Build An Executive Dashboard
Build An Executive Dashboard
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Build an Executive Dashboard Course Contents
Contents
Build an Executive Dashboard Course..................................................................................6
Before You Begin....................................................................................................................7
Audience.........................................................................................................................................................7
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................7
Environment Setup..........................................................................................................................................8
Overview...............................................................................................................................10
ShopVision Overview.....................................................................................................................................11
Executive Dashboard Layout...............................................................................................12
Sales Order Backlog Analysis..........................................................................................................................12
View the Tracker.....................................................................................................................................12
Schedule the Process Set................................................................................................................................13
Workshop - Schedule a Process Set.........................................................................................................13
Workshop - Review the Executive Dashboard Layout...............................................................................13
BAQ and Executive Query Setup.........................................................................................15
Create Schedules...........................................................................................................................................16
System Agent Maintenance > Detail.......................................................................................................16
System Agent Maintenance > Schedules.................................................................................................16
Workshop - Create Schedules.................................................................................................................16
Create a New Schedule...................................................................................................................16
Choose a Schedule Type..................................................................................................................17
Define the Run Dates and Run Times...............................................................................................17
Establish a Process Set....................................................................................................................................17
Workshop - Establish a Process Set.........................................................................................................17
Schedule the Process Set................................................................................................................................18
Workshop - Schedule the Process Set......................................................................................................18
Define the Source Business Activity Query......................................................................................................19
General..................................................................................................................................................19
Query Builder..........................................................................................................................................19
Update...................................................................................................................................................19
Analyze..................................................................................................................................................20
Where Used............................................................................................................................................21
BAQ Search............................................................................................................................................22
Workshop - Define the Source BAQ........................................................................................................22
Copy an Existing BAQ......................................................................................................................22
Analyze and Test the BAQ...............................................................................................................22
Formulate the Executive Query Against the Source BAQ.................................................................................24
Field Mapping Sheet...............................................................................................................................25
Save to Process Set.................................................................................................................................26
Limitations..............................................................................................................................................26
Workshop - Formulate the Executive Query Against the Source BAQ.......................................................27
Define the Publish and Filter Parameters for the Dimension Query....................................................44
Adjust the Dimension Detail Grid.....................................................................................................45
Adjust the First Data Grid................................................................................................................46
Adjust the Second Data Grid...........................................................................................................46
Define the Publish Parameters for the Dimension Details Query........................................................48
Define the Subscribe and Filter Parameters for the Data Query.........................................................49
Insert a Graph Chart View...............................................................................................................49
Insert a 3D Chart View....................................................................................................................50
Create a Multi-Pane Executive Dashboard View...............................................................................51
Build and Deploy the Executive Dashboard.....................................................................................................53
Workshop - Build and Deploy the Executive Dashboard...........................................................................53
Workshop - Disable the Recurring Schedule............................................................................................54
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................56
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.
Read this topic for information you should know in order to successfully complete this course.
Audience
Prerequisites
To complete the workshops in this course, the necessary modules must be licensed and operating in your training
environment. For more information on the modules available, contact your Epicor Customer Account Manager.
It is also important you understand the prerequisite knowledge contained in other valuable courses.
• Foundations Agenda Courses on Epicor Learning Center - These courses describe logging in to Epicor
ERP, using menus and toolbars, working with Tree view and sheets. They give you a quick overview how to
enter data in Epicor ERP, use searches to find data and work with grids. The courses in this agenda teach you
to personalize your application, print forms and reports and use trackers to view information.
• 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 Query 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 as well as 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.
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 version as the Epicor application. The
demonstration database is installed from the Epicor Administration Console using the "Add Demo
Database" command under Database Server. See Epicor ERP installation guides for details. If you are an
Epicor Cloud ERP customer (and have licensed embedded education), the demonstration database is
installed for you.
• 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. If you are an Epicor Cloud ERP
customer see section below.
2. In the Current password field, enter the User ID of the user you are asked to log in as, for example,
'nancy'.
3. In the New password field, enter a new password, for example 'Train123'.
Important In Epicor ERP Cloud environment, the password must not contain user ID, must be
longer than 7 characters and include at least one uppercase letter.
5. Click OK. The Change Password window closes and you are logged on with the new user ID.
Note Record the new password. This is important as this will be the password everyone uses
when they log on with this User ID, until the database is refreshed.
3. From the Main menu, select the company Epicor Education (EPIC06).
Note To refresh your Epicor training data, enter a support ticket in EpicCare and include your site ID.
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.
