Here you can find the most recent Tech Tips from our newsletter.
Tech Tip #36: Preventing “Entity Not Loaded” errors with the ContainsData operator
Are you facing issues with rules in your system that trigger “Entity Not Loaded” errors? These errors often occur when a variable hasn’t been properly initialized before being used in your rules. A simple and effective way to avoid this issue is by using the ContainsData operator to check if a variable has been populated before proceeding with your rule’s logic.
How to Implement the ContainsData Check:
- Identify the Variable: Determine which variable(s) in your rule might be causing the issue due to uninitialized data.
- Use the ContainsData Operator: Before your rule tries to access or use a variable, include a check to see if the variable contains data. The basic logic structure is:
- If: VariableName Contains Data
- Then: Proceed with the rule actions.
- Prevent Errors: By adding this conditional check, you prevent the rule from running into a scenario where it tries to use an empty or unassigned variable, thus avoiding the “Entity Not Loaded” error.
- Test Thoroughly: After implementing these checks, test your rule across different scenarios to ensure that it behaves as expected and that no errors are triggered.
Pro Tip: It’s a good practice to apply this check to any rule where variable data might not be guaranteed to be present at runtime. This will help maintain the stability of your rules and ensure they execute without interruptions.
By integrating the ContainsData operator into your rule logic, you can safeguard your processes against common data-related errors, keeping your workflows smooth and reliable.
For more tips about using user-defined variables in the Rules editor, don’t forget to check this section in our Wiki!
Tech tip #35: Troubleshooting incorrect images in child repeater reports
If you’re having trouble displaying correct images when using a child repeater in your reports, don’t fret! Here’s how you can resolve issues where the same or an incorrect photo appears across multiple rows:
Steps by step:
Following these guidelines will help ensure that only the desired images are included in your child repeater report.
Tech tip #34: Stay updated with Resco Wiki changes using RSS/Atom feeds!
Keeping up with changes on the Resco Wiki is your best bet for staying informed of all our latest updates. However, whether it’s release notes, new features, or upcoming releases, it’s easy to get bogged down in any comprehensive list of recent changes.
Thankfully, tools like RSS and Atom feeds can make this whole process a lot easier – guaranteeing you receive only relevant information, delivered straight to your preferred feed reader.
Default wiki tools for change tracking:
Located on the left menu, this tool displays all recent changes across every page in the wiki. It’s comprehensive but may be a little overwhelming if you’re only interested in specific topics.
Available at the top of each wiki page, this feature shows the edit history of that particular page, giving a detailed timeline of changes.
Simplify tracking with RSS and Atom feeds:
Following the recent changes or page histories manually can get exceedingly tedious. That’s where RSS and Atom feeds come to the rescue!
https://docs.resco.net/mediawiki/index.php?title=Release_notes&action=history&feed=rss
If we wanted to instead follow the page on deprecations, we might adjust this link to read:
https://docs.resco.net/mediawiki/index.php?title=Deprecations&action=history&feed=rss
Additional tips and tools:
Pages worth following:
Make sure you follow pages like the general release notes, upcoming releases, deprecations and other key topics. This way, you’ll never miss an important update.
Tech tip #33: Disabling the CLEAR action in note attachments
When managing document actions within your application, it may sometimes be necessary to disable certain functionalities like the CLEAR action.
If you’ve tried disabling the delete rights in the configuration but the CLEAR action remains available, the solution involves adjusting the DocActions through the Note’s Form On Can Execute rule. Here’s how you can easily get this done.
Step-by-step guide:
This configuration helps maintain control over document management by ensuring that users can only perform actions that are explicitly allowed.
For more detailed instructions on configuring document actions, check out our in-depth guide on the Command Editor in our Wiki!
Tech tip #32: Effortlessly display Power BI reports in Resco mobile app without hassles
Trying to integrate Power BI reports into your Resco mobile app but hitting a licensing roadblock?
By using the “Embed to website or portal” option, you can include public Power BI reports in your Mobile CRM or other Resco apps through simple iframe integration.
This method is great for sharing insights without the need for viewers to have a Power BI Pro or Premium license.
What’s the deal?
The two-step process:
Key considerations:
For more information on Power BI in your Resco mobile applications and making the most out of your business intelligence tools, check out our documentation on the wiki.
