Build.executive.dashboard

Epicor 9 Build an Executive Dashboard Course 9.05.601

Disclaimer This document is for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. This document and its contents, including the viewpoints, dates and functional content expressed herein are believed to be accurate as of its date 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 a particular purpose, merchantability, satisfactory quality or reasonable skill and care. As each user of Epicor software is likely to be unique in their requirements in the use of such software and their business processes, users of this document are always advised to discuss the content of this document with their Epicor account manager. All information contained herein is subject to change without notice and changes to this document since printing and other important information about the software product are made or published in release notes, and you are urged to obtain the current release notes for the software product. We welcome user comments and reserve the right to revise this publication and/or make 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 of any consulting services by Epicor personnel shall be pursuant to Epicor's standard services terms and conditions. Usage of the solution(s) described in this document with other Epicor software or third party products may require the purchase of licenses for such other products. Where any software is expressed to be compliant with local laws or requirements in 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 accordingly Epicor cannot guarantee that the software will be compliant and up to date with such changes. All statements of platform and product compatibility in this document shall be considered individually in relation to the products referred to in the relevant statement, i.e., where any Epicor software is stated to be compatible with one product and also stated to be compatible with another product, it should not be interpreted that such Epicor software is compatible with both of the products running at the same time on the same platform or environment. Additionally platform or product compatibility may require the application of Epicor or third-party updates, patches and/or service packs and Epicor has no responsibility for compatibility issues which may be caused by updates, patches and/or service packs released by third parties after the date of publication of this document. Epicor® is a registered trademark and/or trademark of Epicor Software Corporation in the United States, certain other countries and/or the EU. All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Copyright © Epicor Software Corporation 2010. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of Epicor Software Corporation.

ED829905 90521-905-9219-583601 9.05.601 Revision: August 31, 2010

TOC | 3

Contents Build an Executive Dashboard Course..................................................................................6 Before You Begin....................................................................................................................7 Audience.........................................................................................................................................................7 Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................7 Environment Setup..........................................................................................................................................8

Overview.................................................................................................................................9 ShopVision Overview.....................................................................................................................................10

Executive Dashboard Layout...............................................................................................11 Sales Order Backlog Analysis..........................................................................................................................11 View the Tracker.....................................................................................................................................11 Schedule the Process Set................................................................................................................................12 Workshop - Schedule a Process Set................................................................................................................13 Workshop - Review the Executive Dashboard Layout......................................................................................14

BAQ and Executive Query Setup.........................................................................................15 Create Schedules...........................................................................................................................................15 Detail......................................................................................................................................................15 Schedules...............................................................................................................................................16 Workshop - Create Schedules.................................................................................................................17 Create a New Schedule...................................................................................................................17 Choose a Schedule Type..................................................................................................................17 Define the Run Dates and Run Times...............................................................................................17 Establish a Process Set....................................................................................................................................18 Workshop - Establish a Process Set.........................................................................................................19 Schedule the Process Set................................................................................................................................19 Workshop - Schedule the Process Set......................................................................................................20 Define the Source Business Activity Query......................................................................................................20 General..................................................................................................................................................20 Phrase Build............................................................................................................................................20 Diagram View..................................................................................................................................21 Tree View........................................................................................................................................21 Additional Tabs...............................................................................................................................22 Display....................................................................................................................................................22 Column Select.................................................................................................................................22 Sort Order.......................................................................................................................................22 Analyze Sheet.........................................................................................................................................22 Where Used............................................................................................................................................22 Workshop - Define the Source BAQ........................................................................................................23 Copy an Existing BAQ......................................................................................................................23 Analyze and Test the BAQ...............................................................................................................23 Formulate the Executive Query Against the Source BAQ.................................................................................24

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4 | Build an Executive Dashboard Course Field Mapping Sheet...............................................................................................................................25 Save to Process Set.................................................................................................................................25 Limitations..............................................................................................................................................25 Workshop - Formulate the Executive Query Against the Source BAQ.......................................................27 Create the Base Cube Query............................................................................................................27 Schedule and Name the Query........................................................................................................27 Map the Query Fields Using Microsoft® Excel® ...............................................................................27 Map the Query Fields Manually........................................................................................................28 Submit and Save the Executive Query..............................................................................................29 Verify the Process Set......................................................................................................................29 Build the BAQ and Executive Query Against Data Dimensions.........................................................................30 Workshop - Build the BAQ Against Data Dimensions..............................................................................31 Copy an Existing BAQ......................................................................................................................31 View the Included Tables.................................................................................................................31 Verify the Query Phrase...................................................................................................................31 Verify the BAQ Fields.......................................................................................................................32 Analyze and Test the BAQ...............................................................................................................32 Workshop - Add the Executive Query Against Data Dimensions..............................................................33 Create the Base Cube Query............................................................................................................33 Schedule and Name the Query........................................................................................................33 Map the Query Fields.......................................................................................................................33 Save the Executive Query to a Process Set........................................................................................34 Verify the Process Set......................................................................................................................34

Executive Dashboard Display Setup....................................................................................35 Produce the Dimension BAQ..........................................................................................................................35 Workshop - Produce the Dimension BAQ ...............................................................................................36 Copy an Existing Query....................................................................................................................36 Verify the BAQ Fields.......................................................................................................................36 Analyze and Test the BAQ...............................................................................................................37 Create the Dimension Details BAQ.................................................................................................................37 Workshop - Create the Dimension Details BAQ.......................................................................................38 Copy an Existing Query....................................................................................................................38 View the Included Tables.................................................................................................................38 Verify the BAQ Fields.......................................................................................................................38 Analyze and Test the BAQ...............................................................................................................39 Design the Data BAQ.....................................................................................................................................39 Workshop - Design the Data BAQ...........................................................................................................40 Copy an Existing Query....................................................................................................................40 View the Included Tables.................................................................................................................40 Verify the BAQ Fields.......................................................................................................................41 Analyze and Test the BAQ...............................................................................................................41 Construct and View the New Executive Dashboard........................................................................................41 Workshop - Construct and View the New Executive Dashboard..............................................................42 Construct the Executive Dashboard.................................................................................................42 Add the Dimension BAQ to the Dashboard......................................................................................42

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TOC | 5 Add the Dimension Details BAQ to the Dashboard...........................................................................42 Add the Data BAQ to the Dashboard...............................................................................................42 Add a Second Grid View for the Data BAQ......................................................................................43 Create the Executive Dashboard Definition......................................................................................43 Adjust the Dimension Grid...............................................................................................................43 Define the Publish and Filter Parameters for the Dimension Query....................................................44 Adjust the Dimension Detail Grid.....................................................................................................44 Adjust the First Data Grid................................................................................................................45 Adjust the Second Data Grid...........................................................................................................46 Define the Publish Parameters for the Dimension Details Query........................................................46 Define the Subscribe and Filter Parameters for the Data Query.........................................................47 Insert a Graph Chart View...............................................................................................................47 Insert a 3D Chart View....................................................................................................................48 Create a Multi-Pane Executive Dashboard View...............................................................................49 Build and Deploy the Executive Dashboard.....................................................................................................50 Workshop - Build and Deploy the Executive Dashboard...........................................................................51

Conclusion.............................................................................................................................52

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6 | Build an Executive Dashboard Course

Build an Executive Dashboard Course This course explores the Business Activity Queries (BAQ), Executive Queries, and process sets building processes necessary for Executive Dashboard data organization and data visualization. Workshops throughout the course demonstrate the Executive Dashboard creation processes. The Executive Dashboard gives you a visual representation of any aspect of your company's performance based on current application data. Create complex data views using the Executive Dashboard functionality, which display through multiple dimensions in both grid and graph formats. This course uses the ShopVision Sales Order Backlog Analysis system dashboard to demonstrate the Executive Dashboard construction process. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: • Understand the purpose of the Executive Dashboard. • Learn the specific building terms of Executive Dashboards and Executive Queries. • Understand how to create a process flow and data displaying process within an Executive Dashboard. • Build a source Business Activity Query (BAQ) to query application data. • Establish an initial Executive Query to schedule cube builds. • Define the dimensions of the cube information buckets. • Construct a Business Activity Query (BAQ) to query the cubes. • Run the Executive Query to populate the cubes. • Design and produce Data, Dimension, and Dimension Details Business Activity Queries (BAQs). • Create and view the data on the Executive Dashboard. • Build and deploy the Executive Dashboard to the Main menu for general use.

