aplus gui user guide

6/14/06

APLUS GUI User GuideVersion 7.0 Cumulative 03

Copyright 2004-2005 Infor IP Holdings C.V. and/or its affiliates or licensors. All rights reserved.The Infor word and design marks are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Infor IP Holdings C.V. and/or one of its affiliates. All rights reserved.All other trademarks listed herein are the property of their respective owners.

Contents

CHAPTER 1: OverviewWhy Use a Graphical User Interface? ......................................................................... 1-1

Reduced Training Investment ....................................................................................... 1-2Increased Efficiency .................................................................................................... 1-2Integration .................................................................................................................. 1-2Browser-based Deployment ......................................................................................... 1-2

How Does APLUS GUI Work? ..................................................................................... 1-3

Using This Guide.......................................................................................................... 1-3

CHAPTER 2: Using the Graphical User InterfaceAPLUS GUI Panel Layout ........................................................................................... 2-2

Navigation Bar ............................................................................................................. 2-3

Navigation Bar Buttons................................................................................................ 2-3

Menu............................................................................................................................. 2-4Drop-Down Menus...................................................................................................... 2-4Client Tools ................................................................................................................ 2-6

Print Panel ............................................................................................................ 2-6Connect to TN5250 Printer Client ............................................................................... 2-7Print panels using Printer Client................................................................................. 2-8Toggle emulator view ............................................................................................... 2-9Toggle function key panel.......................................................................................... 2-9

Toolbar ....................................................................................................................... 2-10

Links Panel................................................................................................................. 2-11Using the Mouse ....................................................................................................... 2-11Using the Keyboard Shortcut...................................................................................... 2-12Using the Function Key ............................................................................................. 2-12

APLUS GUI User GuideScreen Panel............................................................................................................... 2-13Menus ...................................................................................................................... 2-13Screens .................................................................................................................... 2-17

Dynamically Built Screens....................................................................................... 2-18Customized Screens ............................................................................................... 2-19

Navigating the Screens .............................................................................................. 2-20The Special Features of Customized Screens................................................................ 2-20Data Entry Fields .................................................................................................. 2-21Date Fields .......................................................................................................... 2-22Question Mark Fields ............................................................................................. 2-23Roll Screens ......................................................................................................... 2-24

CHAPTER 3: Using APLUS GUIStarting APLUS GUI .................................................................................................... 3-1

Using the Online Help .................................................................................................. 3-3

Exiting APLUS GUI ..................................................................................................... 3-3

Glossary............................................................................................................................i

Index .................................................................................................................................iii

CHAPTER 1

Windows application. The actual emulation is processed through Seagulls JWalk software. No other emulation product with which you may be familiar (e.g. Client Access or Rumba) is used. The look and feel of iSeries operations will be different. With APLUS GUI, you will be capitalizing on the iSeries technology that you already have, using the

Application Plus product that you already trust, and taking advantage of all the features and benefits of using a GUI application.

Why Use a Graphical User Interface?

There are many reasons to use a GUI application, such as reduced training investment, increased user efficiency, application integration, and flexible deployment options. This section describes these benefits in detail.Overview

Your enterprise application, Application Plus, is a solid investment in a fully integrated solution based on stable technology that allows you to effectively manage your business transactions. But because Application Plus uses a host-centric iSeries, your application is running either as a terminal or as an emulated green screen user interface. While you are not sacrificing quality, stability, or function with Application Plus, you arent taking advantage of one aspect of the newer technology that todays users are most familiar with: the Graphical User Interface (GUI).

APLUS GUI is a Browser Client or Windows Client based user-interface for Application Plus. The same feature-rich functions of Application Plus are available in APLUS GUI, but instead of a green screen (on a terminal) or an emulation screen (on a PC using 5250 emulation software), APLUS GUI boasts a full featured user-interface that functions like a

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Reduced Training Investment

Today, most users are now more familiar with the GUI environment than the green screen environment. Because the interface is more familiar, using APLUS GUI will reduce your costs and investment when hiring and training new users and reduce the application learning curve, meaning youll get users on the system faster and easier.

If your users are already trained and comfortable using the green screen user interface, the same features are still available to them, so the adjustment to the new look will be minimal. Users can still tab through fields and use the same function keys that they use now. In fact, the entire application can still be navigated using a keyboard, so your power users will still be able to work quickly and efficiently.

