Action Grids are spreadsheet-style utilities designed for organizing, analyzing, and manipulating large quantities of 3PL data. The data loaded into the action grid (may be query-based or pre-loaded by the system. There are several options for navigating, sorting, filtering, selecting, and copying the records being displayed.

• Each HighView in VL comprises one or more action grids, each of which:
• Provides specific details about your on-going operations
• Can be tailored to display only the data you need to perform your work at any given time
• Serves as a central launch point for running multiple tasks in the system
• Eliminates the need to generate day-to-day listings and reports
• Can be refreshed automatically with the latest information directly from your data sources.Contained Within HighViews

Contained Within HighViews

Action grids are always contained in HighViews. The number and variety of action grids that are available within any given HighView will depend on the type of data being retrieved and the activities it represents. It is possible that the same action grid may appear in more than one HighView. Action grids that are invoked via MyShortcuts will always be contained within a single-purpose HighView that is labeled with the name of the Shortcut.

Data Types, Rows and Columns

As the name suggests, an action grid displays your data in a grid format consisting of horizontal rows and vertical columns similar to a spreadsheet. Each row of information in the grid represents a unique record of information from the database. The fields, or data elements, that define each record are separated by the different columns that extend across the grid.

Action grids often contain too many rows and columns to be displayed all at once. Refer to the Information Bar at the bottom of each action grid to see how many rows are currently loaded and displayed. Navigation Tools and/or Filtering may be required to help you find the information you want. You also have the option to hide or re-arrange columns via the Columns feature.

An action sequence may be performed on data elements in the grid by highlighting a row/record, then selecting a command code .

Query-Based or Pre-Loaded (WIP)

Depending on the purpose of the action grid, your records may be pre-loaded by the system or you may be required to query the database to retrieve data:

Pre-Loaded

This type of action grid displays currently-active records that are populated automatically by the system. For example, a pre-loaded action grid would be used to display Work-in-Process data that will be updated at some point in the future. Although WIP action grids include a button, this only serves to Refresh the data rather than invoke the query console.

Query-Based

This type of action grid opens with the Query Console to indicate that you must retrieve records from the database. It remains empty until you compose and submit a query. For example, a query-based action grid compels the user to request only the data they intent to work with, instead of retrieving everything from a (potentially) large database. Although query-based action grids include abutton, this only invokes the query console rather than refreshes the data.

 

 

Color-Coded Data Types

The following color-codes are used to indicate the different types of data elements which may appear on any row/record of the grid:

Blue	Primary	The first column (anchored to the left) is the primary data element of the record. This is usually a reference number assigned by the 3PL service provider to identify an order, receipt, probill, manifest, etc.
Black	Standard	Most other columns show dates, times, and other basic text (names, locations, etc).
Underlined Magenta	Hyperlink	This indicates when the element is hyperlinked to another grid, which provides additional information about the record selected. For more information, see Hyperlinks.
Green	Value	Numeric data (weight, quantities, etc) may be used in grid calculations; e.g., Crunch Analysis. The total values for each column is displayed at the bottom of the grid.
Italicized Orange	Extensible	This defines those columns that contain extensible data. Extensible data elements provide additional information (as may be required by specific clients) such as transaction headings/details, purchase orders, serial numbers, etc. For more information, see Extensible Data.

 

 

Organized by Panel

To help you deal with the full length of a row, record contents (data elements) are organized into groups of related information called panels. Each new panel begins with the same primary element (blue column). Use the Panel Buttons to select which panel is displayed in the viewable area of the action grid.

 

 

Action Grid Functionality

An action may be performed on data elements in the grid by highlighting a row/record, then selecting a command. Most of the functionality for viewing action grid data (and for changing how it is displayed) is invoked using a variety of Action Grid Controls. This includes options for locating, sorting, filtering, selecting, and copying records loaded from the database.

For documentation on the various methods for navigating and manipulating data in an action grid, refer to the following topics:

• Action Grid Controls
• Navigation Tools
• Sorting
• Selecting and Removing Records
• Filtering
• Hyperlinks and Drill Downs
• Exporting to Spreadsheet
• Exporting to XML
• MyViews