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Before You Begin | 7

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. • Business Analysts • System Administrator • IT/Technical Staff

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 [email protected]. It is also important that 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. • Introduction to the Dashboard Course - This course provides an introduction to the dashboard - a personalized information and a command center. • Advanced Dashboard Course - This course shows you how to display information through a variety of Dashboard views using advanced techniques. • Business Activity Queries Course - This course introduces the Business Activity Query (BAQ) Designer data extraction tool. It discusses data location concepts and provides an overview of query building techniques using the Phrase Builder, the Criteria Wizard, and the Calculated Field Wizard. • Database Concepts Course - This course reviews the table and field name identification process using Field Help, Customization Tools, and the Data Dictionary Viewer functionality. It also describes table linking procedures and requirements, Dataset Relationships Tracker features, and join type definitions and specifications. • Non-course Prerequisites: • Exposure to other database query programs. • Fundamental knowledge of relational database concepts such as table relationships, records, and field types. • Understanding of the functionality of the current release of the Epicor application.

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Environment Setup The environment setup steps and potential workshop constraints must be reviewed in order to successfully complete the workshops in this course. Your Epicor training environment, in which the Epicor demonstration database is found, enables you to experience Epicor functionality in action but does not affect data in your live, production environment. The following steps must be taken to successfully complete the workshops in this course. 1.

Verify the following or ask your system administrator to verify for you: • Your Epicor training icon (or web address if you are using Epicor Web Access) points to your Epicor training environment with the Epicor demonstration database installed. Do not complete the course workshops in your live, production environment. Note It is recommended that multiple Epicor demonstration databases are installed. Contact Support or Systems Consulting for billable assistance. • The Epicor demonstration database is at the same service pack and patch as the Epicor application. Epicor's education team updates the Epicor demonstration database for each service pack and patch. If your system administrator upgrades your Epicor application to a new service pack or patch, he or she must also download the corresponding Epicor demonstration database from EPICweb > Support > Epicor > Downloads and install it. If this is not performed, unexpected results can occur when completing the course workshops. • Your system administrator restored (refreshed) the Epicor demonstration database prior to starting this course. The Epicor demonstration database comes standard with parts, customers, sales orders, and so on, already defined. If the Epicor demonstration database is shared with multiple users (that is, the database is located on a server and users access the same data, much like your live, production environment) and is not periodically refreshed, unexpected results can occur. For example, if a course workshop requires you to ship a sales order that came standard in the Epicor demonstration database, but a different user already completed this workshop and the Epicor demonstration database was not restored (refreshed), then you will not be able to ship the sales order. Epicor's education team has written the course workshops to minimize situations like this from occurring, but Epicor cannot prevent users from manipulating the data in your installation of the Epicor demonstration database.

2.

Log in to the training environment using the credentials manager/manager. If you are logged into your training environment as a different user, from the Options menu, select Change User.

3.

From the Main menu, select the company Epicor USA (EPIC03).

4.

From the Main menu, select the Main Plant.

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Overview | 9

Overview The functionality behind the Executive Dashboard employs an Executive Query to analyze a linked Business Activity Query (BAQ) and dimensionally summarize its data. Executive Queries are tied to process sets, which return the data as defined by the underlying BAQ when executed. This returned dataset creates an informational bucket called a cube. This cube is the foundation for creating data groups that are summarized and published using the Executive Dashboard. Executive Dashboard Flow The following diagram outlines this process and shows the three dimensions, or tables, that result in the database, and eventually generate the data displayed on the Executive Dashboard. These are the cube (MFGCub), the definition (MFGDef), and the dimension (MFGDim) tables.

• A - A Business Activity Query (BAQ) pulls specific data from the database based on the table and field criteria on the BAQ. • B - The BAQ passes the table and field criteria to the Executive Query. • C - The Executive Query aggregates the dimension data defined through field mapping and creates three dimension tables, which are the cube (MFGCub), the definition (MFGDef), and the dimension (MFGDim) tables. • MFGCub - This table contains the primary data record created by the Executive Query. It stores the dimension pair and all the fields, as defined through the field mapping, that the Executive Query aggregates. • MFGDef - This table stores all the MFGCubeID values. It also contains identifier creation dates. • MFGDim - This table contains the unique list of the BAQ data dimension fields mapped within the Executive Query. Both the Dimension 1 and Dimension 2 data field values are stored within this table, so you must use a filter to select the appropriate dimension list. These are the values that display in the Dimension ID panel within the Executive Dashboard. This is the unique list of the mapped fields such as Country, Product Group, Customer and so on. Specific data such as Mexico, Fabricated, and Dalton is not contained in this table. • D - The dimension results are then queried using another BAQ.

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10 | Build an Executive Dashboard Course • E - The BAQs are added to a dashboard and the Executive Queries populate the data that displays on the Executive Dashboard. Executive Dashboard Terms Below is the terminology necessary to understand the Executive Dashboards and Executive Queries creation process. • Executive Query - The Executive Query is a query that uses several Business Activity Queries (BAQs) to pull its contents. The BAQs work together to create a unique datasource for display on the Executive Dashboard. • Process Set - A Process Set is a collection of tasks and queries that can be combined into the foundation of an Executive Dashboard, or other BAQs. The process set is executed immediately or through an established schedule. Once executed, the process set populates the underlying queries for the Executive Dashboard. • Cube - A Cube is the virtual information bank for the Executive Query results. Very similar to the concept of data mining, the Cube populates as a result of the scheduled Process Set, and provides layers of details used to display dimensions on the Executive Dashboard. • Dimension - A dimension is a group definition. You can use many dimensions and they are always analyzed in pairs. • Dimension Pair - Two dimensions are analyzed and assigned a set number. Dimension 1 is the first group definition that displays data inside an Executive Query and Dashboard. Multiple dimensions are allowed. You cannot use the Date field for a Dimension 1 value, you can only use it as a Dimension 2 value. • Field Mapping - This is the data groupings term. Dimension 1 and 2 are paired up to match one set of field mapping. You can use four controls for the field mapping selection: dimension, decimal, integer, and character. You can create nearly an unlimited number of field mapping dimension sets for each BAQ.

ShopVision Overview The ShopVision module displays strategic data required for critical short-term and long-term decision making. The data displays in a dynamic graphic tool that allows you to sort, group, and view data in a grid, pie chart, bar chart, or graph.

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Executive Dashboard Layout | 11

Executive Dashboard Layout If your company uses the ShopVision module, you already have several Executive Dashboards available for review. These dashboards display current information on shipping performance, plant performance, and so on. Use the ShopVision dashboards as examples for building your own Executive Dashboards. Review the ShopVision Sales Order Backlog Analysis Executive Dashboard before you create queries and the dashboard itself.

Sales Order Backlog Analysis ShopVision Sales Order Backlog Analysis displays aggregated order backlog data in a dashboard format. Data displays in color-coded graphs, charts, and tables, and can be filtered by parameters such as customer, order, part, plant, ship-to, and sales territory. Unlike the Sales Order Backlog Status Tracker, which displays details such as sales order number, the ShopVision Sales Order Backlog Analysis dashboard displays high-level data summaries. These summaries allow executives to monitor open orders by different parameters, such as customer and plant, analyze performance, and identify trends over various periods. A dashboard is a special type of tracker. You cannot add or edit records in trackers. Tip Before you use any tracker, review the Tracker Overview topic in the Application Help to learn about its general program functionality. The overview topic explains the tracker interface, as well as how to best search for specific records. The topic also contains definitions of concepts and terms. For more information on dashboards and dashboard capabilities, refer to the Dashboard Overview topic in the Application Help. This topic contains links to other dashboard topics that explain how to personalize and customize dashboards.

View the Tracker When you first open the ShopVision Sales Order Backlog Analysis dashboard, it is blank. To populate the dashboard, click the Refresh button on the toolbar. This enables the dashboard to retrieve data from existing executive queries. Tip The dashboard cannot display data if ShopVision Executive Queries have not been scheduled to run as process sets. An Executive Query is a special query that uses another query, called the Business Activity Query, to extract data from the database and return aggregated data to a special table in the Epicor application. Once created, an Executive Query needs to be scheduled to run as a process set. Process sets for ShopVision Executive Queries are delivered in the standard product, but they must be scheduled to run. The system administrator usually is responsible for scheduling process sets. Inform your system administrator of the type of information you wish to view on the dashboard. Scheduling a process set to run a ShopVision Executive Query takes a few minutes. Tip If you are set up with Dashboard Designer rights in your user account, you can access all dashboard capabilities for the tracker by selecting Developer from the Tools menu. In Developer Mode, you can add dashboard elements such as queries, URLs, and grids to the tracker, and modify the properties of existing elements. You can also change the sheet layout of the tracker and save your layouts for the next time you launch the tracker. A tree view for the tracker is also available in Developer Mode.

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Schedule the Process Set Use Schedule Process Set to schedule when a process set runs on the System Monitor. A process set is a record that contains tasks, such as queries and other processes, that have been assigned to it through other programs. When you run a process set, you also run all the tasks associated with that process set. For example, if an Executive Query is assigned to a process set, it pulls data from the database and displays it within a dashboard.