Increased Efficiency

A GUI interface provides multiple methods for accomplishing a task, such as keyboard shortcuts, function keys, and the mouse. Multiple methods empower users to work in the way that is most efficient for them and increase the success of users of different skill levels. For example, a power user may use only keyboard short cuts, but a new user may be more comfortable using the mouse at first and then advancing to keyboard shortcuts. The flexibility allows users to approach the system in a way that is comfortable for them and leaves them room to grow into more powerful users.

Integration

With APLUS GUI Browser Clients, your enterprise application is now integrated with typical desktop features. This integration allows your users to use multiple programs from one machine and quickly access the Internet and customer support features.

Browser-based Deployment

With APLUS GUI you can deploy Application Plus in a browser giving you the flexibility to run Application Plus anytime and anywhere you have an Internet connection, meaning you can reduce your hardware and software costs, configuration, and maintenance. APLUS GUI is web-deployable out-of-the box so that you can quickly set up Application Plus for remote locations and be spared the cost of setting up network connections.

Overview

How Does APLUS GUI Work?

There are two aspects to APLUS GUI. First, using Seagulls J Walk software, a template is used to dynamically build the GUI screens. Using a template means that your entire application can be deployed as a GUI application and that the look and feel will be consistent. When you sign in to APLUS GUI, each screen that you access will be dynamically built to display the GUI based on the template.

Second, in addition to creating a template for dynamically building screens, a selection of menu options were further customized to add additional features and functions. These screens will have a look and feel that is consistent with the dynamically built screens, but will include extra features to make them even easier to use.

Please note that if you have modifications to your screens, that the customized screen will not display, instead the screen will be dynamically built using the template. Customized screens display only if the green screen content is identical to the customized screen content.

Using This Guide

This guide explains the features and functions of the GUI for both dynamic and customized screens and how to use the interface. This guide does not explain any of the Application Plus functionality for any Application Plus module. If you have specific questions about a module and its processing, please refer to the user guide for the module.1-3

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CHAPTER 2

Client interface. The Browser Client interface permits a single session only, however, you can use the Attention button to initiate more than one Application Plus task. Refer to Using the Toolbar on page 2-10.Using the Graphical User Interface

This section describes the features of the graphical user interface (GUI) for Application Plus and how to use these features to navigate the system. Both dynamically built and customized screens are explained.

The user interface for APLUS GUI can best be described as a panel that is divided into distinct components. A Browser Client has five components: navigation bar (which displays in a separate browser window), menu, toolbar, links panel, and screen panel. A Windows Client has four components: menu, toolbar, links panel and a screen panel. Each component has a distinct function in the application and its own features for navigation. This section describes each component, its features, and use.

Seagulls JWalk software provides the ability to run multiple sessions with the Windows

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APLUS GUI Panel Layout

The following diagram shows the division and placement of each section.

NOTE: The Navigation Bar displays in a separate window at the top of your screen if you are using a browser client. The bar is not available to Windows Client users.

Important

You must leave the both the Navigation Bar window and the Browser Client window open or your APLUS GUI session will be closed.

Using the Graphical User Interface

Navigation Bar

The navigation bar area is available for Browser Clients only. The navigation bar provides, in a separate browser window, a set of buttons that will always display, wherever you are in APLUS GUI.

Navigation Bar Buttons

The navigation bar buttons provide desktop integration with the Internet, support features, and online help. The buttons on the navigation bar are icons with mouse-over text descriptions. Mouse-over means that when you position your mouse cursor over the button, a text description for the button displays. Each button and its function is described in the following table. Both the icon and the mouse-over text is provided for each.

Using the Navigation Bar

Button Function

Internet

Click this button to access the Internet. A browser window will open to your default home page.

Infor

Click this button to access the Infor web site, www.infor.com. A new browser window is opened to the Infor web site home page.

Customer Support Center

Click this button to access the Customer Support Center. A new browser window is opened and the sign in window appears so that you can enter your user ID and password. To use the Customer Support Center, you must be enrolled in a support plan and know your user ID and password. Click this button to access the Customer Support Chat feature. A new browser window is opened and the sign in window appears. To use the chat service, you must be 2-3

Chat enrolled in a support plan and know your user ID and password.

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Menu

This section describes the features of the menu bar which provides drop-down menus for the application and access to the Client Tools.

Drop-Down Menus

The menu bar provides a drop-down menu, organized by the main business areas of Application Plus, that provides an easy way to navigate to modules and their sub-menus and options.

NOTE: You must have command line access to use the drop-down menus.

