Method:Classic General Q&A

Re: Job #'s

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 21:47:41 GMT

dottie:
if this computer is turned off for some reason and Method cannot access the job numbers from the custom field I created in Quickbooks will all my already assigned job numbers main sync populate & change into new numbers like they did previously.

The way we built your actions, Method is the one populating that field. So if the main computer is off when you're creating the job numbers - this information will sync but only when the computer is turned back on and a full sync has finished. If you ever have data problems where Method or QuickBooks is different you'll want to look at 2 places:

Click QuickBooks > Synchronize and make sure your full sync time is up to date (if not, run it)
Click QuickBooks > Resolve Conflicts.

Re: Job #'s

dottie — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 20:21:13 GMT

The reason why this error was occuring with the job #'s changing, is the main computer that is used for the real time syncing was off and quickbooks was not running. We set it up so that it is running at all times but the important question is if this main sync computer is turned off for some reason and Method cannot access the job numbers from the custom field I created in Quickbooks will all my already assigned job numbers populate & change into new numbers like they did previously. It is very important that the current job numbers remain as is even when working only in Method and that main computer/Quickbooks is turned off.

I understand that if the computer is off the New customer job #'s will sync when it turns back on but I need Method to keep a record of the current assigned job numbers in the job number field.

Re: Job #'s

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 19:21:28 GMT

dottie:
Another thing I noticed is that even when I correct the job numbers that do not correspond to the custom field in Quickbooks they eventually change to other job #'s in Method after the screen reloads a few times

I suspect this is realted to my other reply - we tried a few ways to get this done for you so I think you have some actions on the edit customer screen which need to be removed. What you can do is start from a fresh copy of the NewCustomer and EditCustomer pages and then re-do the customization so you have a better handle on all the actions you're adding.

We've got a very powerful feature when building actions called copy action. Instead of the usual add action, click copy action then from the action menu select Show all accessible controls in account. This will allow you to copy actions from one screen to another.

Re: Job #'s

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 19:16:46 GMT

dottie:
Any reason why this may be happening?

It's possible you just need to wait for the information to sync over. If you're seeing a problem after a full sync then you'll want to review the actions on the screens. We walked through a fair amount of customization so it's possible you have actions no longer needed that need to be removed (or changed).

Re: Job #'s

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 19:15:09 GMT

dottie:
Any way to have the job # information automaticially transferred from the new customer screen to the edit custumer screen so we can see what job number has been assigned after the new customer is saved?

Since you have this field already added in the customer table all you need to do is drag the job number field out on the CRM_EditCustomer screen. I would consider making this field read only just in case - you don't want people changing this on you.

Re: Job #'s

dottie — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 20:43:48 GMT

Another thing I noticed is that even when I correct the job numbers that do not correspond to the custom field in Quickbooks they eventually change to other job #'s in Method after the screen reloads a few times all my customers get assigned different job numbers in Method which is a serious issue because this is how we track our customers. I also noticed that our Contacts also get job numbers assigned which is something that needs correcting as well.

Re: Job #'s

dottie — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 19:43:17 GMT

I am noticing that not all the job numbers assigned in Method are corresponding with the custom field job number in Quickbooks. Any reason why this may be happening?

Re: Job #'s

dottie — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 19:30:28 GMT

Thanks so much I set up the action set looks on the check box and it looks like it is working after check box is checked. The other issue now is, when I go to the edit customer screen the job number that was created in the new customer screen, is not there. Any way to have the job # information automaticially transferred from the new customer screen to the edit custumer screen so we can see what job number has been assigned after the new customer is saved?

Re: Job #'s

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:56:45 GMT

dottie:
I also wanted to ask about the insert job number button that is underneath the insert job number box. What is the purpose of this button?

Good question and I apologize for not giving a better explanation on why I had you do this. What I did with that button is isolated my set of actions that create the job number. I did this because things will change over time and if you burried 10 actions into the OnScreenLoad event you might get confused if something breaks. Isolating your actions set's into events by using a button like this makes it easy to re-use, fix or problem solve new additions to screens. Since it's likely you may call this event more than once on a page it's a good idea to use this trick.

dottie:
I would probably want to hide it from the screen if it is was only created for the customization requirement.

