Intro To Dashboard22

Epicor ERP
Introduction to the Dashboard

Course
9.05.701
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9.05.701
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Total pages: 36
course.ditaval
Introduction to the Dashboard Course
Contents
Contents
Introduction to the Dashboard Course.................................................................................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
Queries..........................................................................................................................................................12
Workshop - Attach the Initial Query........................................................................................................14
Grid Views.....................................................................................................................................................15
Workshop - Modify a Grid View..............................................................................................................16
Open the Grid Properties Window and 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 the Invoice Number and Customer Name.............................................................................21
Apply a Filter on the Invoice Detail Grid to Subscribe to the Published Invoice Number.....................21
Chart Views...................................................................................................................................................22
Workshop - Add a Chart View................................................................................................................22
Add a 3D Column Chart to Display Invoiced Sales by Year...............................................................22
Reposition the Graph Sheet to the Top of the Window....................................................................23
Change the Chart Type to a 3D Column Chart................................................................................23
Additional Functionality.................................................................................................................................24
Tracker Views.........................................................................................................................................24
Workshop - Create a Tracker View...................................................................................................24
URL and XSLT Links.................................................................................................................................26
Workshop - 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
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701
Contents
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
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................35

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 tasks
more efficiently. The data you choose to display is refreshed periodically. This information is always current, and
you 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 information
you 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.
Before You Begin
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
In order to complete the workshops in this course, all necessary modules must be licensed and operating in your
training environment. For more information on the modules available, contact your Epicor Customer Account
Manager at EpicorCAM@epicor.com. 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 are available at each of
the interface levels in the Epicor application - system, module, and program. Workshops focus on each of
these levels and guide 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 hardware
components such as the keyboard and the mouse, navigation keys on the keyboard such as the Tab and Enter
keys, and navigation buttons such as the Back button.
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.
Before You Begin
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 in to your
training 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 Plant.
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 your
environment.
Overview
Overview
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
even simple business intelligence reports.
Dashboards are developed to meet the needs of individual designers. Following are the main features:
Customizable
Standard Business Activity Query (BAQ) data sources
Updatable Business Activity Query (BAQ) data sources
Various BAQ data views, such as grids, charts, trackers, or Crystal 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 Crystal Reports
Crystal 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 and
a dashboard deployment functionality, review Advanced Dashboards course.
Authorization
Authorization
Use User Account Maintenance to enter basic information, security access, and application privileges for all
users. Anyone who accesses the Epicor application must be set up in this program.
Menu Path: System Management > Company Maintenance > User
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 Security 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.
Dashboard Design
Dashboard Design
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?
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 the
Epicor application.
To review features and functionality standards of the dashboards framework, review existing application trackers
and 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 menu
specifically 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 Cash
Receipt Tracker. Right-click the Cust. ID field that displays the DALTON identifier. A context menu displays.
Select Open With... and select Customer Entry. Customer Maintenance launches, allowing you to edit
Dalton Manufacturing's customer information as needed.
Refresh Button
Each query has a specific refresh interval. This causes the data in each query to refresh automatically, at a specified
interval. You can manually click the Refresh button on the Standard toolbar. This updates the queries and web
pages that display on the dashboard with the latest information.
Refresh All Button
The Refresh All button allows you to refresh all query data in the dashboard. For customers with large databases,
the Refresh All button can cause performance issues with the dashboard. This button, by design, does not honor
filters and returns all rows to the dashboard.
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Dashboard Design
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 for
the user, the program automatically displays in Developer mode.
Tip From the Options menu, select the Developer option to toggle Developer mode on and off. Notice
when the Developer mode is off, both the tree view and the New button on the toolbar disappear.
The Dashboard sheet allows you to review the dashboard as an end user without special security privileges.
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Dashboard Design
Queries
Use query functionality to display queries created through Business Activity Query Designer. First, search for the
query and then decide which fields should display, or publish, within the display area. The dashboard also allows
you to filter out unwanted data.
The first step when you design a dashboard is to add a query to the dashboard. Queries are created in Business
Activity Query (BAQ) and summarize specific data from a table, or multiple tables, in the database.
To add a query to a dashboard, click New, and select 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 the
application.
Dashboard Query Properties
Additional display parameters related to the dashboard query are defined in the Dashboard Query Properties
window.
Note When you add a new query to a dashboard, the Dashboard Query Properties window automatically
displays. To access the Dashboard Query Properties window again, right-click the query icon in the tree
view 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 the
query 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 the
data. Depending on what information you want to display, it may be better to apply filters at the grid level as
opposed to the query level. This is useful when you want to display groups of information such as sales grouped
by 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 the
description 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 eliminates
the 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) indicates
there is no automatic refresh. In this case, you must refresh the data manually using the Refresh or
Refresh 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 use
the information published out from one query to display on the title bar, as well as for subscription by another
query.
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Dashboard Design
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.
The Publish to Title check box allows you 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 course.
Filter Sheet
Use the Filter sheet to apply filters to the data retrieved when the query is executed on the dashboard. Apply
these 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).
Enterprise Sheet
The Enterprise sheet allows you to display data from multiple companies in one dashboard. When you run the
dashboard query, data is pulled from all the company databases linked to the selected enterprise queries.
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Dashboard Design
Workshop - Attach the Initial Query