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Executive Dashboard Layout | 13

Workshop - Schedule a Process Set In this workshop, schedule the process set to view and to use the Executive Dashboard. Navigate to Schedule Process Set. Menu Path: Executive Analysis > Business Activity Management > General Operations > Schedule Process Set 1. In the Process Set field, select zSVSalesOrderBacklog - EPIC03. 2. In the Schedule field, select Now. 3. In the User Description field, enter Refresh Sales Backlog Executive Dashboard. 4. On the Standard toolbar, click Submit. 5. Exit Schedule Process Set.

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Workshop - Review the Executive Dashboard Layout In this workshop, review the Executive Dashboard. You will re-build a similar dashboard throughout the following workshops. Navigate to ShopVision Sales Order Backlog Analysis. Menu Path: Executive Analysis > ShopVision > Sales Backlog Analysis 1. On the Standard toolbar, click the Refresh All icon. The Dashboard populates with data. 2. View the Dimension ID panel. The Dimension ID panel displays the original BAQ field name that is summarized, or aggregated, by the Executive Query as one of the dimension pairs. Use this panel to select the dimension detail list you wish to view. Many dimension fields are available to create your complex data view. Note Any database field, such as Country, State, Product Group, and so on, may be a Dimension ID. Any BAQ calculated field can also be a Dimension ID.

3. View the Dimension Detail panel. The Dimension Detail panel displays the data contained in the aggregated field that is currently selected within the Dimension ID panel. This list displays the unique records contained within the selected Dimension ID. 4. View summary grids. The Weekly Backlog by Dimension Detail and Daily Backlog by Dimension Detail grids display the data pulled in through the Executive Query. The fields you select for display through the Executive Query’s field mapping sheet are shown on this grid. 5. View the chart and the graph. The Dimension Detail Backlog - Chart View and the 3D Chart-Dimension Detail Backlog Breakout are graphical visualizations of data generated by the dimension pair. 6. Exit ShopVision Sales Order Backlog Analysis.

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BAQ and Executive Query Setup | 15

BAQ and Executive Query Setup Prior to creating your custom Executive Dashboard, you must set up both a schedule and a process set. You must also build multiple Business Activity Queries (BAQs) and Executive Queries. The Epicor application requires a minimum of five related BAQs and related Executive Queries to correctly display data on an Executive Dashboard. The multiple BAQs and Executive Queries you create define how data is aggregated on your Executive Dashboard, so careful consideration of what tables and fields to display is crucial. This section describes and guides you through how to create these components. The BAQs and Executive Queries you build are based on the system queries that make up the ShopVision Sales Order Backlog Analysis dashboard. Required Queries The queries required by the Epicor application are as follows: 1.

BAQ Against Data Details - This is the base BAQ used to pull the data from the database. The related Executive Query aggregates the data details.

2.

BAQ Against Data Dimensions - Run this BAQ to define the dimensions that are used against the data, like Country, Salesperson, and so on. The related Executive Query aggregates the data dimensions.

3.

Dimension BAQ - This BAQ is used to pull the dimension data from the first Executive Query.

4.

Dimension Details BAQ - This BAQ defines the dimension options you can select from the Executive Dashboard.

5.

Data BAQ - This BAQ is used to pull the data from the first Executive Query. It locates the MfgCube data that displays on the Executive Dashboard.

You can use the Business Activity Query to both update existing BAQs and to create custom BAQs. These queries are the building blocks for your custom Executive Dashboard.

Create Schedules Use System Agent Maintenance to establish recurring schedules and control all automatic transactions that occur throughout the Epicor application. Create schedules that occur during specific intervals, such as seconds, minutes, days, weeks, and months, as well as define the first run date and time for the schedule. Once you define schedules, you can link tasks such as processes, reports, and Executive Queries to these schedules. When the system clock activates a schedule, all the tasks assigned within this schedule run.

Detail Use the Detail sheet to review and update the details of the system agent. Use this sheet to refine the system agent settings. Tip You can set up the system agent to run the processes on one server and the System AppServer on a different server. For example, you can run the System AppServer through one server, and run the Task AppServer though another server. By dividing the processes between these two machines, you can improve performance on both servers.

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Schedules Use the Schedules > Detail sheet to add schedules to a system agent. The schedule identifies how often the tasks linked to the schedule run. You can create as many schedules as you need. You can then assign reports and processes to run during a specific schedule. Example You can create one schedule that runs every week on Wednesday and another schedule that runs every night at 2 am. You can link tasks to these schedules you want to run during these different times. The schedules you create and save on this sheet automatically display on Schedule lists throughout the Epicor application. You find Schedule lists on both reports and process programs. When you select a schedule for a program, the report or process becomes a task within the schedule. Each time the system clock launches the schedule, all tasks linked to this schedule run as well.

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BAQ and Executive Query Setup | 17

Workshop - Create Schedules In this workshop, set up a recurring schedule in the Epicor application before you start building the Executive Query.

Create a New Schedule Navigate to System Agent Maintenance. Menu Path: System Management > Utilities > System Agent Important This program is not available in the Epicor Web Access™ interface. You can launch this program ® from an Epicor Smart Client (Windows ) interface. 1. In the Agent ID field, verify SystemTaskAgent is selected. 2. Navigate to the Schedules > Detail sheet. 3. From the New menu, select New Schedule. 4. In the Description field, enter XXX-Five Minute Interval Schedule (where XXX are your initials). 5. Verify the Enabled check box is selected. If not, select it to activate this schedule.

Choose a Schedule Type 1. In the Schedule Type field, select Interval. This activates the Interval sheet. 2. In the Interval field, enter 0000500. Note The format needed is hhhmmss. In this case the schedule runs every five minutes.

Define the Run Dates and Run Times 1. In the Next Run Date field, enter today's date. This is the first day the schedule should run. 2. In the Next Run Time field, enter a time five minutes from now. This is the first time on the first day the schedule should run. 3. Click Save. 4. Exit System Agent Maintenance.

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Establish a Process Set You must assign Executive Queries to process sets. Use Process Set Maintenance to define the records that the Epicor application should use to run various automated tasks. These process sets, or series of tasks, run through a schedule you define in System Agent Maintenance and execute when you launch the schedule. The Executive Dashboard then updates its data to display the current information. After you create the process set, other programs can add their records as tasks to run within this process set. You also subsequently launch this program to view all tasks, such as Executive Queries, reports, and processes, which are automatically run through this process set. Example You can add reports (such as the Job Traveler) and specific processes (such as the Auto Job Completion Process) to a process set.

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BAQ and Executive Query Setup | 19

Workshop - Establish a Process Set In this workshop, define a process set, or series of tasks, and then attach it to your previously defined schedule. Navigate to Process Set Maintenance. Menu Path: Executive Analysis > Business Activity Management > Setup > Process Set Important This program is not available in the Epicor Web Access™ interface. You can launch this program ® from an Epicor Smart Client (Windows ) interface. 1. Click New. 2. In the Process Set ID field, enter XXX-OrderBackLog (where XXX are your initials). 3. In the Description field, enter XXX-Sales Order Backlog Status (where XXX are your initials). 4. Click Save. Notice that the Process Set Tasks grid is currently blank, as no tasks have been added to it. You will add tasks in later workshops, as well as attach this process set to a schedule. 5. Exit Process Set Maintenance.

Schedule the Process Set Use Schedule Process Set to schedule when a process set is run. A process set is a record that contains tasks, such as queries and other processes, that are assigned to it through other programs. All related tasks run at the same time the process set runs.

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Workshop - Schedule the Process Set In this worskshop, schedule the process set you created in the previous workshop. You will attach two Executive Queries to this process set in the following workshops. When the schedule activates the process set, the Executive Queries run and refresh the Executive Dashboard with current data from the database. Navigate to Schedule Process Set. Menu Path: Executive Analysis > Business Activity Management > General Operations > Schedule Process Set 1. In the Process Set field, select XXX-OrderBackLog (where XXX are your initials). 2. In the Schedule field, select XXX-Five Minute Interval Schedule (where XXX are your initials). 3. Select the Recurring check box. This check box indicates the report should be run on a recurring basis. 4. In the User Description field, enter Sales Order Backlog Status. 5. On the Standard toolbar, click Submit. 6. Exit Schedule Process Set.

Define the Source Business Activity Query The source Business Activity Query (BAQ) is the query that populates the selected data from the database. The Business Activity Query Designer is the primary query creation and modification tool in the Epicor application. This BAQ is the source for all the dimensions within an Executive Query, so the multiple BAQs that you create or modify are the building blocks for your entire Executive Dashboard display. Many BAQ combinations are available due to the ability to link multiple BAQs through outer joins between tables. Use this functionality to create a set of common queries to both pull and calculate the data that displays on the Executive Dashboard. Note This course does not cover the creation of a customized source BAQ. For more information on how to create a customized BAQ, refer to the Application Help. Following are the key sheets found within Business Activity Query Designer.

