What is a function?
A function is a unique software component that performs a specific task. The task might be to capture and store information (i.e. data entry Form), to display information (i.e. a Display or View) or to list information (i.e. a Report). Functions were previously known as ‘Procedures’ in earlier releases.
A Panel is a special type of function. With a panel there is usually many functions contained within it.
User access to functions is achieved by assigning functions to a role, and then assigning roles to a user.
Any function can also be given Create, Read, Update and Delete permissions (or CRUD as we like to call it) for a given Role. This allows a function to appear in several roles, but to operate differently in each as required. One role might have ‘Read Only’ access to the panel data, whilst another role could be given full control with the ability to add new items (Create), adjust editing items (Update), and remove items (Delete).
Watch the video below for an overview of the functions.
How to navigate a function.
Multiple functions are presented within a Panel on individual tabs.
If the function’s purpose is to capture data input, the ‘Save’ and ‘Cancel’ buttons appear at the top of the function. These buttons are not active until some data change has been made.
If the function has an option to create new items, a ‘New’ button appears next to the ‘Save’ and ‘Cancel’ buttons.
If the function has an option to allow delete, a ‘Delete’ button is also at the top.
Depending on the function, there may be an additional button named ‘More Actions’. This is a drop-down menu of additional functions that can be performed on the data currently being viewed. For example, when viewing an Asset, ‘Re-valuation’ and ‘Disposal’ are additional functions available.
Also note that the data within the function may be organised into sections.
A function does not have to be part of a Panel but can be invoked directly from the menu. The Point-of-Sale Configuration function is one example of this.
If documentation is available on the function, a question mark icon appears at the top right of the function. Click that icon and a new browser tab or windows will open the Online Advantage help page with the appropriate documentation.