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Disclaimer

This document is for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. This document and itscontents, including the viewpoints, dates and functional content expressed herein are believed to be accurate as of itsdate of publication. However, Epicor Software Corporation makes no guarantee, representations or warranties with

regard to the enclosed information and specifically disclaims any applicable implied warranties, such as fitness for aparticular purpose, merchantability, satisfactory quality or reasonable skill and care. As each user of Epicor software islikely to be unique in their requirements in the use of such software and their business processes, users of this documentare always advised to discuss the content of this document with their Epicor account manager. All information containedherein is subject to change without notice and changes to this document since printing and other important informationabout the software product are made or published in release notes, and you are urged to obtain the current releasenotes for the software product. We welcome user comments and reserve the right to revise this publication and/ormake improvements or changes to the products or programs described in this publication at any time, without notice.The usage of any Epicor software shall be pursuant to an Epicor end user license agreement and the performance ofany consulting services by Epicor personnel shall be pursuant to Epicor's standard services terms and conditions. Usageof the solution(s) described in this document with other Epicor software or third party products may require the purchaseof licenses for such other products. Where any software is expressed to be compliant with local laws or requirementsin this document, such compliance is not a warranty and is based solely on Epicor's current understanding of such laws

and requirements. All laws and requirements are subject to varying interpretations as well as to change and accordinglyEpicor cannot guarantee that the software will be compliant and up to date with such changes. All statements ofplatform and product compatibility in this document shall be considered individually in relation to the products referredto in the relevant statement, i.e., where any Epicor software is stated to be compatible with one product and alsostated to be compatible with another product, it should not be interpreted that such Epicor software is compatiblewith both of the products running at the same time on the same platform or environment. Additionally platform orproduct compatibility may require the application of Epicor or third-party updates, patches and/or service packs andEpicor has no responsibility for compatibility issues which may be caused by updates, patches and/or service packsreleased by third parties after the date of publication of this document. Epicor® is a registered trademark and/ortrademark of Epicor Software Corporation in the United States, certain other countries and/or the EU. All othertrademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Copyright © Epicor Software Corporation 2014.All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of

Epicor Software Corporation.

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Contents

Introduction Epicor ERP Dashboards.....................................................................................5

Before You Begin....................................................................................................................6

Audience.........................................................................................................................................................6

Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................6

Environment Setup..........................................................................................................................................6

Workshop Constraints..............................................................................................................................7

Overview.................................................................................................................................8

Authorization..........................................................................................................................9

Dashboard Design................................................................................................................10

Standard Dashboards.....................................................................................................................................10

The Dashboard Program................................................................................................................................11

Dashboard Queries........................................................................................................................................12

Workshop - Attach the Initial Query........................................................................................................14

Grid Views.....................................................................................................................................................15

Workshop - Modify a Grid View..............................................................................................................16

Modify Display Columns..................................................................................................................16

Apply a Filter to the Grid.................................................................................................................17

Calculate the Amount Column Sum................................................................................................17

Group the Data by Fiscal Year and by Period....................................................................................18

Publish and Subscribe....................................................................................................................................19

Workshop - Attach a Second Query........................................................................................................20

Workshop - Use Publish and Subscribe Functionality...............................................................................21

Publish Columns..............................................................................................................................21

Apply Filter......................................................................................................................................21

Chart Views...................................................................................................................................................22

Workshop - Add a Chart View................................................................................................................22

Add New Chart...............................................................................................................................22

Adjust the Dashboard Display..........................................................................................................23

Change the Chart Type...................................................................................................................23

Additional Functionality.................................................................................................................................24

Tracker Views.........................................................................................................................................24

Workshop - Create a Tracker View...................................................................................................24

URL and XSLT Links.................................................................................................................................26Workshop - Create a URL Link.........................................................................................................27

Workshop - Create an URL Query Phrase Subscriber........................................................................28

Publish the Part Number...........................................................................................................28

Create Part Images...................................................................................................................28

Subscribe to a Replacement Token...........................................................................................28

Test the MyParts URL Panel......................................................................................................29

Process Links...........................................................................................................................................30

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Workshop - Create a Process Link....................................................................................................30

Copy Data from the Dashboard..............................................................................................................31

Workshop - Copy Data from the Dashboard....................................................................................31

Export and Import...................................................................................................................................32

Build and Deploy the Dashboard....................................................................................................................33

Workshop - Build and Deploy the Dashboard..........................................................................................33

Test and Deploy Dashboard.............................................................................................................33Create New Menu Item...................................................................................................................33

Conclusion.............................................................................................................................35

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Introduction to the Dashboard CourseContents


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Introduction Epicor ERP Dashboards

This course provides an introduction to the dashboard - a personalized information and a command center.

You can create custom dashboards that display current information and the processes needed in to perform tasksmore efficiently. The data you choose to display is refreshed periodically. This information is always current, andyou can act on changes as they occur.

There are several standard dashboards included with the Epicor application for immediate use. This course,however, covers how to modify existing dashboards and create customized dashboards that display informationyou need.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Understand the general purpose and functionality of dashboards.

• Identify the authorization requirements to design and modify dashboards.

• List the key features of dashboards.

• Add queries and modify the information displayed on dashboards.