General Use the General sheet to create your query. You define the query’s identifier and description here. You also indicate whether or not this query should be made available to the entire company.

Phrase Build Use the Phrase Build sheet to design a query using the visual representation of the query. The Phrase Build sheet provides a visual presentation of the query you are creating. Two types of visual representations are available: diagram view and tree view.

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BAQ and Executive Query Setup | 21 A special sheet is provided for each query creation mode. When you switch from the diagram view to the tree view, your query is also transformed to the tree view. When you switch from the tree view to the diagram view, the existing tree query is converted to the diagram query. Note that not all queries can be transformed from the diagram view to the tree view. If your diagram contains table joins that cannot be reflected on the tree view, they are discarded. Three sheets are available at the bottom of the Phrase Build sheet. Use these sheets to indicate how tables are linked together, define the relation between the tables, and specify the selection criteria for the query.

Diagram View In the diagram view, the tables, of which the query is composed, display as diagram blocks, and the parent-child relations between the tables as arrows from child to parent table. On the Diagram View sheet, in the left pane, the table palette is situated. It allows selecting tables and dragging them on the canvas in the center pane (or double-clicking them). Initially, all tables from the database show in the palette. The Filtering edit box helps to show only the table names, starting with the specified letters. If the Connected Only check box is selected, the palette displays only the tables that have relations, described in system tables, with the table selected on the canvas. The right pane contains the description and list of the columns on the selected table. The Filtering edit box allows viewing only the columns, with names that start with specified letters. The toolbar state buttons provide the following data display options for the table columns: sort column names (alphabetically or in database order) and show or hide the user-defined fields. The center of the form contains the canvas where tables are dropped.

Tree View In the tree view, the tables, of which the query is composed, display as a tree. The root of the tree is the first table in the query and the remaining tables display as child nodes according to the specified order. If you select the Tree view sheet when the diagram on the Diagram view sheet contains no table, the standard search dialog shows with the list of all tables in the database. You can select the root table of the query. The tree is built based on the information on table relations in the system tables. If you select the Tree view sheet when a diagram already exists on the Diagram view sheet, this diagram transforms to the tree query (using the defined table order). In this case, not all table joins transform. The path from the root node to the currently selected table defines the list of the tables in the query. If connection between some tables does not exist in system tables, it is added to the tree and marked bold red to identify the user-defined join. The path selected in the tree shows in the edit line below the tree. This line is not read-only and allows manual entry in the table list, divided by slashes. An edit line has a context menu which shows all existing tables. Tables, connected with the current table in the system tables, display in the other color. This method allows you to create the query quickly.

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Additional Tabs Three sheets are available at the bottom of the Phrase Build sheet. Use these sheets to organize table order, define the relation between the tables, and specify the selection criteria for the query.

Display The Display sheet consists of two sub sheets: Column Select and Sort Order. On the Display sheet, you can define the columns that display on your query, how the data is sorted within the query, and set the display names for the columns.

Column Select The Column Select sheet allows you to define the columns that display on your query. Use this sheet to set up the order in which these columns display on the Dashboard. On the Column Select sheet, you can also configure the display names for each column and create a calculation for a selected field. The display names display on the query instead of the default column name.

Sort Order Use the Sort Order sheet to define how the data results display when the query runs. You can sort your data through any combination of columns. You can also select whether the data displays in ascending or descending order.

Analyze Sheet Use the Analyze sheet to both analyze and test your query for any possible problems before you use it in the live environment. The Analyze button checks the syntax of the query, including any calculations. The Test button executes the query and retrieves data from the database. The Test button helps to identify if there are issues with the joins created in the Phrase Builder tool. Review the data carefully to determine if the query displays the correct information in the correct format.

Where Used Use the Where Used sheets to review all the dashboards that have access to the current query. The information on these sheets helps you decide if you should re-design the current query or create a new one. Tip If several user dashboards use the current query, you should not change it, but rather create a new shared query. This allows your users to decide if they want to use your new query.

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BAQ and Executive Query Setup | 23

Workshop - Define the Source BAQ The source BAQ pulls the selected data from the database and is the source for your Executive Queries.

Copy an Existing BAQ A standard BAQ is used in this example. Navigate to the Business Activity Query Designer. Menu Path: Executive Analysis > Business Activity Management > Setup > Business Activity Query Important This program is not available in the Epicor Web Access™ interface. You can launch this program ® from an Epicor Smart Client (Windows ) interface. 1. Click Query ID and click Search. 2. Select zSVSalesOrderBacklog and click OK. 3. From the Actions menu, select Copy Query. The Copy Query window displays. 4. In the Query ID field, enter EPIC03-XXX-SalesOrderBackLog (where XXX are your initials) and click OK. 5. Select the Shared check box. This check box indicates that this query is available to all users. After you save this query, all users within your company can add this query to their personal Dashboard. 6. Click Save.

Analyze and Test the BAQ 1. Navigate to the Analyze sheet. 2. Click the Analyze button. 3. To the Syntax is OK message, click OK. 4. Click the Test button. 5. In the Query Results grid, review the data retrieved by the query. 6. Click Save. 7. Exit the Business Activity Query Designer.

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Formulate the Executive Query Against the Source BAQ Use Executive Query to formulate an Executive Query against data details. This creates a cube of data, or an informational bucket, that the Executive Dashboard gathers for display. This cube of data is contained within the MfgCube tables. This process includes finding and selecting your source BAQ, which is used as a base for these queries, and defining the data that populates the MfgCube tables. Each Executive Query has one or more field maps. You must define the Delete Action method for each query. Executive Queries are not separate files within your application, but are a set of records processed using the BAQs as a source and the MfgCube tables as a target. Due to this configuration, you cannot save an Executive Query through the Save button. Instead, you must first Submit the Executive Query for processing and then add it to a process set using the Save Process Set icon. Note If you click the Submit icon, the MfgCube tables only update once. If you close the Executive Query window without saving it to a process set, you lose the information created in the Executive Query. The important fields and sections found within the Selection sheet are as follows: Base Cube Query The Cube ID identifies the purpose of the Executive Query and is the first thing you should identify. This value is used to identify the Task of a query within a process set. You also use the BAQ ID to find and select the source BAQ to which you attach this Executive Query. Delete Action You must define the Delete Action method for each Executive Query. The query uses this method to refresh its data each time it is activated by the process set: Options include the following: • Delete Entire Cube - This is the default option. When you delete or refresh the data within the Executive Query, it clears out all values in the query’s field map sets. This option displays completely new data when you refresh the information. • Delete Dimension Pair - This option removes and restores only the two values used to define the dimensions for the first field map set. The rest of the data remains, leaving the dimension pairs and data in any other field map sets linked to the BAQ intact. Use this option when you need two BAQs to populate a dashboard display. The dashboard populates all data from both queries by refreshing only the dimension pair within the first field map set. • Delete Nothing - This option does not remove any data. Instead, it adds new data to the existing data. • Delete Pair by Summarization - This option removes and restores any dimension pair data that is generated through the Executive Query. This is useful if you select either the Summarize by BAQ or the Summarize by Date check boxes. Summarize Check Boxes Select the Summarize by BAQ check box to indicate that this Executive Query combines the populated data using the specified BAQ. Select this check box when you want the data to summarize within the BAQ before it displays on the Executive Dashboard. Select the Summarize by Date check box to indicate that this Executive Query aggregates the pulled data using a specific date. Select this check box when you want to calculate the summarized data by dates. Selecting this check box also activates the Run Date field, where you can define a specific date or calendar date on which this data is summarized. If you select the Dynamic check box, the options for the Run Date field change to Tomorrow, Next Tuesday, First of Month, and so on.

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BAQ and Executive Query Setup | 25 Note You can select the Summarize by BAQ and Summarize by Date check boxes in combination with any of the previous Delete Actions. These options give you flexibility for the results in the MFGCube table. If you do not select the Summarize by BAQ or the Summarize by Date check boxes, the Delete Pair By Summarization option works in the same way as the Delete Dimension Pair action. Query Schedule Use the Schedule field to define when you want this query to refresh its data. The default value is Now, but if you select a schedule other than Now, the Recurring check box becomes available. Select this check box to indicate that this Executive Query should run repeatedly. You do not need to select a schedule within this program. Instead, you can add this Executive Query to a process set and then schedule the process set.

Field Mapping Sheet Use the Field Mapping sheet to define the dimension pair that is used to measure the data of the Executive Query. The data is summarized against the two dimension values you select here and the results display on an Executive Dashboard through grid and graph displays. Each Executive Query has one or more field maps, which are the selected dimensions linked to the type of data required. Each field map contains two dimensions used to evaluate the data. These dimensions can be any column within the selected BAQ, including calculated fields, such as the Product Group field or the Order Date field, with the exception of using a date field for the dimension of one field map. You can use this sheet to indicate which additional fields display through this Executive Query. All the fields from the selected BAQ display on this sheet automatically, and you can use this sheet to hide or select the indicated fields on the view. The controls on this sheet are divided into four types: Dimension, Decimal, Integer, and Character. Note that only 15 data values, 10 decimal and 5 integer, can display within each Executive Query. Note Executive Queries can summarize, or aggregate logical data combinations, but they cannot create averages. Because of this, the query results represent a sum of the values between the dimension pair. For example, you can aggregate a character column against a date or numerical column. Selecting two similar character values can cause blank query results.

