4 Common Usability and Navigation

Status Display

Figure 4-6 PC Status Bar

The status bar at the bottom of every window provides status information, access to online help, and access to detailed user information. There are six boxes on the status bar that contain important information.

The Client Information box allows you to see client information and details. Additionally, you can change the look and feel of the SIM application. When you click this box, the Client Information screen displays.

The second box displays the identity of the user currently logged in. The third box shows the location number and location name the user is currently working in. The fourth box provides the name of the screen.

When you click the Help box, the online help feature is accessed. Finally, the Jump box allows you to use the quick jump feature; this feature can take you directly to another functional area without navigating.

Client Information

Figure 4-7 PC Client Information Screen

The Client Information window displays many details about the configuration of the PC currently being used. The Client Information tabs allow you to change the theme (look and feel). It displays details about the software version, user PC, and network connections. This information can be useful when it is necessary to check the current configuration or solve operating problems that may be related to the PC.

The Client Information link is available on many SIM windows, including menus, lists, and detail windows. You can access client information from any of these windows.

Theme

Figure 4-8 PC Client Information Screen Look & Feel Tab

Through the Client Information window, the display theme can be changed to customize the appearance of the SIM interface.

In addition to the standard SIM theme, you can have customized themes that use your company logo, different colors, different fonts, and different icons. Through the Client Information window, you can select a theme from those available for your use from the Look & Feel tab.

Online Help

The SIM online help contains all of the same information as the user guide. Online help is opened from any window where the HELP panel is displayed in the SIM status display bar (lower right of the window) or from the HELP button on the main menu.

Figure 4-9 PC Online Help Window

Help Tabs

SIM online help is displayed in the same format as the help for many other Oracle software products. The Contents tab opens first.

The SIM online help has the following tabs:

• Contents

  Use the Contents tab to locate and open a topic in the table of contents.

• Index

  Use the Index tab to select any listed figure to open the help topic that contains that figure.

• View Topic

  The View Topic tab is open when viewing a help topic.

If you want to print the topic that is currently displayed, click Printable Page.

If you want to locate the current topic in the table of contents, click Locate in Contents.

Help Navigation

You can page through the online help topics in the same order that they are presented in the user guide. In the View Topic tab, click the Next and Previous links to browse through the help topics.

Quick Jump

Figure 4-10 PC Quick Jump Screen

The SIM user interface provides a jump feature that allows you to switch quickly to another functional area, without navigating through a series of menus. The SIM status bar includes a JUMP panel in the lower right corner of the window.

Select a task for the transaction and the system will navigate to that functional area dialog for the selected task. If you enter an ID, which is optional, the system will navigate to the details of that transaction:

• When navigating to item lookup, you will return to the transaction from which you originated.

• When navigating to another transaction or functional dialog, you will leave the original functional area, will stay in the new functional area, and return to the Main Menu upon leaving the new transaction.

Transaction Identification

If the specific identifying number is known, that information can be entered in the ID field.

If you entered an ID value, you jump to the transaction or detail window for that ID. If you did not enter an ID value, you jump to the list or lookup window for the selected functional area, where you can select the specific record you want.

For example, if you select Item Lookup and enter an item ID, you jump to the Item Detail window for that item. If you select Item without entering an ID, you jump to the Item Lookup window, where you can search for the item you want.

When you exit an item lookup, you return to the task you were doing before the jump.

For other jumps, when you exit the functional area to which you jumped, you return to the SIM main menu. The following are ID values available for quick jump.

Dropdown Lists

Figure 4-11 PC Dropdown List

Some fields can accept values only from a predefined list of options. For example, a Product Type field might allow only a limited number of valid product types. A field that requires a value contained in a list has a down arrow button at the right side of the field.

If you type a value into a field with a drop-down list, SIM automatically positions to the first item in the drop-down list that begins with the characters you enter. For example, if you enter "stock" in a field with a drop-down list, SIM automatically positions to the first list item that begins with "stock."Selections in drop-down lists are sorted in alphanumeric order, character-by-character. The sort sequence follows this pattern:

0

1

...

10

11

...

2

...

A

...

Selecting Values

For some fields, you can select more than one value from a list of values.