• Display query results through grid, chart, and tracker views.

• Modify query results in grid and chart views, apply rules to data, and use the publish and subscribe functionality.

• Add a URL to a dashboard.

• Use Query Phrase Subscribers.

• Add a process link to a dashboard.

• Create a customized tracker.

• Export and import dashboard definitions.

• Use dashboards.

• Build and deploy dashboards to the Main menu and to the Favorites bar.

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Before You Begin

Read this topic for information you should know in order to successfully complete this course.

Audience

Specific audiences will benefit from this course.

• Executives

• Managers

• Project Managers

• Business Analysts

• System Administrators

Prerequisites

To complete the workshops in this course, the necessary modules must be licensed and operating in your trainingenvironment. For more information on the modules available, contact your Epicor Customer Account Managerat [email protected]. It is also important you understand the prerequisite knowledge contained in othervaluable 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 andguide you through each navigational principle introduced.

• Computer and Internet Navigation Basics Course - The Epicor application operates in a Microsoft®

Windows® environment; therefore, knowing how to navigate in a Windows environment and the Web will

facilitate the training experience. Navigation tools you should be familiar with include computer hardwarecomponents such as the keyboard and the mouse, navigation keys on the keyboard such as the Tab and Enterkeys, and navigation buttons such as the Back button.

Environment Setup

The environment setup steps and potential workshop constraints must be reviewed in order to successfullycomplete the workshops in this course.

Your Epicor training environment, in which the Epicor demonstration database is found, enables you to experienceEpicor 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.

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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 yourEpicor training environment with the Epicor demonstration database installed. Do not completethe course workshops in your live, production environment.

Note It is recommended that multiple Epicor demonstration databases are installed. ContactSupport or Systems Consulting for billable assistance.

• The Epicor demonstration database is at the same service pack and patch as the Epicorapplication. Epicor's education team updates the Epicor demonstration database for each service packand 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 completingthe course workshops.

• Your system administrator restored (refreshed) the Epicor demonstration database prior tostarting this course. The Epicor demonstration database comes standard with parts, customers, salesorders, 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, productionenvironment) and is not periodically refreshed, unexpected results can occur. For example, if a courseworkshop 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 notrestored (refreshed), then you will not be able to ship the sales order. Epicor's education team has writtenthe course workshops to minimize situations like this from occurring, but Epicor cannot prevent usersfrom 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 in to yourtraining environment as a different user, from the Options menu, select Change User ID.

3. From the Main menu, select the company Epicor Education (EPIC06).

4. From the Main menu, select the Main site.

Workshop Constraints

All workshops in this course can be performed in a shared database.

Important To complete the Workshop - Create a URL Link, internet access must be established in yourenvironment.

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Overview

Dashboards are very flexible and powerful tools that provide easy access to critical information in a real-timeenvironment. Dashboards can often replace the need for workbenches, shop vision reports, ad hoc reports, and

even simple business intelligence reports.Dashboards are developed to meet the needs of individual designers. Following are the main features:

• Customizable

• Standard and Custom Business Activity Query (BAQ) data sources

• Updatable and External Business Activity Query (BAQ) data sources

• Various BAQ data views, such as grids, charts, trackers, or SSRS Reports

• Component synchronization with Epicor application entry programs using publish and subscribe functionality

• Conditional formatting

• Copy and paste capabilities

•Dashboard definition import and export capabilities

• Technical and personal notes

• Process links

• Download and upload capabilities via SSRS Reports

• SSRS Report design using a dashboard

• URL/XSLT view

• Design environment

• Compilation of dashboard definition into assembly

• Web form generation

• Mobile Dashboards

• Main menu and Favorites bar deployment

Tip For more information on updatable and mobile dashboards, report views and links, publish views anda dashboard deployment functionality, review Advanced Dashboards course.

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Authorization

Use User Account Maintenance to enter basic information, security access, and application privileges for allusers. Anyone who accesses the Epicor 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 the Epicor Web Access.

Important User Account Maintenance is typically only accessible to system administrators. If you do nothave access to this program, contact your system administrator or IT personnel at your company forassistance.

All users can access a dashboard once it is placed on the menu, but creating a new dashboard, or updating anexisting one, requires a security privilege.

To allow a user to work in the Designer Mode for dashboards, on the Options sheet, select the DashboardDeveloper check box.

Note

When you provide a user with Dashboard Developer privileges, it becomes available in the Tools menu inthe Dashboard program. This allows a user to toggle the mode on and off as needed.

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Dashboard Design

Before you create a dashboard, it is important to consider what information will be helpful to employees at yourorganization. Initial questions may include:

• What is the appropriate format for this information?

• Should it be more graphical in nature?

• Should users be able to search for 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.

Standard Dashboards

The Trackers folder of the Executive Analysis module contains many trackers and dashboards available in theEpicor application.

To review features and functionality standards of the dashboards framework, review existing application trackersand dashboards. Examples include the Cash Receipt Tracker, Customer Shipment Tracker, and Payment Tracker.There are aspects of the dashboard interface inherent to all dashboards.

Tree View

The dashboard's tree view displays all items that make up the dashboard, such as queries, grids, charts, trackers,URL links, processes or reports.