• 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 saves the results
to the database into the cube (SysCub), the definition (SysDef), and the dimension (SysDim) tables.
• SysCub - 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.
• SysDef - This table stores all the SysCubeID values. It also contains identifier creation dates.
• SysDim - 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.
ShopVision Overview
Use the ShopVision module to display 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 variety of
graphic formats such as pie chart, bar chart, or line chart.
The following is the list of available ShopVision dashboards along with suggested refresh intervals:
If your company uses the ShopVision module, you already have several Executive Dashboards available for
review. These dashboards display current information on shipping performance, site 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.
The Sales Order Backlog Analysis tracker displays aggregated order backlog data through a series of dashboard
views. Data is represented using color-coded graphs, charts, and tables, and can be filtered by parameters such
as customer, order, part, site, ship-to, and sales territory.
Unlike the Sales Backlog Tracker (accessible from the Sales Management > Order Management > Reports folder),
which displays details such as sales order number, the Sales Order Backlog Analysis dashboard displays high-level
data summaries. These summaries enables executives to monitor open orders by different parameters, such as
customer and site, analyze performance, and identify trends over various periods.
Tip
Before you use any tracker, review the Tracker Overview topics within the Application Help to learn about
its general program functionality. These topics explain the tracker interface as well as how to best search
for specific records.
For more information on dashboard capabilities, review the Dashboard topics. These topics explain how
to personalize and customize dashboards.
Use Schedule Process Set to schedule when a process set runs on the System Monitor.
Important This topic or section describes functionality or uses a process that is only available to on-premise
ERP installations.
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.
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
3. In the User Description field, enter Refresh Sales Backlog Executive Dashboard.
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
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 SysCube 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.
Use the Detail sheet to define how the system agent interacts with the application server (AppSever). You can
also use this sheet to check on the status of the system agent.
Use the Schedules sheets to add schedules to a specific system agent and to review tasks assigned to the selected
schedule. The schedule identifies how often the tasks linked to the schedule will run.
• Use the Detail sheet to add schedules to a system agent.
• Use the Tasks sheet to review the tasks assigned to the selected schedule. Tasks are reports or processes
assigned to the schedule from their respective program windows.
Before you start building an Executive Query, set up a recurring schedule in the Epicor application.
Note Due to security restrictions, creation of schedules in Epicor Cloud ERP is only allowed to a Global
Security Manager. Users taking this course in an Express or Saas environment must skip this workshop.
Throughout the course, cloud users will utilize an existing schedule delivered with the ERP application.
4. In the Description field, enter XXX-Five Minute Interval Schedule (where XXX are your initials).
2. Click Save.
Important After completion of the course, make sure you disable the newly created schedule.
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.
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 Epicor Web Access.
1. Click New.
2. Use the Company drop-down list to define the company inside which this process set is available. Users
within this company can then select this process set. If you are in an Epicor ERP environment, you can create
process sets for either all companies or the current company.
• If you are creating a process set in an Epicor ERP environment, for this workshop, select the All option.
• If you are creating a process set in an Express or Epicor ERP Cloud environment, this drop-down list is
read-only and displays the current company. You can only create the process set in this current company.
3. In the Process Set ID field, enter XXX-OrderBackLog (where XXX are your initials).
4. In the Description field, enter XXX-Sales Order Backlog Status (where XXX are your initials).
5. 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.
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.
In this workshop, 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).
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 Business Activity Queries course and the Application Help.
Following are the key sheets found within the 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.
Query Builder
Update
Besides using BAQs to display custom views of data, you can also create updatable business activity queries.
These updatable queries have business object methods connected to them, so users can create and edit records
- updating the database through the query itself.
Important To create updatable BAQs, you must have BAQ Advanced User rights granted in User Account
Maintenance. BAQ Advanced User rights are available to Cloud users. However to receive these rights,
Cloud users must attend the Updatable BAQ Dashboard class.
Users having BPM Advanced User rights are allowed to use the entire BPM toolset, when designing uBAQ
method directive.
Important Advanced BPM User rights are not available to Epicor Cloud ERP - Multi Tenant
Users, as freeform C# code may introduce a security risk for access of data outside of the tenancy.
Use of C# in BPMs is regulated, and requires advanced approval from Cloud Operations to ensure
conformity with our security and operational standards. Most common business requirements for
reading and writing data within the tenancy restrictions can be accomplished by using the built in
interface. To request a feature requiring BPM Advanced User rights, contact Epicor Professional
Services or an authorized Epicor partner. You can also submit a request to
[email protected] for deployment.
