Modifying Existing Reports

Accolent ERP includes an integrated Business Intelligence and reporting solution (“Report Writer”) that allows end-users to view and edit standard forms and reports directly from a web browser using HTML5 technology. This in-browser editing is an extremely powerful and versatile feature of the Report Writer. Using the Report Writer, end-users can edit and save their changes to existing forms and reports; end-users can also create and save new custom reports. Access to the Report Writer is included with the basic Accolent ERP SaaS subscription.

Existing Accolent ERP Reports

  • Standard Accolent ERP reports may be accessed by going to Reports > Report Center.
  • Reports are organized by Group (e.g., Accounts Payable) and by sub-group (e.g., Checks).
  • Find a report based on the groupings, the report number, the Recently Viewed hyperlinks or use the Search bar at the top right of the screen.
  • For example, search for “Commissions” to bring up this list of reports.

Modifying Existing Reports

  • Accolent ERP forms and reports are delivered by Stimulsoft which allows all forms and reports to be customized using the in-browser report designer and editor.
  • The report designer is fairly intuitive and there are several how-to videos that can be viewed on the Stimulsoft YouTube Channel.
  • Using the report designer, Accolent ERP users can modify existing forms and reports or create new reports.
  • All the data for reports are delivered through SQL Views.
  • Use of these pre-made SQL Views means that users do not have to query the SQL database, understand the database schema or have to worry about table joins.
  • Each SQL View has all the fields available to the reports in that functional area.
  • All report views are labeled as ADSv{FunctionalArea}_Master, in this case the FunctionalArea is CommissionsReport.
  • There is an Accolent ERP wiki for each report view, detailing the fields available in that report view.
  • Our professional services team is available to: (1) do the modifications for you if you wish, (2) help you to complete modifications you started, (3) troubleshoot/fix some changes you attempted that failed, or (4) add a field that is not already available in the View, if it is appropriate to that functional area.

Types of changes

  • Some types of report changes can be done easily, and others are more complicated.
  • Modifying existing reports to change the format or labels is very straightforward.
  • Adding fields that are already in the SQL View to an existing report is straightforward and should be within the capabilities of most users.
  • Changing sorts, groupings and sub-totals on existing reports is a little involved but may be possible for some users; however, there is some possibility that you will break the report and need our assistance.
  • Creating new reports from scratch using an existing SQL View is quite challenging, but may be possible for technically proficient users; we will probably need to help you troubleshoot/fix problems.
  • Adding fields to an SQL View should not be attempted as you will need to understand how to write SQL queries and will need to understand the database schema; also writing incorrect SQL queries can hang your whole system.

Adding Fields to Existing Reports

  • Open the Commissions by Standard Cost report, for example.
  • Click the Design button at the top right-hand side of the screen.
  • This opens the report designer.

  • In the Dictionary pane, expand the Data Sources and expand the AccolentDBConnection to see the data sources
    • Warehouse, CustomerName, SalesmanName data sources provide the report with respectively, the warehouses, customers and salespersons available.
    • The ReportViewDS source provides the report identifier.
    • The ADSvCommissionsReport_Master source provides the data for the report.

  • Expand ADSvCommissionsReport_Master.
  • This shows all the fields available to modify an existing Commissions report or to create a new Commissions report.

  • Using these fields, the report can be modified to add a new field to the grid.
  • To add a new field to the grid, first modify the grid to create a placeholder for the field to be added, then drag and drop from the list of fields on the left.
  • To remove a field select the field and delete it.
  • To Edit a field or change its properties, select the field in the grid and right click.

  • To create the subtotals or grand totals, click on the field (e.g. Ext_Price) and right click, then click on the design icon to see the syntax.

Saving the Modified Report

  • Once a report is modified, Save will create a customized version of the standard report; the standard report will not be overwritten.
  • The new customized report will show up in the group Custom Reports.

  • The new custom report can be selected and run just as with any other standard report.

 

 

 

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