Tailoring NetSuite Dashboards | NetSuite Guide
NetSuite dashboards serve as a powerful tool to showcase reporting, saved searches, and various actionable data essential for effective decision-making throughout your day.
NetSuite Guide | Dashboard Personalization
In this section, we'll explore NetSuite dashboards in detail. These dashboards effectively present reporting, saved searches, and all the actionable data required for making informed decisions during your work within NetSuite. Reviewing your dashboard first thing in the morning enables you to identify important items that need immediate focus and to plan your day accordingly.
Ineffective use of NetSuite dashboards can result in lost opportunities and inefficient processes. If your team isn’t utilizing NetSuite dashboards to their fullest potential, you’re potentially missing out on ROI. Consider partnering with a knowledgeable NetSuite consultant to evaluate your dashboards and spot opportunities for enhancement.
NetSuite Dashboard Personalization Basics
This session will provide a high-level overview of dashboards. We’ll cover some straightforward, easy-to-navigate options and lightly touch upon some more advanced customizations, paving the way for deeper exploration if you choose. Start by clicking on the Home button located on the left side of your NetSuite navigation, followed by selecting 'Dashboard'.
Accessing your home dashboard will likely reveal a blank slate unless you have a pre-established role-based dashboard assigned to you, as it may only showcase the settings portlet:
To modify your dashboard, simply click the 'Personalize' dropdown found on the right side of the dashboard.
The available tabs include Standard Content, SuiteApps, and Currently Used. Here, the Standard Content tab allows you to choose the majority of your portlets.
If you have added any dashboard SuiteApps, you can check these options under the SuiteApps tab. In the demo account utilized for this guide, no Dashboard SuiteApps are installed, rendering this tab empty.
The third tab allows you to view all the portlets you are currently utilizing. In our example, it’s evident that the only item on this tab is the settings portlet.
New Release Portlet on the NetSuite Dashboard
One of the most valuable components of the dashboard is the new release portlet.
This is beneficial for administrators and decision-makers, as it provides insights into upcoming releases that you may wish to incorporate into your NetSuite system. For example, it shows information about release 2020.1, indicating a multitude of new features. It’s worthwhile to review these release notes to further enhance your system.
NetSuite Dashboard Portlets: Navigation
Several navigation portlets that you can incorporate into your NetSuite dashboard are already found in your header navigation. However, for frequent navigators, having these portlets accessible on your dashboard can streamline your workflow.
Recent Records Portlet
We will introduce the Recent Records portlet, a fantastic option for simplifying navigation within NetSuite.
This portlet serves the same purpose as the recent records dropdown in the header menu, but it presents the information in a more visible manner on your dashboard for quicker access.
Site Management Tools (SMT) Links
Depending on your NetSuite role and permissions, as well as whether you have SuiteCommerce, Site Management Tools links may be accessible. SMT provides a straightforward method for managing your SuiteCommerce website with drag-and-drop features. The SMT links portlet is quite self-explanatory, allowing you to add direct links to the Site Management Tools (SMT) interface of your SuiteCommerce website for easy access. Alternatively, you can access SMT by navigating to any page of your SuiteCommerce website, pressing the ESC key, and entering your credentials on the login page.
NetSuite Dashboard RSS/Atom Feeds
The RSS feed portlet functions as a valuable tool for connecting internal company information and showcasing content from external websites within your dashboard. For instance, if you operate an internal blog or a blog on your website and wish to share that content with all employees, you can effortlessly add links using the portlet, which can present up to 10 links. The RSS feed stands as a neat method for circulating information within your organization.
NetSuite Dashboard Shortcuts
The Shortcuts portlet showcases any shortcuts you have established within NetSuite. If you’re not familiar with NetSuite shortcuts, they act as bookmarks for any page, enabling swift access in the future. We won’t delve into creating NetSuite shortcuts in this tutorial, but it’s covered in our NetSuite Navigation guide linked below.
NetSuite Dashboard Portlets: Planning & Task Management
NetSuite Calendar Portlet
In addition, you can incorporate a calendar portlet. If you’re new to NetSuite’s calendar, it allows you to add events and synchronize with others' calendars. Simply create a calendar event, refresh the page, and your event will appear among the others on your calendar.
NetSuite Tasks Portlet
The Tasks portlet displays your available tasks. These are listed in activities scheduling and tasks; if you initiate a new task, it will show up right there.
NetSuite Dashboard Reminders
Next, we’ll examine reminders, which are particularly useful for your CRM, sales teams, or anyone involved in project management. You can customize the setup to choose which types of reminders you would like to display.