Email

Click this button to access your e-mail software. A new message window appears so that you can provide the address and compose a message.The default e-mail program specified in your Internet Options will be used to send e-mail. You can verify or change the program you are using by selecting Tools->Internet Options->Programs from your Internet Explorer browser menu.

Printer Client

Click this button to start your remote printer client.The first time that you click this button, the printer is initially loaded, a window may appear while it is loading, and you will be asked whether you want to install and run J Walk Windows Printer Client.Clicking this button only starts the printer, you must connect to the printer using the Client Tools. Refer to Client Tools on page 2-6 for more information.

Help

Click this button to access the online help for using the GUI application. This online help does not provide help for the features and functions of Application Plus (such as field definitions), but explains how to use APLUS GUI and navigate the application. For help with the application functions (such as Order Entry), press F1 on the screen on which you need assistance or refer to the application specific user guide.

Using the Navigation Bar

Button Function


For example, the Customer Service sub-menu lists the Order Entry, Point of Sale, Price Maintenance, and Bid & Quote modules. Sub-menus for each module provide links to main menu options and the inquiries, reports, file maintenance, file listings, or other menus and options relevant to the module. The menu bar is available from all system menus, except the Master Menus. The Master Menu has a unique drop-down menu for the all of the Master Maintenance options associated with each module.2-5

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You can still use the application and master menu in the screen panel to navigate the application. Refer to Menus on page 2-13 for more information about menus in the screen panel.

Client Tools

The Client Tools are a set of commands provided by J Walk. These tools are available in a drop-down list. You can display the list by clicking the icon located at the right of the menu section. The Client Tools will appear. To close the Client Tools, click the box again.

The following commands and their use are described in this document:

Print panel Connect to TN5250 Printer Client Print panels using Printer Client Toggle emulator view Toggle function key panel

If you need more information, please refer to your Seagull documentation. Please note that Seagull refers to this list as a Johnny menu in their documentation.

Print Panel

Select this command to print the screen that is currently shown in the screen panel. The system will use the default printer for your PC and the dialog box for the default printer will appear. Handle the print options as you normally would for printing.

Click this icon to show and hide the Client Tools.


Connect to TN5250 Printer Client

Select this command to connect to your remote printer once you have started it. When your remote printer connection is started and connected, you can print documents from APLUS GUI, such as reports, invoices, acknowledgements, and so on. You can also print the screen panel if the Print panels using Printer Client command is selected in the Client Tools.

You can start your remote printer client by clicking the Printer icon on the toolbar. Your remote printer client is started when a black printer icon displays in your Windows task bar.

Important

Before you connect to your printer client, you must make certain the net-work printer to which you want to connect is an IBM certified printer and obtain the default printer type code for the printer. To check whether your printer in compatible, go to http://www-1.ibm.com/support/search/index.html and search for your printer using the following phrase Support for ASCII Printers from (Company Name), replacing Company Name with the name of your printers company, such as HP, Lexmark, and so on.

Once you have determined that your printer is supported, you can connect to your printer client. To connect to your printer client,

1. Select the Connect to TN5250 Printer Client command from the Client Tools drop-down list. The TN5250E Printer window appears:

2. In the Printer Device Name field, specify a device name for the printer. The iSeries will only accept a 10-character queue name, so if you enter more than 10 characters in this 2-7

field, the queue name will be truncated by the iSeries. Specifying a device name will

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create an output queue on the iSeries. This output queue will be assigned to a writer for the printer.

NOTE: To properly format different types of documents, you may need to change the printer device name to direct the output to the appropriate queue. For example, if you print invoices on a laser printer and you print pack lists on a green bar printer, you must change the queue to reflect the appropriate printer.

3. To change the default printer to which the printer client will direct its output, click the printer button and select the printer you want to use. You can only connect to a local or a network printer.

4. Click the Advanced tab.

5. In the Default Printer Type field, enter the code that you obtained for your printer from the IBM web site.

6. Click Connect when your settings are correct. You can verify that your printer client is connected by checking the printer icon in your Windows task bar. Your remote printer is connected when the printer icon in your Windows task bar displays a piece of paper.

Print panels using Printer Client

If your printer client is started and connected, you can select this command to print panels using your printer client (emulating the print screen process on the green screen). For information about starting your printer client, refer to the Printer Client icon description in Using the Navigation Bar on page 2-3. For information about connecting to your printer client, refer to Connect to TN5250 Printer Client on page 2-7.


Toggle emulator view

Select this command to display a green screen version of the screen that is currently shown in the screen panel. An emulated green screen will appear.

When you have finished viewing the emulated screen, to close it click the X in the upper-right corner or select the Toggle emulator view command again.