Save to Process Set To finish the Executive Query, you must save it to an existing process set. The Save To Process Set window allows you to select the process set that is used to run the report, form, process, or Executive Query. When you select a process set on this window and click OK, this item becomes a task on the process set. Note If you do not save your Executive Query to a process set and you exit Executive Query, you will lose your query.

Limitations Important limitations on Executive Queries include the following: • You can only analyze and store two dimensions with each Executive Query. You define these dimensions on the Field Mapping sheet. You can use any field from the selected BAQ as a dimension. • Formulas do not evaluate through Executive Queries. However, any formulas you define for the selected BAQ or report query are always evaluated.

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26 | Build an Executive Dashboard Course • The Executive Query only aggregates data to calculate summaries by totaling numeric values and counting character BAQ columns. It cannot calculate averages. • You can map only one BAQ column to a specific data value field. You cannot merge field columns through an Executive Query. • You can display only the data of the current company through the Executive Query. If you need to consolidate data between multiple companies, you must run the specific BAQ report. • You cannot synchronize Executive Query processes between multiple companies. You must schedule these processes within the company.

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BAQ and Executive Query Setup | 27

Workshop - Formulate the Executive Query Against the Source BAQ In this workshop, create the Executive Query against the source BAQ. Map dimension pairs and add the query to a process set for scheduling purposes in later workshops.

Create the Base Cube Query Navigate to Executive Query. Menu Path: Executive Analysis > Business Activity Management > General Operations > Executive Query 1. In the Cube ID field, enter XXXCubeBackLogOrders (where XXX are your initials). 2. Click BAQ ID. 3. In the Starting At field, enter EPIC03 and click Search. 4. Select EPIC03-XXX-SalesOrderBackLog (where XXX are your initials) and click OK. 5. In the Delete Action field, verify Delete Entire Cube defaults.

Schedule and Name the Query 1. In the Schedule field, select XXX-Five Minute Interval Schedule (where XXX are your initials). 2. Select the Recurring check box. 3. In the User Description field, enter XXX Sales Order Backlog Status (where XXX are your initials). ®

®

Map the Query Fields Using Microsoft Excel

If you are taking this course as an embedded course launched from your Epicor 9 application, you can map the fields ® ® using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. If you are using the pdf version of the course, skip to the next task Map the Query Fields Manually. 1. Navigate to the Field Mapping > List sheet. 2. Highlight the row and on the Standard toolbar, click Delete. The Field Mapping Sets grid is now blank. 3. Click the Data Entry link at the bottom of the page. Microsoft Excel opens. 4. Highlight rows 1 - 23, right-click, and select Copy. 5. In the Field Mapping > List sheet, right-click anywhere in the blank grid and select Paste Insert. Notice that the data loads into the grid. Field mapping of your first Executive Query is complete. 6. Close the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. 7. Review the Field Mapping Sets grid. Epicor 9 | 9.05.601

28 | Build an Executive Dashboard Course 8. Skip the next task Map the Query Fields Manually and continue with the following task Submit and Save the Executive Query.

Map the Query Fields Manually If you are using the pdf version of the course, map the fields manually. 1. Navigate to the Field Mapping > Detail sheet. 2. In the Dimension 1 field, select Cust. ID. 3. In the Dim 1 Text field, enter CustID. 4. In the Dimension 2 field, select Need By. 5. In the Dim 2 Text field, enter Need By Date. This is the dimension pair of the first mapping set. 6. In the Decimal 1 field, select OpenQty. 7. In the Decimal 2 field, enter OpenValue. 8. In the Integer 1 field, enter RelCount. 9. Delete all values in the other fields. You first Mapping Set is ready. 10. On the Standard toolbar, click New to add the new Mapping Set. 11. Map the remaining Mapping Sets using the same process. Enter the following information: Note In addition to the information in the table, make sure you select the below 3 fields for all Mapping Sets: • In the Decimal 1 field, select OpenQty. • In the Decimal 2 field, select OpenValue. • In the Integer 1 field, select RelCount. Mapping Dimension 1 Set

Dimension 1 Text

Dimension 2

Dimension 2 Text

2

Customer

Customer

Need By

Need By Date

3

Customer Group

CustGroup

Need By

Need By Date

CustGroupID

4

Plant

Plant

Need By

Need By Date

PlantID

5

Project

Project

Need By

Need By Date

Project ID

6

ProductGroup

ProdGroup

Need By

Need By Date

ProdGrpID

7

Warehouse

Warehouse

Need By

Need By Date

8

Region

Region

Need By

Need By Date

9

Description

Territory

Need By

Need By Date

10

Country

Country

Need By

Need By Date

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Character 1

TerritoryID

BAQ and Executive Query Setup | 29

Mapping Dimension 1 Set

Dimension 1 Text

Dimension 2

Dimension 2 Text

Character 1

11

State/Prov

State

Need By

Need By Date

12

Cust. ID

CustID

NeedByDateWeek

WeeklyNeedBy

13

Customer

Customer

NeedByDateWeek

WeeklyNeedBy

14

Customer Group

CustGroup

NeedByDateWeek

WeeklyNeedBy

CustGroupID

15

Plant

Plant

NeedByDateWeek

WeeklyNeedBy

PlantID

16

Project

Project

NeedByDateWeek

WeeklyNeedBy

Project ID

17

ProductGroup

ProdGroup

NeedByDateWeek

WeeklyNeedBy

ProdGrpID

18

Warehouse

Warehouse

NeedByDateWeek

WeeklyNeedBy

19

Region

Region

NeedByDateWeek

WeeklyNeedBy

20

Description

Territory

NeedByDateWeek

WeeklyNeedBy

21

Country

Country

NeedByDateWeek

WeeklyNeedBy

22

State/Prov

State

NeedByDateWeek

WeeklyNeedBy

23

Project

Project

ProdGrpID

ProdCode

TerritoryID

Submit and Save the Executive Query 1. On the Standard toolbar, click Submit. 2. On the Standard toolbar, click Save Process Set. The Save to Process Set window displays. 3. In the Process Set field, select XXX-Sales Order Backlog Status (where XXX are your initials). This is the process set you previously created. 4. Click OK. 5. Exit Executive Query.

Verify the Process Set Verify the indicated Process Set contains your query. Navigate to Process Set Maintenance. Menu Path: Executive Analysis > Business Activity Management > Setup > Process Set Important This program is not available in the Epicor Web Access™ interface. You can launch this program ® from an Epicor Smart Client (Windows ) interface. 1. Click Process Set ID and click Search. 2. Select XXX-OrderBackLog (where XXX are your initials) and click OK.

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30 | Build an Executive Dashboard Course The first Executive Query displays as a task on the Process Set Tasks grid. 3. Exit Process Set Maintenance.

Build the BAQ and Executive Query Against Data Dimensions The purpose of building the BAQ and the related Executive Query against data dimensions is to provide a unique list of the Dimension Details. The MFGCubeDim table that is created when the MFGCube table is populated by the first Executive Query has only a list of the dimension fields such as Country, Product Group, and Salesperson. To get the unique list of dimension details such as France, USA, Machined Parts, John Doe, and so on, you must aggregate the dimension fields against the dimension data. It is required that you aggregate the BAQ against data dimensions to complete this process.

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BAQ and Executive Query Setup | 31

Workshop - Build the BAQ Against Data Dimensions After you created your BAQ against data details and the related Executive Query, you are ready to build your second BAQ. This second BAQ pulls dimension data from the initial Executive Query for display on the Executive Dashboard. Another standard BAQ is used in this example.

Copy an Existing BAQ Navigate to the Business Activity Query Designer. Menu Path: Executive Analysis > Business Activity Management > Setup > Business Activity Query Important This program is not available in the Epicor Web Access™ interface. You can launch this program ® from an Epicor Smart Client (Windows ) interface. 1. In the Query ID field, search for and select zMfgCubeBLogDimCube and click OK. 2. From the Actions menu, select Copy Query. The Copy Query window displays. 3. In the Query ID field, enter EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogDim1 (where XXX are your initials) and click OK. 4. In the Description field, enter XXX Order Backlog Dimension One (where XXX are your initials). 5. Select the Shared check box. 6. Click Save.

View the Included Tables 1. Navigate to the PhraseBuild > TreeView > Criteria sheet. Notice the current criteria: Cube ID = SVSalesBacklog. 2. In the FilterValue column, click SVSalesBacklog. The Specify a Value window displays. 3. In the Value field, enter XXXCubeBackLogOrders (where XXX are your initials) and click OK. This is the Cube ID for the first Executive Query you created.

