Understanding the NetSuite Dashboard
The dashboard in your NetSuite user interface acts as a comprehensive collection of tabbed pages. It effectively illustrates your dashboard information and offers quick access to key performance indicators (KPIs), trend graphs, workbooks filled with charts, and reports. This detailed NetSuite Dashboard guide encompasses everything from the creation of custom dashboards to grasping fundamental performance indicators.
Users can tailor a unique dashboard setup under specialized tabbed pages known as the center. Each center serves specific job functions by providing access to the necessary pages and tools for daily activities. Moreover, dashboards streamline workflows and integrated processes, contributing additional business benefits.
What Exactly is a NetSuite Dashboard?
NetSuite Dashboards serve as a centralized space for aggregating all organizational data securely. Utilizing data visualization tools such as charts and graphs, dashboards are designed to give a thorough overview of business performance. Except for setup, customization, and document pages, all other pages within NetSuite link to the dashboard. Edit data easily to make informed, rapid decisions while obtaining a comprehensive view of your company in real-time.
Decreasing report compilation time
Creating a singular, reliable source of truth
Establishing more actionable objectives
Holding teams accountable
Enhancing team communication
Automating repetitive tasks
Minimizing human error
Accelerating data analysis
Guide to NetSuite Portlets
Access the content available on that page by clicking Personalize Dashboard in the Settings portlet or Personalize in the upper right corner.
The Personalize Dashboard panel displays the addable content to your dashboard on the Standard content page, but do remember that controls remain hidden until your pointer hovers over the portlet.
Initially, portlets may load slowly when they appear on a dashboard for the first time. NetSuite typically prompts users to minimize the portlet to enhance dashboard loading speeds.
To minimize the portlet, click the title bar, which will change into crossed arrows when hovered over.
To expand the portlet once more, click the title bar again.
Portlets containing recently derived data include a Refresh indicator. To access updated information, click the Refresh icon in the Reminder portlet.
Certain portlets, like Trend Graphs, Report Snapshots, and Phone Calls portlets, allow for a full-screen view.
In full-screen mode, the search results for List, Custom Search, Tasks, and Phone Calls portlets are displayed with more columns and rows.
The full-screen feature can be activated by clicking on the double arrow symbol found at the top right corner of the portlet.
Configuring NetSuite Dashboard Portlets
Most portlets present a Set Up link in the menu.
Upon clicking Set Up, a pop-up appears, enabling you to define the data and layout specifications.
The menu appears adjacent to the title bar on the right: dropdown options are available in certain portlets, like the KPI Meter.
It's important to note that you can only customize a portlet's data and layouts if it includes a drop-down list or menu with a Set Up link.
Here are concise tips for configuring various portlets:
1. Analytics: Select Set Up to choose your preferred workbook visualization from options like chart, pivot table, or table view. You can also set the portlet size and title layout.
2. Calendar: From the provided list, opt for the calendar you wish to display. Your default calendar will be visible.
3. Custom Portlet: Choose the source file for SuiteScript results by clicking Set Up.
4. Dashboard Tiles: Click Set Up and select Dashboard Tiles in the Source area.
5. Navigation Portlet: Access the Navigation Portlet from the Source box via Set Up.
6. Custom Search: Use Set Up to select a stored search and the number of displayed results. You can also determine if you'd like to view search results on a current or a new page, while giving your portlet a custom title.
7. KPI Meter: Choose a KPI from the dropdown to display. Click Set Up for options on date ranges, comparisons, and highlighting.
8. KPI Scorecard: Click Set Up to select a KPI scorecard and adjust layout settings.
9. Key Performance Indicators: Via Set Up, choose standard or custom KPIs based on saved searches, allowing for comparison and highlighting selections thereafter.
10. List: Use Set Up to pick the type of record and the number of records to show. Enable Inline Editing to modify records in the portlet directly.
11. Audit of my Login: Click Set Up to configure settings for tracking your login activities.
12. Phone Calls: Select the number of records to display via Set Up.
13. Project Tasks: Add a List portlet and set Project Task as the List Type under Set Up in the portlet menu.
14. Quick Add: Click Set Up to pick the type of record to be added.
15. Quick Search: After clicking Set Up, choose a field name from the Search For dropdown, then type keywords into the portlet's text box to specify the type of records to search.
