There are page similarities that cross applications or modules. It is useful, then, to think of the software in terms of page types, categories used to group and identify pages that are alike in terms of general appearance and purpose. This section introduces and defines the major page types: the record center, detail page, array page, and processing center.
Record Center
Record centers provide a central location where you can search for, list, print, add, change, delete, and process records. A record center is generally divided into two sections: a search section and a results list section.
You enter criteria in the search section, prompting the system to display records in the results list section. You can double-click a record open a detail page. Depending on the page, clicking on the record can open a new page to display record information, or display in a detail section of the list page. Besides typical features such as Accept and Back, record centers include the following components:
|
Add New
|
Add a new record of the type associated with the record center. Examples:
|
|
Action Bar Items |
Items used to process a selected record or group of records in the results list section. Action bar items vary from page to page, depending on the type of actions that you can apply to the records. On most pages, there is a single list of action bar items. On the Employee Information page, the action bar includes drop-down category menus which list more items. Examples:
|
Detail Page
A detail page shows the entirety of a record selected from a record center's results list section. Most pages use a list-to-detail pattern in which you first search for and list records, then you double-click a listed record to open its detail page.
To open a record's detail page:
-
Open the page (record center) associated with the record you want to access.
-
Enter criteria using the appropriate search procedure. When you complete the search procedure, records are displayed in the results list section.
-
Double-click the record you want to display.
Detail pages often append the description of the record in the header.
Examples:
-
From the Human Resources: Employee Information page, if you open a detail page, the employee name is appended in the header.
-
From the Purchasing: Purchase Orders page, if you open a detail page, the purchase order number is appended in the header.
If you have the security resources to do so, you can change a record's fields, update pages related to the record, and perform other procedures from a record's detail page.
On some pages, selecting a record from the search list displays the detail on the same page. If you double-click a record in this case, the detail section of the page changes to Edit mode but the page header does not append the record name.
Examples:
-
Fund Accounting: Vendor List
-
Humans Resources: Employee Deductions
Array Page
An array page is similar to a record center and contains a set of rows, but does not have a search section. Each row displays a type of sub-record which is associated with a larger record, such as an employee record. To access array pages, click an action bar item in a record center or in a detail page. Array pages generally work in the same way no matter what information they contain.
The Human Resources module uses array pages for Payroll and Personnel Information records related to an employee, for example Assignments, Certifications and Licenses, and Degrees.
Examples:
-
From the Human Resources: Employee Information page, perform a search and select an employee. From the action bar, select Personnel Information, then select Degrees. The Degree Data page displays degree records associated with the employee.
-
From the Human Resources: Employee Information page, perform a search and select an employee. From the action bar, select Payroll Information, then select Deductions. The Employee Deductions page displays deduction records associated with the employee.
Processing Center
A processing center is a page containing a set of related buttons which you use to perform a larger function like setting up and processing a pay run or preparing your database for a new fiscal year. The page displays a button for each option needed to complete the bigger process.
Buttons in a processing center are grouped logically, and may have an option to proceed through the activities in order without returning to the processing center page to click each button. Buttons may have checkboxes that indicate when steps have been completed. This is the case where a process has prerequisite options you need to run before moving to the next steps.
Examples:
-
The Human Resources, Pay Run Processing page displays buttons that relate to stages of payroll processing: pay run and timecard setup, pay calculation, direct deposit and paycheck output, and relevant follow-up actions. Related pages automatically open when the prior process is completed, and you can continue the process or exit the process at any time. You can use the buttons to pick up midstream if needed.
-
The Fund Accounting, Fiscal Year End Processing page displays buttons that relate to stages of completing year-end tasks.