Eclipse Messaging Release 9.0.3
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Table of Contents Eclipse Messaging Overview... 1 Interactive Display... 1 Edit Message Preferences... 2 About the Eclipse Conversation Window Layout... 3 Accessing Eclipse Messaging... 3 Interactive Display... 3 Sending and Forwarding Messages... 5 Pop Up Messages and Quick Replies... 7 Sorting Messages... 8 Searching for Messages... 9 Example of Search Results... 9 Receiving Messages... 11 Deleting Messages and Conversations... 13 Viewing Messages... 14 Viewing Reports from Eclipse Conversations... 15 Creating Trackers from Messages... 16 Creating Message Groups... 17 Viewing and Editing Message Groups... 18 Index... 19 i
Eclipse Messaging Overview Eclipse Messaging, also known as Eclipse Conversations, is an electronic notification system for communicating with other system users. The interactive features let you be more efficient and effective in your communication and day-to-day work. Note: Eclipse messages are automatic notifications from the system when processes are complete, such as reports. Eclipse conversations are messages between live users. For the purpose of this documentation, messages encompasses both kinds of notifications. Use the Message System for the following: Managing Messages - Use the Conversations window to view and manage your messages. Edit Message Preferences - Customize the message preferences and select the settings. Sending Messages - You can send a message immediately or schedule it to send at a later time. Viewing Reports - Use the Conversation List and the Phantom Report messages to view reports. Viewing Logged-on Users - From the Message System window, access a list displaying all user IDs for users currently logged on to the system. Creating Message Groups - Create message groups to send a single messages to a defined group of users at one time. Viewing and Editing Message Groups - Use this option to view and edit existing message groups. Searching for Messages - Use a text string or user name to locate a message quickly. Interactive Display In Release 9.0.0 and higher, the Eclipse Conversations window replaces the Eclipse Message Queue and lets you see what messages you have from users, the Phantom processor, or Report Scheduler. For more about this layout, see Eclipse Conversation Window Layout in this documentation. 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved. 1
Edit Message Preferences Rel. 9.0.3 Edit Message Preferences The Messaging tab on the User Preferences window gives you control of how you want your user messages and phantom messages handled. New options let you select where and for how long you want messages to display on your desktop. You can also keep the message count on the User Control panel to only user messages and hide the phantom message count. To edit your message preferences: 1. Click the Settings icon and from the Main Solar drop-down menu, select Solar Preferences. 2. Select the Messaging tab. 3. Use the Solar Message Notification Options area to set your preferences on how you want to receive notifications, such as the location of the phantom popup messages. For full details on each of these options, see Setting Up Solar Preferences in Application Maintenance. 4. Click OK to save your changes. 2 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved.
Rel. 9.0.3 Eclipse Messaging About the Eclipse Conversation Window Layout Use the Message Queue to view and manage your messages. The system stores your sent and received messages until you delete them. From the Message Queue, you can view your sent or received messages, delete duplicate messages, and send, resend, or forward a message. You can search your messages to locate a specific word string or sender. Additionally, you can create a new tracker and copy the message into it to send to users for follow up. You can view a tracker references in a message, print the displayed messages, and send the displayed messages to your Hold file. You can also view a dialogue of all the messages exchanged between you and another user. Accessing Eclipse Messaging Display Eclipse Conversations from the same menu path: From the System > Message System menu, select Message Queue to display the Eclipse Conversations window. You can also click the Eclipse Messages icon on the User Control Panel to open the Eclipse Conversations window. The red badge indicates how many unread messages you have waiting. Interactive Display In Release 9.0.0., the Eclipse Conversations window replaces the Eclipse Message Queue and lets you see what messages you have from users, the Phantom processor, or Report Scheduler. 1. Conversation List - List of conversations and messages from the system. Users display with names and contact numbers. Scheduler and Phantom messages display with their titles and the associated information. 2. User Information - User name, extension and office hours for the currently-displayed message. 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved. 3
About the Eclipse Conversation Window Layout Rel. 9.0.3 3. Current Message - The currently displayed message writer and contact information. 4. Message History - The most recent message displays in gray. Previous messages, along with their date and time, display in blue. This lets you scroll through your message history with the user to track information or retrace conversations for verification. 5. Message Handling - These buttons let you delete entire conversations, create a new message, send messages and close the Message Conversations window. 6. Tracker and Transaction Links - If a user sends a message with a job queue number in it, such as DNV381 above, you can click the link and open the Job Tracking Queue to access it immediately. Likewise, if a transaction numbers, such as a Sales Order, is included in the message, you can click that link to immediately display the order in Sales Order Entry. 4 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved.
