Generate Quote using Narrative Reports in CRM On Demand

Hey Guys,

One thing we all think about is how to design a simple solution to a complicated requirement and so today lets see how to create a Narrative report for a 1:M relation. As you may know Narrative Report can be used only on one record. But, using a combination of reports, we can do the a LOT more!

All we need to do is create 2 reports linked to each other and add them to a Dashboard. let me show you how.

Step 1: Create a Opportunity Parent Report

Using Opportunities Subject Area (Reporting  or Real-Time) Add the fields you would like to use on the Opportunity Information Section of the Quote report.

In Step 2: Create Layout, Add a Narrative View and use the this code
Opportunity Parent Narrative View Code. Make sure you use the @"Number" symbol in the right places, or the values would display against the wrong columns.

You'll notice that the values are not correct in this preview, don't worry. since this report is not being filtered from the Prompt yet, the right values do not appear.

Save the report

Step 2:  Create a Opportunity Product Report

Using Opportunity Product Revenues Subject Area (Reporting  or Real-Time) Add the fields you would like to use on the Product List.
Note that I am filtering the contents of this report based on the results of the Opportunity Parent Report.
In Step 2: Create Layout, Add a Table or Pivot Table (Whichever works for you) and a Narrative View and use the this code Opportunity Parent Product Narrative View Code.

You'll notice that the values are not correct in this preview, don't worry. since this report is not being filtered from the parent yet, the right values do not appear.

OK. Save the Report.

Step 3: Create a Dashboard

Create a New Dashboard and give it a name. In the Design Section add both the above reports.

Save the Dashboard.

Step 4: Create a Web Link (Last Step)

Create a Web Link on  Opportunity and in the URL text area, add the link to your Dashboard you created in Step 3. You can get the URL by Viewing the Source Code

Ex: https://secure-ausomxxxx.crmondemand.com/OnDemand/user/analytics/saw.dll?Dashboard&PortalPath=%2fshared%2fCompany_XXXXX_Shared_Folder%2f_portal%
2fOpportunityQuote+Report&Options=rfd&Action=Navigate&P0=1&P1=eq&P2=Opportunity%2E%22Opportunity%20ID%22&P3=%%%Id%%%

The %%%Id%%% will dynamically change on clicking the Web-Link from your Opportunity Detail Page and display the Opportunity and Opportunity Product Information on your Quote Report


Make sure you test the URL by Adding a Opportunity ID and running the URL in your browser.

After creating the Web-Link, add it onto your Opportunity Layout.


Finally: Let's see how this report works in reality.

Goto any Opportunity that has at least One Product associated

Now click the "Generate Quote" link that you added. You should now see your Opportunity and Opportunity Product Information in a beautifully formatted Quote Report.

Now, it's time for you to go and impress your customers!

If you have any questions about the post, feel free to add your comments!

Cheers!
Ryan

Tips 'n Tricks for Oracle CRM On Demand

An excellent free book providing tips and tricks fro improving your Oracle CRM On Demand application. - by Mathieu Emanuelli and Joann Alejandro Bravo

Cheers!

Create an HTML email in Oracle CRM On Demand

Hey Folks,

For any business, It's very important to keep your customers happy at all times.You need to constantly keep them updated on how their service requests are being processes. Below is one such example

I recently came across a requirement in which my client wanted to have some functionality in which, when a new SR is created, a Service Representative should be able to generate a neatly formatted email with all the required information and send it across to a Customer, so they know that the SR is being looked into, something like a SR Acknowledgment.

Here's what I did for them!

Solution:

Step 1: Build the Report
Create a Narrative Report that will contain all the required fields that is required to send out an email.

In Step 2 on the reports wizard add only a Narrative View

Save the report


Step 2: Create a Weblink and add to the Layout

Create a Weblink field in the Service Request Object.
Edit the weblink properties and add it to your report, note that we are passing the SR number as a parameter in the report, so we get details specific to this record only.

Add this weblink to the Layout assigned to your user role.

Step 3: View your changes
Create  a new SR record or view an existing SR record that has all the required fields you need to successfully send out the email. You should see the email weblink that we created in Step 2 above

Click on the Weblink to launch the report. you will now see your neatly formatted email with all the required details.

Step 4: Add this in Outlook.
In your IE menu bar click File -> Send -> Page by E-mail...

