XXX are your initials) dashboard, and drag and drop it to
the contents pane on the right.
The Copy Menu Item window displays.
Updatable Dashboards
The Updatable Dashboard is an extension to the standard dashboard capabilities. Use the updatable dashboard
functionality to place updatable Business Activity Queries (BAQs) on either a client dashboard or a mobile device
dashboard.
When you configure the dashboard with updatable Business Activity Queries (BAQs), the dashboard behaves like
a standard Epicor form allowing you to review and update data right from the form you create.
Examples of updatable dashboards may include:
• A form consisting of one updatable BAQ which displays Detail and List sheets. Users would use this updatable
dashboard to enter and edit simple records.
• A complex dashboard which contains multiple views, graphs, URL pages and so on. Some of the sheets or
panels on this complex dashboard are updatable.
• A mobile application which is sized appropriately for a specific mobile device. One or more sheets can be
updated, and these sheets are either tabbed or sequentially paged to organize the flow of data entry.
• A simple or complex application which has sheets and panels that support multiple dirty rows. You can then
make a number of changes to a record, like selecting a series of check boxes across different rows, before
you save all of these records to the database.
Throughout the following workshops, you will work with existing updatable BAQs. For more information on the
process of creating updatable BAQs, review Business Activity Queries course.
Note To create updatable BAQs, you must have both the BAQ Advanced User and the BPM Advanced
User priviliges set up in the User Account Maintenance > Options sheet. For more information, contact
your system administrator.
Create a new dashboard using updatable BAQs that displays customers and customer contacts. Using the
dashboard you can retrieve a customer record and create new customer contacts or update existing ones.
Navigate to the Dashboard.
Menu Path: Executive Analysis > Business Activity Management > General Operations > Dashboard
Important This program is not available in Epicor Web Access.
2. In the Definition ID and Caption fields, enter XXX-CustContUpdate (where XXX are your initials).
8. In the Titlebar Subscriber section, select the Publish to Title check box.
10. In the Title caption field, enter Customer: and click OK.
12. On the Standard toolbar, click Refresh and view the grid that displays customer information.
1. In the tree view, right-click the zCustomer01 grid icon and select Properties.
The Dashboard Grid Properties window displays.
2. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Customer List.
3. Click OK.
The new caption displays in the Tree View and the grid header.
2. In the Query ID field, search for and select the UpdateCustomerContact query.
Field Data
Column Name CustCnt_Company
Condition = (equal sign)
Value zCustomer01- CustomerTrackerQuery: Customer_Company
This condition states the company information must be equal for both queries.
Field Data
Column Name CustCnt_CustNum
Condition = (equal sign)
Value zCustomer01- Customer Tracker Query: Customer_CustNum
1. In the tree view, right-click the UpdateCustomerContact grid icon and select Properties.
The Dashboard Grid Properties window.
2. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Customer Contacts.
5. Click Update All. By using this button, the Prompt check box becomes selected for all columns that allow
data updates.
Important In the following workshop, you will use the Uptake from Excel functionality to update
the Epicor ERP application using the data displayed in the Customer Contacts grid. The Excel Uptake
requires that the number of visible column has to match the number of updatable columns.
Field Data
Add New Subscriber Column CustCnt_State
Publish From Query Customer Tracker Query
Publish Column Customer_State
This example shows how to add a new subscriber, that will default the Contact State from the Customer
State (zCustomer01 query), when you add a new contact record.
1. In the tree view, right-click the UpdateCustomerContact query icon an select New Tracker View.
The Dashboard Tracker View Properties window displays.
2. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Advanced Search.
6. In the dashboard, drag the Advanced Search sheet up and reposition it to the right of the Customer
Contacts grid.
Verify the Customer Contacts and Advanced Search panes display at the same level.
4. In the Customer Tracker Query pane, select the record for Dalton.
The Customer Contacts grid populates with all contacts for this customer.
5. In the Customer Contacts grid, select any record and view the information that displays in the Advanced
Search tracker.