Rel. 9.0.3 Eclipse Messaging Sending and Forwarding Messages Use the Message System to communicate with other users. Create messages to send to users from the New Message window. You can send the same message to multiple users by using a message group. You can also forward messages that have been sent to you, as needed. To send a message: 1. In the Eclipse Conversations window, click the New Message button to display the New Message window. 2. In the User field, enter the recipient name and use the Tab key if you want to add several recipients and open a group conversation. 3. Click OK. 4. From the Conversation List, double-click the conversation to start sending messages. 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved. 5
Sending and Forwarding Messages Rel. 9.0.3 5. Use the message box to enter your text message or transaction link. Note: As of Release 9.0.3, the system imposes a message size limit and truncates any messages with more than five blank lines. 6. Click Send. If you need to send the message again, from the Message menu, select Resend. Note: As of Release 9.0.1, you cannot schedule messages to send at a later time. 7. Click Close to exit the window. To forward a message: 1. Display the message you want to forward by highlighting it in your conversation list. 2. From the Message menu, select Forward. 3. Enter the user or user group to whom you want to send the message. 4. Click Send. 6 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved.
Rel. 9.0.3 Eclipse Messaging Pop Up Messages and Quick Replies Incoming messages pop up to your desktop displaying in front of all your other windows. Pop ups include all messages from the system, such the Phantom Scheduler, and messages from other users. The image displays for several seconds so you can respond, if needed. Use Solar Preferences to change the length of time a message displays and where on your monitor the messages displays. By default, the message displays in the upper-right hand corner of your monitor. For user messages, you can immediate open a dialog with that user using the Quick Reply feature. Without having to launch the Eclipse Messaging System, you can display a dialog box for messages back to the user. To use Quick Reply: 1. You receive a user message. 2. Click the left-hand arrow that displays below the messaging user's image to display the Quick Reply window: 3. Enter your message and click Send. After sending, the Quick Reply dialog box closes and you return to the last Solar window you have open to continue working. 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved. 7
Sorting Messages Rel. 9.0.3 Sorting Messages If you receive a lot of system message and user messages, you can sort your messages to display them in the most effective order. You can sort in the following ways: Newest Conversations on Top - This option displays the most recent conversations or messages you have received at the top of the conversation list. This is the default. Oldest Conversations on Top - This option displays the oldest conversations or messages you have received based on send date at the top of the conversation list. Sort by Sender Name - This option groups conversations and messages by the user ID of the person who sent the message. You can also search for messages, if needed. To sort your messages: 1. Display the Eclipse Conversations window. 2. Do one of the following: From the Sorting menu, select a sorting option: From the Sorting drop down, select a sorting option. From the Mode menu, select Received, Sent, or Both to limit the display to only those items. 3. Exit the window or continue working with messages. 8 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved.
Rel. 9.0.3 Eclipse Messaging Searching for Messages You can search by text string or user ID for messages in your conversations list. For example, if you know you have a message regarding water heater sales, you can enter water heater in the search field and find only those messages with those words in the body of the message. To search for a message: 1. From the System > Message System menu, select Message Queue to display the Eclipse Conversations window. 2. In the Search field, enter the text by which you want to search: As you type, the system filters your messages to only those pertaining to your search words. 3. Select the message you want to view. 4. To display only those messages that are sent or received, use the Mode menu. 5. Continue working or exit the window. Example of Search Results The following examples show how the search limits the view so you can find your messages more easily: 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved. 9
Searching for Messages Rel. 9.0.3 1. Displays the entire conversation list. 2. Displays the list sorted by S00. The results display the only message with a sales order number. You can then use the Click to View link to display the transaction. 10 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved.
