Generic Inquiries (GIs) in Acumatica are a built-in tool that allow you to extract information from anywhere in your ERP system (depending on user access permissions) and transform the data captured into customizable reports. This feature requires no coding background to take advantage of and grants users flexibility in how they build their reporting, as well as in accessing data from across the solution. In this blog we will demonstrate how to leverage Generic Inquiries to drill down further into any individual report.
Watch this video here to learn more, or continue reading below:
Acumatica Generic Inquires – Drill Down Demo
Introduction to Acumatica’s Generic Inquiries and Drill-Down Features
Acumatica offers a powerful tool with GIs known as the Generic Inquiry Writer, allowing users to pull and display data from various parts of the system. Available since the release of Acumatica 6, this feature enhances the capabilities of Generic Inquiries by enabling drill-down functionality and allows users to navigate through data layers seamlessly, from high-level reports down to individual records.
In this demo, we will explore how to leverage this feature using a Sales Order (SO) as an example.
Understanding Generic Inquiries in Acumatica
Generic Inquiries are a flexible tool that enables users to query the Acumatica database and present the data on Acumatica screens or external entities via OData feeds. All screens in Acumatica utilize data access classes to retrieve data, and Generic Inquiries offer a way to create unique data combinations from various screens.
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up GI Drill-Downs
- Starting with a High-Level Report
- Begin with a high-level report, such as the Salesperson Sales Report.
- Drilling Down into Monthly Data
- Click on specific data points, like a salesperson’s name, to drill down into the sales data for individual months.
- Exploring Individual Invoices
- Continue drilling down to view the invoices associated with the selected month and salesperson.
- Accessing Sales Orders
- Finally, drill down into the specific sales order linked to the invoice.
Creating Links and Navigation Parameters
To enable these drill-downs, you need to set up navigation parameters in your Generic Inquiry. This involves:
- Defining which screens and inquiries to access.
- Setting the necessary navigation parameters, such as salesperson ID and financial periods.
- Customizing the navigation path, including choosing whether links open in new tabs, the same tab, or as pop-up windows.
Extending Your Generic Inquiries
Acumatica’s drill-down feature is not just limited to predefined fields. You can extend your inquiries by adding user-defined fields to your screens, which then become available to the data access class. This flexibility allows for more detailed and customized reporting.
Learn More About Acumatica Generic Inquiries
Generic Inquiries in Acumatica Cloud ERP provide users of all backgrounds and technical proficiency (or those with lack thereof) to slice and dice data in the system without having to run through multiple exports. You can view our in-depth webinar below to watch SWK’s Acumatica consultants dive deeper into this tool and give you a step-by-step guide to getting the most out your GI reporting:
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