Pull in a custom or application Business Activity Query (BAQ) to populate the dashboard with the information
you 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 > Dashboard
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 zARInvTracker and click OK.
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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Dashboard Design
Grid Views
Use the New Grid View functionality to create a different grid view from a selected query.
Dashboard Grid Properties
Use the Dashboard Grid Properties window to define the data and image columns that display on the grid,
enable Show Group By and Show Summaries options and to set up rules for viewing certain fields or images.
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 to have 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 down
and displays as a heading for the view itself.
Example In the previous workshop example, the Dashboard Caption is XXX New Invoice Tracker
and the Query Caption is AR Invoice Tracker. In the following workshop, you will name the Grid
Caption 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 and
select Show Group By.
If you enable this function, the Drag a column header here to group by that column box displays in the
title 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 each
selected group by column.
Show Summaries - You can activate summaries on all value columns that display on the grid. To activate
this 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 Summaries
window, select one of the following options:
Average
Count
Maximum
Minimum
Sum
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Dashboard Design
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 of
data.
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 the
rule 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 that
define when other images display in this column. You can set up a column not to have a default image. This
allows 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 the
column header. Finally, select an image from the Image Name list or select None. This is the default image
that displays if no other rules are applied against the image column. This allows you to create row rules to
display 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 group
columns; apply filters to data, and save layouts for future use.
Open the Grid Properties Window and Modify Display Columns

Continue working with the XXXInvoiceTracker (where XXX are your initials) dashboard created in the previous
workshop.
1. In the tree view, right-click the zARInvTracker: Summary grid icon and select Properties.
The Dashboard Grid Properties window displays.
2. On the General sheet, in the Grid Caption field, 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
Customer.Name
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Dashboard Design
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 zARInvTracker: Summary grid icon and select Properties.
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).
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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Dashboard Design
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 view
details.
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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Dashboard Design
Publish and Subscribe

The unique dashboard framework allows you to publish data from one query and subscribe to another. This
enables related information to display when a specific record is selected in the dashboard.
Example When a particular customer is selected in the Customer Tracker, the Customer ID is published
from one query, and every other query on the dashboard, such as Quotes, Orders, Shipments, and Invoices,
subscribes to that Customer ID. This means that all queries display related records for the selected customer.
Publish
Information published from one query displays on the title bar, as well as for subscription by another query. To
publish the information, in the tree view, right-click the query icon and select Properties. In the Dashboard
Query Properties window, on the Publish sheet, select the information to publish for both the title bar and
the subscription.
Subscribe
To subscribe to published data, in the tree view, right-click a query or a grid icon and select Properties. Navigate
to the Filter sheet and set up a filter that only displays data in a particular field when it equals the value of the
data published.
Example When a customer is selected in the Customer Tracker, the Customer ID is published out of
one query. All other queries on the dashboard have filters to only display data for the selected customer
ID.
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Dashboard Design
Workshop - Attach a Second Query

Add a second query to the dashboard. This allows you to filter information displayed using the publish and
subscribe functionality.
1. From the New menu, select New Query.
2. In the Query ID field, search for and select the zARInvLn01 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 zARInvLn01: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.
9. Click Save.
Remain in the dashboard for future workshops.
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Dashboard Design
Workshop - Use Publish and Subscribe Functionality

The publish and subscribe functionality allows you to view related information for a particular record all in one
window.
Publish the Invoice Number and Customer Name

1. In the tree view, right-click the zARInvTracker 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 invoices
from different customers on the Open Invoice Header grid, the customer name changes on the title
bar.
Apply a Filter on the Invoice Detail Grid to Subscribe to the Published Invoice Number
1. 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 zARInvTracker- AR Invoice Tracker: InvcHead.InvoiceNum.
This condition states the invoice number in the Invoice Detail grid must match the invoice number published
from the first query. This means the Invoice Detail grid will only display details of the invoice you select in
the Open Invoice header grid.
7. Select different invoices on the Open Invoice Header grid and view the results on the Invoice Detail grid.
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Dashboard Design
Chart Views
Use the New Chart View functionality to create a chart from the data within the selected query.
Dashboard Chart View Properties
Use 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 to
a 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. This feature allows you
to group 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 this
situation, 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 Color
Models:
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 a 3D Column Chart to Display Invoiced Sales by Year

