Archive for category: Frontpage Article

Clicking Ctrl+Shift+O in a field on a screen in Lawson is a useful tool to determine what database file that field is populated by. This can be used in Lawson DME Queries, but it also can be used in SQL queries. The prefix of the field name (such as VEN) maps to the table name where the value comes from. If you don’t know how the prefix maps to a table, you can easily find this information in the GEN database. The table you want to search is FILEDEF on the PREFIX column. So, your query might look something like this:

SELECT * FROM FILEDEF WHERE PREFIX = ‘VEN’

This will return the record that contains table name and other information about the database file that populates this screen.

When creating an LBI report, there may be a need for a parameter list to be dependent on a previous parameter selection.  The best way to accomplish this in Crystal is to create a cascading parameter. This method works even for multiple-select parameters.

First, create a data source that contains the values you want in your parameters. If your report data source is large, it is best to move that into a sub report, and add a parameter dataset to your main report. In the parameter data set, pull all the records that might be dependent on each other, such as companies and locations.

Create a new parameter called “Locations”. The List of Values should be dynamic. Select a new data source. Set the value and description of the top-most parameter (in this case, Company). Click on the next line in the value box to create a cascading parameter.  In this case, point it at the Location data. Allow select multiple for the parameters where it applies.

Go to Report > Select Expert > Record. Set the Company value equal to the Locations – Company parameter. This way the list of Locations will be dynamically loaded when Company is selected.

When you publish the report to LBI, make sure that you configure the report to use the Crystal Reports parameter page.

Need to deduct a percentage or a flat amount from a vendor’s invoice?  Here’s how:

1. Setup a distribution code on AP05.3 as a percentage and indicate the account that the amount should go to. You can actually setup two or more different percentages to distribute to two different accounts. Make the percentage a negative percentage when deducting an amount from the invoice.
   
2. On the vendor’s AP10 record on the Default Tab add the distribution code. It will default onto the invoices and automatically deduct the percent or percentages specified on the AP05.3 form for the distribution code.

3. You may have to adjust the invoice total amount to reflect the deduction(s) to be in balance.

Every now and then the system hiccups. Just like we all do.  When this happens, sometimes there are ways of addressing the issue and sometimes there are not through the standard forms.

When there isn’t a way to address the issue with the standard processes, Paint Screens can be used to go behind the scenes and address the issue that is needing to be fixed. So of course, they should be used sparingly and only when there is no other choice to address the issue.

Some examples of this are:

• PO lines where the quantities indicate that the line should be closed, however the line is still open.  This keeps the PO header open as well.
• AP Credit memos that were canceled yet still show up on the MA126 report.

When first using Lawson portal, it can be a bit overwhelming with all the buttons and unfamiliar UI. The first change I always make is changing the buttons to display text instead of icons.

First go to Preferences >> User Options

Under “Toolbar Button Display” select Text >> Apply and OK

Once you’ve applied the changes, your icons will change from this:

To this:

This is especially helpful for users with higher tier access as you don’t want to accidentally click delete or change a form when you didn’t mean to!

Hope this simple tip was helpful!