Verify the Query Phrase 1. Navigate to the General sheet and view the Query Phrase section. Your phrase should look like this: for each MfgCube no-lock where MfgCube.CubeID = 'XXXCubeBackLogOrders' . 2. Click Save.

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Verify the BAQ Fields 1. Navigate to the Display sheet. 2. Verify these fields display in the Display Column(s) section: Full Name

Label

MfgCube.Company

Company

MfgCube.CubeID

Cube ID

MfgCube.Dimension1

Dimension 1

MfgCube.Dimension1ID

Dimension 1 ID

Calculated.GroupDetail

Group

MfgCube.ShortChar01

ShortChar01

MfgCube.ShortChar02

ShortChar02

Calculated.PerfEntity

PerfEntity

Calculated.GroupDtl1

GroupDtl1

Calculated.Dim1Descr

Dim1Descr

Calculated.DimDtl

DimDtl

Calculated.DimDescription

DimDescription

Analyze and Test the BAQ 1. Navigate to the Analyze sheet. 2. Click the Analyze button. 3. To the Syntax is OK message, click OK. 4. Click the Test button. The Query Results grid populates with data. 5. Review the data retrieved by the query. 6. Click Save. 7. Exit the Business Activity Query Designer.

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BAQ and Executive Query Setup | 33

Workshop - Add the Executive Query Against Data Dimensions In this workshop, create the Executive Query against data dimensions. Attach the Executive Query to the BAQ against data dimensions, map for dimension pairs, and add it to a process set for scheduling purposes in later workshops.

Create the Base Cube Query Navigate to Executive Query. Menu Path: Executive Analysis > Business Activity Management > General Operations > Executive Query 1. Click New. 2. In the Cube ID field, enter XXX-CubeBLogOrdDim1 (where XXX are your initials). 3. Click BAQ ID and click Search. 4. Select EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogDim1 (where XXX are your initials) and click OK. This is the BAQ created in the previous workshop. 5. In the Delete Action field, verify Delete Entire Cube is selected.

Schedule and Name the Query 1. In the Schedule field, select XXX-Five Minute Interval Schedule (where XXX are your initials). 2. Select the Recurring check box. 3. In the User Description field, enter XXX Order Backlog Dimension One (where XXX are your initials).

Map the Query Fields 1. Navigate to the Field Mapping > Detail sheet. 2. Clear any fields that have default values. 3. Map the fields according to the table below. Enter the following information: Field

Data

Dimension 1

DimDtl

Dimension 1 Text

DimDtl

Dimension 2

DimDescription

Dimension 2 Text

DimDescription

Character 1

Company

Character 2

Cube ID

Character 3

ShortChar01

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34 | Build an Executive Dashboard Course

Field

Data

Character 4

ShortChar02

Character 9

Dimension 1

Character 10

Dim1Descr

This Executive Query has only one field map set. 4. Delete the information in other fields. 5. On the Standard toolbar, click Submit.

Save the Executive Query to a Process Set 1. On the Standard toolbar, click Save Process Set. The Save to Process Set window displays. 2. In the Process Set field, select XXX-Sales Order Backlog Status (where XXX are your initials). This is the process set you previously created. 3. Click OK. 4. Exit Executive Query.

Verify the Process Set Navigate to Process Set Maintenance. Menu Path: Executive Analysis > Business Activity Management > Setup > Process Set Important This program is not available in the Epicor Web Access™ interface. You can launch this program ® from an Epicor Smart Client (Windows ) interface. 1. Click Process Set ID and click Search. 2. Select XXX-OrderBackLog (where XXX are your initials) and click OK. The second Executive Query displays as a task on the Process Set Tasks grid. 3. Exit Process Set Maintenance.

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Executive Dashboard Display Setup | 35

Executive Dashboard Display Setup The Business Activity Queries (BAQs) and related Executive Queries you created both select and define the data you want to display on your Executive Dashboard. You must also create the BAQs that directly display the data on the Executive Dashboard. These queries are the Dimension BAQ, the Dimension Details BAQ, and the Data BAQ. Once you create these queries, you are ready to construct and view the Executive Dashboard, and optionally deploy it to the Main menu for general use.

Produce the Dimension BAQ The Dimension BAQ defines the dimension options available for selection on the Executive Dashboard display. This BAQ pulls data from the first executive query. This is one of the queries you will add to the Executive Dashboard that displays the dimensions indicated on the Field Mapping sheet of the first Executive Query.

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Workshop - Produce the Dimension BAQ In this workshop, create an additional dimension BAQ to provide dimension options for selection on the Executive Dashboard.

Copy an Existing Query Navigate to the Business Activity Query Designer. Menu Path: Executive Analysis > Business Activity Management > Setup > Business Activity Query Important This program is not available in the Epicor Web Access™ interface. You can launch this program ® from an Epicor Smart Client (Windows ) interface. 1. Click the Query ID button. 2. In the Starting At field, enter zMfg and click Search. 3. Select zMfgCubeDimOne and click OK. 4. From the Actions menu, select Copy Query. The Copy Query window displays. 5. In the Query ID field, enter EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogDimension (where XXX are your initials) and click OK. 6. In the Description field, enter XXX Backlog Dimension Cube Query (where XXX are your initials). 7. Select the Shared check box. This check box indicates that this query is available to all users. After you save this query, all users within the company can add this query to their personal Dashboard. 8. Click Save. 9. View the Query Phrase section. Your phrase should look like this: for each MfgCubeDim no-lock where MfgCubeDim.DimNum = 1.

Verify the BAQ Fields 1. Navigate to the Display sheet. 2. Verify these fields display in the Display Column(s) section: Full Name

Label

MfgCubeDim.DimensionID

Dimension ID

MfgCubeDim.CreatedBy

Created By

MfgCubeDim.CreatedDate

CreatedDate

MfgCubeDim.CreatedTime

Create Time

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Executive Dashboard Display Setup | 37

Full Name

Label

MfgCubeDim.CubeID

Cube ID

MfgCubeDim.DimNum

Dimension Number

MfgCubeDim.Company

Company

Calculated.Dimension1

Load Group

Calculated.DimID_Format15

DimID

Analyze and Test the BAQ 1. Navigate to the Analyze sheet. 2. Click the Analyze button. 3. To the Syntax is OK message, click OK. 4. Click the Test button. The Query Results grid populates with data. 5. Review the data retrieved by the query. 6. Click Save. 7. Remain in the Business Activity Query Designer.

Create the Dimension Details BAQ The Dimension Details BAQ pulls in the various detail records that are available with each selected dimension. You can also select a detail option to display the data you need. This is one of the queries you will add to the Executive Dashboard that displays the selected dimension details on the Dimension ID grid.

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Workshop - Create the Dimension Details BAQ In this workshop, create an additional dimension details BAQ to provide dimension detail options for selection on the Executive Dashboard.

Copy an Existing Query 1. In the Business Activity Query Designer, navigate to the General sheet. 2. On the Standard toolbar, click Clear. 3. Click Query ID. 4. In the Starting At field, enter zMfg and click Search. 5. Select zMfgCubeBacklogDimDtls and click OK. 6. From the Actions menu, select Copy Query. The Copy Query window displays. 7. In the Query ID field, enter EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogDimDtls (where XXX are your initials) and click OK. 8. In the Description field, enter XXX Backlog Dimension Details Cube Query (where XXX are your initials). 9. Select the Shared check box. 10. Click Save.

View the Included Tables 1. Navigate to the PhraseBuild > TreeView > Criteria sheet. Notice the current criteria: Cube ID = SVSBLOGGRPDTLS. 2. In the FilterValue column, click SVSBLOGGRPDTLS. The Specify a Value window displays. 3. In the Value field, enter XXX-CubeBLogOrdDim1 (where XXX are your initials) and click OK. This is the Cube ID for the second Executive Query you created. 4. Navigate to the General sheet and view the Query Phrase section. Your phrase should look like this: for each MfgCube no-lock where MfgCube.CubeID = 'XXX-CubeBLogOrdDim1'.

Verify the BAQ Fields 1. Navigate to the Display sheet. 2. Verify the following fields display in the Display Column(s) section:

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Executive Dashboard Display Setup | 39

Full Name

Label

MfgCube.Company

Company

MfgCube.CubeID

Cube ID

MfgCube.Dimension1

Dimension 1

MfgCube.Dimension1ID

Dimension 1 ID

MfgCube.GroupDetail

Group

MfgCube.ShortChar01

ShortChar01

MfgCube.ShortChar02

ShortChar02

MfgCube.ShortChar09

Dimension Description

MfgCube.ShortChar10

Dimension Detail

Analyze and Test the BAQ 1. Navigate to the Analyze sheet. 2. Click the Analyze button. 3. To the Syntax is OK message, click OK. 4. Click the Test button. The Query Results grid populates with data. 5. Review the data retrieved by the query. 6. Click Save. 7. Remain in the Business Activity Query Designer.