Select a Sequence of Values

To select a sequence of adjoining items from a list:

1. Select the first item in the sequence to highlight it.

2. Hold down the Shift key, scroll to the last item you want to include, and select it. All sequential items are selected.

Select Multiple Nonsequential Values

To select items randomly from a list:

1. Select the first item in the sequence to highlight it.

2. Hold down the Ctrl key and select each item in the drop-down list that you want to include.

3. When you have selected all the items you want, click OK.

SIM Buttons

The following are buttons that appear in SIM windows and have special meanings and uses. These buttons are used in many different windows.

Calendar Button

Click the Calendar button to open a Calendar window in which you can select a date value.

The calendar allows you to view a monthly calendar and select a date. For a date field, the Calendar button is displayed to the right of the field. When you select a date from the calendar, SIM enters the date for you in the correct format.

Ellipsis Button

Click the Ellipsis button to open another window that displays additional information or provides additional functions. For example, an Ellipsis button may give you the option to look up an item or supplier while you are performing another task.

Text Editing Button

Click the Text Editing button to open a text editing window. This button is available for fields that allow longer text values, such as description fields.

For some fields that allow longer text values, such as a comment or description, it is sometimes difficult to see all the text you are entering. For some fields, a Text Editing button with a balloon graphic is displayed next to the field, as in the following example.

Navigation and Shortcut Keys

Instead of clicking with the mouse, you can use SIM navigation and shortcut keystrokes on the keyboard. These keystrokes are similar to those you find in other PC applications. They are options that you can use to save time and motion as you work in the SIM user interface. In particular, the field navigation keys make it easier to enter and update data.

Field Navigation Keys

To navigate through fields in SIM windows, you can use the following shortcut keys:

Button Shortcut Keys

Button shortcut keys are keys or key combinations that you can press, instead of clicking the mouse on window buttons. There are two kinds of shortcut keys in SIM:

• Alt+ key combinations

• The function keys F1, F2, and so on

Alt+Key Combinations

An Alt+ shortcut key option is indicated by an underlined letter on a button.

Function Keys

You can use the function keys F1, F2, and so on, as shortcut keys for screen buttons. For each screen button, SIM assigns the function keys in order to the buttons from left to right. F1 is a shortcut key for the first button, F2 for the second button, and so on.

Set Table View Preferences

Many SIM windows contain sorted tables. The tables are lists of items, containers, suppliers, transfers, or other information that applies to the task you are performing. The Transfer Receiving List screen is an example of a SIM table.

Figure 4-12 PC Table View Preferences Example

If you want a different view of a table, you can set options to control how that table is displayed to you. You can change the display of tables as follows:

• Set Text Size (Size Content)

• Set Gridline Display

• View or Change Text Size and Gridlines Settings

• Control Which Columns Are Displayed

• Sort a Table by One Column

• Sort a Table by Multiple Columns

View options can be changed at anytime. The view options are saved on the PC where they are set, so they do not need to be set again. To set view options, right-click anywhere in the table. A popup menu is displayed.

Size Content

To shrink or enlarge the text, select the desired text size from the popup menu.

Show Gridline

Table rows are shaded so that they are easier to read. You can also choose whether the table has vertical lines, horizontal lines, both, or neither. To set which gridlines to display, select from the popup menu.

PC Table Configuration Popup

SIM tables are designed to display the information that is helpful to the user. If certain table columns are not used, you can turn off the display of those columns from the Columns tab. Additionally, the order in which columns appear in the table can be changed from the Sort tab. Also, the text size and gridlines are changed from the General tab in addition to the popup menu.

The following changes can be made:

• Control Which Columns Are Displayed

• Sort a Table by One Column

• Sort a Table by Multiple Columns

• Change the Order of the Columns

Sort a Table by One Column

A table is sorted according to the values of a column by clicking the column heading for that column. Click the column heading again to sort in descending order.

Sort a Table by Multiple Columns

You can also sort a table using more than one column (sort key). For example, you may prefer that a table is sorted by Class, then by Sub-Class, and then by Item.

