Graphical Views

To generate a graphical view: start by selecting a template or module (1.) and clicking a chart icon at the top (2.). If you chose only the module in Settings, then select the Template (3.) and proceed to choose the 'Group by' field (4.). 

The graphical representation appears once the grouping is defined. Use the More/Less button (5.) to toggle the display of graph settings.

Just as with list views, conditions can be applied to graphical views and saved. Interacting with elements of the graph, such as clicking on a bar chart column, allows for deeper analysis of the data segment.

It is also possible to create graphs with a single click in the Classic and Agent UI, by clicking a chart icon at the top. The visible data will be automatically shown in a bar chart, using the selected column attribute as the grouping attribute.

Classic:

Agent UI:

Note that the Graphical Views are available in the Agent UI, but they are in read-only mode.

Continuous Horizontal Axis

It is possible to allow the plotting of empty dates beyond the first and last data points in a graphical view, providing a more comprehensive representation of time-series data. For example, if you have a report showing values on each day of the previous 30 days, the graph will show an entry for each day, even if the value is 0 when this setting is enabled.

Enabling Continuous Horizontal Axis:

1. Open the the graph settings.
2. Ensure that the "Show empty time periods" option is enabled.
3. The "Continuous horizontal axis" option will become visible once enabled.
4. Toggle the switch to enable “Continuous horizontal axis.”

Please note, that Continuous Horizontal Axis is only supported with bar charts and line charts.

Filtering rules for Continuous Horizontal Axis:

• The filtered field must be the same as the one selected in the "group by" option and must be of type date.
• All filtering types are supported except for "exists" and "not exists.
• Date macros are supported for dynamic date filtering.
• Filters without one edge value (e.g., variations of greater and less) will automatically default to either the oldest value or today's date, depending on the specified direction.
• Note: Ensure that proper data formatting and configuration are maintained to maximize the effectiveness of the "Continuous Horizontal Axis" feature in your charts.

Calendar Views

Initiate a calendar view by choosing a template or module (1.). If only the module is picked from Settings, the Template (3.) is then selected from the corresponding module's template list. After selecting the template and the Start date (4.), the calendar view will be displayed. The Start date dropdown will only present date and date/time attributes.

To access additional settings, click the More/Less button (5.). You may set an End date (6.) to display issues on the calendar ranging from the start to the end date (for monthly and weekly views with only date fields) or from start time to end time (for weekly and daily views with time fields). By default, issues are shown as one-day events unless an end date is specified.

Hovering over a calendar issue reveals selected attributes in a tooltip (7.). The default monthly view can be switched using the Month, Week, Day buttons (8.), or by clicking directly on the week number or desired day (9.). A red outline indicates issues with missing or incorrectly ordered start and end dates.

Kanban Boards

Kanban Boards provide a visual workflow management system to track tasks. A Kanban Board creates transparency on what needs to be done in which order. The team can see who is working on what issue. Users can create Kanban Board views for any information recorded in Efecte’s service management tool. 

When creating a Kanban Board, choose:

• Lane attribute (1.) — a field with static or referenced values.
• Lane values for columns (2.).
• Unique identification number (3.).
• Subject for brief descriptions (4.).
• Labels (5.) — predefined static values.
• Label colors (6.) from a set palette.
• Assigned person (7.).
• Due time (8.) — a date or datetime field.

Reorder cards within a column or move them to other columns to update their lane attribute values. Kanban Boards also support view settings and conditions, with the option to display all cards, even those set as hidden.

Note: Moving Kanban cards impacts the lane attribute values and can trigger automated processes. Ensure you have the right permissions and be aware of the consequences of such actions.

Other key points are:

• Card Positioning: Users can prioritize tasks within a Kanban Board by dragging and dropping cards vertically within a column. The position of the card can indicate its priority or status.
• Horizontal Movement: Cards can also be moved horizontally across columns. This movement signifies a change in the stage of the workflow or status of the task. The 'lane attribute' of a card updates to match the new column's value when it's moved, and a new card is automatically added to the bottom of the new column.
• View Settings and Conditions: The board supports various settings and conditions, allowing for a customizable view tailored to the user's needs. Even cards that are typically hidden can be shown if the visibility is set to “All.”
• Permissions: To move a card, users must have the necessary permissions to update the 'lane attribute.' Without these permissions, the cards will remain static.
• Validation Rules: The system may require certain fields to be completed before it allows a card to be moved to a new column. If these fields are not filled out, the system will send a notification and the card will revert to its original position.
• Work-In-Progress Limits: Users with appropriate permissions can set limits on how many cards can be in a single column at once. This helps to prevent overloading a stage of the workflow.
• Automatic Movement: The system can automatically move cards to different columns based on predefined automations set up by the administrator. Users are notified when such automatic movements occur.
• Consistency Across Views: When there are multiple views for the same template, the ranking of issues is consistent across all views. This ensures that users have a unified understanding of the task priorities.
• Impact of Movement: It's crucial to understand that moving a card changes its 'lane attribute' and can trigger automated processes. This could lead to data being erased if that is how the tool is configured. Users should be mindful of these potential changes when interacting with the Kanban Board.

In essence, the Kanban Board is designed to be a dynamic and interactive tool for managing tasks and workflows, with various layers of customization and automation to streamline the process. Users must be aware of the permissions and implications of moving cards to ensure the integrity of the workflow management.

Personal Views

Users can save their views for personal use, but administrators and designated users can save views to roles. To save a view, click the save icon (1.) and enter a name (2.). You can specify the destination for the view by selecting a role or view folder from the tabs presented.

Views can be easily managed by entering the ‘Organize views’ menu (3.). In the menu, you can rename views by double-clicking on them. New folders can be created by clicking the ‘New folder’ button (4.). Views can be selected (5.) and moved (6.), copied (7.) or deleted (8.).

Public Views

Public views are accessible to all users. They are executed with the permissions of the user who saved the view. In Efecte cloud environments, public views can be shared externally by using the view URL.

Here's a detailed explanation of how public views work and their restrictions:

• Visibility and Execution Permissions:
  • All users can see public views.
  • When a view is executed, it uses the permissions of the user who saved the view, not the person viewing it. This means that the data shown is limited to what the creator of the view can access.
• Sharing with Non-Licensed Users: 
  • In cloud environments, public views can be shared externally by providing a URL to users who do not have a license for the Efecte ESM solution. This extends the utility of the Efecte platform beyond the internal licensed user base.
• Graphical Views:
  • Users with the appropriate permissions to view data cards for a particular template can 'drill in' to examine the underlying data within a public graphical view.
• List Views:
  • Public list views do not permit the opening of data cards directly from the view. This is a security measure to control access to detailed data.
• Calendar Views and Dashboards:
  • Calendar views and dashboards cannot be made public. These views contain potentially sensitive date-related information or aggregated data that may not be suitable for wider distribution.
• Creating and Deleting Public Views:
  • The ability to create a public view is a special permission. If you see the option to save views as 'Public views,' you have this permission.
  • When saving a public view, you must acknowledge that the view will run with your access rights.
  • If you have the permission to create public views, you also have the authority to delete any public view, not only those you have created yourself.
• Templates and Search:
  • Search templates and some other features are not supported for public views due to the potential complexity and specificity of searches that may not be applicable or appropriate for all users.

This public views functionality allows for a controlled transparency within the ESM system, where certain data or views can be shared broadly while maintaining data security and integrity through permission-based execution.