Toggle function key panel

Select this command to display a panel of function keys as buttons. The panel also has buttons for Help, Attn, SysReq, and Print.

Example2-9

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You can use your mouse to click any button on the panel. The action related to the button will be carried out. For example, if you are on a screen and F3 = EXIT appears as one of the available functions, if you click the F3 button, you will exit the current option.

Toolbar

The toolbar lets you cut, copy, paste, print the current screen, and access the attention menu. These tools are located above the links panel. The buttons for the tools are icons with mouse-over text descriptions. Mouse-over means that when you position your mouse cursor over the button, a text description for the button displays. Each button and its function is described in the following table. Both the icon and the mouse-over text is provided for each. Some buttons also have a keyboard shortcut associated with them. The keyboard shortcut is provided as a note in the description of the button.

Using the Toolbar

Icon Function

Cut

Highlight text in a field and then click this icon to cut the text from the field. Cutting the text removes it from the field. You can paste cut text in another field. For example, if you entered a sold to address line in the ship to address field, you could cut the information and paste it in the correct field.

NOTE: You can use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + X to cut text.

Copy

Highlight text in a field and then click this icon to copy the selected text. Copying text stores the information on a clipboard so it can be pasted in another field. For example, if the ship to address and the sold to address were identical, you could enter the ship to address once and then copy the address lines to the sold to address.

NOTE: You can use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + C to copy text.

Paste

After you have cut or copied text, place your cursor in the field where you want the cut or copied text to be placed and click this icon to paste the text in that field.

NOTE: You can use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + V to paste text.


Links Panel

The links panel contains all of the links available from the screen or menu displayed in the screen panel. The list of links in this panel will vary, but there are some properties common to all links, which will be explained in this section.

There are several ways to activate a link. You can

click the link with your mouse use the keyboard short cut assigned to the link use the function key assigned to the link

Using the Mouse

To activate a link with your mouse:

1. Use your mouse to place your cursor over the link. Your cursor changes from an arrow to a pointing hand.

2. When the pointing hand cursor is shown, click your left-mouse button to select the link. The screen or menu for the link you selected appears in the screen panel.

Print Screen

Click this icon to print the current screen. The screen and the information shown will be printed exactly as it appears in the links panel and the screen panel.

NOTE: If you are using the Browser Client, the Navigation bar will not be included in the printed image.

Attn Key

Click this button to access the Task Selection Screen which lets you initiate and move between up to four active tasks.

Help

Click this button to access the online help for APLUS GUI which explains the graphical features of APLUS GUI only. For screen help, press F1.

Using the Toolbar

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Using the Keyboard Shortcut

The keyboard shortcut for a link is indicated by the underlined letter in the links name, typically the first letter. To activate a link using the keyboard shortcut:

1. Press the ALT key and the underlined letter to highlight the link. A highlighted link is shown in a beveled rectangle, similar to a command button.

2. Once the link is highlighted, press ENTER to select it.

NOTE: If one or more links share the same shortcut letter, you must press ALT and the underlined letter until the link you want is highlighted.

Using the Function Key

Because APLUS GUI is a graphical representation of an iSeries green screen application, each link is still associated with the function key from the green screen. On dynamically built screens the function keys and their labels are still shown at the bottom of the screen. On customized screens, the function keys are not shown on the screen. However, for both types of screens you can mouse-over the link to display the function key assigned to the

Example

Assume the following three links are shown in the links panel:

Customer Comments

Line Items

Charges

Notice the underlined letter for each link. The underlined letter is part of the links keyboard shortcut.

To select the Customers Comments link, you would:

1. Press ALT + C. The Customer Comments link is highlighted.2. Press ENTER. The Customer Comments screen appears.

To select the Charges link, you would:

1. Press ALT + C. The Customer Comments link is highlighted.2. Press ALT + C again. The Charges link is highlighted.3. Press ENTER. The Special Charges screen appears.link.


If you know the function key for the link, to activate the link using the function key, press the function key. If you do not know the function key for a link, on a dynamically build screen you can look at the list of function keys at the bottom of the screen or you can use your mouse to display it. For a customized screen, you must use your mouse to display the function key. To display the function key associated with the link:

1. Use your mouse to place your cursor over the link. Your cursor will change from an arrow to a pointing hand.

2. Wait a moment while the pointing hand is shown and the mouse over text for link appears.

Screen Panel

The screen panel contains the active menu or screen. All menus are customized and certain options have been customized. The remainder of the application is dynamically built. This section explains the appearance and features of the menu and screens.

