Custom Reports

Custom Reports allow you to request specialized reports that aren’t available in the standard report library. Submit a detailed request describing what data you need, and the ShipEdge support team will create a custom report tailored to your specific business requirements.

Availability

Custom Reports are available to WMS users (User Level 2 and above). Seller-level users (User Level 1) should use Standard Reports or contact support for custom report needs.

Why Use Custom Reports?

Tailored to Your Needs

Request reports with exactly the data fields, filters, and format you need. Perfect for unique business requirements that standard reports don’t cover.

Automated Scheduling

Once created, custom reports can be scheduled to run automatically at your specified frequency (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.).

Expert Development

ShipEdge support team develops your custom report, ensuring it’s optimized and follows best practices for performance and accuracy.

Integration with Standard Reports

Once created, custom reports appear in your reports list alongside standard reports, making them easy to access and generate.

Requesting a Custom Report

1. Access the Request Form

   Navigate to SpecialReportstCsvlist.php?custom_reports=ok or click Custom Reports from the Reports page header (if available for your user level).

2. Fill Out Report Name

   Enter a clear, descriptive name for your custom report in the Report Name field (required). Use a name that clearly identifies what the report contains, such as “Monthly Sales by Region” or “Inventory Turnover Analysis”.

3. Provide Description

   In the Description field (required), provide detailed information about:

   • What data the report should include
   • What business question it answers
   • Any specific requirements or use cases
   • How you plan to use the report

4. Specify Columns

   In the Columns field (required), list all the data columns you want in the report. Be specific about:

   • Column names (use exact field names if you know them)
   • Data format requirements
   • Any calculated fields or formulas needed
   • Column order preferences

5. Set Report Period

   Select how often you want the report to run from the Report Period dropdown (required):

   • Every 1 day: Daily reports
   • Every 7 days: Weekly reports
   • Every 15 days: Bi-weekly reports
   • Every 30 days: Monthly reports
   • Every 90 days: Quarterly reports

6. Choose Initial Date

   Select the Initial Date (required) when you want the report to start running. Use the calendar picker to select a date.

7. Add Contact Information (Optional)

   In the Contact Information field, provide:

   • Your name and title
   • Phone number
   • Any additional context about the request
   • Preferred contact method

8. Provide Email (Optional)

   Enter your Email address if you want to receive notifications about the report request status or when the report is ready.

9. Submit Request

   Click Submit to send your custom report request. The system saves your request and sends a notification email to the ShipEdge support team.

10. Wait for Confirmation

    You’ll see a confirmation message: “Your request has been sent. We will contact you soon.” The ShipEdge team will review your request and contact you to discuss details or confirm when the report is ready.

What Happens After Submission

Request Processing

1. Request Saved: Your request is saved in the system with all the details you provided
2. Email Notification: An email is sent to the ShipEdge support team (help@shipedge.com) with your request details
3. Review Process: The support team reviews your request and may contact you for clarification
4. Development: Once approved, the team develops your custom report
5. Testing: The report is tested to ensure it works correctly
6. Deployment: The custom report is added to your account and becomes available

Report Availability

Once your custom report is created:

• It appears in your standard reports list
• You can generate it immediately or schedule it
• It follows the same generation process as standard reports
• Reports are available for download as CSV files
• Scheduled reports run automatically at your specified frequency

Form Field Details

Report Name (Required)

Purpose: Identifies your custom report

Best Practices:

• Use clear, descriptive names
• Include the report type or purpose
• Avoid generic names like “Report 1”
• Examples: “Monthly Shipping Cost Analysis”, “SKU Velocity Report”, “Customer Order History”

Description (Required)

Purpose: Explains what the report should contain and why you need it

Include:

• Business purpose or question the report answers
• Specific data requirements
• Any filters or date ranges needed
• How the report will be used
• Any special formatting requirements

Example:

This report should show all orders shipped in the last 30 days, grouped by shipping carrier.
Include order number, ship date, shipping cost, and tracking number.
I need this to analyze shipping costs by carrier and identify cost-saving opportunities.

Columns (Required)

Purpose: Lists all data fields you want in the report

Include:

• Exact column names (if you know them)
• Data types or formats
• Any calculated fields needed
• Column order preferences

Example:

Order Number, Order Date, Ship Date, Customer Name, SKU, Quantity,
Unit Price, Total Price, Shipping Cost, Carrier, Tracking Number,
Order Status

Report Period (Required)

Purpose: Determines how often the report runs automatically

Options:

• Every 1 day: For daily operational reports
• Every 7 days: For weekly summaries
• Every 15 days: For bi-weekly reviews
• Every 30 days: For monthly analysis
• Every 90 days: For quarterly reports

Note: You can still generate the report manually at any time, regardless of the period setting.

Initial Date (Required)

Purpose: Sets when scheduled report generation should begin

Considerations:

• Choose a date when you want the first automated report to run
• Reports can be generated manually before this date
• The date should align with your reporting cycle (e.g., first of month for monthly reports)

Contact Information (Optional)

Purpose: Provides context and contact details for the support team

Include:

• Your name and role
• Phone number
• Any additional context about urgency or special requirements
• Preferred contact method

Email (Optional)

Purpose: Email address for notifications

Use For:

• Receiving updates about your request status
• Notification when the report is ready
• Important communications about the custom report

💡 Best Practices

Be Specific and Detailed

Provide as much detail as possible in your request. The more specific you are about columns, filters, and format, the faster the team can create your report.

Explain Business Purpose

Include why you need the report and how you’ll use it. This helps the team understand your requirements and suggest improvements.

Use Standard Field Names

If you know the exact database field names, use them. This reduces back-and-forth questions and speeds up development.

Consider Report Frequency

Choose a report period that matches your actual needs. Don’t request daily reports if weekly would suffice - it reduces system load and processing time.

Review Standard Reports First

Check if a standard report already meets your needs before requesting a custom report. Standard reports are available immediately and don’t require development time.

Plan Ahead

Custom reports take time to develop. Submit requests well in advance of when you need the report, especially for time-sensitive projects.

Troubleshooting

Custom Reports Option Not Visible

• Custom Reports are only available to WMS users (User Level 2 and above)
• Seller-level users (User Level 1) should contact support directly for custom report requests
• Verify your user level and permissions

Form Validation Errors

• Ensure all required fields are filled (Report Name, Description, Columns, Report Period, Initial Date)
• Check that Initial Date is selected using the calendar picker
• Verify email format if provided

Request Not Submitting

• Check that all required fields are completed
• Ensure you have a stable internet connection
• Try refreshing the page and submitting again
• Contact support if the issue persists

No Response After Submission

• Custom report requests typically take several business days to process
• Check your email (including spam folder) for updates
• Contact ShipEdge support at help@shipedge.com to check request status
• Provide your request details when following up

Report Not Available After Creation

• Custom reports appear in your standard reports list once created
• Check standard_report_list.php or SpecialReportstCsvlist.php for your custom report
• Verify the report name matches what you requested
• Contact support if you can’t find your custom report

Report Doesn’t Match Requirements

• Contact ShipEdge support to discuss modifications
• Provide specific details about what needs to be changed
• The team can update existing custom reports based on feedback

Need to Modify Existing Custom Report

• Submit a new request describing the changes needed
• Reference your original custom report name
• Or contact support directly to modify the existing report

Related Links

Next Steps:

• Reports Overview - Overview of the reports system
• Standard Reports - Generate standard business reports
• Business Intelligence - Access embedded analytics dashboards
• Orders Overview - Manage and track orders