Rel. 9.0.3 Eclipse Messaging Receiving Messages Use the Eclipse Conversations to view and manage your messages. The system stores you send and received messages until you delete them. From the Eclipse Conversations window, you can view your sent or received messages, delete duplicate messages, and send, resend, or forward a message. You can also create a new tracker end copy the message into it, view a tracker references in a message, and print the displayed messages. You can send the displayed messages to your Hold file or view a dialogue of all the messages exchanged between you and another user. To manage your messages: 1. From the System > Message System menu, select Message Queue to display the Eclipse Conversations window. 2. Review the Eclipse Conversation Window Layout. 3. Use the menu options to perform the following functions: File Menu Menu Option File > New File > Print Function Displays the New Message window, from where you can send a new message. Select a message by highlighting any field within the message line. Print multiple messages by holding down the shift key and clicking on the desired messages. Print selected messages by holding down the Ctrl key and clicking on the desired messages. Print All messages by clicking anywhere and select Print from the File menu. The system prompts you to Print All Messages. Note: If you do not select messages to print, the system will print all displayed messages. File > Hold Sends the selected messages to your Hold file. Note: If you do not select messages to send to the Hold file, the system will send all displayed messages. Message Menu Menu Option Message > Reply Message > Forward Function Reply to a selected message or popup message you receive. Pop Up Messages and Quick Replies Sending and Forwarding Messages Forward a message to another user or message group. Sending and Forwarding Messages 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved. 11
Receiving Messages Rel. 9.0.3 Menu Option Message > Resend Message > Delete Selected Conversations Message > Delete Selected Messages Function Resend a message you have in your conversation list. Sending and Forwarding Messages Delete one or more selected conversations or messages. Deleting Messages and Conversations Message > Delete Visible Conversations Message > Delete Duplicates Create Job Queue View Item Create a tracker and send to a user's job queue for follow up. Creating Trackers from Messages View an attached item to a message or conversation. Sorting Menu Menu Option Sorting > Newest Conversations on Top Sorting > Oldest Conversations on Top Sort by Sender Name Function This is the default. The most recent conversations display first. The messages received farthest from today's date are displayed first. Messages are grouped by the sender ID. Mode Menu Menu Option Mode > Received Mode > Sent Mode > Both Function This is the default. Displays received messages only. Displays sent messages only. Displays both received and sent messages. 4. Save your changes and exit the window. 12 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved.
Rel. 9.0.3 Eclipse Messaging Deleting Messages and Conversations You can delete messages and conversations that you no longer need. Eclipse messages are automatic notifications from the system when processes are complete, such as reports. Eclipse conversations are messages between live users. You can delete messages and conversations in the following ways: Single message or conversation. Multiple messages or conversations. Visible conversations. Duplicate messages or conversations. To delete messages: 1. Display the Eclipse Conversations window. 2. Do one of the following: Single Message - In the Message window, right-click the message and select Delete Message. Single Message - Select the message, then from the Message menu, select Delete Message. Multiple Messages - Hold the Ctrl key and select more than one message; then, from the Message menu, select Delete Selected Messages. Duplicate Messages - Deletes any identical messages you may have in your conversation list. From the Message menu, select Delete Duplicates. 3. Exit the window. To delete conversations do one of the following: 1. Display the Eclipse Conversations window. 2. Do one of the following: In the Conversation List, right-click the conversation and select Delete Conversation. Select the conversation in the Conversation List and click Delete Conversation. From the Message menu, select Delete Visible Conversations. This option deletes only those messages in the viewable area. 3. Exit the window 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved. 13
Viewing Messages Rel. 9.0.3 Viewing Messages Use the Eclipse Conversations window to view the dialogue between you and another user in the message system or system messages and notifications from the phantom processes. After you select a user, the screen displays a list of all the messages you have sent to and received from that user. To view your messages: 1. From the System > Message System menu, select Message Queue to display the Eclipse Conversations window. 2. Position the cursor on the user ID for whom you want to view the dialogue. 3. Review the Eclipse Conversation Window Layout for options. See Also: Sending and Forwarding Messages Sorting Messages Deleting Messages and Conversations 14 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved.