To specify the columns used to sort the rows (records) in a table, select the Columns tab from the Table Configuration screen. The Sort button is used to identify the columns to sort by. Additionally, the Move Up and Move Down buttons are used to arrange the order of the sort. Descending is used to sort in a reverse order. For example, if you want to sort by Class, then Sub-Class (within Class), and then by Item (within Sub-Class), the sort keys must be listed in that order.

Item Report

Figure 4-15 Item Report Example

For information about using Oracle BI Publisher, see the Oracle Business Intelligence Publisher User's Guide.

For information about reports for SIM system implementers and administrators, see the Oracle Retail Store Inventory Management Configuration Guide.

Scan-Scan UIN Functionality

You can scan a Unique Identification Number (UIN) that is associated with a different item without being forced to exit the Scan <UIN Label> screen.

You will not need to select Done to exit the UIN screen before being able to add a UIN of another item.

Example

1. A stock count is created for the following items:

   • Item A -- UIN 123

   • Item B -- UIN 124

2. The user scans UIN 123.

   The Scan <UIN Label> screen displays showing that one quantity was assigned to item A.

3. The user scans UIN 124.

   A screen displays showing that one quantity was added to item B.

Welcome

Figure 4-16 MAF Welcome Screen

Upon launching the SIM MAF UI application, the welcome screen is displayed. SIM will attempt to log you into your default store. Upon successful login, you navigate to the Home Page.

Menu/Drawer

Figure 4-17 MAF Menu/Drawer

The SIM MAF drawer is displayed as the menu panel on the left side of the screen upon tapping the drawer (hamburger stack which looks like three horizontal lines in the upper left-hand corner of the application). From the menu/drawer, you have access to various functionality of the MAF UI application.

Scan Type

Figure 4-18 MAF Select Scan Type

The Scan type is a found in the mode bar. It is used whenever an item can be entered or scanned within a Scan Bar. The scan type allows you to tell the system what type of item or barcode is being entered. The values for this include Auto which is represented by a lightning bolt and UIN which is a barcode. Auto is the default value when logging into the system. Auto assumes that you can enter or scan any of the supported SIM barcode types such as SKU, type 2, UPC E, GS1, UIN, and so on, and the system will parse through the various algorithms to derive the item. The other option of UIN, assumes that you will enter a serial number or AGSN and therefore the system will only run the algorithm to search for UINs. Scanning a UIN as part of the UIN option will be much faster and potentially be more accurate in the case of overlapping UIN numbers.

Scan Mode

Figure 4-19 MAF Select Scan Mode

The Scan mode is a found in the mode bar. It is used whenever an item can be entered or scanned and the quantity is captured. The scan mode defines if the quantity from the barcode should be:

• Added to the existing item quantity, indicated by Increase with a plus icon.

• Removed from the exiting quantity indicated by reduce with a minus sign.

• No change to the quantity, which is review mode represented by a barcode.

The default scan mode is set to Increase.

Unit of Measure

Figure 4-20 MAF Select Unit of Measure

The Unit of Measure selection is a found in the mode bar. It is used whenever a quantity is captured. The unit of measure defines if the quantity displayed is going to be represented in the item's standard unit of measure, cases, or transaction unit of measure. When switching the Unit of Measure, the quantity on the screen will convert to that unit of measure. The default unit of measure will be set based upon the system configuration Default Unit of Measure. Transaction Unit of Measure will only be used where applicable which is in Customer Orders as well as Shipping and Receiving for a Customer Order. If Transaction UOM is selected in dialogs where it is not applicable, the system will use the Standard Unit of Measure even though the Transaction UOM may be selected.

Numeric Entry

Figure 4-21 MAF Numeric Entry

The Numeric Entry popup is used whenever there is an editable numeric field such as an item quantity field. The quantity that gets entered into the numeric entry popup will increase, reduce, or override the existing quantity on the screen. The mode on the Numeric Entry will be defaulted per the Scan Mode that is in the header bar (see "Scan Mode").

Examples:

• Qty = 15, enter in 3 increase, Qty = 18

  There is a quantity of 15 on the UI. In the popup, the user enters a quantity of three, selects the increase option, and apply. The new quantity is 18.

