Audaxium Blog

Many companies still conduct calling programs, using either internal resources or a third party company.   NetSuite has the ability to log phone calls of course, but what’s the best way to automatically populate the call records quickly, rather than filling out each field.

Here’s how one of our customers does it.  This might not be the most slickest way to do it but it’s effective and makes it easy for users to click and log a call.

First, create your custom phone call form.  It can be a copy of your regular one, or it can have more or less fields than usual.  Get the ID number of the form.

Second, create a custom field on the customer record, of type html link, and don’t store the value.  Have the value driven by a formula.

The formula looks like

‘https://system.netsuite.com/app/crm/calendar/call.nl?l=T&refresh=activities&invitee=’ || {internalid} || ‘&company=’ || {internalid} || ‘&cf=47′

The &cf=47 text is telling NetSuite to use Entry Form ID number 47.

Third, create a basic script, or workflow if you prefer, to fill in the form with program specific default information when it is opened.  Below is an example:

var BLITZ_CALL = 7;
var NO_CONNECT_NO_MESSAGE = 6;
var CALL_TITLE = 'Blitz Calling 2011';
var CALL_COMPLETED = 'COMPLETE';

function pageInit(type) {
	setOriginPhoneOnCreation(type);
}

/**** CORE FUNCTIONS ****/

function setOriginPhoneOnCreation(type){
	if(type=='create'){
		nlapiSetFieldValue('custeventcalltype',BLITZ_CALL);
		nlapiSetFieldValue('custeventcalloutcome',NO_CONNECT_NO_MESSAGE);
		nlapiSetFieldValue('title',CALL_TITLE);
		nlapiSetFieldValue('status',CALL_COMPLETED);
		/* nlapiSetFieldValue('message','Does the company do design? Y/N \nWhat design software do they currently use?'); */
	}
}

Now make sure this script is attached appropriately to your call form in NetSuite,  such that anytime someone creates a call using the form it runs.  This is obviously best done when it’s not the default form for people.

Finally, create a saved search of companies that need to be called.  Use any criteria you can think of, there are a million ways to do it.  And, include your custom field above in the results.

Clicking on the link will pop open a call record where your outbound calling person can simply hit submit at the end of the call without have to repeatedly fill out the same information over and over.

For this and other cool NetSuite ideas, connect with us.  If you like this give us a shout-out in the comments.

This post is two tips rolled up into one and it has to do with customizing that NetSuite screen you look at every day.  If you don’t use NetSuite yet perhaps you’ll get an idea as to how easy it is to configure NetSuite to present you with just the information you need.

Recently I’ve discovered that a lot of NetSuite users settle for seeing information using the “default” settings in NetSuite, without looking into the various options.  Here’s two tips that answer the following frequently asked questions.

• Can I get a default dashboard that loads only the basics?
• Can I change the menus on tabs to focus only on what I need?
• Can I get more specific search data all on one dashboard?
• How can I control dashboards but give some free reign?
• How can I present better information to managers and employees?

Custom Tabs

Custom Tabs in NetSuite can help answer most of the questions above. You can add another, or several tabs up along the top of your NetSuite dashboard that contain exactly what you want.  

If you want one that is available as a default, lightweight, fast loading, page that only has a quick search portlet on it, that’s how you do it. If you want a tab that contains all your very important reports for your management meetings on Fridays, that’s how you do it.

Simply go to Setup, Customization, Center Tabs, New

Then give the tab a name and choose which Center to apply it to.

Now go to the Portlets subtab. Pick all the portlets you want to be available.  NOTE, you can simply click the “Show” Checkbox if you want them not to show by default.  For most tabs I suggest that you add most of the portlets to let users customize the tab later.

Head back over to the Categories Subtab. Give names to all the sections you want to appear with links when you hover your mouse over the tab.  First name all the categories, after you save the centertab record you’ll see an edit link beside the category name.  That’s where you choose what links appear in the drop-down. 

There you have it.  It’s pretty simple.  Now you can create more dashboard options and real estate  for your users with ease.

Report Snapshots

If you’re looking to put information on dashboards you’ll find that Report Snapshots are your friend.  Most NetSuite users really love searches and tend to steer clear of the more difficult to use report interface.  However, you are limited in the number of KPI’s and custom searches you can have on a dashboard.  Report Snapshots are your answer as you can have 10 of them on each page.

Of course there are a number of standard report snapshots but their ability to spice up your dashboard should be enough incentive to figure out reports and create some custom ones.

When you create a report, for many types, you’ll have the option of creating a report snapshot just prior to saving your report.  Just hit the save and create snapshot button. And don’t forget to set the permissions on the report properly so the correct audience can see it.

Conclusion

Just with these two very simple reminders you should be able to customize your NetSuite instance to better suit your desires.  If you’d like help doing this ping me an email and we’ll see what we can do.  If you’re a bit confused let me know and I’ll do a video of it.  I plan on doing a few more videos soon.

One final reminder.  Remember that you can change your “Landing Page” under Home, Set Preferences, Appearance.  Just pick the tab you want to open when you first log into NetSuite.