Using reports

You can open SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) reports directly from TMW Operations menus and windows. SSRS reports let you:

  • View, interact with, and share information important to your business.

  • Automatically generate business documents such as load confirmation forms and trip sheets.

When you integrate SSRS reports with TMW Operations, you can view reports and data important to your current task without leaving the window where you are working. Depending on report configuration, the report can also use data from the current open record to display only information relevant to that record.

Accessing reports

Depending on the exact report configuration, you can open your report from the following locations:

  • A custom menu command

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  • A link embedded in a TMW Operations window

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  • A report viewer embedded in a TMW Operations window

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Once you open a report, you may need to provide:

  • Report parameters

    Report parameters tell the report what information to display. The report’s setup determines whether:

    • The host window provides the parameters.

      Note: The report may not load until you have retrieved a record in the host window.

    • You must enter them manually.

      • A parameter dialog box

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      • A parameter in the report viewer

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    • Report credentials

      Depending on the report’s design, you may need to enter a user name and password.

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These credentials vary based on the report design, and may not be the same as your TMW Operations login and password. Contact your system administrator for more information.

Layout of the report viewer

The report viewer can vary based the report’s design and how it was added to TMW Operations. This illustration shows the basic layout of the report viewer.

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A

You use the parameters bar to enter parameter values for the report. The specific parameters available vary based on the report design. Once you have entered parameter values, click View Report to reload the report using the new parameters.

B

You use the report toolbar controls to view, print, and export reports. The specific controls you see vary based on the report’s configuration.

For more information, see Report toolbar options. If you have additional questions about why certain toolbar buttons are enabled or disabled, consult your system administrator.

C

The report body contains the SSRS report. The information included in this section varies based on the report design.

D

The E-mail and Close buttons allow you to:

  • E-mail the report as a PDF attachment. For more information, see E-mailing reports.

  • Close the report

    Note: When viewing a report, you can:

    • Show or hide report rows

    • Change the report sort order

    • Change the page layout

    These changes are lost when you close the report viewer.

Note: The Email and Close buttons are not available for reports embedded directly into TMW Operations windows.

Report toolbar options

The chart below lists each report toolbar option. The specific options available in each report’s toolbar are based on the report’s design and configuration options. For more information, see these sections:

Command Icon Function

Page selection

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Selects a page in a multipage report

Back to parent report

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Returns to the parent report from a linked child report

Stop

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Stops loading the report

Refresh

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Refreshes the report using current parameter values

Print

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Opens the report printing dialog

Print Layout

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Toggles a preview of the printed report

Page Setup

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Changes the page setup for printed reports

Export

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Exports the report as various file formats

Note: An exported report may not have the same functionality, consult your system administrator or

Zoom

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Selects the report zoom level

Search bar

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Searches for text inside the report

Directory of report configuration options

TMW Operations offers two options for adding new reports. This table lists those options and provides links to the topics that describe them.

Report location Description

Custom menu command

Creating a custom menu command for a report lets users open the report from any TMW Operations window where the menu appears. Reports launched from a custom menu command cannot use data from the current open window.

Defining a custom command to run an Integrated Report

Report link or report viewer embedded in TMW Operations window

Embedding a report link or report viewer into a window gives you more control over how the report looks and what data it shows. Reports linked or embedded in a window can use field values from that window as report parameter values.

Adding links, reports, and custom grids to a window

E-mailing reports

If you open a report using a link or custom menu command, you can e-mail that report from inside TMW Operations. The system automatically attaches a PDF of the report. Depending on the report configuration, it may also set default values for the destination, subject, and e-mail message.

  1. You cannot e-mail reports embedded directly into a window.

  2. Sending e-mails in TMW Operations requires the SmtpEmailer General Info Table setting. For more information, see Setting up your system to send e-mail using SMTP.

To e-mail a report:

  1. Open the report you want to e-mail.

  2. If your report has interactive features such as drill-downs, filters, or custom sorting, arrange the report as you want it to be viewed by the recipient.

  3. Click Email.
    The Emailer window opens with the current report as a PDF attachment.

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  4. Fill in the other e-mail fields as needed.

    Notes:

    1. Some fields may have default values. These values were defined when the report was added to TMW Operations. For more information, see Configuring report options.

    2. If the From…​ field is blank, you do not have an e-mail address defined in your user profile. Contact your system administrator.

  5. When you are finished, click Send.