• Qty = 15, enter in 3 reduce, Qty = 12

  There is a quantity of 15. In the popup, the user enters a quantity of three, selects the reduce option, and apply. The new quantity is 12.

• Qty = 15, enter in 3 override, Qty = 3

  There is a quantity of 15. In the popup, the user enters a quantity of three, selects override, and apply. The new quantity is three.

Filter Bar

Figure 4-22 MAF Filter Bar

The Filter bar is used to narrow down a list of things such as items, containers, child stock counts, and so on.

You can tap and type into the filter bar, or tap and scan into a filter bar. By default, the Filter bar will be displayed on the top of the list. When scrolling down in the list, the filter bar disappears and it reappears when scrolling back up in the list. The criteria that a user can filter on will be unique per functional area. For example, inventory adjustments the user can filter on Item ID, Item Description, reason code, and UOM. The search is not case sensitive. The filter can be cleared out to return the full list. The filter will retain the entered criteria until leaving the screen in which it will be cleared out.

Scan Bar

Figure 4-23 MAF Scan Bar

The Scan bar is at the top of the transaction lists, Item Lists, other lists such as Child Count and Container Lists, and Item Detail screens. It will be anywhere an item or some other attribute can be entered or scanned to be viewed or edited on a transaction.

This bar allows for one defined attribute to be scanned and that attribute will be stated in the text of the bar. For example: Item, Container or SIM Customer Order ID.

In the Transaction List screens, the Scan bar will further filter or funnel down the list of transactions when doing a scan. The scanned attribute will be added in addition to the existing search criteria. It will appear in the search criteria, eye glasses field.

In other areas such as lists, item lists, container lists, as well as Item Detail, and soon, the scan bar will go to the details for what was scanned. Quantity may be updated and the item may be added to the transaction depending on functionality.

Search Criteria

Figure 4-24 MAF Search Criteria

The Search Criteria field is represented by an eye glasses icon in the header of the screen. Search criteria will be found on all transaction list screens, such as Inv Adjust List shown in this figure. Criteria will be listed. If there is more than one criteria, they will be separated by a pipe symbol. Initially when entering the dialog, the default search criteria for the functional area will be displayed. For example: in inventory adjustments it would show: Status = In Progress. If there is no default search criteria, the eye glasses will be displayed and the words "Search Criteria" will be listed.

Tapping the Search Criteria field, eye glasses, will navigate to the Search Criteria screen to select and or change criteria to search with. The search criteria field gets updated with the newly selected search criteria fields from the Search Criteria screen. When leaving the dialog, the search criteria will be reset back to the default search criteria.

Item Image

Figure 4-25 MAF Item Detail - Item Image

The item image is displayed throughout the MAF application wherever an item is displayed. The item image will be displayed next to the Item ID and Item Description in all applicable screens. Each functional area has a parameter called Display Item Image - Mobile. If it is set to Ye', the image will be displayed in that functional dialog. If it is set to No, the image will not be displayed.

Print

Figure 4-26 MAF Print

The Print dialog is accessed when selecting print on the SIM MAF application. It is available when selecting print from the footer menu within a transaction.

The transaction format type or types that are applicable to the functional area will be available for selection. For example in Customer Order Deliveries, there may be format types of Customer Order Delivery and BOL.

Once a format type is selected, the system will list all of the reports that are available to print for that format type. The report will default based upon the default format type. You can choose to select a different report format to print if other report formats exist for this format type transaction.

The printers for your store will be listed and you will be able to select the printer of choice. The printer will initially be defaulted to the default printer for the selected report format. Once you have selected print for the report, a message will confirm if the report was sent to print. Note that this does not mean that it has necessarily been printed, but that it has been sent to the printer.

The report format types, reports, along with defaults and printers are defined on the SIM PC application per the functionality in the Print Format and Printers dialogs.

Notes

Figure 4-27 MAF Notes

The Notes function is used to capture one or more notes about the transaction. It also allows you to view history or a trail of notes for a transaction. It is an optional process. The notes feature will be accessed from the footer menu within a transaction using the Notes menu option. Notes is available from within all transactions.