Right-Click Functionality

Right-click each item in both the dashboard tree view and the display area to bring up context menus. Each menuspecifically relates to the selected item. Use the context menus to create new queries, launch a linked process,or open a properties window.

Example You want to review the current information entered for Dalton Manufacturing in the CashReceipt Tracker. Right-click the Cust. ID field that displays the DALTON identifier to invoke the contextmenu. Select Open With... and select Customer Entry.

As a result, Customer Maintenance launches, allowing you to edit Dalton Manufacturing's customerinformation as needed.

Refresh Button

Each query has a specific refresh interval. This causes the data in each query to refresh automatically, at a specifiedinterval. You can manually click the Refresh button on the Standard toolbar. This updates the queries and webpages that display on the dashboard with the latest information.

Refresh All Button

The Refresh All button refreshes all query data in the dashboard. For customers with large databases, the RefreshAll button can cause performance issues with the dashboard. This button, by design, does not honor filters andreturns all rows to the dashboard.

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The Dashboard Program

Use the Dashboard program to create and update dashboards in the Epicor application.

When you launch this program, the General sheet displays the blank slate to begin the design process. There is

a tree view on the left and a contents pane on the right. When Dashboard Developer privileges are granted forthe user, the program automatically displays in Developer mode.

Tip From the Tools menu, select the Developer option to toggle Developer mode on and off. Noticewhen the Developer mode is off, both the tree view and the New button on the toolbar disappear.

Use the Dashboard sheet to review the dashboard as an end user; this sheet is available to all users with nosecurity restrictions.

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Dashboard Queries

The first step when you design a dashboard is to add a query to the dashboard. Business Activity Queries (BAQ)are created in Business Activity Query Designer and summarize specific data from a table, or multiple tables, inthe database.

First, search for the query and then decide which fields should display, or publish, within the display area. Youcan use the dashboard to filter out unwanted data.

To add a query to a dashboard, click New > New Query. Enter the query ID or search for an existing query.Many of the parameters in the Dashboard Query Properties window are also available at the grid level.

Note All queries that begin with the letter z are standard Epicor application queries included in theapplication.

Dashboard Query Properties

Additional display parameters related to the dashboard query are defined in the Dashboard Query Propertieswindow.

Note When you add a new query to a dashboard, the Dashboard Query Properties window automaticallydisplays. To access the Dashboard Query Properties window again, right-click the query icon in the treeview and select Properties.

It is important to understand that once you add a query to a dashboard, all related views, such as grids or charts,are based on the parameters established in the Dashboard Query Properties window. Any filter applied at thequery level is applied to all the grids and charts that use that query to display information.

There is also a Dashboard Grid Properties window where you can apply filters to a specific grid view of thedata. Depending on what information you want to display, it may be better to apply filters at the grid level asopposed to the query level. This is useful when you want to display groups of information such as sales groupedby territory or customer groups.

Following are the sheets found within the Dashboard Query Properties window:

General Sheet

Use the General sheet to enter the caption that displays on the query's title bar. The caption defaults from thedescription of the query itself, but you can override it. You can also enter the refresh interval for the data.

The following are the fields found on the General sheet:

• Caption - This field defaults from the description of the query, but you can override it.

• Auto Refresh on Load - This option refreshes the data when you initially launch the dashboard. This eliminatesthe need to click the Refresh button manually on the Standard toolbar.

• Refresh Interval - Use this field to indicate a data update span. Enter this value in minutes.

Example For a 90-second interval, enter 1.5, or one-and-a-half minutes. A negative one (-1) indicatesthere is no automatic refresh. In this case, you must refresh the data manually using the Refresh orRefresh All buttons on the Standard toolbar.

Publish Sheet

Use the Publish sheet to select which columns from the query display or publish on the dashboard. You can usethe information published out from one query to display on the title bar, as well as for subscription by anotherquery.

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The columns that display in the Publish Columns list include all the fields built into the query when it was created.Select the check boxes next to the fields you want to publish on the dashboard.

You can use the Publish to Title check box to publish specific data to the title bar of the dashboard.

Example In the Customer Tracker, the customer name displays in the title bar of the dashboard.

Note When you publish information from a query, the Query icon in the tree view of the dashboard

displays an additional icon (a satellite dish with an arrow pointing out) next to it.

You can use the Call Context Subscriber section fields in conjunction with Business Process Management (BPM)functionality. Use these fields to publish values from the dashboard to a Business Process Management (BPM)Updatable BAQ Directive. For more information, review Business Process Management topics within ApplicationHelp.

Filter Sheet

Use the Filter sheet to apply filters to the data retrieved when the query is executed on the dashboard. Applythese filters in addition to any filter criteria that you can apply at the query level itself.

Example You may only want to retrieve invoice information for customers in the state of Minnesota or

only want invoices that are not credit memos (invoice amounts greater than or equal to zero).

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Workshop - Attach the Initial Query

Pull in a custom or application Business Activity Query (BAQ) to populate the dashboard with the informationyou need. You can modify the query's caption to a more appropriate query label.

Navigate to the Dashboard.

Menu Path: Executive Analysis > Business Activity Management > General Operations > DashboardImportant This program is not available in the Epicor Web Access.