Menus

Menus also display in the screen panel section of the APLUS GUI application. This section describes the menus and their features. The Application Plus Main Menu, which is a system menu, and the Order Entry Main Menu, which is an application menu, are used as examples in this section. A system menu is one that is for the entire Application Plus system and provides access to all of your modules. An application menu is one that is for a specific module of Application Plus and provides access to an applications options. If you

Example

This example shows a list of links in the links panel with the mouse over text shown for the Complements link. To display the function key associated with the Complements link, the cursor is placed at the link until the mouse over text displays F9. Thus, pressing F9 on this screen would activate the Complements link.2-13

need more information about the types of system and application menus, how menus are

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named, and what menus are available for each module, please refer to the Cross Applications User Guide.

You can also navigate the application using the drop-down menus below the Navigation Bar. For more information about this feature, refer to Drop-Down Menus on page 2-4.


Application Plus Main Menu (A system menu)

System Links

ApplicationLinks

Module Icons

Command Line

OK button

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Order Entry Main Menu (An application menu)

Menu Features

Feature Description and UseMenu Title The menu title indicates the name of the menu that

currently appears in the screen panel.System links System links are those links that are system related, such

as Spool Files.Application links Application links are those links that are related to the

menus of the application currently selected in the screen panel. For example, when the Application Plus Main Menu appears in the screen panel, the application link is the Application File Maintenance Menu and when the Order Entry Main Menu appears in the screen panel, the application links are Reports, File Maintenance, and Inquiry to access the other available order entry menus.

Module Icons The module icon links appear in the screen panel only when the Application Plus Main Menu appears. You can click the module to access its main menu.

System Links

ApplicationLinks

Menu Option

Command LineOK button

Menu Heading

Menu Title


Screens

APLUS GUI has two types of screens: dynamically built and customized. The features of dynamically built screens are slightly different from the features of customized screens. Dynamically built screens use a template that constructs the screen appearance on the fly, meaning that they are built at the same time they are being displayed. Customized windows are pre-built and override the appearance of the dynamically built screen, as long as the green screen content is identical to the pre-built format. (In other words, screens with custom modifications will not use the customized screen, instead the screen will be dynamically built.) Customized screens have additional navigation features and may have a different visual structure than the green screen. This section provides an example of each type of screen and explains how to navigate the screens.

Command Line The command line appears on all menus and allows you to enter an Application Plus option number, your menu destination, and/or iSeries commands. Your system configuration determines what you are able to enter in the command line.

OK button The OK button is an additional feature for activating the command entered in the command line. Using the OK button is the same as pressing ENTER. You can either click the OK button or press ENTER.

Menu Option The menu option is a link that you can double-click to open the option. The mouse over text for an option link displays the option number. Instead of double-clicking to open an option, you can enter the option number in the command line and press ENTER or click OK to start the option.

Menu Heading Heading bars are visual markers of conceptual divisions in menu content and are used to group menu options with similar functions. For example, the Reports section groups all of the menu options that you can use to create and print documents, reports, and/or listings.

Menu Features

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Dynamically Built Screens

The screen panel for dynamically built screens is similar to the green screen format. Fields and function keys appear in the same locations, you can tab through the fields on the screen, enter a question mark in a question-mark field to see a list of valid values, and use page up and page down to scroll through lists. In addition, you can use your mouse to position your cursor in a field and to click the links in the links panel.


Customized Screens

Customized screens have additional GUI features that are not available on dynamically built screens. Each of these features is explained in the next section: Navigating the Screens on page 2-20.

Calendar

Screen headings

Notebook tabs

Display-only textBinoculars

OK button

Screen title

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Navigating the Screens

The GUI screens can be navigated using only the keyboard or with a combination of keyboard and mouse. This section explains general principles for navigating a GUI screen, such as moving between fields. It also describes how certain Application Plus features behave in APLUS GUI, such as date fields, question mark fields, and roll screens.

The Special Features of Customized Screens

Customized screens have additional features, such as the calendar and binoculars icon, that facilitate navigating with the mouse. Each feature and its use is described in the table below. If you are not sure what a feature looks like, refer to the image in Customized Screens on page 2-19. Please note that not all features will be available on every customized screen, only those features that suit the screen.