Tech tip #31: Optimizing sync filters to reduce record cleanup delays
Encountering the dreaded “Many deletes in record cleanup” warning during synchronization can be a sign of inefficiency in your sync process. This will usually happen as a result of sync filters that aren’t properly configured, leading to the unnecessary download of records that are then deleted during the cleanup process. Here’s how you can tackle this issue and streamline your synchronization:
Review and Simplify Sync Filters: Start off by examining the sync filters for the entities that are causing delays. Simplifying these filters can prevent the system from downloading unnecessary records in the first place.
Ensure Consistency in Linked Entity Filters: When employing linked sync filters, such as connecting an account entity filter with a contact entity filter, it’s crucial to maintain consistent conditions across both filters to prevent discrepancies and unnecessary cleanup efforts.
Example: Imagine you manage a server with 1,000 accounts, 100 of which start with the letter ‘A’. Each of these ‘A’ accounts is linked to 10 specific contacts. You set your account sync filter to only include accounts starting with ‘A’. However, if your contact sync filter is configured to “get all” contacts without considering their linked account, you’ll end up with a mismatch.
This setup results in the system initially fetching all contacts, not just those tied to ‘A’ starting accounts. Consequently, a cleanup operation is needed to remove non-relevant contacts that don’t match the sync filters criteria, leading to unnecessary data handling.
To avoid this, ensure that the contact sync filter mirrors the account filter, for example, by setting it to only include contacts linked to accounts starting with ‘A’. This approach ensures data consistency from the outset, minimizing the need for cleanup and streamlining the sync process.
Monitor and Test Changes: Before rolling out changes to all users, test the updated sync filters and setup parameters with a small group. Monitor the synchronization performance closely to ensure that the changes are having the desired effect without causing additional strain on your server.
Use Diagnostic Tools: Utilize diagnostic logs and tools like the SyncStat Analyzer to gain insights into the sync process and identify areas for improvement. These tools can provide valuable information on how records are being handled during the sync process.
By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the number of records being unnecessarily downloaded and deleted, leading to faster and more efficient synchronization. Remember, optimization is an ongoing process, so continue to monitor your system’s performance and change things up as needed.
For more detailed instructions and insights, don’t forget to consult our wiki and consider watching our online training sessions on synchronization optimization.
Tech tip #30: Navigating option set customizations in Resco Mobile CRM
In the world of mobile CRM, tailoring the user experience to fit specific business needs is essential. One common scenario involves customizing option sets – dropdown menus that present a predefined list of choices. These are used across various entities within the application, such as accounts, contacts, or custom entities designed to suit your business processes.
On the backend, a large variety of statuses exist, and you most likely want to restrict mobile users to the use of only a specific subset. However, a lesser-known aspect of working with option sets in Resco Mobile CRM can lead to unexpected data changes if not handled with care.
The Challenge:
Imagine that an account’s relationship status needs to be categorized differently based on the project context within the same CRM system. You synchronize your mobile CRM app to reflect a specific relationship status for an account, say “Customer” in one context and “Consultant” in another. Upon switching contexts, you find that the account’s relationship status automatically adjusts to a new value without any manual input, potentially leading to confusion or data integrity issues.
Under the Hood:
This automatic adjustment is the result of the “Set Combo Items” function being triggered on form load, a feature designed to filter and potentially reset option set values based on predefined rules. While its primary intent is to streamline form customizations and ensure data consistency, it might inadvertently overwrite existing data if not configured carefully.
Solution and Best Practices:
• Understand Usage: It’s crucial to know that while the function is intended for filtering option set items, it can also reset values to a default or first alphabetical choice if the existing value doesn’t match the newly filtered set.
• Implement Strategically: When leveraging the “Set Combo Items” rule, especially in forms associated with existing records, it’s essential to consider the impact on data already entered. If preserving existing data is crucial, developers must implement logic checks to prevent unintentional overwrites.
• Test Thoroughly: Before deploying any changes involving option set customizations, conduct extensive testing across various scenarios and user roles. This ensures that the application behaves as expected and that data integrity is maintained across different project contexts.
• Encourage Feedback: get users to report any unexpected behaviors related to option set customizations. This feedback will prove invaluable in identifying and rectifying potential oversights in rule configurations.