If you are not in Developer Mode, from the Tools menu, select Developer to enable this functionality.

1. From the New menu, select New Dashboard.

2. On the General sheet, in the Definition ID field, enter XXXInvTracker (where XXX are your initials).

3. In the Description field, enter XXX New Invoice Tracker (where XXX are your initials).

4. From the New menu, select New Query.

The Dashboard Query Properties window displays.

5. In the Query ID field, search for and select ARInvTracker and click OK.

This is a custom BAQ created in the Demonstration Database for the purposes of this course.

Tip

The process of creating BAQs is outside the scope of this course. To learn how to design a BAQ, reviewthe Business Activity Queries course.

6. On the Standard toolbar, click Save.

7. Navigate to the XXX New Invoice Tracker (where XXX are your initials) sheet.

8. On the Standard toolbar, click Refresh to execute the query and retrieve the data.

Verify data displays in the grid and remain in the Dashboard for future workshops.

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Grid Views

Use the New Grid View functionality to create a different grid view from a selected query.

Dashboard Grid PropertiesUse the Dashboard Grid Properties window to define the data and image columns that display on the grid.You also enable Show Group By and Show Summaries options and to set up rules for viewing certain fields orimages on this window.

To access the Dashboard Grid Properties window, right-click the grid icon in the tree view of the dashboard.

Note

When you add a query to a dashboard, the default view to display the data is a grid view. It is common tohave multiple grids that display different information from a single query on a dashboard.

Following are the key fields and sheets found within the Dashboard Grid Properties window:

General Sheet

Use the General sheet to identify which columns to display in the grid.

The following fields are found withing the General sheet:

• Caption - Similar to the Caption field in the Dashboard Query Properties window, this field is one level downand displays as a heading for the view itself.

Example In the previous workshop example, the Dashboard Caption is XXX New Invoice Trackerand the Query Caption is AR Invoice Tracker. In the following workshop, you will name the GridCaption as Open Invoice Header.

• Grid Caption - This field displays as a description in the grid's title bar. If the description is left blank, the

Caption displays in the grid's title bar.• Show Group By - You can group a grid or tracker's data together through specific columns you select. To

activate this functionality, either select this check box on the General sheet, or right-click a tracker or grid andselect Show Group By.

If you enable this function, the Drag a column header here to group by that column box displays in thetitle bar. The text instructs you to drag a column header into the title box.

To group data using additional levels, continue to click and drag additional column headers onto the box.Each column you group by displays below the previous column. The data is then further grouped by eachselected group by column.

• Show Summaries - You can activate summaries on all value columns that display on the grid. To activatethis functionality, either select this check box on the General sheet, or right-click a tracker or grid and select

Show Summaries.

Once you enable this functionality, all value columns display a Sigma (∑) character.

To select the desired summarizing option, click the Sigma (∑) character, and from the Select Summarieswindow, select one of the following options:

• Average

• Count

• Maximum

• Minimum

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• Sum

Note You can select one or more of the above options.

Filter Sheet

Use the Filter sheet to apply a data filter at the grid level.

Example In the Customer Tracker, there is the Quote sheet, with additional sheets for Active, Expired,and All Quotes. These sheets are actually grid views with filters applied to display the different groups ofdata.

View Rules

Use the View Rules sheet to define how data displays within a grid.

The View Rules section allows you to select the field affected by the rule and the condition through which therule activates. The Rule Actions defines how the selected field displays within the grid view.

Example You can use conditions and actions to graphically indicate any data changes within a grid.

Image Columns

Use the Image Column sheet to add image columns to the current grid. You can then create row rules thatdefine when other images display in this column. You can set up a column not to have a default image. Thisallows you to populate a column with image when specific rule conditions are met, using the View Rules sheet.

Example All image columns display at the bottom of the Select Field list on the View Rules sheet. Next,define the caption you want to display above the new image column. This is the text that displays in thecolumn header. Finally, select an image from the Image Name list or select None. This is the default imagethat displays if no other rules are applied against the image column. This allows you to create row rules todisplay any specific images you want in this column.

Workshop - Modify a Grid View

Customize dashboard grid views to display the information you need. You can adjust, summarize, and groupcolumns; apply filters to data, and save layouts for future use.

Modify Display Columns

Continue working with the XXXInvoiceTracker (where XXX are your initials) dashboard created in the previousworkshop.

1. In the tree view, right-click the ARInvTracker: Summary grid icon and select Properties.

The Dashboard Grid Properties window displays.

2. On the General sheet, in the Caption and Grid Caption fields, enter Open Invoice Header.

3. In the Display Columns section, click the Clear All button.

4. Select the Visible check box for the following columns:

• InvcHead_InvoiceNum

• InvcHead_InvoiceDate

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• Customer_CustID

• Customer_Name

• InvcHead_DocInvoiceAmt

• InvcHead_DocInvoiceBal

• InvcHead_FiscalPeriod

• InvcHead_FiscalYear

5. Select the Show Group By and Show Summaries check boxes.

6. In the Dashboard Grid Properties window, click OK.


Notice the Open Invoice Header grid displays selected columns.

Apply a Filter to the Grid

1. In the tree view, right-click the Open Invoice Header grid icon and select Properties.The Dashboard Grid Properties window displays.