To add a note, select the Add Note button. The Add Note popup displays. Enter the note and then select post. The note will be posted to the top of the list of notes in the Notes dialog. All notes will be listed in read-only mode with the user who created them and the creation date.

Store List

Figure 4-28 MAF Store List

The change stores function is available from the drawer/menu by tapping the store option. It is also accessed upon selecting the store button on the Home Page in the larger MAF UI form factor. In both cases, the user is directed to the store list screen with an option to change stores.

The store list displays all of the stores that the user is authorized for. If needed, the user can search for a store by either the store ID or store name. The store list is narrowed down based upon the search. Selecting a store will display the new store in the store field and the user will stay on the Store List screen. The user is then officially logged in to the new store. All data and transactions will be for the newly selected store.

Item Detail - Attributes

Figure 4-29 MAF Item Detail Screen - Attributes

The Attributes screen is accessible from the Item Detail screen by selecting the Attributes icon. The system and store must be configured properly to allow for collection of attributes. In addition, the item must be configured to be an item that has extended attributes. This screen will display attributes that may have been captured automatically from a GS1 barcode, or they may have been manually captured in this screen.

Sets of attributes can be captured manually by selecting the Add Extended Attribute Set button. The attributes to be captured depend on the attribute configuration for the item. A popup will be displayed to enter the attributes. Sets can be removed and then they will be flagged for deletion. Upon saving or confirming the transaction, the flagged sets will be removed. The restore feature will be available to bring back the attributes if necessary.

Item Detail - UIN

Figure 4-30 MAF Item Detail Screen - UIN

The UIN tab will be accessible from Item Detail screen from within a transaction. The system must be configured for UINs and the item must be a UIN item.

UINs can be added to the adjustment for UIN items through the scan enter item bar in the header. A UIN can be removed by tapping the trash can which will flag the UIN for removal; the UIN will be deleted from the transaction upon saving or confirming the transaction. Lastly, those UINs that have been flagged for removal can be added back to the transaction by selecting the restore option.

Configurations

System Parameters

Search Limit Default for Home Page - Mobile

• Values: 1-999

• Default: 50

• Topic: UI

• Editable: Yes

• Default search limit for the Home Page and Notification List screen.

Days to Hold Notifications

• Values: 1-999

• Default: 14

• Topic: Purge

• Editable: Yes

• This parameter is used to purge notifications which are greater than or equal to this value.

Security

• Security permissions exist to view the transactions on the Home Page, otherwise the transactions will not be listed.

• The user must have the proper security permission for the transaction being accessed from the Home Page. Example: the user must have Edit Inventory Adjustment permission in order to access the inventory adjustment from the Home Page and edit it.

• Security permissions exist to send an ad-hoc notification for an open transaction on the Home Page.

• Security permissions exist to access the notification dialog from the Home Page.

Home Page

Figure 4-32 Home Page

The Home Page is accessed by selecting Home Page from the menu drawer. The Home Page lists all the open transactions for the user's store. Selecting one of these transactions will navigate the user to the details for that transaction. The transaction will be able to be viewed, edited, deleted, and so on, just as it would be had you navigated there directly in that specific function. Each transaction has a transaction ID and transaction type such as inventory adjustment, stock counts, and so on, for identification. The status, last update date, user, SKUs and not after date for the transactions will be displayed.

Selecting the Stores button directs the user to the Stores List to change stores. Initially, the store will be defaulted to the user's default store upon logging in. If the user changes stores, the newly selected store will be displayed in this field. The Stores option is only available on the MAF Large Home Page.

Open transactions on the Home page are sorted based upon the sort button. The Sort will default to oldest first and tapping on this sort button will allow the user to change the sort to newest first.

The search eye glasses icon will open up a search criteria screen which can be used to further narrow down the list of open transactions. All applied search criteria will be displayed in this field. The Home Page list screen does not have any default search criteria initially when entering the screen.

The Bell icon will direct the user to the Notification List screen. The Bell icon is only available on the MAF Large Home Page. Notifications are covered later in this chapter. Swiping a transaction will display a Notify button. See "Notify User."

