Workbench inherits as much standard Windows Mouse and Keyboard functionality as is practical, as well as implementing some of its own intrinsic functions. While familiarity with other Applications developed around the Windows "standards" is an advantage, this manual attempts to not assume that the User has this experience. The following section, therefore, describes some of the functionality which has been incorporated in Workbench in an effort to ensure ease of operation, while enhancing the intuitive nature of the software.
Buttons – What They DoBUTTONS:
- Display:
Displays the chosen information.
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- Change Job Code: This enables the User to change the Job Code of the currently displayed record (Job Master). Therefore it is first necessary to find and open the correct Job Number. As with the Delete function, use this button with care.
- Transfer Log: Allows the user to create a child log linked to the parent log.
- Query Log: Used in the Service Desk module to open a Lookup Window similar
to the Job and Client/Supplier Lookup. The <F4> key is not active in the Log Maintenance program.
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- Preview Report:
For Users not familiar with reports and the data that they include, use this function to review the information which will be printed before committing it to the printer. Also use as a quick on-screen enquiry if no hard copy is required.
- Email:
Open the E-mail window and insert the report as an attachment.
- Export:
Export the report to a separate file in the selected format e.g. .pdf, .xls, .csv, HTML, .rpt
Special Note On Saving New Records and Changes
- There are currently two "buttons" for saving new records or changes to existing records. The first has been illustrated above. The second, the Save Bar, is illustrated. The Save Bar has two "states" as shown in the illustration. The first, the left arrowhead, indicates an "inactive" state. You may have a record displayed on the screen, but no changes have been made to the data, or the data entry fields are blank (typically when you first open a program – such as Job Maintenance. The second "state" – the little pencil shown in the right hand column of the illustration above – indicates changes made to the contents of the screen which haven't yet been written back to the database. WARNING! While this pencil is displayed (the record is in an OPEN state), the record you have open, for instance the Name and Address details of a Client, is LOCKED to all other Users. That is to say, no one else can gain access to it in Data Entry Mode (other than in either Enquiry or Reporting Modes). It is therefore important that you do not leave a record in this state for any longer than is necessary. To close, and thereby release or UNLOCK this record, position the mouse pointer over the bar with the pencil displayed, and click once with the left mouse button. To avoid saving inadvertent changes, press the <ESC> (Escape) key.
Using the Keyboard
The Keyboard USING THE KEYBOARD:
The Keyboard implementation of Workbench is as per any standard Application. However, the use of the following Keys has been detailed for User convenience.
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Check-Boxes
These are like On/Off or Yes/No Switches, their state (On or Off, Yes or No) being determined by the presence or absence of a Tick , Cross or Dot (depending on the type of Check Box used. Review the following illustrations for examples of the Check Boxes that will be encountered throughout Workbench. For a description of how a List Box works, see the Finding Information section which follows.Checkbox (Cross)
Checkbox (Dot)
Checkbox (Tick)
Finding InformationFINDING INFORMATION:
- One of the most important functions to be provided with Workbench is to make available to the User, the ability to find the correct data quickly and easily. In addition, it is important to be able to access analysis type information from the points at which is required without requiring reference to printed lists or forcing the User to "switch" programs in order to search for the correct Code. Specifically, this means being able to find the correct Client/Supplier or Job references, or other "codified" analysis data such as Job Type, Activity Groups, or Profit Centres as examples.
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