Furthermore, in order to use BPM Update Processing via UpdateExt and Advanced BPM Processing (design,
import/export and copy), the BusinessProcessManagement module must be licensed in your Epicor ERP
installation. The BPM license is not required for database updates through Epicor Service Connect workflows.
For more information on the Updatable BAQ Dashboard class and BPM Advanced User rights, contact your
system administrator.
You create updatable BAQs in a similar way to display only BAQs by adding tables, filter criteria, display columns,
and so on. You have some extra steps, however, as you need to define which table contains the updatable fields
and also make sure the business object methods are correctly linked to the updatable fields.
Just like a read-only BAQ, you can link as many tables in relationships as you need. Multiple tables accessed by
each BAQ can be updatable, however, so you can construct updatable BAQs that contain as many updatable
fields as you need. The one limitation is that only one business object involved in each process can contain an
updatable BAQ. As multiple updatable table combinations are possible, you should be able to create an updatable
BAQ that matches your needs.
You can place updatable BAQs on smart client dashboards. After you add these dashboards to the Main Menu,
they become custom data entry programs users can launch to both review current data and make any updates
they need. Optionally, you can also use updatable BAQs on mobile device dashboards. Once you create a mobile
dashboard that contains an updatable BAQ, users run this custom entry program on an iPhone, Blackberry, or
other supported mobile device. Users enter data through the mobile device, directly updating the database
wherever they may be. In order to build mobile device dashboards, you must purchase a mobile device dashboard
license from Epicor.
To complete this functionality, you can monitor the data users enter by creating Business Process Management
(BPM) directives. As users enter data through an updatable BAQ, you can set up Updatable BAQ methods that
validate whether the data being entered is correct, send email alerts, or cause other processes to run.
Analyze
Use the Analyze sheet to both analyze and test your query for any possible problems before you use it in the
live application.
Run the data controls on this sheet to verify that the data results you need populate on this grid. If you are not
seeing the results you want, you can return to the Query Builder sheets to modify the query and then test the
results again.
Additionally, the Analyze sheet contains the functionality you use to verify and updatable BAQ can pull in (get)
data, update records, and add new records. You can also use this sheet to test a custom Business Process
Management (BPM) method against the updatable BAQ. After you verify the updatable BAQ can perform all of
the functions successfully, you are ready to place it on smart client and mobile device dashboards. Users can then
enter and update the data they need through this query.
Important BAQ Designer allows testing update operation on records belonging to current company only.
The following rules apply to the Part and Warehouse Bin FSA logic:
• If a warehouse bin marked as Sync to FSA includes an on-hand quantity for a part marked as Sync to FSA,
and in Part Maintenance you clear the Item or Sync to FSA check box, the FSAInventory query returns zero
results, even though the warehouse bin carries the on-hand quantity for the Sync to FSA part.
Note The warehouse bin belongs to a warehouse that is also marked as Sync to FSA.
• If a warehouse bin marked as Sync to FSA includes an on-hand quantity for a part marked as Sync to FSA,
and in Warehouse Bin Maintenance you clear the Sync to FSA check box, the FSAInventory query returns zero
results, even though the warehouse bin carries the on-hand quantities for the Sync to FSA part.
Note The warehouse bin belongs to a warehouse that is also marked as Sync to FSA.
Where Used
Use the Where Used sheets to review all the items that use the current query. The information on these sheets
helps you decide if you should re-design the current query, delete the query, or create a new query.
The information on these sheets helps you decide if you should modify the current query or create a new query.
Be careful if you decide to modify the query, for any changes impact other applications that use this query
If you attempt to delete a query that is in use, a warning message displays verifying whether you want to continue
deleting the query. Typically you should not delete any query in use unless the BAQ is obsolete or no longer
needed. After you delete the query, you should then remove or update the dashboard, BAQ report, or other
items that previously used it.
Tip If several user dashboards use the current query, you should not change it, but rather create a new
shared query that contains the changes you need. Other users can then decide if they want to use your
new query in their dashboards, reports, and other items.
BAQ Search
Use the BAQ Search sheet to select data in your query that you want to make available to users searching for
related data.
The source BAQ pulls the selected data from the database and is the source for your Executive Queries.
4. In the Query ID field, enter XXX-SalesOrderBackLog (where XXX are your initials) and click OK.
6. Click Save.
5. In the Query Results grid, review the data retrieved by the query.
6. Click Save.
Use Cube Maintenance to formulate the 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 SysCube 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 SysCube tables.