Notify User

Figure 4-33 Notify User Popup

The notify users popup is displayed by swiping a transaction on the Home Page and selecting the notify button. The notify users popup will be an empty list and the user must enter in either a full or partial user name to search on. The system will return a list of valid users for the logged in user's store.

The user will then select a single user from the list of results and the system will create an ad-hoc notification for the open transaction to that user at the current user's logged in store. The ad-hoc notification will appear in the notification list screen of the user, that was notified, upon logging in to that store. Open transactions can have more than one notification sent.

Transaction Search Criteria

Figure 4-34 Transaction Search Criteria

From the Home Page, selecting the search criteria button, which looks like a pair of eye glasses, will take the user to the Transaction Search Criteria screen. This screen is used to narrow down the open transactions further and search for open transactions with specific criteria.

The header shows the number of criteria that have been applied. The Home Page open transactions displays all open transactions for the user's store by default and there will be no initial criteria applied. Open status is represented by an array of statuses and they can be different depending on the transaction. Open status will represent any status which is not completed, canceled or closed, in other words actions can still be taken.

Criteria include From and To Date which look at the last updated date on the transaction if one exists, otherwise the create date. The transaction type is the type of the transaction such as inventory adjustment, stock count, DSD receiving, and so on. The transaction ID will be the actual ID associated with the transaction, thus multiple transaction types may have the same transaction ID. The user allows for searching on the User ID, this may be the last updated user ID or the create user ID depending on the transaction. The search limit field is defaulted per the system admin setting and is used to determine the maximum number of records returned in the search.

Once search criteria have been selected and applied, the user will navigate back to the Home Page screen with the open transactions narrowed down per the entered criteria. The reset button will clear out all entered search criteria and reset it back to the default criteria. Search criteria will be retained until being either reset or leaving the Home Page dialog.

Notification List

Figure 4-35 Notification List

The Notification List screen is accessed by tapping the notification (bell) icon, on the Home Page for MAF Large or from the drawer/menu for MAF Small. The notification list defaults to display all Unread notifications for the user at the user's store. he notifications could be system or ad-hoc type of notifications.

By default, the screen will display the notifications with the unread notifications first. The sort can be changed to newest first or oldest first. Notifications can be in a read or unread state with unread having a dot in front. The notification names, transaction ID, transaction type, create date, and user will be displayed for the notifications in the list.

Swiping a read notification will display a Mark As Unread button. Selecting the Mark As Unread button will set the status of the notification from read back to unread with a dot. The Mark As Unread button will only be available for notifications which have been flagged. Selecting a notification will navigate the user to the details for that notification.

The search eye glass icon will open up a search criteria screen for the notifications which can be used to further narrow down the list of notifications. All applied search criteria will be displayed in this field. The default search criteria for the notifications will be for the unread status of notifications.

Notification Search Criteria

Figure 4-36 Notification Search Criteria

Selecting the search criteria button (eye glasses) from the Notification List screen, will take the user to the Notification Search Criteria screen. This screen is used to search for notifications for the user's store with specific criteria. The header will show the number of criteria that have been applied. The Notifications search criteria will default to the status of unread.

Criteria include Create From and Create To Date, status, notification ID and type, transaction ID and type, user, and search limit. The search limit is defaulted per the system admin setting and is used to determine the maximum number of records returned in the search.

Once search criteria have been selected and applied, the user will navigate back to the Notification List screen with the notifications narrowed down per the entered criteria. The search criteria will be retained until they are reset or when leaving the notifications dialog.

Notification Detail

Figure 4-37 Notification Detail

The Notification detail screen is accessed when selecting a notification from the Notification List screen. This screen displays the details of the notification.

The notification ID is a system-generated ID. The notification name is either "Forward" with the transaction type for ad-hoc notifications, or the subject line of the system-generated email notifications. The transaction ID and transaction type are from the transaction of the notification. The create date is the date the notification was generated. The user is the user who created the notification; for system-generated notifications, the user is the user who triggered the notification such as the system or batch user. The status will either be read or unread.

When entering the notification, the status of the notification will automatically be marked to Read and the Mark As Unread button will be available. Selecting the Mark as Unread will set the status back to unread. Once the notification is in unread status, the button will change to Mark As Read. The user can set the status back to read by selecting this option.