Customized Screen Features

Feature Description and UseNotebook tab Notebook tabs allow you to navigate between screens in

an option. The active tab, in other words the tab for the screen being displayed, is red. Inactive tabs are gray.To select a screen using the notebook tab, click the tab. Be aware that availability of screens by notebook tabs follows the normal system flow of Application Plus, although unavailable screens are not distinguished by the appearance of the tab. For example, in Order Entry you cannot access the End Order Screen until order information has been entered. So, if you click the End Order tab before you have entered order information, an error message will appear. If the screen is available, it will display in the screen panel.

Screen title Screen title provide the name of the screen currently displayed.

Screen Headings Screen headings mark conceptual divisions in screen content and are used to group fields with similar functions. For example, the Sold To heading organizes the address and contact information for the customer placing the order and the Ship to heading groups the fields for the shipping information.

Binoculars The binoculars icon is a symbol that indicates a question mark field. Instead of typing a question mark in the field

and pressing enter to display a list of valid values, you can click the icon.


Data Entry Fields

A data entry field is any field that lets you provide information to the system. It may be a customer number that you key or an option that you select with an option button or check box. To move from field to field on a screen, press TAB. For data entry fields, the cursor displays in the active field and the background of the active field is pale yellow. You can also use your mouse to position the cursor in a field. Once the cursor is positioned in a field, you can key your entry. For option buttons and check boxes, the active status is indicated by a dashed outline. Once the first selection in a set is outlined by a dashed outline, use the arrow keys to move to the next selection. To select the outlined item, press the space bar. The option button or check box will be selected.

Calendar The calendar icon is a symbol that indicates a date field. Instead of typing in a date, you can click the calendar icon to display a calendar from which you can select the date.

Display Text Text that is display-only is blue. The color distinction helps you quickly know which text is editable and which text is being displayed by the system. For example, the Carrier field allows you to enter the carrier code, but to the right of the field the description of the carrier code is shown in blue.

Email to The Email to button displays only on the Customer Inquiry Screen in the Customer Inquiry (MENU ARMAIN). An Email to button displays for each contact (PO or AP) with an e-mail address provided in Customer/Ship to Maintenance (MENU ARFILE). Click this button to send an email to the PO contact or AP contact for the customer account. APLUS GUI will launch your default email application with a message addressed to the contact.

NOTE: To use this feature, you must allow pop-up windows.

OK Button The OK button is an additional feature for advancing to the next screen in the processing flow or validating data the entered on a screen. Clicking the OK button is the same as pressing enter or clicking the OK link in the Links panel of a dynamically built screen.

Customized Screen Features

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Date Fields

A date field is a data entry field that requires you to enter a date. The date must be entered in the proper date format, which is the date format defined for your user ID through Register APLUS User IDs (MENU XACFIG) or, if no format is specified for your user ID, the date format assigned for the system through System Options Maintenance (MENU XAFILE).

All date fields can be navigated using the keyboard. Only date fields on customized screens can also be navigated using the calendar icon.

Using the Keyboard

You can enter the date using the keyboard to key the month, day, and year (in the order required by your date format). If you enter the date with the keyboard, you do not need to enter separators, such as - or /. The system provides a space within the field to serve as the separator. For example, the date for January 6, 2003 entered in mm/dd/yy format will display like this on the screen: 01 06 03.

Using the Calendar Icon

On customized screens, you can use the calendar icon to select the date. To use the calendar icon to select the date:

1. Use your mouse to point to the icon for the field. The mouse cursor will change from an arrow to a hand. While the cursor is a hand, click the icon. The Calendar window will appear.

2. If the date field is blank, the default date for the calendar is the current date; otherwise the date in the date field is selected in the calendar.


3. You can select the month by either using the left/right arrows to scroll forward or backward through the calendar or by using the Month drop-down list to select the month.

4. You can select the day either by clicking the day in the calendar, keying the day in the days field, or using the up/down arrow to increment the days. You can also use the days field to move the calendar ahead a certain number of days. For example, suppose you have a lead time of 25 days and you want to use 25 days from the current date as the due date. First, you would make sure the current date is selected in the calendar and then, you would enter 25 in the days field. The calendar would select the date that is 25 days in the future.

5. You can select the year either by keying the year in the Year field, using the up/down arrow to increment the year, or using the left/right arrows to scroll forward or backward through the months to the previous or next year.

6. To return to the current date, click the Today button. Once you have selected the date, click OK or to return to the screen without selecting a date, click Cancel.

Question Mark Fields

A question mark field is any field that has a list of valid values that the system can display and from which you can select. On dynamically built screens, fields that end with a question mark (?) instead of a colon (:) are question mark fields. On customized screens, fields with a binoculars icon are question mark fields. Search fields, such as those for customers and items, are also considered question mark fields. If you need more information about question mark fields and how they work in the system, refer to the Cross Applications User Guide.