Design the Data BAQ The Data BAQ pulls the data from the first Executive Query. It locates the MfgCube data and displays it on the Executive Dashboard. This is one of the queries you will add to the Executive Dashboard that displays the main bulk of the data included on the dashboard.

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Workshop - Design the Data BAQ Create the Data BAQ that pulls the data from the first Executive Query.

Copy an Existing Query 1. In the Business Activity Query Designer, navigate to the General sheet. 2. On the Standard toolbar, click Clear. The Clear Confirmation window displays. 3. To the Clear this form? message, click Yes. 4. Click Query ID. 5. In the Starting At field, enter zMfg and click Search. 6. Select zMfgCubeBacklogData and click OK. 7. From the Actions menu, select Copy Query. The Copy Query window displays. 8. In the Query ID field, enter EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogData (where XXX are your initials) and click OK. 9. In the Description field, enter XXX Backlog Data Cube Query (where XXX are your initials). 10. Select the Shared check box. 11. Click Save.

View the Included Tables 1. Navigate to the PhraseBuild > TreeView > Criteria sheet. Notice the current criteria: Cube ID = SVSalesBacklog. 2. In the FilterValue column, click SVSalesBacklog. The Specify a Value window displays. 3. In the Value field, enter XXXCubeBackLogOrders (where XXX are your initials) and click OK. This is the Cube ID for the first Executive Query you created. 4. Navigate to the General sheet and view the Query Phrase section. Your phrase should look like this: for each MfgCube no-lock where MfgCube.CubeID = 'XXXCubeBackLogOrders' And MfgCube.Dimension2Date > 01/01/1901. 5. Click Save.

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Executive Dashboard Display Setup | 41

Verify the BAQ Fields 1. Navigate to the Display sheet. 2. Verify the following fields display in the Display Column(s) section: Full Name

Label

MfgCube.Company

Company

MfgCube.CubeID

Cube ID

MfgCube.Dimension1

Dimension 1

MfgCube.Dimension1ID

Dimension 1 ID

MfgCube.Dimension2

Dimension 2

MfgCube.Dimension2Date

Dimension 2 Date

MfgCube.Dimension2ID

Dimension 2 ID

MfgCube.ValueInt01

Release Count

Calculated.DateBucket

Date Bucket

Calculated.OpenValue

Open Qty

Calculated.OpenQty

Open Value

Analyze and Test the BAQ 1. Navigate to the Analyze sheet. 2. Click the Analyze button. 3. To the Syntax is OK message, click OK. 4. Click the Test button. The Query Results grid populates with data. 5. Review the data retrieved by the query. 6. Click Save. 7. Exit the Business Activity Query Designer.

Construct and View the New Executive Dashboard You have created the minimum of five BAQs and you can now add them to a dashboard. These queries are linked to Executive Queries, so adding them to the dashboard allows you to create an Executive Dashboard.

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Workshop - Construct and View the New Executive Dashboard In this workshop, add the Dimension, Dimension Details, and Data BAQs you created to the Executive Dashboard and finalize its layout.

Construct the Executive Dashboard Navigate to the Dashboard. Menu Path: Executive Analysis > Business Activity Management > General Operations > Dashboard 1. If necessary, from the Tools menu, select Developer. You must be in the Developer Mode to create a new Dashboard.

Add the Dimension BAQ to the Dashboard 1. From the New menu, select New Query. The Dashboard Query Properties window displays. 2. Click Query ID. 3. In the Starting At field, enter EPIC03 and click Search. 4. Select EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogDimension (where XXX are your initials) and click OK. 5. In the Dashboard Query Properties window, click OK.

Add the Dimension Details BAQ to the Dashboard 1. From the New menu, select New Query. The Dashboard Query Properties window displays. 2. Click Query ID. 3. In the Starting At field, enter EPIC03 and click Search. 4. Select EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogDimDtls (where XXX are your initials) and click OK. 5. In the Dashboard Query Properties window, click OK.

Add the Data BAQ to the Dashboard 1. From the New menu, select New Query. The Dashboard Query Properties window displays. 2. Click Query ID. 3. In the Starting At field, enter EPIC03 and click Search.

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Executive Dashboard Display Setup | 43 4. Select EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogData (where XXX are your initials) and click OK. 5. In the Dashboard Query Properties window, click OK.

Add a Second Grid View for the Data BAQ The two data grids track sales order backlog status by week and by day. 1. In the tree view, right-click the EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogData: XXX Backlog Data Cube Query (where XXX are your initials) and select New Grid View. The Dashboard Grid Properties window displays. 2. In the Dashboard Grid Properties window, click OK. At the bottom of the dashboard, view the two identical grids that display.

Create the Executive Dashboard Definition 1. On the Standard toolbar, click Save. The Save As window displays. 2. In the Dashboard ID field, enter XXX-OrdBLogStatus (where XXX are your initials). 3. In the Description field, enter XXX-Sales Order Backlog Status (where XXX are your initials). 4. Select the Enable Refresh All check box. This check box now displays on the Dashboard toolbar. 5. Click OK. 6. On the Standard toolbar, click Refresh All. The Executive Dashboard populates with data. 7. View the Executive Dashboard.

Adjust the Dimension Grid 1. In the tree view, right-click the EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogDimension: Summary (where XXX are your initials) grid and select Properties. This is the dashboard's top grid. The Dashboard Grid Properties window displays. 2. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Dimension ID. 3. Click the Clear All button. 4. In the Display Columns list, select MfgCubeDim.DimensionID. This grid displays a single column.

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44 | Build an Executive Dashboard Course 5. Click OK. At the top of the Executive Dashboard, view the Dimension ID grid.

Define the Publish and Filter Parameters for the Dimension Query To make this Executive Dashboard act like the model ShopVision Sales Backlog Analysis Executive Dashboard, you must define what is being published and subscribed to on the dashboard through each query, and filter the grid data. 1. In the tree view, right-click the EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogDimension: XXX Backlog Dimension Cube Query (where XXX are your initials) query and select Properties. The Dashboard Query Properties window displays. 2. In the Caption field, enter Dimension. 3. Navigate to the Publish sheet. 4. In the Publish Columns section, select MfgCubeDim.DimensionID and DimID_Format15. DimID_Format15 is a calculated field that gets the first fifteen characters from the MfgCubeDim.DimensionID field. 5. Select the Publish to Title check box. This check box indicates that the title of the query displays specific information from a selected column. 6. In the field under the Publish to Title check box, select MfgCubeDim.DimensionID. 7. In the Title caption field, enter DimID. 8. Navigate to the Filter sheet. 9. In the ColumnName field, select MfgCubeDim.CubeID. 10. In the Condition field, select =. 11. In the Value field, enter XXXCubeBackLogOrders (where XXX are your initials). This is the first Cube ID you created. 12. Click OK to exit the Dashboard Query Properties window.

Adjust the Dimension Detail Grid 1. In the tree view, right-click the EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogDimDtls: Summary (where XXX are your initials) grid and select Properties. The Dashboard Grid Properties window displays. 2. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Dimension Detail. 3. Click the Clear All button. 4. In the Display Columns list, select MfgCube.Dimension1. 5. Navigate to the Filter sheet. Epicor Software

Executive Dashboard Display Setup | 45 6. In the ColumnName field, select MfgCube.ShortChar09. 7. In the Condition field, select =. 8. In the Value field, select EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogDimension- Dimension: DimID_Format15. This is the field published from the first query. 9. Click OK to exit the Dashboard Grid Properties window. 10. View the Executive Dashboard. 11. In the Dimension ID grid, select CustID and view the customer list that displays in the Dimension 1 grid.

Adjust the First Data Grid 1. In the tree view, right-click the first EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogData: Summary (where XXX are your initials) grid and select Properties. The Dashboard Grid Properties window displays. 2. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Weekly Backlog by Dimension Detail. 3. Click Clear All. 4. In the Display Columns list, select the following columns: • MfgCube.Dimension1 • MfgCube.Dimension2Date • MfgCube.ValueInt01 • DateBucket • OpenQty • OpenValue 5. Navigate to the Filter sheet. 6. In the ColumnName field, select DateBucket. 7. In the Condition field, select =. 8. In the Value field, enter Weekly. This is the condition that displays the weekly detail on the grid. 9. Click OK to exit the Dashboard Grid Properties window. 10. Right-click inside the Weekly Backlog by Dimension Detail panel and select Show Group By. 11. Drag the Dimension1 column header up to the gray bar above the column headings. 12. Release the column when the red arrows display. The grid is now grouped by Dimension 1.