16. RSS/Atom Feed: Set Up allows you to select a feed and configure display settings. Enter a URL if you want a custom feed.
17. Reminders: Click Set Up to choose reminder types and how many days in advance to show them.
18. Report Snapshot: Click Set Up to choose a date range for graph data in the report snapshot, as well as display type and layout parameters.
19. Search Form: If a stored search is set as the preferred search form for a record type, it can show up in a portlet on your dashboard.
20. SMT Links: Choose a domain and website for review or updates with SMT Links.
21. Shortcut: To rearrange shortcuts, select Set Up under Shortcuts; use New Shortcut to add a link if you know the page URL.
22. Tasks: Select the Basic view to showcase tasks assigned to other users in your system.
23. Trend Graph: Choose up to three KPIs to graph and layout options via Set Up. Adjust the X-axis scale of the graph by clicking on period options in the portlet.
Creating a Dashboard in NetSuite
Here are the steps for you to establish a NetSuite KPI dashboard.
Select a Layout
Navigate to the upper-right area of the homepage and click on layout. A drop-down menu with several layout options will be presented.
Add Content
To add or remove portlets, click on personalize in the upper right corner of the homepage. The left side of the drop-down menu will show various portlet types available for your dashboard. Hovering over the right corner of the portlet will reveal the drop-down menu. Click on Set Up, and different fields requiring configuration will appear.
How to Publish a Dashboard in NetSuite?
Ensure you're logged in with a role that includes center types. Role permissions are necessary for publishing dashboards.
Configure the dashboard as needed; several tabs can be published at once, including the creation and alignment of portlets. If it includes a custom center tab, ensure roles have access to it.
Find the public dashboard in the home screen within the settings portlet.
Name the published dashboard and input notes related to it.
In the “apply to tabs” section, select which tabs you wish to push to users with the newly published dashboard.
Upon finalizing all settings, save your changes. NetSuite will subsequently publish the dashboard to the desired roles.
Customizing Your NetSuite Dashboard
Click on Personalize located at the top right of your home screen.
A drop-down menu will open, allowing access to personalization options for dashboards.
Drag and drop the desired portlet onto the screen.
How to Add a Tile in NetSuite
Access Set Up, then navigate to dashboard tiles, manage dashboard tiles, and new.
On the dashboard tile page, enter values for fields like name, tile type, display, display order, and roles.
Under the data sub-tab, fill in values for display value, link, prefix, and suffix.
Modify the aesthetic of the tile as needed.
Click save and repeat these steps for each additional dashboard.
Changing the Color of Your NetSuite Dashboard
For those who wish to alter the color of their NetSuite published dashboard, the process is straightforward. Click the home icon on your dashboard and navigate to the set preferences menu. You can adjust the color scheme through the Appearance menu.
Applying Changes to Published Dashboards
When altering a personalized dashboard that you've already published, changes can be applied to some or all users’ dashboards based on their roles.
Step 1: Log in as the role used originally when the dashboard was published.
Step 2: Modify the dashboard you initially published for other roles.
Step 3: Click List near Publish Dashboard in the Settings portlet on your home page.
Step 4: Click Edit beside the dashboard you want to change.
Step 5: Apply the changes to users’ dashboards according to their roles in the Apply To Roles subtab.
Step 6: For each role, check the box in the Override existing user's settings column you want to modify. If previously checked, remember to recheck to apply new changes.
Step 7: Select "Save and Update Content" from the menu. A pop-up notification will appear, and you can choose to publish with existing tabs and restrictions or modify them. Users assigned the specified roles will see your changes on the published dashboard. In some instances, users may need to log out and back in for the modifications to be visible.
Publishing a Dashboard to Various Roles
Log in using the role originally employed for publishing the dashboard.
Make changes to one or more tabbed pages and save the settings.
On the homepage, click List next to Publish Dashboard in the settings tab.
Click Edit beside the changed dashboard.
Use the apply to Roles " function to apply the adjusted dashboard to users’ dashboards.
Through these methods, various nuances of customizing the NetSuite dashboard can seem challenging to manage effectively in real-time. However, partnering with a NetSuite Implementation partner can help ensure your dashboard is organized and functional.