8. In the Customer Tracker Query pane, select the record for Clarke.
1. In the Customer Tracker Query pane, in the Cust. ID column, right-click the record for Clarke and select
Open With > Customer Display.
Customer Display for the customer Clarke displays.
2. Navigate to the Contacts > List sheet and verify the grid displays your name.
6. In the Customer Contact Update dashboard, on the Standard toolbar, click Save.
Remain in the dashboard.
The Uptake from Excel functionality allows you to add new records or update existing ones using a Microsoft®
Excel® spreadsheet.
The Uptake from Excel functionality uses an Open XML, which is an XML-based file format developed by Microsoft.
It is the default document format for saving applications in Microsoft® Office® starting with Office 2007.
To perform any data transactions using Uptake from Excel, the Excel spreadsheet needs to be saved as Microsoft
Office Open XML Format Spreadsheet (*.xlsx).
Important If you use previous versions of Microsoft Office, install the Microsoft Office Open XML
compatibility pack.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/HA101686761033.aspx
Uptake from Excel supports multithreaded updates. Use this function to specify how many threads to use at a
time to make updates. You can specify up to 10 submission threads.
Example You can take 100 rows to update with a batch size of 20 using 5 threads. This would mean that
the client would use 5 threads to send 20 records at a time to the server. You can also select to update
the entire collections of rows at once.
In the following example, create a spreadsheet that will add new ship-to contact record in the Customer Contact
Update dashboard.
Create a Spreadsheet
The first step in using the Excel Uptake is to create the spreadsheet.
1. In the Customer Contacts Update dashboard, navigate to the Customer List grid.
Field Data
Name your full name
E-Mail Address your email address
Field Data
Contact Num enter the next following contact number (2)
Customer 9
Ship To Plant2
12. In the File name field, enter XXX-contact (where XXX are your initials) and Save the file on your Desktop.
4. In the Customer Tracker Query pane, select the record for Dalton.
The Customer Contacts grid populates with all contacts for this customer.
5. Click in the Customer Contacts grid to activate the Uptake from Excel option.
9. Select the XXX-contact (where XXX are your initials) file you created and click Open.
10. In the Excel Uptake Properties window, select the Skip Header Row check box and click OK.
The Customer Contacts grid populates with the information from the spreadsheet.
1. In the testing dashboard, right-click the record for Dalton and select Open With > Customer Display.
9. In the Customer Contact Update dashboard, on the Standard toolbar, click Save.
Remain in the dashboard.
Use the publish views functionality to publish views from one dashboard and make them available on another
dashboard. The published view displays in the Available Views panel on any dashboard. This feature gives you a
convenient way to display any view for reuse on another dashboard.
Note This feature is available for Grid, Chart, Gauge, Tracker and URL/XSLT views.
1. In the tree view, right-click the Customer List grid icon and select Publish View.
The Published View Properties window displays.
Tip Another way to publish a view is to navigate to the Dashboard Grid Properties window and
select the Publish View check box.
2. View the Dashboard Caption field that displays the source of the view.
4. In the Group field, enter XXX-Group (where XXX are your initials).
Tip Use this field to assign views to specific groups, based on their functionality.
5. In the Description field, enter List of customers published from XXX-CustContUpdate (where XXX are
your initials).
10. On the Standard toolbar, click Close All to clear the dashboard.
4. In the Definition ID field, enter XXX-QuoteStatus (where XXX are your initials)
7. On the Standard toolbar, click Refresh to run the query and populate the dashboard data.
Notice the Available Views panel displays the previously published Customer List view.
1. In the Available Views panel, select List of Customers and click the Load Published View icon.
The Customer List displays in the tree view of the current dashboard.
Tip Another way to load the published view is drag and drop the view from the Available Views panel
to the tree view of the dashboard.
The next step is to synchronize the information displayed by both queries using the publish and subscribe
functionality.
2. In the tree view, right-click the zQuoteStatus query icon and select Properties.
The Dashboard Query Properties window displays.
