Business Intelligence

Business Intelligence provides access to embedded analytics dashboards and custom reports through iframe integration. This feature allows you to view advanced business insights, data visualizations, and custom analytics tools directly within ShipEdge OMS without leaving the application.

Why Use Business Intelligence?

Embedded Dashboards

View advanced analytics dashboards and visualizations directly within ShipEdge. No need to switch between applications or log into separate systems.

Custom Analytics

Access custom-built reports and analytics tools tailored to your business needs. These can include advanced metrics, KPIs, and data visualizations.

Seamless Integration

Business Intelligence reports are seamlessly integrated into your ShipEdge workflow. Access them from the Reports menu alongside standard reports.

Account-Specific Reports

Reports can be configured at the account level or user level, ensuring you see the most relevant analytics for your role and responsibilities.

Accessing Business Intelligence

Check Availability

Business Intelligence appears in the Reports menu only when:
- The feature is enabled in system preferences
- Your account has iframe reports configured
- You have permission to view reports
Navigate to Business Intelligence

Click Reports in the main navigation menu. If Business Intelligence is available, you’ll see Business Intelligence as a submenu option or as a button in the reports page header.
View Embedded Reports

The Business Intelligence page displays embedded iframe reports configured for your account. Reports load automatically when you access the page.

Understanding Business Intelligence Reports

How It Works

Business Intelligence uses iframe technology to embed external reports and dashboards:

System Configuration: Administrators enable the feature in warehouse preferences
Report Configuration: Custom iframe reports are configured in the iframes database table
Display Logic: The system shows reports based on:
- User-specific reports (if configured for your user ID)
- Account-level reports (if no user-specific reports exist)
Embedded Display: Reports appear as embedded iframes within the ShipEdge interface

Report Priority

The system displays reports in this order:

User-Specific Reports: If reports are configured for your specific user ID, those are shown first
Account-Level Reports: If no user-specific reports exist, account-level reports are displayed
No Reports: If no reports are configured, the page may be empty or show a message

Using Business Intelligence Reports

Access the Page

Navigate to BusinessIntelligencelist.php from the Reports menu or directly via URL.
Wait for Reports to Load

Embedded reports load automatically. Depending on the report source and your internet connection, loading may take a few seconds.
Interact with Reports

Once loaded, you can interact with the embedded reports:
- Use filters and date ranges within the report
- Navigate between different views or tabs
- Export data if the report supports it
- Refresh data if available
Navigate Back

Use your browser’s back button or the ShipEdge navigation menu to return to other sections.

Report Features

Business Intelligence reports can include:

Data Visualizations:

Charts and graphs
Trend analysis
Comparative metrics
Performance indicators

Interactive Elements:

Date range selectors
Filter options
Drill-down capabilities
Export functions

Custom Metrics:

Business-specific KPIs
Custom calculations
Aggregated data views
Real-time or historical data

Multi-Report Views:

Multiple iframes on one page
Different report types side-by-side
Comprehensive dashboard views

Configuration and Setup

System Requirements

For Business Intelligence to work:

Feature Enablement: iFrameReport must be set to 'Y' in preferences_wh table
Report Configuration: Reports must be configured in the iframes table with:
- Account ID (account_id)
- User ID (user_id) - optional for user-specific reports
- Iframe HTML code (iframe_reports)
Browser Support: Your browser must support iframes (all modern browsers do)

💡 Best Practices

Allow Time for Loading

Embedded reports may take a few seconds to load, especially if they connect to external data sources. Be patient and wait for full loading before interacting.

Use Modern Browsers

Use up-to-date browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) for best compatibility with embedded iframe reports and interactive features.

Check Permissions

If you don’t see Business Intelligence in the menu, verify that the feature is enabled and reports are configured for your account. Contact your administrator if needed.

Report Refresh

Some reports may have refresh buttons or auto-refresh capabilities. Use these to get the latest data without reloading the entire page.

Troubleshooting

Business Intelligence Not Visible in Menu

The feature may not be enabled for your warehouse
No iframe reports may be configured for your account
You may not have permission to view reports
Contact your administrator or ShipEdge support to enable and configure

Reports Not Loading

Check your internet connection
Verify that the report source URL is accessible
Some reports may require authentication - ensure you’re logged into ShipEdge
Try refreshing the page
Check browser console for error messages

Empty Page or No Reports

Reports may not be configured for your account or user
Contact your administrator to set up Business Intelligence reports
Verify that the feature is enabled in system preferences

Reports Load Slowly

Large reports or external data sources may take time to load
Check your internet connection speed
Some reports may be pulling large datasets
Wait for the loading to complete before interacting

Cannot Interact with Reports

Ensure the report has fully loaded
Some reports may have loading states - wait for them to complete
Check if your browser blocks iframe interactions (unlikely in modern browsers)
Try refreshing the page

Reports Look Incorrect or Cut Off

This may be a display issue with the embedded report
Try adjusting your browser zoom level
Report dimensions may need adjustment by the administrator
Contact support if the issue persists

Next Steps:

Reports Overview - Overview of the reports system
Standard Reports - Generate standard business reports
Orders Overview - Manage and track orders
Inventory Overview - Monitor inventory levels