I made a mistake when having you add this button - I should have include a step to hide this button from view. The customer should never see a button like this as we're just using it to store a set of actions used elsewhere. If you click edit on this button then click advanced options, click the checkbox for Hidden. This will hide the button from view but keep it part of your screen.

Re: Job #'s

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:44:21 GMT

I just wanted to let you know that normally we don't go into this much detail in terms of actions and exact step by step solutions via the forums. I can point you in the right direction but if you needed step by step help with specific actions then you may want to consider hiring a consultant. Our consultants can provide you with better training and direction with respect to the customization you're working on. Consulting fees are billed in 1/2 hour increments and can cover training and/or customization while on the session.

dottie:
Any advice how to create these actions?

Yes - using the knowledge from my previous examples you'll want put the event action set that adds a job number into the new is this is job checkbox. The button we made already has the actions built so you just need to remove the call another action set we added to the OnScreenLoad under advanced (step 10 - 13 above). Next add the call another action set action to the OnTextChange event for your new checkbox.

Re: Job #'s

dottie — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 11:41:46 GMT

I also wanted to ask about the insert job number button that is underneath the insert job number box. What is the purpose of this button? Was it only created to customize the action of generating the job number in the read only area box or does this button give me the option of creating the job number when clicked and when not clicked no job number is assigned? Which may help with my previous question. If it doesnt provide these options and it is generating the number automatically when the button is clicked or not clicked, I would probably want to hide it from the screen if it is was only created for the customization requirement.

Re: Job #'s

dottie — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 11:32:43 GMT

This worked very nicely. One thing I need to do now is my Customers and Contacts are all entered in the new customer screen and I realized that my contacts will also have assigned job numbers. I created a box with a check mark that asks is this a job? and if it's checked, that is when the job number should be created. If left unchecked there should not be a job number assigned. Any advice how to create these actions?

Re: Job #'s

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 22:02:03 GMT

This solution is a little different but should work fine for you... On your CRM_NewCustomer screen:

In the column to the right of the Customer Name field drag out your custom jobnumber field then click Edit on that field.
On step 1 click Advanced Options then check Read Only and click Finish.
Next drag our a button object and put it on the next row below the jobnumber field and click Edit.
On step 1 give the button a caption of insertJobNumber and click Next.
Click the ... next to the Event dropdown and rename the event to insertJobNumber then click Finish.
Select the action Retrieve Value From Table with the following options:
- from table: Customer
- from field: RecordID
- where field: PortalUserName
- value is: Type In (then leave the input blank here - we want empty portalusernames)
- if multiple results: Retrieve Last (this is important!)
- place value in: Action Result with the name lastRecordID
- click save & close.
Next action is a Basic Math Calculation with the options:
- first value: action result: lastRecordID
- equation: +
- second value: Type In: 1
- no rounding, no decimal places
- action result name: lastRecordID
- click save & close.
Then add an Enter Value Into Field On Screen action with these options:
- update field: jobnumber
- with: action result: lastRecordID
- click save & close.
Click Finish.
Then beside the screen name in the designer click Advanced.
Click next to step 2 and add an action called Call Another Action Set - in the dropdown here select the action New Customer Information >> insertJobNumber
Click save & close.
Click Finish.
Then on the Buttons section click Show and edit the actions for the button save & new.
On step 2 of this button add the Call Another Action Set action with insertJobNumber.
Click Finish.
Click Hide on the buttons section.
Click Save & Close on this screen.

The action's above look through the customer table for empty portalusernames (none of your new customers will have this field populated yet) to get the very last customer RecordID. We then add one and enter it into the jobnumber field so it saves with this record.

Please let me know if you have any questions on this.

Re: Job #'s

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 20:53:35 GMT

dottie:
Any reason why this error is popping up?

Yes. The new customer screen won't have an active RecordID yet - let me just re-work this solution for the new customer screen and I'll post again.

Also the solution I posted checks to see if jobnumber is empty or not - so if your customer already has the jobnumber field populated then it would not update their record.

Re: Job #'s

dottie — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 19:50:04 GMT

I did the customization under the new customer screen2 because the all my curerent customers in the edit customer screen2 already have job#'s, I have assigned previously and I do not want to change them. In the new customer screen, I followed all the steps and put the job number box where I need it (by the customer name. However, I am receiving an error message:

Field 'JobNumber' cannot be udated in table.

Additional Information

Action Sequence Order: 12

I checked my work. Any reason why this error is popping up?