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The Anatomy of iMaint Windows
Once you log into iMaint the main iMaint Navigation Window displays. Virtually every functional area of iMaint can be reached from the Navigation window by a simple series of point-and-clicks. It displays and behaves in ways typical of most iMaint windows, and is designed to make navigating iMaint as simple as possible.
Main Menu
When using the traditional navigation tree the Main Menu will display three panes. The pane directly below the navigation tree contains the iMaint logo, telephone number and email address for Support. Click on the iMaint logo to open the DPSI Home Page. If you wish to email the DPSI support team, simply click on the email address. If you have Dashboard installed and licensed, the pane on the right allows you to set up and display a dashboard. You may also drill down through the information displayed on the dashboard to view the details. If you have not purchased the iMaint Dashboard application, the pane will simply display the screen below. When clicked on, the dashboard picture will launch the DPSI web page containing information about the iMaint Dashboard application. Please, see the iMaint Dashboard User Guide for information on how to display a dashboard within the Main Menu.
Clicking-and-dragging the title bar, (the top of the form) can move all iMaint windows that are not maximized.
Alternatively, the Control Box, the icon located at the extreme left of the title bar, offers menu options, along with their corresponding shortcut keys, for moving, sizing and closing windows.
Changing the Size of iMaint Windows
All re-sizable windows have the standard Windows size buttons at the right end of the title bar, as well as the standard Windows resize indicator in the lower right corner.
A modal window is opened from a parent window. A modal window can be a parent window, but must be closed before you may again access the original window or any other area of the application.
When a window is resized, the contents of the window adjust to the new dimensions. The size of the text it contains remains the same. Some iMaint windows are not re-sizable. In general, a window is re-sizable if it:
• Contains a grid (similar to a table)
• Is a pop-up that displays multiple comments
Closing Windows
Most iMaint windows are closed by clicking on the Close box in the extreme right corner of the title bar.
Displaying More Than One Window at a Time
You can display two or more iMaint windows simultaneously, however, normal processing does not require you to do this and we do not recommend this as normal business practice. In the event that you need to simultaneously display two instances of a window (e.g., Asset entry), open a second instance of iMaint (the application, itself) while the first remains active. It is then possible to view an Asset in one Asset data entry window, and at the same time, add a new Asset in the other instance of the window.
Auto Save
iMaint offers an Auto Save functionality, tied to the User Profile. When the user moves from screen to screen, or shifts focus from window to window, iMaint will automatically save the record.
iMaint Navigation Toolbar
The toolbar on the Navigation window offers access to multiple functions and tools to help you work within iMaint.
File
Use the File menu to find the logout or exit functions.
Tools
The calculator is a standard Windows utility and the calendar is custom to iMaint under the Tools menu. The Tools menu calendar is not the same one accessed from date fields on the Dates/Cost tab and elsewhere in iMaint. The iMaint Calendar is more sophisticated and more closely integrated into the application’s design.
The iMaint Navigation Tree
The iMaint Navigation window, allows you to get anywhere in the system using the Navigation Tree to access the different modules. Under each module is a node to open either a window or data entry form. Simply, click on the desired module to open the node, and click on the desired form to open the window.
For example, under the Asset module, drill down using the Navigation Tree to view the Asset data entry form.
Each user can have a customized iMaint Navigation tree. It is important to remember that a custom Navigation Tree is not a form of security. Users may still have access to different areas of the software through the forms and windows. To simplify an employee's job, you can pair down the Navigation Tree and assign it to their User Profile. For example, an inventory clerk may not need access to the Work Orders, Scheduling, Procedures/Task, Resources, Customers and General Ledgers modules. With a custom navigation trees, you can give users quick access to where they need to go most. For more information, see the iMaint System Administrators Guide on how to create and deploy custom navigation trees.