2. Navigate to the Filter sheet.

3. In the Column Name field, select InvcHead_DocInvoiceBal.

This field indicates invoice balances.

4. In the Condition field, select > (greater than).

5. In the Value field, enter 0 (zero).

6. In the Dashboard Grid Properties window, click OK.This condition causes the grid to only displays open invoices.

Calculate the Amount Column Sum

1. In the Open Invoice Header grid, in the Amount column heading, click the ∑ (Sigma) icon.

The Select Summaries window displays.

2. In the Select Summaries window, select the Sum check box and click OK.

3. On the Standard toolbar, click Refresh.

4. Scroll to the bottom of the grid to review the results and view the Amount column's sum total.

This is the total value of all open invoices.

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Group the Data by Fiscal Year and by Period

1. Drag the Fiscal Year column header up to the gray header area. When the arrows display, release it.

Notice the changes to the grid.

2. Click the + (plus sign) next to the first Fiscal Year entry to expand the grouped data and view details.

3. Drag the Period column header from the first group up to the gray header area. When the arrows display,release it to the right of the Fiscal Year column header.

Notice the data is now sorted first by Fiscal Year and then by Period.

4. Click the + (plus sign) next to the first Fiscal Year and Period entry to expand the grouped data and viewdetails.

5. Right-click anywhere in the grid and select Show Group By to disable the group by functionality.

The grid again displays ungrouped data.

6. From the Tools menu, select Layouts > Save Layouts as Default to save the grid layout.


Remain in the Dashboard for future workshops.

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Workshop - Attach a Second Query

Add a second query to the dashboard. Use this query to filter information displayed using the publish and subscribefunctionality.

1. From the New menu, select New Query.


2. In the Query ID field, search for and select the ARInvLn01 query and click OK.

3. On the Standard toolbar, click the Refresh icon to execute the query and retrieve the data.

4. In the tree view, right-click the ARInvLn01:Summary grid icon and select Properties.


5. On the General sheet, in the Caption field, delete the content and enter Invoice Detail.

This is the name of the grid that will display in the tree view.

6. Click the Clear All button.

7. Select the Visible check box for the following columns:

• InvcDtl_InvoiceLine

• InvcDtl_PartNum

• InvcDtl_LineDesc

• InvcDtl_OurShipQty

• InvcDtl_DocExtPrice

8. In the Dashboard Grid Properties window, click OK and view the results.

Notice the information presented in both grids is not yet synchronized.

9. Click Save.

Remain in the dashboard for future workshops.

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Workshop - Use Publish and Subscribe Functionality

The publish and subscribe functionality allows you to view related information for a particular record all in onewindow.

Publish Columns

1. In the tree view, right-click the ARInvTracker query icon and select Properties.


2. Navigate to the Publish sheet.

3. In the Publish Columns section, select the InvcHead_InvoiceNum and Customer_Name check boxes.

These two fields will be published from the query.

4. Select the Publish to Title check box.

5. Under the Publish to Title check box, in the first field, select Customer_Name.

This field displays in the title bar of the dashboard.

6. In the Title caption field, enter Customer:.

7. In the Dashboard Query Properties window, click OK and view the results in the dashboard.

Note The customer name of the invoice selected should display on the title bar. As you select invoicesfrom different customers on the Open Invoice Header grid, the customer name changes on the titlebar.

Apply Filter1. In the tree view, right-click the Invoice Detail grid icon and select Properties.


2. Navigate to the Filter sheet.

3. In the ColumnName field, select InvDtl_InvoiceNum.

4. In the Condition field, select = (equal to).

5. In the Value field, select ARInvTracker - AR Invoice Tracker: InvcHead_InvoiceNum.

This condition states the invoice number in the Invoice Detail grid must match the invoice number publishedfrom the first query. This means the Invoice Detail grid will only display details of the invoice you select inthe Open Invoice header grid.

6. In the Dashboard Grid Properties window, click OK.

7. Select different invoices on the Open Invoice Header grid and view the results on the Invoice Detail grid.



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Chart Views

Use the New Chart View functionality to create a chart from the data within the selected query.

Dashboard Chart View PropertiesUse the Dashboard Chart View Properties window to define the chart columns, select different chart types,customize chart colors, and so on.

Use the Caption field to enter the name of the chart view that displays in the tree view.

Use the Publish View check box to publish the chart view from the dashboard. You can then add this view toa different dashboard. To learn more about this functionality, review Advanced Dasboards course.

The following are sheets found within the Dashboard Chart View Properties window:

General Sheet

Use the General sheet to set up chart definitions. The following are the availabe axes you can set up for the

chart view:• Chart By (X axis) - This defines the chart's horizontal axis.

• Chart On (Y axis) - This defines the chart's vertical axis.

• Group By (Z axis) - This indicates which columns are available for grouping the data. Use this feature togroup all the records in a grid by a specific column.

Filter Sheet

Use the Filter sheet to apply a filter at the chart level to display specific information.

Example Apply a filter to the chart view to only display sales for the current or previous year. In thissituation, the chart must be labeled appropriately.

Colors Sheet

Use the Colors sheet to define a Color Model for the chart view. The following are the four available ColorModels:

• Linear Random

• Linear Range

• Pure Random

• Wireframe

When you select the Grey Scale check box, colors will display in shades of gray.

