Acumatica includes several no-code and low-code tools that allow organizations to personalize screens, add business-specific fields, improve reporting, and build more useful dashboards without relying on traditional software development.
These tools can make the system easier to use while keeping configurations more manageable during future upgrades.
Acumatica includes standard fields for customers, vendors, transactions, inventory items, and other records. However, organizations often need to track information that is unique to their business or industry.
Attributes allow users to create reusable fields that can be added to different records. These fields may be used to track information such as:
Attributes can be created as text fields, numbers, checkboxes, dates, drop-down lists, multi-select lists, or selectors connected to other records in Acumatica.
For example, an accounts payable team may want to assign a low, medium, or high priority to each vendor bill. A payment priority attribute could be created and added to the bill-entry screen. Users could then identify which invoices should be addressed first, even when several have the same due date.
Once an attribute has been created, it can be added to an Acumatica screen as a user-defined field.
The modern Acumatica interface includes configuration tools that allow authorized users to choose which fields appear on a screen and where they are placed. Fields can be added, hidden, or rearranged using drag-and-drop functionality.
This is useful for both new and existing fields. Acumatica may already contain standard fields that are not currently visible on a particular screen. A user may be able to display due dates, retainage amounts, payment details, or other available information without developing a new screen.
By placing the most relevant fields in more visible locations, organizations can create a cleaner experience and make routine data entry more efficient.
Generic inquiries, often called GIs, are the list-style views used throughout Acumatica. They display data in rows and columns and allow users to filter, sort, group, and drill into individual records.
Organizations can modify these inquiries to better support their reporting and operational needs. A generic inquiry can be adjusted to:
In the payment priority example, adding the field to the entry screen allows users to assign a priority. Adding the same field to the related inquiry allows the accounts payable team to filter the full bill list and view only high-priority invoices.
This can reduce the need to export data to Excel every time a team member needs a different view.
Generic inquiries can also include calculated fields.
Teams often export information because they need to change how a value is displayed or perform a calculation. In many cases, that logic can be built directly into Acumatica.
For instance, prepayments and adjustments may appear as positive amounts in a standard inquiry. A calculated field could display those transactions as negative values, providing a clearer picture of the balance due.
The inquiry can also total the calculated column. As users filter the information by vendor, date, or another criterion, the total updates automatically.
Keeping these calculations inside Acumatica creates a more consistent reporting process and reduces reliance on manually maintained spreadsheets.
Detailed transaction lists are useful, but they may not make trends easy to identify. Acumatica pivot tables allow users to summarize generic inquiry data without leaving the system.
Users can organize fields into rows, columns, and values, then group information by year, quarter, month, week, or day.
An accounts payable team might review spending by vendor. A sales manager could analyze revenue by region, product category, or salesperson. A project manager could summarize costs by project or reporting period.
Pivot tables can be saved and, depending on permissions, shared with other users. Values also remain connected to the underlying records, allowing users to drill into the transactions behind a total.
Side panels allow users to view supporting information alongside a generic inquiry.
For example, while reviewing vendor bills, a user could display vendor details, open documents, account balances, or related transactions on the side of the screen. As the user moves through the inquiry, the side panel updates automatically.
This reduces the need to open several records or move between different screens. It can be especially helpful for employees who review large transaction lists and need quick access to related information before taking action.
Dashboards bring important metrics, charts, reports, and inquiries into one view.
An accounts payable clerk may want to see balances due by vendor and invoices awaiting approval. A sales manager may focus on open opportunities, monthly bookings, and performance by territory. A project leader may only need information related to projects assigned to them.
Dashboard widgets can be built from generic inquiries, including any fields or calculations added to them. Filters and user-based parameters can also control which information each person sees.
This allows organizations to provide a more focused experience for each role while using the same underlying data.
Many of these tools are intended for system administrators and experienced users rather than everyone in the organization.
Changes to shared inquiries, dashboards, fields, and screens may affect multiple users. Organizations should decide who is responsible for managing these configurations and limit access accordingly.
Naming standards and a review process can also help prevent duplicate fields, crowded dashboards, and overly complicated screens.
Acumatica’s no-code tools won’t replace custom development in every situation and more complex requirements may still call for a developer. However, many common improvements can be made directly through the interface.
By using attributes, generic inquiries, pivot tables, side panels, and dashboards, organizations can make Acumatica better reflect their processes and provide users with clearer, more actionable information.
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