With the constant development of the simPRO software to improve functionality for our users we have decided to share tips & tricks with you regularly so that you can get more out of simPRO. This month we are going to have a look at a couple of smaller tips to get you using your system more effectively.

Client Custom Fields

Ever had some information that you want to store about a customer but there just has never been quite the right spot to do it. Hmm, I could put it in the notes, or perhaps I could use this field over here because I don’t seem to use it for anything else….

Hang on a tic, what if we could have a field set aside that specifically stores this information for me, wouldn’t that be easier than the guessing game?

Easy peasy. Providing you have access to do so, head to Admin → Clients → Custom Fields. Laid out very similarly to the asset and plant builders, you can create your own fields which can then be searchable and be used on reports if you would like them to be, or just there as a quick reference. You have the choice to pick from List, Text or Date type fields.

Now you can take the guess work out of it and just have a dedicated field set aside for that important information you have always hated to keep!

Linked Items

A very powerful and massively underutilised feature in the system is linked items. Linked items allow the system to suggest other items to be used on a quote/job in response to one that has been selected.

For example, I have chosen to build a padlock. So I choose the body of the lock, now that I have chosen that I now have a selection of barrels, pins, shackles, keys etc presented to me that I can use that are compatible to the body.

Or what about a simple power outlet. I have chosen a 2025, so now what about an option for faceplates that can go on there, or cabling options, mounting block or junction box perhaps?

It’s pretty simple, just go to the catalogue item in question, go to the linked items tab, browser through the rest of the catalogue and select the items you would like to link those to. Then when you’re in the quote/job/prebuild/kit/purchase order and you use that item (in the case of a quote/job if you use a prebuild with one of more items you will get an icon representing this) the system will alert you to the fact that there may be linked items you could choose to use along side this. Clicking ok will then show you this list to choose from.

So accessorise already.

What is Everyone Doing?

Ever wonder what people around you are actually up to all day? Maybe you would like to just keep an eye on things. Maybe you’re a closet big brother addict!

eh, anyway, there is a tidy report in the system that can show you an activity log of what people have actually been doing in the auditable area’s of the system.

Head over to Reports → Employee’s → History Log. There are date range filters, employee filters and specific filters for much more targeted searching, though basically it shows you what’s been happening.

That should satisfy that craving for you!