Workshop - Add a Chart View

View the data displayed by the query in a chart or graph format.

Add New Chart

In this task, add a 3D Column Chart to Display Invoiced Sales by Year.

1. In the tree view, right-click the ARInvTracker query icon and select New Chart View.

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The Dashboard Chart View Properties window displays.

2. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Graph – Annual Sales.

3. Select the Show Column Names check box.

4. In the Chart By: (X axis) field, select Fiscal Year.

5. In the Chart On: (Y axis) field, select the InvoiceAmt check box.

6. Navigate to the Colors sheet.

7. In the Color Model field, select LinearRange.

8. In the Start Color and End Color fields, enter colors of your choice.

9. In the Dashboard Chart View Properties window, click OK.

Adjust the Dashboard Display

In this task, reposition the Graph Sheet to the Top of the Window.

1. Drag the Graph - Annual Sales sheet up towards the AR Invoice Tracker query caption, until the grayoutline displays a tab on the top.

2. When the tab displays, release the sheet.

3. Notice the AR Invoice Tracker panel now contains two sheets: ARInvTracker: Summary and Graph -Annual Sales.

4. Review the column chart that displays.

Change the Chart Type

1. Navigate to the Graph - Annual Sales sheet.

2. On the left side of the chart, hover the mouse over the Settings sheet.

3. In the Chart Type field, select ColumnChart 3D.

4. In the Settings sheet, click the Refresh icon.

You may have to scroll down or to the right to see the Refresh button.

5. Click your mouse anywhere in the Graph - Annual Sales sheet.

6. Press the Alt key and left-click and move the mouse to change the angle of the graph.



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Additional Functionality

There are additional views and links you can add to further customize a dashboard and to increase its usability.Tracker views increase dashboard search functionality, whereas URL, XSLT, and Process Links allow you to quicklyaccess other web pages, style sheets, and programs. You can also export and import dashboard definitions.

Tracker Views

Use the New Tracker View functionality to create a tracker from a selected query.

Dashboard Tracker View Properties

Use the Dashboard Tracker View Properties window to define the columns that display, offer to embed agrid view, group by and summarize options, filter options, and define rules on how to present information.

To access the Dashboard Tracker View Properties window, in the tree view, right-click the query icon, and selectNew Tracker View.

Note Many standard dashboards include this functionality.

Example The Customer Tracker contains an Advanced Search sheet, which is a Tracker view on thedashboard. This sheet contains several fields where you can enter your search criteria. These fields includeCustomer ID, Name, Territory, Customer Type, and Address fields such as City, State, and Zip. Use thissheet to find the information you need without having to search through all the records in the dashboard.

Use the Caption field to enter the name of the Tracker view that displays in the tree view.

Use the Publish View check box to publish the Tracker view from the dashboard. You can then add this viewto a different dashboard. To learn more about this functionality, review Advanced Dasboards course.

The following sheets are found within the Dashboard Tracker View Properties window:

General Sheet

Use the General sheet to identify the fields you want to display in the Tracker view. It also contains options toenable the fields for input, define the related condition for the user input, embed a grid view, show group by,and show summaries.

Filter Sheet

Use the Filter sheet to apply a filter at the Tracker level to display specific information.

View Rules Sheet

Use the View Rules sheet to define how the data displays within the tracker.

Workshop - Create a Tracker View

Create and customize a Tracker View from a selected query.

1. In the tree view, right-click the ArInvTracker query icon and select New Tracker View.

The Dashboard Tracker View Properties window displays.

2. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Advanced Search.

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3. On the General sheet, click the Clear All button.

4. Select the Visible check box for the following fields:

• InvcHead_InvoiceNum

• Customer_CustID

• Customer_Name

5. For InvcHead_InvoiceNum, select the Prompt check box.

6. For InvcHead_InvoiceNum, in the Condition field, verify Equals displays.

This means a user has to enter the existing invoice number to retrieve dashboard results.

7. For Customer_CustID, select the Prompt check box.

8. For Customer_CustID, in the Condition field, select StartsWith.

This means entering a first letter of a Customer ID is sufficient for the Customer to display in the list ofresults.

9. Click the Up Arrow button (to the right of the scroll bar) to reposition the Customer ID field to the top ofthe list.

10. For Customer_Name, select the Prompt check box.

11. For Customer_Name, in the Condition field, select StartsWith.

12. Click the Up Arrow button (to the right of the scroll bar) to reposition the Customer Name field to justbelow the Customer ID field.

13. Enable the Input Prompts Only check box.

14. In the Dashboard Tracker View Properties window, click OK.


16. Navigate to the Advanced Search sheet and on the Standard toolbar, click Clear.

17. In the Cust. ID field, enter Dal.

Recall entering a first letter or few letters of a Customer ID is sufficient for the Customer to display in thelist of results.

18. Navigate to the ARInvTracker: Summary sheet.

19. On the Standard toolbar, click Refresh.Notice the sheet only displays information for the customer Dalton.

20. Navigate to the Advanced Search sheet and on the Standard toolbar, click Clear.


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URL and XSLT Links

Use the New URL/XSLT View option to display either a website using a URL address or data using an XSLTStylesheet on your dashboard. When you use this functionality, enter a web address or define a network pathto an XSLT file.

