SYMENU System Manager Introduction 19
Entry Field Descriptions
Name | Description |
Type | 6 character field After you complete the fields below, the system inserts the description and Hot-key if applicable in this field for easier identification. |
Defined By: | Determines where the link appears User Link appears when the master record is open (being used). Program Link appears when an address is available in the master record. System: Automatically appears in all menus and to all users in Elliott.
|
Description | User defined |
Hot-Key | Starts link without having to access the Links Icon. Hot-Keys available are from Alt1 – Alt0 and AltA – AltZ. Hot-Keys only apply at the master record level. NOTE: Elliott Menu commands use the Alt+underscore letter. This sequence will take precedence over the Links Hot-Key having the same sequence. |
Template | This is the path to the file you want to link to. The @@VAR1@@ (variable command) is required for the link to work. Note: Elliott provides you with 7 predefined link types. During the Elliott installation these predefined links are installed automatically, the directories are created, and all field information, including templates, is updated for you based on the drive you install to. It is recommended that you use these directories for better control of your files and links. If you store your documents and spreadsheets in the My Documents folder and that folder gets reorganized, you will have to change every related link type and hot link variable for the link to work properly. |
Variable Description | User Defined – Used to identity your hot link |
File Extensions | Used in the Browse window when you go to link a file. For example; *.DOC *.PDF would only bring up these type files to link to, *.html would only bring up HTML files, etc. |
Editing and Deletion Issues
All Types may be edited. All Types may be deleted, if not in use with a Hot-Link.
If you deleted the Pre-Defined ELL01 System Type (Elliott Home Page) or the Predefined YAHOOM Program Type, they will automatically be recreated the next time you start Elliott.
If you erroneously edit the YAHOOM Type; delete it and exit Elliott. When you start Elliott again it will recreate the Link Type for you.
To reflect your Home Page in ELL01: Click Types, down arrow (€) to highlight and select ELL01
Creating a User Hot Link
In Company File Maintenance open a customer record and click the Links icon or press Ctrl-L.
In the Links for Customer xxxxx window, press New and use the down arrow (€) to select CONTRC as show below. Pressing New only applies to User type links. Program, System, and Predefined Types are maintained by clicking the Types button.
Click the Predefined or Ad Hoc tab
Predefined: This is a link based on a predefined Link Type where the Template, Description, Browse File Types, and Hot-Key have already been defined.
When you click the Browse button, it will use the path from the Template to open the folder where files (@@VAR1@@) are located to let you browse by File Extensions selected. For convenience, we went ahead and selected file Contract1.doc.
NOTE: If we had already created the link and were in edit mode to select a different file or path, the system would provide an option to use this as the default link, regardless of the template and previous variable.
Ad Hoc: There can only be one Hot Link for each User Link Type. If we had several documents that we needed to link to this customer, we would need a Link type for each document or we could use Ad Hoc Links.
When you click the browse button, you can select any file regardless of directory, folder or drive. For convenience, we selected an Excel file in the same folder.
NOTE: You are provided with a Test Button to test your link before you save it.
Predefined and Ad Hoc User Links in Customer Links Window
Since accessing a Word document is based on a Predefined Link type, we can Hot-Key from anywhere the customer file is being used and open the document rather than having to click the Link Icon and selecting it.
To use the Ad Hoc file, we have to click the Link icon, select the file and close the Customer Links Window after we are finished with the file.
User Links With Images
At the master record level, images are normally associated with inventory items and employees. In this example we will use the inventory item NS-1 (Nautilus Shell 1).
From the master record, Inventory Item NS-1, click the Link Icon and the Links For Item window appears.
Click New, Predefined, and use the Variable Browse button to select image.
Click Test, if link works click Save.
Remember: A User type link can be accessed anywhere the master record is open.
User Link w/Image Accessed at Order Line Item Entry
Note: Since we used the Link Type IMAGE with Alt-I as the Hot-Key; at any master record where an image is linked all we need to do is press the Hot-Key.
The Image Preview program is the Windows System default program to open graphics images. The link used this program because a link is basically "start name.extension." It is the same command used when we click to open a file in Explorer.
Since the Image Preview program displays the image name Shell3.jpg and we know our default template location of images is C:\Elliott7\Images, we could click the eContacts icon and e-mail the customer the inventory item image. In most businesses, that is called Advanced Customer Relationship Management.
User Links w/URL's
Many times it is necessary to access a customer or vendor web site to access or download information. More often than not, we have to interrupt what we are doing to find the URL address. Well, why not attach a user link to their master record with their URL?
Customer URL Address link created at time or Order Entry
Required Steps:
1. Click Links Icon
2. Click New
3. Select URL Type
4. Type in Customer URL
5 Save
Creating A System Link
Since "System" links are accessible anywhere to all users in Elliott; Employee Handbooks, Policy and Procedure Manuals, and many Company Publications are ideal candidates for links as they inform and can increase user productivity.
At any menu level click the Link Icon and the Links window will open as shown below:
Do not click New, this is for User Type Links only. Instead, make sure no links are highlighted and click Types. This will open a Blank type Window as shown below.
Click the System button and complete as shown on next page.
Employee Handbook Link in A/P Pre-Check Writing Report