Each executive query has one or multiple field maps. Each field map contains one or two dimensions it uses to
evaluate the data. These dimensions can be any column within the selected BAQ; for example Product Group
and Order Date. You can also select calculated fields from the BAQ to generate unique lists.
You must also define each query's Delete Action method. The query uses this method to refresh its data when
the process set activates it. Lastly, you indicate how this data is to be summarized. It can be summarized by BAQ
or Date; you can also choose not to summarize the data at all.
An executive query defines a set of field map records processed using the BAQs as a source and the Ice.SysCube
tables as the target. If you click Submit from the Executive Query program, the executive query tables listed in
the next section update once. It is suggested you save the executive query to a process set that updates the cubes
according to a schedule.
The Executive Query definition can be saved to the database. You can retrieve each query record to create
additional mappings or perform other modifications.
The important fields and sections found within the Selection sheet are as follows:
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.
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.
Use the Field Mapping sheet to define the Dimension Pair 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
you require.
The Dimension Pair values you use depends on the BAQ defined on the Detail sheet. If you select a BAQ that
only contains a single query, these dimensions can be any field defined on its Display Fields > Column Select
sheet. However if you select a BAQ which contains subqueries, you can only select fields from its top level
subquery. You can select calculated fields from the BAQ to generate unique lists. You can also leave the second
dimension value blank. This creates a field map that only pulls in data which matches the first dimension value.
You can use this sheet to indicate which additional fields display through this Executive Query. All the fields
available 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.
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
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.
1. In the Cube ID field, enter XXXCubeBackLogOrders (where XXX are your initials).
2. Click BAQ ID, search for and select XXX-SalesOrderBackLog (where XXX are your initials) query you
created.
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® launched this course directly from the Epicor ERP application, you can map the fields using a Microsoft
Excel spreadsheet attached to this course.
If you are using the pdf version of the course, skip to the next task Map the Query Fields Manually.
Important The following lists the key features and rules of Field Mapping:
• Field Mapping is the data grouping term.
• The Dimension 1 and 2 are paired up to match one set of field mapping.
• You can use four controls for the field mapping selection:
Control Description
Dimension The Dimension 1 value is the first required definition used to measure the BAQ
data.
The Dimension 2 is an optional value. This dimension can be a Date field.
Decimal All the fields from the selected BAQ appear on this list, so typically you select fields
that display decimal values. You can display up to 10 decimal values.
Integer Use integers to display numeric fields that do not use decimals in the executive
query. All the fields from the selected BAQ appear on this list, so typically you select
fields that display integer values, or the results may not be what you want. You
can display up to five integer values.
Character Use characters to display alphanumeric values you want to display within the
executive query. You can display up to 10 character values. Character fields do not
aggregate, but if you use a field that contains the same information on all records
for the dimension pair, it can be useful for the executive query to pull in these
results, too.
3. Within the spreadsheet, highlight rows 1 - 23, right-click, and select Copy.
4. On the 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.
7. Skip the next task Map the Query Fields Manually and continue with the following task Submit and
Save the Executive Query.
2. Click New.
8. Click Save.
9. On the Standard toolbar, click New to add the new Mapping Set.
10. Map the remaining Mapping Sets using the same process. Enter the following information:
Important In addition to the information in the table, due to a lack of space, 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.
Important Remember to click Save after you define each mapping set.
11. Navigate to the Mapping > Mapping List sheet and review your mappings.
3. In the Process Set field, select XXX-Sales Order Backlog Status (where XXX are your initials).
Recall this is the process set you previously created.
4. Click OK.
2. Select XXX-OrderBackLog (where XXX are your initials) and click OK.
The first Executive Query displays as a task on the Process Set Tasks grid.
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 SysDim table that is created when the SysCube 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.
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.
1. In the Query ID field, search for and select zMfgCubeBLogDimCube and click OK.
3. In the Query ID field, enter XXX-OrdBLogDim1 (where XXX are your initials).
4. In the Description field, enter XXX Order Backlog Dimension One (where XXX are your initials) and click
OK.
6. Click Save.
1. Navigate to the Query Builder > Phrase Build > Table Criteria sheet.
4. In the Value field, enter XXXCubeBackLogOrders (where XXX are your initials) and click OK.
Important Recall this is the Cube ID of the first Executive Query you created.
