Updating Customized and Personalized Dashboards - A Procedure

Epicor ERP 10
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1

Hi Everyone,
I have been playing with updatable BAQs inside customized dashboards. Part of my process involves repeatedly updating some part of the BAQ or dashboard. As a result, I have repeated the process many times and found what seems to be a reliable update process. I am sharing it here for you all to benefit, or to correct me where I am wrong.

Case: I have a menu-deployed customized dashboard, and I have changed part of an underlying BAQ.
Solution: The BAQ seems to update nicely in the dashboard without redeploying or anything else. Just close the dashboard and reopen it to view with new BAQ changes. The menu does not need to be updated. If you added fields to your BAQ they will get tacked on to the end of the field list.

Case: I have a menu-deployed customized dashboard, and I have modified the dashboard to add/remove a query, some other panel, or a field. Or I have modified the underlying customization by adding objects, rules, or custom code.
Solution: In the dashboard click save, then click Tools>Deploy Dashboard. Click on Deploy Smart Client Application. Close the dashboard. To make sure your previous customization gets attached properly, switch to Developer Mode, and open your newly saved dashboard. Choose the customization from the developer list. Review your dashboard in customization mode. Make any changes as needed then save the customization. Turn off developer mode and click your dashboard to make sure all the changes you made have stuck. You do not need to update the menu.

Don’t forget to backup your files!
When you have a dashboard that is customized the way you want, open the dashboard and enter developer mode by clicking Tools > Developer. Click File>Export Dashboard and BAQs. Also make sure to save any customizations or personalizations. Turn on developer mode for Epicor, then open the dashboard you want. Select the customization and open. Turn on customize mode and in the Customization Tools Dialog click on File>Export Customization As. Close the dashboard, and with developer mode still on, open it again. This time select the personalization and open. Turn on customize mode and in the Customization Tools Dialog click on File>Export Customization As.

Now you have saved the Dashboard, the BAQs, the Customization, and Personalization. Save these in a handy place so you can reload them into Pilot or Live as needed.

Is this helpful for you? Do you have a better process?
Thanks!
Nate

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There is another case I can think of:

Case: You have a menu-deployed dashboard, and you want to update it with a backup file you have saved.
Solution: Open the Dashboard you want to update and click File>Delete Dashboard Definition. Click File>Import Dashboard Definition. Import the file you want to use. Click save, then click Tools>Deploy Dashboard. Click on Deploy Smart Client Application. Close the dashboard.

Now your dashboard is missing from the menu, so open Menu Maintenance and navigate to where you where the dashboard should be. Add a new item and link it to the dashboard you just imported. Do not set your customization yet. Save. Close Epicor. Open Epicor.

Navigate the menu to find the dashboard you added. To make sure your previous customization gets attached properly, switch to Developer Mode, and open the dashboard. Delete the customization listed, and import your saved customization file. Review your dashboard in customization mode. Make any changes as needed then save the customization.

Turn off developer mode. Open Menu Maintenance and navigate to where you where the dashboard menu item is. In the customization option list at the bottom , select the new customization that you imported. Save and close Epicor. Reopen and test your dashboard to ensure everything work as expected.

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From your 1st case…

When I’ve added fields to a BAQ, the dashboard using that BAQ, makes the new fields hidden. I have to open the dashboard in developer and unhide them.

Also, when yoy say “customized dashboard” are you referring to customization done while designing the dashboard, or customizations done to the deployed dashboard?

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Yes, good point!

I am referring to customizations applied to the deployed dashboard. All the terminology is confusing isn’t it?!

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