The above step will create new email in Outlook with your formatted report.

 

And you're ready to go!

Cheers!

Generate pdf report with Images in CRM On Demand

Hi,

I had a requirement where the client had to display their company Image on pdf when the report was downloaded, the Image I was referencing was on their Company Portal. unfortunately the pdf file wouldn't pick this image, it worked only for HTML downloads.


Here is how you do it!

You can get Images from websites into your pdf file, but this will include two extra clicks...

Go to any report, click the “Printer Friendly” option, and select HTML.


  





An HTML webpage will be generated for that report, now in that web page in the Menu bar, go to File and select Print…

 









The below popup screen will be displayed, select “Adobe PDF” and click Print.

After you click Print you will have to save the Report, the save as type is automatically set to PDF, enter the Name . 

 













And your pdf is generated will the Company logo.

Cheers!

Oracle CRM On Demand and Google Talk

Hey Guys,

If you are a Google Talk user, you may be aware that there is a link that allows you to sign into your Google account and chat with your contacts without the GTalk setup installation.

We are about to use this cool feature in Oracle CRM On Demand to help Service Reps to chat with customers to resolve their queries.

This feature may also be available for other messengers (yahoo, rediffmail, windows live), but let’s talk about Google for now.

  

Step 1:  

Navigate to Admin---Application Customization---Global Web Applets. 

Create a New Web applet and Fill in the below. You may also choose to have this on the Homepage according to your requirement.

URL: http://talkgadget.google.com/talkgadget/popout?

Step 2:  Add the Custom Web Applet to your Action bar for the ‘My Setup---Personal Layout---Action Bar Layout’ Global link.

You should now see the Custom Web applet on your Action Bar.

Finally, Sign in to your Google Account by clicking the sign in link and enjoy!  Cheers! 

 

Narrative View in Oracle On Demand

Here is a post about Narrative View's in Oracle On Demand. Thanks to my good friend and colleague Asmita for sharing this.

  

Narrative view allows report users to display multiple reports or virtually any HTML content.

Narrative view is used to create letters, quotes, or invoices.

Using Narrative view we can embed other reports, web pages, or any HTML document.

Step 1: Select the appropriate Subject Area and add the columns/data you want to display in the report

Step 2: Code a HTML file as per required format. To embed report columns in to HTML add ‘@’ followed by column number.  

E.g. @1 – Society Name

Note: Count Columns from left to right.

Step 3: Add a Narrative view to your report by clicking the Add View button, moving to the advanced submenu, and selecting the Narrative option.

Step 4:  

-The Edit View: Narrative window contains five fields

- Add HTML file syntax created in Step 2 in Narrative field

- Save and Run

Useful tips:

·         Alignment sometimes gets confused, set it at the narrative format level to left.

·         Sometime you need to edit the HTML, for sizing, row breaks.

·         Keep it simple to start with.

·         Use tables for layout where you can.

·         You can insert images but they must be accessible to all users.

·         Use the narrative object to integrate external websites for information.

·         Add a web link to launch the report specifically for a contact/account etc. e.g. the change of address.

·         Narrative reports need the scripting privilege on your role to access.

Cheers!

Invoke an external executable from Oracle On Demand

Hey Folks,

I recently came across a requirement which needed the user to call a contact from within Siebel On Demand using Skype.

Here is how you achieve this-

Requirements:

 
You need to have Skype installed on your local machine for this to work.

Configuration:

 
 Create two Fields:
 1. Skype Id (Field Type = Short Text)
 2. Skype URL (Field Type = Web Link)

Now, click the “Edit Web Link” to edit the properties.

In the URL you need to specify the callto function and pass the Skype Id of the contact you want to call.

See below screen print.

Save the changes.

Now Create a Contact with the Skype Id and save it, go to the Detail Page, notice that the Skype URL is auto populated since you are passing the parameters.

 

 

And you’re ready to make your first Skype call from Siebel On Demand.

When you click this Web link for the first time, you will receive a popup

Click the Check box if you always want to call Skype, otherwise you will have to select the Skype application whenever you make a call. 

 That’s all and you’re done.

Happy Calling!

 

Salary trends for Siebel, Salesforce and CRM On Demand

Here is a graph that shows the Salary trends for Siebel, Salesforce and CRM On Demand. Looks good right ;)

Cheers!