Rel. 9.0.3 Eclipse Messaging Viewing Reports from Eclipse Conversations The Conversation List in the Eclipse Conversations window displays a list of the messages you receive from other users to view reports they have sent to Your Hold File. You can use these embedded links to automatically review the report sent to you. Note: As of Release 9.0.1, you cannot click the Phantom scheduler message to display the report unless the report comes from Eclipse Reports. To view a report: 1. Open Eclipse Conversations. 2. Click the message in which a link was sent to you to display the message. 3. Click the report link or message from another user with the report link in it to open the report in Report viewer. Note: You can also use the Your Hold File icon from the main Solar window to open the Report Queue and select a report. This is useful if you have deleted the message from your Eclipse Conversations. For more information, refer to Viewing Report in Reporting Eclipse.. 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved. 15
Creating Trackers from Messages Rel. 9.0.3 Creating Trackers from Messages You can create trackers to send to users' Job Queues when you need to alert them of a transaction or message that requires their attention. To create a tracker from a message: 6. Display the Conversations window. 6. Select the message or conversation from which you want to create a tracker. 6. From the Message menu, select Create Job Queue. 6. At the Enter User ID to Queue Message to prompt, enter the User ID to whom you send to send the tracker. 6. Use the Call Tracking window to complete and send the tracker. 6. Save your changes and exit the window. 16 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved.
Rel. 9.0.3 Eclipse Messaging Creating Message Groups Use Message Group Maintenance to create groups of users for the purpose of sending the same message to all members at the same time. A user can belong to more than one message group. Assign message groups to one of the types defined in the Valid Message Groups Types control maintenance record. When using the PERSONAL message group type, the message group can be viewed and edited only by the user who created it. Other types can be viewed and edited only by those users to whom that message group type has been assigned. Not: If you use Roles for your users, you can assign a role to a message group. To create a message group: 1. From the System > System Files > User Control menu, select Message Group Maintenance to display the Message Group window. 2. Click New Group to display the New Message Group ID window. 3. In the Enter New ID prompt, enter the new ID of the message group, up to 25 characters, and with no spaces. Note: A message group ID cannot be the same as a user ID. 4. Click the OK button. The system enters the new message group ID in the Group ID field. 5. In the Message Group Type field, select a restriction type to define who can view and edit this message group. If left blank, any user can view and edit this message group. If you are assigned the MESSAGE.GROUP.TYPES authorization key and PERSONAL is one of your assigned message group types, the value in this field defaults to PERSONAL. You can change this message group type to any group for which you are authorized. If you are not assigned the MESSAGE.GROUP.TYPES authorization key, you can assign any type of message group. 6. In the Description field, enter a complete description using up to 25 characters of the message group. 7. In the Security Level field, enter a security level to determine who is authorized to send messages to this message group. You can assign a level from 1-99. Leave this field blank to allow any user to send a message to this group. Users can only send messages to groups with a security level less than or equal to the level assigned to their MESSAGE.GROUP authorization key. 8. In the User IDs field, enter or select the user IDs to be assigned to the group. The system enters the user's full name and extension in the User Name field. To delete an ID from the list, select the ID and press Alt + Delete. 9. Save and exit the window. 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved. 17
Viewing and Editing Message Groups Rel. 9.0.3 Viewing and Editing Message Groups After you have created message groups, use the Message Group window to view or edit these groups. To view or edit a message group: 1. From the System > System Files > User Control menu, select Message Group Maintenance to display the Message Group window. 2. In the Group ID field, enter or select the ID of the group you want to access. 3. Verify or edit the Description, Security Level, and User IDs fields, as needed. 4. Save your changes and exit the window. 18 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved.
Index E Eclipse Conversations about 1 conversation window 3 creating trackers from messages 16 deleting messages 13 forwarding messages 5 message groups 17, 18 message preferences 2 overview 1 pop up messages 7 quick replies 7 receiving messages 11 searching for messages 9 sorting messages 8 viewing messages 14 viewing reports 15 window layout 3 Eclipse Messaging about 1 conversation window 3 creating trackers from messages 16 deleting messages 13 forwarding messages 5 message groups 17, 18 message preferences 2 overview 1 pop up messages 7 quick replies 7 receiving messages 11 searching for messages 9 sending messages 5 sorting messages 8 viewing messages 14 viewing reports 15 window layout 3 2017 Epicor Software Corporation. All rights reserved. 19