1. Navigate to the General sheet and view the Query Phrase section.
Verify the SQL statements is finished with the below expression:
from Ice.SysCube as MfgCube
where (MfgCube.CubeID = 'XXXCubeBackLogOrders')
2. Click Save.
1. Navigate to the Query Builder > Display Fields > Column Select sheet.
6. Click Save.
In this workshop, create the Executive Query against the Data Dimensions BAQ you created in the previous
workshop, create a mapping set, and add it to a process set for scheduling purposes in later workshops.
1. Click New.
2. In the Cube ID field, enter XXX-CubeBLogOrdDim1 (where XXX are your initials).
4. Select XXX-OrdBLogDim1 (where XXX are your initials) and click OK.
This is the BAQ created in the previous workshop.
3. In the User Description field, enter XXX Order Backlog Dimension One (where XXX are your initials).
2. Click New.
Field Data
Dimension 1 DimDtl
Dimension 1 Text Calculated_DimDtl
Dimension 2 DimDescription
Dimension 2 Text Calculated_DimDescription
Character 1 Company
Character 2 CubeID
Character 3 SysCharacter01
Character 4 SysCharacter02
Character 5 Dimension 1
Character 9 Dimension 1 ID
Character 10 Dim1Descr
4. Click Save.
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.
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.
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.
• Dimension BAQ – This BAQ defines the dimension options users can select from the executive dashboard.
• Dimension Details BAQ – This BAQ pulls in the various detail records available with each selected dimension.
Users also select a detail option to display the data they need.
• Data BAQ – This BAQ is used to pull the data from the first executive query.
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.
The Dimension BAQ defines the dimension options available for selection on the Executive Dashboard display.
This BAQ pulls data from the first executive query.
The Dimension BAQ 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.
In this workshop, create an additional dimension BAQ to provide dimension options for selection on the Executive
Dashboard.
2. In the Query ID Starts With field, enter zMfg and click Search.
5. In the Query ID field, enter XXX-OrdBLogDimension (where XXX are your initials).
6. In the Description field, enter XXX Backlog Dimension Cube Query (where XXX are your initials) and
click OK.
1. Navigate to the Query Builder > Display Fields > Column Select sheet.
6. Click Save.
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.
In this workshop, create an additional dimension details BAQ to provide dimension detail options for selection
on the Executive Dashboard.
7. In the Query ID field, enter XXX-OrdBLogDimDtls (where XXX are your initials).
8. In the Description field, enter XXX Backlog Dimension Details Cube Query (where XXX are your initials)
and click OK.
1. Navigate to the Query Builder > Phrase Build > SubQuery Criteria sheet.
5. 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.
6. Navigate to the General sheet and view the Query Phrase section.
Verify the SQL statement ends with the below expression:
from Ice.SysCube as MfgCube
where MfgCube.CubeID = 'XXX-CubeBLogOrdDim1'
1. Navigate to the Query Builder > Display Fields > Column Select sheet.
6. Click Save.
The Data BAQ pulls the data from the first Executive Query. It locates the SysCube 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.
Create the Data BAQ that pulls the data from the first Executive Query.
8. In the Query ID field, enter XXX-OrdBLogData (where XXX are your initials).
9. In the Description field, enter XXX Backlog Data Cube Query (where XXX are your initials) and click OK.
1. Navigate to the Query Builder > Phrase Build > SubQuery Criteria sheet.
5. 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.
6. Highlight the row displaying the date filtering. This criterion is not necessary for the purposes of this workshop.
MfgCube Dimension2Date > 01/01/1901 constant
8. Navigate to the General sheet and view the Query Phrase section.
Your SQL statement phrase should end with the below expression:
from Ice.SysCube as MfgCube
where MfgCube.CubeID = 'XXXCubeBackLogOrders'
9. Click Save.
1. Navigate to the Query Builder > Display Fields > Column Select sheet.
6. Click Save.
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.
In this workshop, add the Dimension, Dimension Details, and Data BAQs you created to the Executive Dashboard
and finalize its layout.
Navigate to the Dashboard.
Menu Path: Executive Analysis > Business Activity Management > General Operations > Dashboard
Important This program is not available in Epicor Web Access.
3. In the Description field, enter XXX-Sales Order Backlog Status (where XXX are your initials).
7. Search for and select XXX-OrdBLogDimension (where XXX are your initials) and click OK.
3. Search for and select XXX-OrdBLogDimDtls (where XXX are your initials) and click OK.
3. Search for and select XXX-OrdBLogData (where XXX are your initials) and click OK.
1. In the tree view, right-click the XXX-OrdBLogData: XXX Backlog Data Cube Query (where XXX are your
initials) and select New Grid View.