Conclusion:
Option set customizations in Resco Mobile CRM offer powerful flexibility for tailoring application behavior to specific business needs. However, understanding and cautiously implementing features like the “Set Combo Items” function are critical to maintaining data integrity and ensuring a seamless user experience.
If you’d like to learn more, don’t forget to check out our wiki!
Tech tip #29: Reviving closed opportunities with ease
In the traditional sales process, we typically deal with standard entities like opportunities, leads, or orders, though the specifics will vary from one customer to another. It’s worth noting that Resco Mobile CRM, by default, doesn’t permit the reactivation of closed opportunities. If this functionality is critical for your operations, you’ll be pleased to learn that the solution is a lot simpler you’d think!
Solution:
Takeaways:
Additional insights:
By understanding and applying these tips, users can efficiently manage and reactivate closed opportunities, ensuring no sales potential is left untapped. Always remember to review command configurations and rules for optimal application performance!
Check out our Wiki for more detailed guides and tips on customizing your application’s behavior with OnCanExecute rules and other functionalities.
Tech tip #28: Create a gallery view for documents and images
Discover how to create a practical and appealing gallery view in just a few simple steps!
Here’s how:
Tech tip #27: Streamlining Data Access with the “Not Older Than X Days” Operator
Have you ever found yourself sifting through a sea of outdated tasks, work orders, or bookings on your mobile app? Say goodbye to inefficiency with our latest feature: the “Not Older Than X Days” operator. This new addition to your toolkit allows you to easily filter and display only the most recent and relevant data, based on the date of record creation or change. This means you can now see tasks or work orders that are, for instance, no older than 10 days – ensuring that the information you access is always fresh and pertinent.
How to Use This Feature:
Benefits:
For more details and in-depth guidance, don’t forget to keep an eye on the wiki. This feature will be available and fully documented in the Winter 2024 release.
Tech tip #26: Streamlining report creation from questionnaires
In the wake of our recent update, have you noticed a change in the process of generating reports from questionnaires? You’re not alone! To adapt, remember that while the automatic reports in the Questionnaire Designer are handy, they might not cover all of your needs. For those instances, turn to the Report Designer to craft custom reports with ease:
Learn more on Resco Wiki.
Tech tip #25: Enhance your global reach with questionnaire localization
By localizing your questionnaires, you’ll bridge communication gaps and deliver a user-friendly experience to all field service technicians, regardless of language barriers. This enables you to provide tailored content in multiple languages, ensuring clarity and accuracy across diverse user bases.
Implementing Localization:
Learn more on Resco Wiki.
Tech tip #24: Optimize client engagement with ‘Select Form’ rule
Use the ‘Select Form’ rule to distinguish between existing customers and potential customers, presenting a tailored form for each group. This smart customization helps to deliver focused user interfaces for data entry and retrieval.
By dynamically adjusting the form view you ensure a streamlined and relevant experience for users, enhancing their ability to maintain existing relationships and develop new ones.
Learn how to set it up on Resco Wiki.
Tech tip #23: Improving advanced sync setups
It’s time to optimize your synchronization for maximum efficiency. Here are two tips we think might save you time and effort in the future.Advanced sync setup modifications:Update your settings to adjust DownloadPageSize. Doing so can dramatically reduce your latency. Keep in mind, this will use more memory.
Pro Tip: Different entities can have different page sizes. For smaller records, you can afford to set a higher page size without worrying about memory.
Tweak NumDownloadThreads. More threads can help you speed up downloads.Remember, “small records” refer to those with minimal data—not just the number of columns or size of text columns. Also, attachments like activitymimeattachment.body and annotation.documentbody are not counted, as they usually contain larger data and are downloaded separately.
Check out the deep dive on Resco Wiki.
Tech tip #22: Rename [Clear] option in option set questions
You now have the ability to rename the default null option, labeled as [Clear], in your option set questions. This feature allows for more personalized and intuitive questionnaires.
To take advantage of this feature, please ensure the following:
Remember, customization can make your questionnaires more user-friendly and context-specific!
Explore more new features from the Fall 2023 Release on Resco Wiki.
Do you need further technical assistance?
You can reach out to our support team via our Partner support page, Resco Support Portal or search our Wiki.