6. In the tree view, right-click the zCustomer01 query icon and select Properties.
The Dashboard Query Properties window displays.
8. If necessary, in the Publish Columns section, for the Customer_CustNum column, clear the check box.
Field Data
ColumnName Customer_CustNum
Condition = (equal sign)
Value zQuoteStatus- Opportunity Status: QuoteHed_CustNum
11. Navigate to the Open sheet and select quote lines for different customers.
The Customer List grid below displays the information for the selected customer.
13. On the Standard toolbar, click Close All to clear the dashboard.
The Epicor Everywhere Framework™ supports mobile dashboards which are rendered as web applications that
may run on a number of mobile devices including BlackBerry® and iPhone™.
Since the mobile dashboards that support Epicor Mobile Access are built using the dashboard technology and
Updatable BAQ technology, it is simple to create web applications that implement business functionality on
mobile devices.
For a complete list of supported devices, review Application Help or contact your Epicor Customer Account
Manager.
1. In the Definition ID field, search for and select the XXX-CustContUpdate (where XXX are your initials)
dashboard.
The dashboard displays.
3. In the New Definition ID field, enter XXX-MobileDashboard (where XXX are your initials).
5. A warning message alerts you that certain dashboard features are not supported on mobile devices. To the
message, click OK.
8. Use the navigation buttons at the bottom to display the Customer List grid, the Customer Contacts grid,
the Advanced Search tracker and the SalesOrderStatus grid.
Tip If you display more forms on your dashboard, you can use this sheet to set up a desired flow to
better navigate in your dashboard.
10. Navigate to the General > Mobile Navigation > Jumps sheet.
This sheet allows you to set up available jumps between forms in your dashboard.
Tip If you display more forms on your dashboard, you can set up more complex jump scenarios.
12. Select Generate Mobile Application and Available for Mobile Menu check boxes.
By selecting these options you create a mobile device application from the current dashboard and make it
available on the Mobile Menu.
3. The sliding sidebar on the left presents menu options on any given screen. Notice on the Home Page, the
list of dashboards added to Mobile Menu displays.
There are two ways of adding a mobile dashboard to the menu - using the Dashboard deployment feature
or through the Menu Maintenance program.
Note To show or hide the sidebar, use the three line icon that displays in the top left corner.
4. To launch a dashboard, you can either select it from the menu, or, you can create dashboard tile on the
Home Page. In this example, click the star icon next to the Customer Contact Update dashboard.
On the Home Page, a new dashboard tile is created.
6. When the dashboard loads, the content of the sidebar changes. It now presents queries and grids that make
up the query.
7. Click the Refresh icon and select Reload Data to populate grids with data.
• The Filter icon allows searching against multiple columns. To filter results, enter a criterion above each
column you want to use.
Example In the filter above the Country column, type USA. Similarly, for the Type column
filtering, enter SUS (suspect). As the result, all potential customers from USA are returned on the
grid.
1. Same as in smart client dashboards, publish and subscribe functionality is supported in the mobile version.
For this example, on the Customer List grid, select the record for customer ACEMOLD.
2. On the sidebar, click the Customer Contacts grid. Recall this grid allows performing data updates.
4. To access a special mode that enables data updates, click the Enter record view mode icon found in the
top right corner.
5. Modify the record in any way. For example, change the Title.
6. Notice the Check icon in the top right corner. If an updatable grid does not support updating of multiple
records at once, selecting this icon saves the currently changed record directly to the database.
Since the Customer Contacts grid and the underlying BAQ allow updates of multiple rows at once, when
you select this icon, the record change is saved on a grid, allowing you to perform additional updates, if
needed.
7. Press the Next Record icon found in the top right corner to retrieve the record for Jackson Johnson.
8. Again, make the record change of your choice, for example, add new phone number.
9. Click the Check icon again to save the record and then click X to close the Record View mode.
10. Notice the visual indicators on the grid alert the user the records have been modified and are waiting to be
saved.
11. Click the Save icon to push the pending edits on this grid to the database.
Conclusion