Table of Contents
The Menu Screen acts as the central dashboard in ConMan, providing an overview and quick navigation to various modules. Developed in Delphi with DevExpress for enhanced visual elements like tiles and toolbars, it connects to the PostgreSQL database via PgDac to load user-specific data and permissions dynamically.
Key Features: #
- Module Tiles: Large, visually appealing clickable icons or buttons representing core modules. These are arranged in a grid layout for easy access, with labels such as Materials, Users, Contacts, Tags, Tasks, Projects, and Transactions. Each tile includes subtle hover effects for better interactivity, courtesy of DevExpress styling.
- Toolbar: Located at the top, this includes a “Home” button with dropdown options (e.g., Exit) and a “Modules” dropdown that lists all available modules for alternative navigation. The toolbar is customizable based on user roles.
- Status Bar: Positioned at the bottom of the screen, it displays essential information like the current username (e.g., “User: JaneSmith”) and possibly system status or version details. This bar remains persistent across sessions for quick reference.
- Customization Options: Users can rearrange tiles if permitted by their role, with changes saved via PgDac for personalized dashboards.
- Search Functionality: A subtle search bar may be available in advanced setups to quickly filter modules or access recent items.
How to Use: #
- Accessing the Menu Screen:
- After a successful login, the Menu Screen loads automatically. If you’re already in another module, use the toolbar’s Home button to return here.
- Navigating to a Module Using Tiles:
- Scan the dashboard for the desired tile (e.g., the Materials tile for managing inventory and pricing).
- Click the tile directly. This opens the selected module in a new window or tab, depending on your configuration.
- Detailed tile descriptions:
- Materials: View, add, edit, or delete material entries, including pricing and stock levels.
- Users: Administer user accounts, roles, and permissions—restricted to authorized users.
- Contacts: Store and manage supplier, vendor, or client details with search and export capabilities.
- Tags: Create and assign tags for categorizing items across modules, improving organization.
- Tasks: Assign, track, and complete tasks with deadlines, assignees, and status updates.
- Projects: Oversee construction or project workflows, including timelines, budgets, and resources.
- Transactions: Record and review purchase orders, invoices, and financial transactions.
- Navigating Using the Toolbar:
- Locate the “Modules” option in the toolbar at the top.
- Click it to expand a dropdown menu listing all modules (similar to the tiles).
- Select an item (e.g., Tasks) to launch it. This method is useful if tiles are hidden or for keyboard navigation.
- Exiting the Application:
- Click the “Home” button in the toolbar, then select “Exit” from the dropdown.
- Alternatively, close the main window using the standard close button (X in the top-right corner).
- Upon exit, any unsaved changes in open modules will prompt for confirmation to prevent data loss, handled securely via PgDac.
- Checking Your Login and Customizing:
- Glance at the status bar to verify your username and session status.
- For personalization, drag and drop tiles if enabled, or adjust toolbar preferences—these save automatically.
- Troubleshooting: If tiles don’t load, check your internet or database connection (PgDac-dependent). Restart the app or contact support for DevExpress-related UI glitches.
The Menu Screen is optimized for efficiency, allowing users to jump into workflows quickly while maintaining a clean, Delphi-powered interface.