The Dashboard Grid Properties window displays.
3. View the Executive Dashboard. At this stage, the dashboard should look similar to the following example.
1. In the tree view, right-click the 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.
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 XXX-OrdBLogDimension: XXX Backlog Dimension Cube Query (where
XXX are your initials) query and select Properties.
2. In the Caption field, delete the existing content and enter Dimension.
6. In the field under the Publish to Title check box, select MfgCubeDim_DimensionID.
11. In the Value field, enter XXXCubeBackLogOrders (where XXX are your initials). Type this value manually,
do not invoke the drop-down list for this field.
This value represents the first Cube ID you created.
1. In the tree view, right-click the XXX-OrdBLogDimDtls: Summary (where XXX are your initials) grid and
select Properties.
This grid pertains to the query in the middle of the dashboard.
The Dashboard Grid Properties window displays.
2. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Dimension Detail.
11. In the Dimension ID grid, select CustID and view the customer list that displays in the Dimension 1 grid.
Tip You may need to hit Refresh to populate data in the Dimension ID grid.
1. In the tree view, right-click the first XXX-OrdBLogData: Summary (where XXX are your initials) grid at the
bottom and select Properties.
The Dashboard Grid Properties window displays.
2. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Weekly Backlog by Dimension Detail.
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.
1. In the tree view, right-click the 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.
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.
1. In the tree view, right-click the XXX-OrdBLogDimDtls: XXX Backlog Dimension Details Cube Query
(where XXX are your initials) and select Properties.
This is the dashboard's middle query.
The Dashboard Query Properties window displays.
2. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Sales Backlog Dimension Details.
6. In the field under the Publish to Title check box, select MfgCube_SysCharacter10.
Recall within the XXX-OrdBLogDimDtls BAQ, MfgCube_SysCharacter10 column is used to display Dimension
Details.
Define the Subscribe and Filter Parameters for the Data Query
1. In the tree view, right-click the XXX-OrdBLogData: XXX Backlog Data Cube Query (where XXX are your
initials) at the bottom of the dashboard and select Properties.
The Dashboard Query Properties window displays.
2. In the Caption field, delete the content and enter Sales Backlog Cube Data.
1. In the tree view, right-click the 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.
12. In the Value field, select XXX-OrdBLogDimDtls- Sales Backlog Dimension Details:
MfgCube_SysCharacter10 (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.
1. In the tree view, right-click the 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.
9. Click OK.
10. On the left side of the Dimension Detail Backlog Breakout Chart View, click Settings.
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.
Now, the dashboard should look as follows.
6. Click the Daily Backlog by Dimension Detail panel and move it upwards towards the Sales Backlog
Cube Data 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.
The Dashboard layout is now complete.
10. From the Tools menu, select Layouts > Save Layouts As Default.
13. Verify the dashboard functionality. Select items in Dimension grids and view the data on the other grids and
charts.
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.
In this workshop, build and deploy the Executive Dashboard as the UI Application.
Important The following workshop demonstrates how you can quickly enable the new dashboard to all
users when you launch the application using the Classic Style.
If you run the application using the Modern Shell Style, exit the application and log in using the Classic
Style to successfully complete the workshop.
Tip To learn how to make your custom dashboard available to users using the Menu Maintenance program,
review the Introduction to the Dashboards course.
5. In the Deploy Dashboard window, select the Deploy Smart Client Application, Add Menu Tab and
Add Favorite Item check boxes.
9. Exit the XXX-OrderBLogStatus (where XXX are your initials) dashboard and ShopVision Sales Order
Backlog Analysis (if opened).
11. Click the Dashboard Assemblies Favorites Group and view the XXX-Sales Order Backlog Status (where
XXX are your initials) dashboard.
12. Notice that the Dashboard is also embedded on the Main menu as a new sheet.
14. Click the Menu Groups sheet and navigate to Sales Management > Order Management > General
Operations .
15. Verify the content of the General Operations folder displays in the right pane.
16. Navigate to the Favorites sheet and verify Dashboard Assemblies group is open.
17. 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.
19. From the Options menu, select Developer Mode to disable it.
In this workshop, disable the recurring schedule you created for the purposes of this course.
Navigate to System Agent Maintenance.
Menu Path: System Setup > System Maintenance > System Agent
Important This program is not available in Epicor Web Access.
2. In the Tree view, expand Manufacturing System Task Agent > Schedules.
3. In the Tree view, select XXX-Five Minute Interval Schedule (where XXX are your initials).
Conclusion