All question mark fields can be navigated using the keyboard. Only question mark fields on customized screens can be navigated using the binoculars icon.

Using the Keyboard

You can enter a question mark in the field and press ENTER to display a list of valid values, or, for a search field (such as the Item Description field), enter all or part of the search criteria. For a question mark field that displays a list of valid values, the question mark window will appear. For a search field, the search window will appear.

Using the Binoculars Icon

To use the binoculars icon to display a list of valid values for a field, use your mouse to point to the icon for the field. The mouse cursor will change from an arrow to a hand. While the cursor is a hand, click the icon. For a question mark field that displays a list of 2-23

valid values, the question mark window will appear. For a search field (such as the Item Description field), the search window will appear.

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Roll Screens

A roll screen is a screen that displays a list of data that does not fit on one screen. You can page through the data list to display the next set of data. More... appears at the bottom of the data list to indicate that more data is available. Last appears at the bottom of the data list when the last screen of data is shown. For more information about roll screens and how they work in the system, refer to the Cross Applications User Guide.

All roll screens can be navigated using the keyboard. Only roll screens on customized screens can be navigated using the mouse.

Using the Keyboard

To move through the list of data on a roll screen, you can use the PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN keys or the F7 (forward) and F8 (back) function keys to move through the list of data. Depending on the features of the data list, you may be able to select a line by tabbing to the list, using a function key, or keying the lines reference number in the selection field.

To select a line from the list by tabbing:

1. Press TAB to move through the fields on the screen until you enter the list box. A dashed outline displays around the first line in the box.

2. Once you are positioned in the box, use the down arrow to move to the line that you want to select. The dashed outline will reposition. If you pass the line you want, use the up arrow to move up.

3. Once the line that you want to select is surrounded by the dashed outline, press the space bar to highlight the line.

4. Press ENTER to select the highlighted line.

For screens where you could use the F13-F20 function keys to select a line for change, the function keys still work. The following table lists the line selection number and the corresponding function key to use to select the line.

Selection Number and Function Key

Selection Number Function Key1 F132 F143 F154 F165 F17

6 F18


For screens that provide a Sel (selection) field, you can use the Sel field to key the reference number for the line to select it.

Using the Mouse

You can only use your mouse to move through the list of data and select a line on a customized screen. To move through the list of data, click the up or down double arrow in the scroll bar to move either up or down. To select a line using your mouse, double-click the line.

7 F198 F20

Selection Number and Function Key

Selection Number Function Key2-25

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CHAPTER 3

1. Launch the APLUS GUI application. If you are using a Browser Client, your internet browser will open and the Start page appears.Using APLUS GUI

This section describes how to use APLUS GUI. It is recommended that you read and understand the layout and features of the graphical user interface before signing on to and beginning to use the system.

Starting APLUS GUI

This section explains how to start APLUS GUI and sign on to the application. Please note that based on how your system is configured, your sign on procedure may vary from the scenario provided here.

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Click the Start button. The navigation bar appears, then the AS400 Sign On Screen appears. If you are using a Windows Client, the Start page does not appear; the AS400 Sign On Screen appears.2. On the Sign On Screen, key your user ID in the User field. If your system is configured to require a password, key your password in the Password field. Click OK or press

Using APLUS GUI

ENTER. Based on the configuration of your iSeries user profile, the following screens may appear as part of your sign on procedure: The OS/400 Main Menu. On the OS/400 Main Menu, enter the command to start

Application Plus and press ENTER. The Begin an A+ Session Screen, if you are using Version 6.0 and have multiple

bases, specify a base ID and click OK or press ENTER. The Begin an A+ Session Screen, if you have multiple environments. On the Begin

an A+ Session Screen, enter the environment to which you want to sign on and click OK or press ENTER.

3. Continue with your sign on procedure and then, go to the menu specified for your APLUS user registration when your sign on is complete.

Using the Online Help

APLUS GUI has two types of online help. The APLUS GUI help explains the graphical user interface and how to navigate it. You can display the APLUS GUI user help by clicking the help icon in the toolbar. There is also online help for the system, which is screen sensitive, meaning that help for the screen or menu in the screen panel is shown. You can display the system help by pressing F1 on the screen or menu.

Exiting APLUS GUI

You must sign out of Application Plus before you exit the APLUS GUI window. If you do not sign out, your session will not be properly ended on the iSeries application.