The following fields are found on the Dashboard URL/XSLT Properties window:

• Caption - This is the name that displays on the web page's title bar.

• URL/XSLT Address - This is the web address for the website or the network directory path to the XSLTstylesheet.

Example www.epicor.com or \\EpicorERPSServerName\Foldername\filename.xslt.

• Publisher - Select the field to link to this URL. Use this field to subscribe to a published web address.

• Query Phrase Subscribers - Use this section to set a publisher to a specific replacement token on a URLphrase.

Website Features

When you enter a web address, the Epicor application passes the URL to Microsoft® Internet Explorer®, allowingyou to use the typical Internet options for the web pages.

You can also set up this feature to update the URL based on a website address included in the selected query.As you select a different record in a query, the URL also updates with the web address listed with this record. Todo this, define a value within the Publisher list.

Example Through the Dashboard, view the current sales orders linked to each customer. You also createa URL tab and link the URL to the field within each customer record. As you select different customerrecords in the query, the URL automatically displays each customer's website.

Note To ensure the web page displays current information, occasionally click the Refresh button on theStandard toolbar.

Linking XSLT Stylesheets

When you enter a file address that ends in .xslt, additional fields become available for you in the DashboardURL/XSLT Properties window. These fields display within the Style Sheet Details section.

In order to display an XSLT stylesheet on the dashboard, create the .xslt file used to map the data from yourdashboard to fields in the stylesheet. The stylesheet displays all activity (for example, open orders and zero dollarorders) within the grid that displays on the dashboard.

Note You must use a text or XML/XSLT editor to create an XSLT stylesheet. For more information oncreating a stylesheet, review Application Help topic: Create XSLT Stylesheets.

URL Query Phrase Subscribers

The new capability of the Dashboard allows a URL to change based on data values published within the Dashboard.This feature is particularly useful for referencing pictures, specifications, or other static content without havingto add a specific URL as a UD field in numerous records.

While adding a new query to a Dashboard, publish a field that you will later use as a query phrase subscriber.Use the Dashboard URL / XSLT Properties window to set a publisher to a specific replacement token on a URLphrase.

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Workshop - Create a URL Link

In this workshop, create a URL link that displays on the dashboard.

1. From the New menu, select New URL/XSLT View.

The Dashboard URL/XSLT Properties window displays.

2. Enter the following information:

DataField

Epicor WebsiteCaption

www.epicor.comURL/XSLT Address

Leave this field blankPublisher

3. In the Dashboard URL/XSLT Properties, click OK.

4. On the Epicor Website sheet, click Refresh to refresh the web site.

5. Move the URL sheet to the top of the window next to the AR Invoice Tracker by dragging the URL sheetup until the gray outline displays with a tab on the bottom. Release the URL sheet when the tab displays.

Remain in the dashboard for the next workshop.

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Workshop - Create an URL Query Phrase Subscriber

In this workshop, publish a part number field from the invoice tracker query. Use the Dashboard URL/XSLTProperties window to set a published part number to a specific replacement token. The token creates a referenceto a selected part picture and displays it within the URL panel. In this workshop, create two part images todemonstrate the displaying images process. In the real environment, you can create images for all part pictures

that exist in a database and display them within dashboards using the same process.

Publish the Part Number

1. In the tree view, right-click the ArInvLn01 query icon and select Properties.

The Dashboard Query Properties windows displays.

2. Navigate to the Publish sheet.

3. In the Publish Columns section, select InvcDetail_PartNum check box

4. Click OK.

The part number field is now published from the query.

Create Part Images

1. Create two part images.

You may use any pictures in this example.

2. Name the pictures the following:

• DCD-400-KB.bmp (connector pipe)

• DCD-200-ML.bmp (frame)

Note You may use different image extensions.

3. Save the pictures in the folder on your local machine, for example, on your desktop.

You can name the folder PartPictures, for example.

Subscribe to a Replacement Token

1. From the New menu, select New URL/XSLT View.

The Dashboard URL/XSLT Properties window displays.

2. In the Caption field, enter MyParts.

3. Next to the URL/XSLT Address field, click the Browse (...) button.

The Open window displays.

4. Search for and select one of the pictures you created.

5. Click Open.

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Example The following displays the URL/XSLT Address to an image saved on your desktop in thefolder named PartPictures.

C:\Users\\Desktop\PartPictures\DCD-200-ML.bmp

6. In the URL/XSLT Address field, replace the image name with [MyParts].

The part name is replaced with token and the URL/XSLT Address field now displays the following path:

Example

C:\Users\\Desktop\PartPictures\[MyParts].bmp

7. In the Query Phrase Subscribers section, click New.

8. In the Publisher field, select ARInvLn01- AR Invoice Line: InvcDtl_PartNum.

Recall this is the published part number from the query that will subscribe to a token you defined in theURL/XSLT Address field.

9. In the Token field, enter [MyParts].

10. In the Dashboard URL/XSLT Properties window, click OK.

Test the MyParts URL Panel

1. In the dashboard, navigate to the AR Invoice Tracker > AR Invoice Tracker: Summary sheet.

2. Click the Invoice column header to sort records in an ascending order.

3. In the grid, search for and select invoice 10054.

This invoice contains both parts for which you created images.