Tile Menu
iMaint offers an optional tile menu for touch screen devices. This can be turned on for both touch screen devices and desktop computers for use with a mouse. This option is found on the toolbar, under View. When Touch Menu is enabled, tap or click on the desired blocks to drill down to the form level. For users with a touchscreen device, you may tap inside the field to launch a keyboard. When complete, tap outside the field to dismiss the keyboard.
Click on the bread crumb bar, highlighted in yellow below, to drill back to the home menu.
iMaint Forms
When you click on the name of the window within the navigation tree, the corresponding form opens. In this section we will cover items you may find on a typical iMaint form. Using the Asset form, let's start at the top. To know where you are at all times, simply look at the top of your form. This is call the Title bar.
From the Title Bar you can click on the iMaint icon to launch the control box, used to size and close the window. You have two quick access buttons for the Save and Undo functions. The Database/Site name you are working in, along with the form name will always display.
iMaint also offers Pinch and Zoom. To pinch with your fingers, make sure you are not touching a field within the form. Or use the zoom button at bottom of each form to enlarge and shrink the size of the forms.
Ribbons
Ribbons are what the menu bars below the Title Bar are called. Ribbons contain a number of command options that you must be able to access at any time (e.g., Save, Close).
File
The File menu does not display automatically, you have to click on the first icon in the Ribbon. When you click on this icon, you will find functions related to the specific form. New, Save, Duplicate, Delete, Print and Close, along with a list of the Recently Modified and Recently Created records.
Home
The Home ribbon is the default display and will contain popular functions used to create, edit, filter data, save, undo changes and print. The Home ribbon will also include functions specific to the records or data set, such as the Asset History on the Asset form.
Thumbnails
On the Asset, Parts, Contacts, View Process Work Request, Work Order and Purchase Order forms users may set one of the linked attachments as a thumbnail image on the ribbon bar. When you are on one of these forms, display one attachment record as the thumbnail by checking the Thumbnail box in the Attachments grid.. Simply, click on the thumbnail inside the ribbon bar to enlarge the image quickly. Note, only attachments defined with a URL link will display as the thumbnail. iMaint will not display a thumbnail of what is inside the Printable Content box of the attachment record. The purpose of a thumbnail is to give you a quick view of the linked attachment. Click on the thumbnail icon, and iMaint will open the link to display the graphic.
Tools
Standard tools such as the calculator, calendar and email can be found under the Tools ribbon.
View
iMaint allows you to see data using three different methods, Datasheet View, Tab View and Tree View.
Tab View
Tab View is what defaults. You see one record of data at a time and use tabs to navigate through the data. You will find tabs of data across the top of the form and subtabs of data that run along the bottom. The top tabs, such as Primary, Secondary, Dates/Cost, Totals, all contain data that makes up the record. The subtabs, such as Parts, Work Orders, Attachments, Schedules, are information that is linked to the record.
Datasheet View
The Datasheet displays in rows and columns the same information that is on the top tabs of the Form view. For example, the Datasheet view of the Asset form will display data on the Primary, Secondary, Dates/Cost, Specs, User Defined, and Totals tabs of form view. None of the sub tabs, information related to the primary record, can be displayed within the Datasheet View due to the one to many relationship that often occurs. For example, you may have multiple parts associated with a single Asset. Therefore, only the top tabs of information belonging to the Asset record can be shown in a Datasheet View.
Since the Datasheet View displays multiple records at one time, it is a convenient and quick way of locating records and sorting them by any of the fields (e.g., Asset Type, Status ID, etc.). You will find the Datasheet View option on most iMaint forms, such as Work Orders, Purchase Orders, Schedules, Procedures and many more.
Edit single and/or multiple records quickly. The same business rules and security will apply in Datasheet View that are in place during Tab View. For example, if you have the permissions to change a status or delete a record in Tab View, you may also in Datasheet View.
Click on the column name and drag it to a desired position to set the columns in a layout that is right for you. The user logged in, can move columns of data into a desired position and they will remain in place for that User ID. Reset the column order on a single form, such as the Asset form, back to initial iMaint installation positions by using a right click option on any column heading. Alternatively, reset all the Datasheet Views column settings within iMaint from your User Configuration window under Utilities Management. Click on the Tool ribbon and take the option to Reset All Grids.