Important

To prevent stranded records from being left in Application Plus, you must sign out of Application Plus before you close the APLUS GUI window. If you do not sign out, you may create a stranded iSeries session which may pre-vent you from initializing a new session.

To sign out:

1. If you are in an option, exit the option so that you are returned to a menu with a command line.

2. In the command line, key signoff and press ENTER. The Sign On Screen appears. You can now close the APLUS GUI window by clicking the X in the upper-right corner of the 3-3

window.

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3. If you do not sign off first and you are working at a Windows Desktop session, the following message appears.

4. This message will prevent you from exiting JWalk without signing off first. Click OK to acknowledge the message and then sign off Application Plus before closing the APLUS GUI window.

5. If you are working at a Browser Client session, the following message appears when you try to close the window.

6. If you are already signed off, click OK. If you have not signed off, click Cancel and then sign off Application Plus before closing the APLUS GUI window.

Client The program that requests information from a server. For APLUS GUI, J Walk is the client program.

Graphical UserInterface

Also known as GUI. A presentation of a software application that includes text, graphic elements, and keyboard and mouse usability.

J Walk The third-party software product used to create and deploy APLUS GUI.

Mouse-over An effect that is activated when the mouse is used to place the cursor over an item. For example, buttons on the toolbar display a text description of their use.

Question Mark Field Any field that has a list of valid values that the system can display and from y built screens, fields that end with a :) are question mark fields. On noculars icon are question mark fields. which you can select. On dynamicallquestion mark (?) instead of a colon (customized screens, fields with the biGlossary

Binoculars Icon An icon on a customized screen that displays for all question mark fields. Clicking the icon displays the question mark window.

Browser An application that interfaces with web servers to display and allow interaction with Internet content or a web-enabled application, such as APLUS GUI. Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator are common browser applications.

Calendar Icon An icon on a customized screen that displays for all date fields. Clicking the icon displays a calendar from which you can navigate to and select the desired date.Search fields, such as those for customers and items, are also considered question mark fields.

APLUS GUI User GuideRoll Screens A screen that displays a list of data that does not fit on one screen. You can page through the data list to see the next set of data. More... appears at the bottom of the data list to indicate that more data is available. Last appears at the bottom of the data list when the last screen of data is shown.

Seagull The company that owns the third-party software package, J Walk, used to create APLUS GUI.ii

Client Tools 2-6

Copying Text 2-10

Customized ScreensFeatures of 2-20Illustration of 2-19

Cutting Text 2-10

D

Data Entry Fields 2-21

Date Fields 2-

Drop-Down M

Dynamically B

I

Initiating Multiple Tasks 2-11

K

Keyboard Shortcuts 2-10, 2-12

L

Links PanelUsing the Function Keys to Navigate 2-12

e Keyboard Shortcut to Navigate 2-12e Mouse to Navigate 2-1122

enus 2-4

Using thUsing thIndex

A

Attention Key 2-11

B

Binoculars Icon 2-23

C

Calendar Icon 2-22

F

Function KeysFor Links 2-12For Roll Screens 2-24

G

Graphical User InterfaceBenefits of 1-1Illustration of 2-2uilt Screens 2-18

APLUS GUI User GuideM

Menus 2-13

N

Navigating the ScreensData Entry Fields 2-21Date Fields 2-22Question Mark Fields 2-23

Navigation Bar 2-3

O

Online Help 3-3

P

Panel LayoutIllustration of 2-2Links Panel 2-11Screen Panel 2-13Toolbar 2-3

Pasting Text 2-10

Printing a Panel 2-6

Printing a Screen 2-11

Q

Question Mark Fields 2-23

R

Roll Screens 2-24

S

Screen PanelMenus 2-13Screens 2-17

Customized 2-19Dynamically Built 2-18Navigating 2-20

T

Task Selection Screen 2-11

Toggling the Emulator View 2-9

Toggling the Function Key Panel 2-9

Toolbar Buttons 2-10

U

Using the Binoculars Icon 2-23

Using the Calendar Icon 2-22

Using the Function KeysLinks Panel 2-12Roll Screens 2-24

Using the Keyboard Shortcuts 2-12

Using the Mouse to NavigateLinks Panel 2-11Roll Screens 2-25

Using the Online Help 3-3

Using the Toolbar 2-10Index-ii

Screens

aplus gui user guide

Documents

toggle function key

links panel

aplus gui user guideversion

infor word

aplus gui work

tn5250 printer client

client tools

navigation bar buttons