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.