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Adjust the Second Data Grid 1. In the tree view, right-click the EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogData: Summary (where XXX are your initials) grid and select Properties. The Dashboard Grid Properties window displays. 2. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Daily Backlog by Dimension Detail. 3. Click the Clear All button. 4. In the Display Columns list, select the following columns: • MfgCube.Dimension1 • MfgCube.Dimension2Date • MfgCube.ValueInt01 • DateBucket • OpenQty • OpenValue 5. Navigate to the Filter sheet. 6. In the ColumnName field, select DateBucket. 7. In the Condition field, select =. 8. In the Value field, enter Daily. This is the condition that displays the daily detail on the grid. 9. Click OK to exit the Dashboard Grid Properties window. 10. Right-click inside the Daily Backlog by Dimension Detail panel and select Show Group By. 11. Drag the Dimension1 column header up to the gray bar above the column headings. 12. Release the column when the red arrows display. The grid is now grouped by Dimension 1.

Define the Publish Parameters for the Dimension Details Query 1. In the tree view, right-click the EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogDimDtls: XXX Backlog Dimension Details Cube Query (where XXX are your initials) and select Properties. The Dashboard Query Properties window displays. 2. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Sales Backlog Dimension Details. 3. Navigate to the Publish sheet. 4. In the Publish Columns list, select MfgCube.ShortChar10.

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Executive Dashboard Display Setup | 47 5. Select the Publish to Title check box. 6. In the field under the Publish to Title check box, select MfgCube.ShortChar10. 7. In the Title caption field, enter Dimension Detail:. 8. Click OK to exit the Dashboard Query Properties window. 9. Click the Refresh All icon. View the Dashboard title. It now displays Dimension Detail: and the information you selected in the Dimension Detail grid.

Define the Subscribe and Filter Parameters for the Data Query 1. In the tree view, right-click the EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogData: XXX Backlog Data Cube Query (where XXX are your initials) and select Properties. The Dashboard Query Properties window displays. 2. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Sales Backlog Cube Data. 3. Navigate to the Filter sheet. 4. In the ColumnName field, select MfgCube.Dimension1ID. 5. In the Condition field, select =. 6. In the Value field, select EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogDimension- Dimension: MfgCubeDim.DimensionID (where XXX are your initials). This field is published from the Dimension query. 7. Click OK to exit the Dashboard Query Properties window. 8. On the Standard toolbar, click Save.

Insert a Graph Chart View 1. In the tree view, right-click the EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogData: Sales Backlog Cube Data (where XXX are your initials) query and select New Chart View. The Dashboard Chart View Properties window displays. 2. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Dimension Detail Backlog. 3. In the Chart By: (X-axis) field, select MfgCube.Dimension2Date. 4. In the Chart On: (Y-axis) section, select OpenQty and OpenValue. 5. In the Group By: (Z-axis) section, select MfgCube.Dimension 1. 6. Navigate to the Filter sheet. 7. In the ColumnName field, select DateBucket.

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48 | Build an Executive Dashboard Course 8. In the Condition field, select =. 9. In the Value field, enter Daily and press Tab. You can now add a second condition. 10. In the ColumnName field, select MfgCube.Dimension1. 11. In the Condition field, select =. 12. In the Value field, select EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogDimDtls- Sales Backlog Dimension Details: MfgCube.ShortChar10 (where XXX are your initials). This field is published from the Dimension Details query. This Chart View displays daily information based on data selected in the Dimension Details query. 13. Click OK. At the bottom of the Dashboard, the Dimension Detail Backlog Chart View displays. 14. On the left side of the Chart View, click Settings. If necessary, scroll down to see the entire Settings pane, or move the Dimension Detail Backlog Chart View upward in the Dashboard. You can also adjust the size of other grids to see the Chart View properly. 15. In the Chart Type field, select LineChart. 16. In the Settings pane, click the Refresh icon. 17. On the Standard toolbar, click Save.

Insert a 3D Chart View 1. In the tree view, right-click the EPIC03-XXX-OrdBLogData: Sales Backlog Cube Data (where XXX are your initials) query and select New Chart View. The Dashboard Chart View Properties window displays. 2. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Dimension Detail Backlog Breakout. 3. In the Chart By: (X-axis) field, select MfgCube.Dimension1. 4. In the Chart On: (Y-axis) section, select OpenValue. 5. Navigate to the Filter sheet. 6. In the ColumnName field, select DateBucket. 7. In the Condition field, select =. 8. In the Value field, enter Daily. 9. Click OK. 10. On the left side of the Dimension Detail Backlog Breakout Chart View, click Settings. 11. In the Chart Type field, select PieChart3D.

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Executive Dashboard Display Setup | 49 12. In the Settings pane, click the Refresh icon. 13. On the Standard toolbar, click Save.

Create a Multi-Pane Executive Dashboard View The model ShopVision Sales Order Backlog Analysis Dashboard has a default view with multiple panes for ease of use and better data assessment. Move the sheets around and save the layout as your default view. 1. Click the push pin icon to hide the tree view. 2. Click the Sale Backlog Dimension Details panel and move it to the left side of the screen. The Sale Backlog Dimension Details panel now displays as the half portion of the Dashboard. 3. Adjust the width of the Sale Backlog Dimension Details panel to display as approximately one fifth of the Dashboard screen. 4. Click the Dimension panel and move it to the upper left corner of the Sale Backlog Dimension Details panel. 5. Position the Dimension panel so that it displays on top of the left portion of the Dashboard, with the Sales Backlog Dimension Details panel below it. 6. Click the Daily Backlog by Dimension Detail panel and move it upwards towards the Sales Backlog Cube Data panel. 7. Once in position, release the Daily Backlog by Dimension Detail panel. The Sales Backlog Cube Data panel now displays two sub-panels, Weekly Backlog by Dimension Detail and Daily Backlog by Dimension Detail. 8. Click the Dimension Detail Backlog Breakout Chart View and move it upward towards the Dimension Detail Backlog Chart View. 9. Position the Dimension Detail Backlog Breakout Chart View to display on the same panel as the Dimension Detail Backlog Chart View. These two Chart Views now display next to each other on the same panel. 10. From the Tools menu, selectLayouts > Save Layouts As Default. 11. On the Standard toolbar, click Save. 12. On the Standard toolbar, click Refresh All. 13. Verify the dashboard functionality. Select items in Dimension grids and view the data on the other grids and charts. You can compare the layout to the ShopVision Sales Order Backlog Analysis Dashboard. Menu Path: Executive Analysis > ShopVision > Sales Backlog Analysis 14. Remain in the Dashboard.

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Build and Deploy the Executive Dashboard After you finish you dashboard design, you can build and deploy it to other users. Use the Application Builder process to compile the dashboard definition into an User Interface (UI) finished assembly and deploy it to the server.

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Executive Dashboard Display Setup | 51

Workshop - Build and Deploy the Executive Dashboard In this workshop, build and deploy the Executive Dashboard as the UI Application. 1. From the Tools menu, select Application Builder > Test UI Application. The dashboard displays in a new window that users can see once it is deployed. 2. Click Refresh All to refresh the data and close the window. 3. From the Tools menu, select Application Builder > Deploy UI Application. The Deploy Dashboard Assembly window displays. 4. In the Deploy Dashboard Assembly window, selectAdd Menu Tab and Add Favorite, and click Deploy. Building the AppBuilder Assembly may take few moments. The Deploy UIApp Assembly window displays. The message displays the location where the .dll file is created and deployed on the server. 5. In the Deploy UIApp Assembly window, click OK. 6. On the Standard toolbar, click Save. 7. Close the XXX-OrderBLogStatus (where XXX are your initials) dashboard and ShopVision Sales Order Backlog Analysis. 8. On the Main menu, click the Favorites bar. 9. Click the Dashboard Assemblies Favorites Group and view the XXX-Sales Order Backlog Status (where XXX are your initials) dashboard. 10. Notice that the Dashboard is also embedded on the Main menu as a new sheet. 11. From the Options menu, select Developer Mode. 12. Click the Menu Groups sheet and navigate to Sales Management > Order Management > General Operations . 13. Click the Menu Items sheet to view the content of the folder. 14. Navigate to the Favorites sheet and verify Dashboard Assemblies group is open. 15. Right-click the XXX-Sales Order Backlog Status (where XXX are your initials) dashboard, and drag and drop it into the Menu Items sheet. Notice the cursor changes to a drag-drop-copy. 16. In the Copy Menu Item window, click OK. The Executive Dashboard is now available to all users.

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52 | Build an Executive Dashboard Course

Conclusion Congratulations! You have completed the Build an Executive Dashboard course. Please take a moment to let Epicor know how to serve you better by completing a course evaluation at http://www.keysurvey.com/survey/191084/2e21/ or by clicking the Course Evaluation link below. Your feedback provides the guidelines for the future direction of Epicor education.

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