Dashboard: Business Outlook

Your Dashboard contains a number of useful numbers in the "Business Outlook" section.  This post will detail what each of those numbers signify.  In each case, these values are expressed in your domestic currency.

First, some definitions:

Backlog
Your backlog is the total value of unfulfilled (not delivered or shipped) orders you have from customers.

Bookings
Your bookings are the total value of new orders you have received from customers in the current month.

Billings
Your billings are the total value of goods you have shipped to customers in the current month.

Sched.Sales
Scheduled Sales is the total value of goods scheduled (determined by the commit dates on sales) to ship in the current month.  This value includes goods that have already shipped.  It also includes product that is late (scheduled to ship in previous months).

Outstanding POs
As backlog is the value of unshipped sales, Outstanding POs is the value of unreceived goods on purchase orders.

Current Inventory Value:
This is simply the value of your inventory.  For each item, OfficeBooks does a simple calculation, multiplying the quantity in stock by the unit value for inventory.  OfficeBooks adds up all the individual values to get your total inventory value.  Remember, to your accountant (and the taxman) inventory=cash.

A little more detail...

Let's start with Bookings, Billings, and Backlog.  Bookings push your backlog up, and billings drop your backlog down.  In periods of growth, your bookings will exceed your billings and your backlog will grow.  When business is poor, your billings will exceed your bookings and your backlog will decline.  This "book-to-bill ratio" is a globally recognized business performance metric.  Ratios above 1 are good.  Ratios below 1 are cause for concern.

Ideally, Scheduled Sales and Billings should be equal to each other by the end of the month.  If your billings are lower than scheduled sales, you have an on-time-delivery problem.




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OfficeBooks Help - The Dashboard

The dashboard presents a “snapshot” overview of your business, allowing you to make informed decisions based on up to date information.

You can view action items and events, add to your To Do list as well as upload files and perform scheduling tasks.


Action Items

Action items (alerts) are automated reminders of tasks which need to be completed so nothing gets overlooked.

For example, OfficeBooks action items will alert you when a purchase order requires approval or you have shipped product to a customer and an invoice needs to be issued.
The value column shows the number of items requiring action.

Learn more about Action Items

Latest Events

This is a list of recent activities OfficeBooks tracks for you.

Radio buttons to filter the latest events based on your selection.  The default view shows all latest events.
You can also filter on Sales or Shipments.

Event Links: each item in the events list will take you to the details about the item, work or purchase order, etc.

Dashboard: Action items explained

The Dashboard is your key to staying on top of your business.

The Action Item section of the Dashboard is an easy way to keep track of the work that needs to be done.

Here is what each type of action item means:

Make Item Shortages (you need to create work orders):

• This displays a count of items where demand from sales or work orders exceeds the supply (current stock plus the quantity being built on work orders).   Clicking on the "Make" link will display the items in this shortage state.

Buy Item Shortages (you need to create purchase orders):

• This displays a count of items where demand from sales or work orders exceeds the supply (current stock plus the quantity already on order from your suppliers).  Clicking on the "Buy" link will display the items in this shortage state.

Sales Ready to Ship:

• This displays a count of sales that have enough stock to cover the order quantity.  Clicking on the "Sales" link will display a list of sales that are ready to ship.

Purchases Awaiting Approval:

• This displays a count of purchase orders that have been requested.  They require review and approval before they can be sent to suppliers.   Clicking on the "Purchases" link will display a list of POs that are waiting for approval.

Purchases Approved not Ordered:

• This displays a count of purchase orders that have been approved and are ready to be sent to your supplier.  Clicking on the "Purchases" link will display a list of approved POs.

Work Orders Ready to Pick:

• This displays a count of work orders that have been created and have no shortages preventing work from getting underway.

Work Orders in Progress:

• This displays a count of active work orders.

Invoices Required for Shipments:

• This displays a count of shipments you have made against sales orders without a linked invoice.  Clicking on the "Invoices" link will display a list of uninvoiced shipments.

Overdue Purchases:

• This displays a count of purchase orders that are late from your suppliers (haven`t been received by the requested delivery date).  Clicking on the "Overdue" link will display a list of late POs.

Item Revisions Awaiting Approval:

• This displays a count of shipments you have made against sales orders without a linked invoice.  Clicking on the "Invoices" link will display a list of uninvoiced shipments.