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CBS Help User Tips & Info  

User-friendly Hints and Tips

Here are a few general hints and tips to let you do things faster and demonstrate how user-friendly CBS really is. More specific information is presented throughout the User Help Manual pages.

To search for information on this Web Site
On any specific page, you can look for a particular string of text. Hold 'CTRL' and press 'f' and you will be presented with a 'Find' search pane, then simply type the text string and hit 'Enter'. If the text string is found, it will take you to it and highlight it.

Abbreviations & Acronyms
Yes, CBS uses both abbreviations and acronyms and we really make no apology for this approach - better to learn a simple 'shortcut' method of referring to things that could have rather long and technical names. With continuing use, it won't take long before you master them. Here are a few generic ones to start you off [others will be defined within text]:

  • CBS = Compass Business Suite [the term used to describe the database, and the related system functionality, design concepts and business processes]
  • CCA = Compass Commercial Australia [the business responsible for the management of CBS - a division of IBDC Advisory Services]
  • R-Click = clicking with the right mouse button [enables an additional choice to be made or provides access to additional functionality]
  • TT = Tool Tip [displays information when the mouse is hovered above an item]
  • FS = Filtered Search [the CBS method of finding records in the database]
  • LOV = List of Values [lists that are presented when called for]
  • DDL = Drop Down List [values that are presented for the User to choose from]
  • CB = Combo Box [User-entry or Drop Down List of values to choose from]
  • DES = Data Entry Screen
  • USN = User Support Note

    • General
    Before starting to work in CBS, make yourself aware of things that will make you more efficient in your work.

  • CBS is a multi-user system. A record cannot be modified by two Users at the same time [although collaborative effort is supported by concurrent viewing, functionality for each user to switch in and out of modify mode, and sub-records that can be modified by the same or different users at the same time]. So, to allow all Users access to records, if you are finished working with a record, get into the practice of closing the form.

    And, if you are leaving your computer unattended for a period, you should log off the system altogether [of course, you can leave the User License Acceptance screen open if others need to log on to CBS from the same computer]. This minimises the number of sessions open on the database and reduces the risk of unauthorised access through your login.

  • Throughout CBS, you will find that many buttons have a right mouse click [R-Click] option. This design reduces the clutter on each screen but still provides additional functionality or enables a further choice to be made. You can check what R-Click options are available whenever the TT says "R-Click for Options".

  • You will also find in CBS that many buttons, displayed text, fields, etc., have Tool Tips [TT's] that are displayed if the mouse is hovered above the item. The TT's are provided to give Users additional information or instructions.

    • Creating Records
    Before creating any record, it is ALWAYS best to do a search to make sure a record does not already exist. Perform several searches looking for it in a variety of ways in which it may have been named or recorded.

    Saving Records
    As a record is developed/modified, save regularly. Save at any time - it is not necessary to complete all details before saving a record (suggestion: when creating, save as each tab is completed; when modifying, save as each piece of information is entered and you go on to another thought - that way, if there is an internet 'glitch' or for some other reason, you lose access to the database, there will only be minor re-entry to do).

    Formatting Text
    In CBS the following key strokes enters a non-breaking space:
    Hold 'ALT' and press '0160' on the Number pad (the 'Num Lock' must be on).

    DDL Values
    There is a subtle difference between a Drop Down List [DDL] and a Combo Box [CB]. Combo Boxes present the same list of choices that a DDL does, but do not constrain the list so that the user can type other [free-text] values into the field.

  • To choose a value in a DDL, simply type the first letter and press the enter key or use the mouse and select the value from the list.

  • Choices presented in Drop-Down List fields [DDL's] are stored in the CBS Values Table and can be easily created or removed. If a new value is required or you wish to remove one, simply contact your (internal) CBS Administrator who will go through an evaluation and approval process before applying the change, or contacting CCA for assistance.

    • Filtering in a LOV
    There are two ways of searching for a record in LOVs. The first is faster, the second is more comprehensive.

  • When a LOV is presented, simply start typing what you are searching for - there is no need to click your cursor into the search field. This searches for the name of the item, starting with the first character - and each character typed will further restrict what is presented. It is not always necessary to type an entire text string - try using the first couple of characters and check whether you can see the item you are looking for.

  • If you cannot see the item, perhaps it is not named as you thought. In that situation, click the cursor into the search pane AFTER the '%' sign, type a text string (it does not need to be a whole word) that should be in the item name and hit 'Enter' [or press the 'Find' button]. This enables a much wider search than the first method and, if the characters typed, exist in a record, you will find it.

    • Enabling your internet browser to allow access to CBS

    Some computer systems or networks will not allow the user to access CBS without one or two actions.

  • Some computer operating systems and browser software may need a Java applet Plug-in to open a CBS session and access the Vault functionality. This is driven automatically from the CBS site when you first go to the CBS URL, and may take a few minutes to download [depending on the bandwidth of your internet connection]. Choose "Trust Oracle" and allow the "JInitiator" applet to install.
  • If your network administrator has set some restrictions on what URLs you can access or what ports you can use, you may need to request that they open a port directly to the CBS IP address [they should contact CCA for details]. This will allow you direct and unfettered access to CBS directly from your user login on any computer on your enterprise's secure network. If you are not on a restricted network [like when working from the field or at home], access to CBS should be quick and easy. If you encounter any problems, don't hesitate to call your system administrator or CCA direct.

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