1. In the tree view, right-click the zARInvTracker query icon and select New Chart View.
The Dashboard Chart View Properties window displays.
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Dashboard Design
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 InvcHead.FiscalYear.
5. In the Chart On: (Y axis) field, select the InvcHead.DocInvoiceAmt check box.
6. Navigate to the Colors sheet.
7. In the Color Model field, select LinearRange.
8. In the Start Color field, select the Web > Gray option.
9. In the End Color field, select the Web > Yellow option.
10. In the Dashboard Chart View Properties window, click OK.
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 gray
outline 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: zARInvTracker: Summary and Graph Annual Sales.
4. Review the column chart that displays.
Change the Chart Type to a 3D Column Chart

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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Dashboard Design
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 quickly
access 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 a
grid 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 select
New Tracker View.
Note Many standard dashboards include this functionality.
Example The Customer Tracker contains an Advanced Search sheet, which is a Tracker view on the
dashboard. This sheet contains several fields where you can enter your search criteria. These fields include
Customer ID, Name, Territory, Customer Type, and Address fields such as City, State, and Zip. Use this
sheet 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 view
to 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 to
enable 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 zArInvTracker 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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Dashboard Design
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 you will have to enter the existing invoice number to get 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 of
results.
9. Click the Up Arrow button (to the right of the scroll bar) to reposition the Customer ID field to the top of
the 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 just
below the Customer ID field.
13. In the Dashboard Tracker View Properties window, click OK.
15. Navigate to the Advanced Search sheet and on the Standard toolbar, click Clear.
16. 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 the
list of results.
17. Navigate to the zARInvTracker: Summary sheet.
18. On the Standard toolbar, click Refresh.
Notice the sheet only displays information for the customer Dalton.
19. Navigate to the Advanced Search sheet and on the Standard toolbar, click Clear.
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Dashboard Design
URL and XSLT Links

Use the New URL/XSLT View option to display either a website using a URL address or data using an XSLT
Stylesheet on your dashboard. When you use this functionality, enter a web address or define a network path
to 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 XSLT
stylesheet.
Example www.epicor.com or \\servername\epicor\Epicor905\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 URL
phrase.
Website Features
When you enter a web address, the Epicor application passes the URL to Microsoft Internet Explorer, allowing
you 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. To
do this, define a value within the Publisher list.
Example Through the Dashboard, view the current sales orders linked to each customer. You also create
a URL tab and link the URL to the field within each customer record. As you select different customer
records 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 the
Standard toolbar.
Linking XSLT Stylesheets
When you enter a file address that ends in .xslt, additional fields become available for you in the Dashboard
URL/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 your
dashboard to fields in the stylesheet. The stylesheet displays all activity (for example, open orders and zero dollar
orders) 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 on
creating 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 having
to 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 URL
phrase.
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Dashboard Design
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:
Field
Data
Caption
Epicor Website
URL/XSLT Address
www.epicor.com
Publisher
Leave this field blank
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 sheet
up 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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Dashboard Design
Workshop - Create an URL Query Phrase Subscriber

In this workshop, publish a part number field from the invoice tracker query. Use the Dashboard URL/XSLT
Properties window to set a published part number to a specific replacement token. The token creates a reference
to a selected part picture and displays it within the URL panel. In this workshop, create two part images to
demonstrate 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 zArInvLn01 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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Dashboard Design
Example The following displays the URL/XSLT Address to an image saved on your desktop in the
folder named PartPictures.
C:\Documents and Settings\<UserName>\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:
C:\Documents and Settings\<UserName>\Desktop\PartPictures\[MyParts].bmp
7. In the Query Phrase Subscribers section, click New.
8. In the Publisher field, select zARInvLn01- AR Invoice Line: InvcDtl.PartNum.
Recall this is the published part number from the query that will subscribe to a token you defined in the
URL/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 > zAR 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 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 respective
part image.
5. Remain in the dashboard.
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Dashboard Design
Process Links
To further streamline your use of the Epicor application, use the dashboard to create a direct link to a process
you commonly use. Once the process is linked to the Dashboard, you can launch it from the Dashboard tree
view.
Important You must have security access to the programs in the application to launch them from the
dashboard.
Dashboard Process Link Properties Window
The Dashboard Process Link Properties window allows you to search for and define linked programs and use
the Test button to test your access and its deployment.
Note Many programs are listed more than once in the search window. This is because each occurrence
of a program on a menu has a unique menu ID.
Workshop - Create a Process Link