Tip You may need to click Clear and refresh the grid to display all invoices.

4. In the Invoice Detail grid below, select the part and view the MyParts URL panel that displays the respectivepart image.

5. Remain in the dashboard.

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Copy Data from the Dashboard

You can copy and paste data displayed in the grid directly to Microsoft® Excel® for a further analysis.

To copy data, right-click anywhere in the grid and select one of the following options:

• Copy All - Use this option to copy all data that display in the grid, without column labels.

• Copy All Include labels - Use this option to copy all data that display in the grid, including column labels.

• Copy Selection - Use this option to copy specific rows that display in the grid, without column labels.

• Copy Selection Include labels - Use this option to copy specific rows that display in the grid, includingcolumn labels.

Workshop - Copy Data from the Dashboard

Copy data that display in the Open Invoice Header grid and paste them to Microsoft Excel.

1. Navigate to the Open Invoice Header sheet.

2. Right-click anywhere in the Open Invoice Header grid and select Copy All Include Labels.

3. Launch Microsoft Excel and paste the data into a sheet.

Data from the grid pastes to a spreadsheet and become available for further analysis.

4. Exit Microsoft Excel without saving the new file.

5. In the dashboard, on the Standard toolbar, click Save.

6. Remain in the dashboard.

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Export and Import

Use the Dashboard’s Import/Export functionality to make your dashboard definitions available to users at anotherlocation. When you export this definition as a .dbd file, users that are outside your network can then import thisdashboard definition onto their client machines, using your dashboard as a base for their own configurations.

You can also use this functionality to archive your dashboard. This allows you to save older versions of your

dashboard that, if needed, you can import back into your Epicor application at a later date.

Note You should always export a dashboard definition before you make major changes. If somethinggoes wrong during your changes, you can restore your dashboard to its original working configuration.

Export

To export a dashboard, from the File menu, select the Export Dashboard Definition option. When you exporta dashboard, the definition is saved as a .dbd file. You can also export both a dashboard definition and theBusiness Activity Queries (BAQs) it contains. This gives other users access to the BAQs the dashboard uses. To dothis, from the File menu, select the Export Dashboard and BAQs option.

ImportTo import a dashboard, from the File menu, select the Import Dashboard Definition option. Importing adashboard definition brings the dashboard definition, (optionally with any queries used, into the dashboard.

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Build and Deploy the Dashboard

After you design a dashboard, you must build and deploy it so other users can access it. Use the Tools > DeployDashboard option to compile the dashboard definition into a User Interface (UI) finished assembly and thendeploy it to the server.

When the dashboard definition is compiled, deploy it to the Main menu and the Favorites bar so all users canaccess it.

Workshop - Build and Deploy the Dashboard

In this workshop, build and deploy the dashboard as the UI application and make it available to all users.

Test and Deploy Dashboard

1. From the Tools menu, select Deploy Dashboard.

The Deploy Dashboard window displays.

2. Click the Test Application button.

The dashboard displays in a new window that users can see once you deploy it.

3. On the Standard toolbar, click Refresh and verify the dashboard is functional.

4. Exit the testing dashboard.

5. In the Deploy Dashboard window, select the Deploy Smart Client Application.

The remaining options include the options you can use when running the Epicor ERP using the Classic Style:

• Add Menu Tab - this option adds the dashboard as a separate tab on the Main Menu.

• Add Favorite item - adds the dashboard as an option on the Favorites menu.

For this workshop, you only select the Deploy Smart Client Application to build the dashboard as a finishedassembly you will place on the menu.

6. Click the Deploy button.

Note Building the dashboard assembly process may take few moments.

7. Once the process is complete and the status pane displays Finished, click OK.

8. In the dashboard, on the Standard toolbar, click Save.

9. Exit the dashboard.

Create New Menu Item

Navigate to Menu Maintenance.

Menu Path: System Setup > System Maintenance > Menu Maintenance

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Important This program is not available in the Epicor Web Access.

1. In the Tree View, expand the following nodes:

Main Menu > Financial Management > Accounts Receivable > General Operations

2. Click the General Operations node to highlight it.

3. Click New > New Menu.

4. For the Menu ID, enter XXX (where XXX are your initials).

5. In the Name field, enter XXX Invoice Tracker Dashboard (where XXX are your initials).

6. In the Order Sequence field, enter 300 to position the new menu item at the end of the menu items.

Tip

If the sequence number is already used, try another one.

7. In the Program Type field, select Dashboard-Assembly.

8. For the Icon, select Tracker.

9. Click the list in the Dashboard field and select the record for XXX New Invoice Tracker (where XXX areyour initials).

10. Click Save.

11. Exit Menu Maintenance.

Your custom dashboard is now available to all users.

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Conclusion

Congratulations! You have completed the Introduction to the Dashboard course.

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Additional information is available at the Education andDocumentation areas of the EPICweb Customer Portal. To access

this site, you need a Site ID and an EPICweb account. To create anaccount, go to http://support.epicor.com.
http://support.epicor.com/http://support.epicor.com/

Documents

Intro to Dashboard