DPSI suggests extra caution when using the Datasheet View to make updates to data. You have the ability to change multiple records at once, which also means you could make multiple errors all at once too.
Printing from a Datasheet View
You will also be able to print specific data while using the Datasheet view. Simply, click on the Print icon to display the selection window. All fields will be listed and default marked to print by default. Un-check any field you don't wish to print. Or use the Select All or De-Select All to pick the columns you want to print.
Use the text box called Print Title to name your printout. Select the page layout of Portrait or Landscape and click on Ok. Make sure you have a default printer set up.
If you wish to change print properties, such as the paper size, margins and print color, use the Print Properties on the Printer. If your files automatically print from your default printer, have your administrator help you set up your printer to spool the items. Spooling the items will prevent the file from being automatically printed, allowing you to change additional print properties from the printer before the file is actually printed.
Tree View
The Tree view displays one record at a time, allowing you to navigate the form using a navigation tree instead of tabs and subtabs. Click on the area of the record you wish to display in the tree pane, and the corresponding information will display.
Tree view offers you a graphic overview of the record the branches spread from the Header information tabs down to the forms subtabs. Clicking on the nodes of the tree will take you to that area of the form.
Properties
iMaint tracks the User ID Created, Date Created, User ID Changed and Date Changed on all records. Display this data by clicking on the Properties box in the ribbon bar. When clicking on the Properties button in the ribbon bar, the popup window will show the data for the record currently displayed. Upon creation of a record the same Date and User ID will be used for both fields. When a change occurs, the User ID Changed and the Date Changed will be updated.
In most data grids, you can scroll across the screen to view the property fields but you may also use the right click menu to access Properties of each record.
The Anatomy of an iMaint Form
On a single form you may have information presented to you in various different types. The following terms are used to define the parts of a form in iMaint.
Note: If all the information on a form is too overwhelming for a user, remember iMaint can be scaled down. Use the section in the iMaint System Administrator Guide regarding the Form Designer to learn more. This guide will use the default, out-of-the-box, iMaint forms as examples.
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Description |
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Tabs |
Display across the top of a form and display information of the specific record you have selected to display. Can consist of fields, grids and sub tabs. |
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Sub Tabs |
Display across the bottom of a form and contain information that is directly related to the record selected. These may contain fields or grid lines. |
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Grids |
Grids are used to display multiple records at one time. They may be used within Tabs or Sub Tabs to display records of data related directly to the record displayed in the Primary Tab. |
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Fields |
iMaint utilizes multiple types of fields. Right click inside a field to display a pop-up menu. This can be done within grids too.
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Navigating Grids in iMaint
Within some parts of the iMaint forms you will find grids with detail lines. Using a combination of the Tab and Arrow keys on your keyboard you may navigate around the tabs down to the sub tabs currently displayed on the form. But when you reach a grid, use the Arrow keys to move across the individual lines. Using the Tab key will only place the cursor out of the grid and onto the next part of the form.
For example, if you have the Asset form open with the Primary tab displayed, using the Tab key you can move through all the fields. When you reach the last field, the Tab key will take you to the Sub Tab section, but it will not change the sub tabs display. You will need to click on the desired sub tab in order for it to display. The cursor should be located in the first field, of the first row. Use the mouse to select another row. Or use the Arrow keys to navigate across the rows.
Note: In iMaint 4.x, navigation key strokes may be different. This change had to occur to give you the ability to edit the data in Datasheet view and within the grids.
The Status Bar
Useful information regarding iMaint activity displays at the bottom of the window. The Status Bar displays the current processing state of the window, and if an error occurs during processing this is where the error message is displayed. You will then need to navigate to the Validation Errors section to proceed. The Status Bar also displays the system date and time, as well as the number of records returned to the form.