In this workshop, use the dashboard to create a direct link to a commonly used process.
1. From the New menu, select New Process Link.
The Dashboard Process Link Properties window displays.
2. Click the Process ID button.
The Menu Process Search window displays.
3. In the Starting At field, enter Customer and click Search.
4. In the Search Results grid, select Customer (OMMT1110) and click OK.
5. Click the Test button to verify you can access the program.
Customer Maintenance displays.
6. Exit Customer Maintenance.
7. In the Dashboard Process Link Properties window, click OK.
This program is now available from the tree view or the Actions menu.
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Dashboard Design
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, including
column 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.
4. In the Sheet1, right-click and select Paste or press <Ctrl> + V.
Data from the grid pastes to a spreadsheet.
5. Exit Microsoft Excel.
6. In the dashboard, on the Standard toolbar, click Save.
7. Remain in the dashboard.
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Dashboard Design
Export and Import

Use the Dashboards Import/Export functionality to make your dashboard definitions available to users at another
location. When you export this definition as a .dbd file, users that are outside your network can then import this
dashboard 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 something
goes 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 export
a dashboard, the definition is saved as a .dbd file. You can also export both a dashboard definition and the
Business Activity Queries (BAQs) it contains. This gives other users access to the BAQs the dashboard uses. To do
this, from the File menu, select the Export Dashboard and BAQs option.
Import
To import a dashboard, from the File menu, select the Import Dashboard Definition option. Importing a
dashboard definition brings the dashboard definition, (optionally with any queries used, into the dashboard.
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Dashboard Design
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 > 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.
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.
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 view the dashboard.
4. Exit the test dashboard.
5. In the Deploy Dashboard window, select the Deploy Smart Client Application and Add Favorite Item
check boxes.
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.
10. On the Main menu, navigate to the Favorites sheet.
11. Click the Dashboard Assemblies group and in the list, verify the XXX New Invoice Tracker (where XXX
are your initials) dashboard displays.
Tip If you do not see the Dashboard Assemblies group, you may need to refresh the Favorites
menu. To do so, from the Actions menu, select Change User and log in as epicor/epicor.
12. From the Options menu, select Developer Mode.

Important You must be in the Developer Mode to perform any changes to the Main menu.
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Dashboard Design
13. Click the Menu Groups sheet and navigate to Financial Management > Accounts Receivable > General
Operations
14. Navigate to the Favorites sheet.
15. Right-click the XXX New Invoice Tracker (where XXX are your initials) dashboard, and drag and drop it
to the contents pane on the right.
The Copy Menu Item window displays.
16. To the message, click OK.
The dashboard is now available to all users.
17. From the Actions menu, disable the Developer Mode and test the newly created dashboard.
34
Conclusion
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have completed the Introduction to the Dashboard course.
Please take a moment to let Epicor University know how to serve you better by completing an evaluation at htt
p://www.keysurvey.com/survey/379199/e92f/. Your feedback provides the guidelines for the future direction of
Epicor University offerings.
35
Additional information is available at the Education and

Documentation areas of the EPICweb Customer Portal. To access
this site, you need a Site ID and an EPICweb account. To create an
account, go to http://support.epicor.com.

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Epicor ERP

Introduction to the Dashboard

Introduction to the Dashboard Course

Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Introduction to the Dashboard Course

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

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Introduction to the Dashboard Course

Introduction to the Dashboard Course

Introduction to the Dashboard Course

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Before You Begin

Introduction to the Dashboard Course

Before You Begin

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Introduction to the Dashboard Course

Before You Begin

From the Main menu, select the Main Plant.

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Introduction to the Dashboard Course

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Introduction to the Dashboard Course

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Introduction to the Dashboard Course

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Introduction to the Dashboard Course

The Dashboard Program

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Introduction to the Dashboard Course

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Introduction to the Dashboard Course

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Introduction to the Dashboard Course

Workshop - Attach the Initial Query

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Introduction to the Dashboard Course

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Introduction to the Dashboard Course

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

Workshop - Modify a Grid View

Open the Grid Properties Window and Modify Display Columns

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Introduction to the Dashboard Course

Apply a Filter to the Grid

Calculate the Amount Column Sum

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Introduction to the Dashboard Course

Group the Data by Fiscal Year and by Period

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Publish and Subscribe

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Workshop - Attach a Second Query

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