COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER module

Introduction

The COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER module manages reports that are to be distributed by more than one channel e.g. e-mail, fax and printing. It controls the distribution of the report by the various channels. It records which channels are to be used for each supplier and each report. It record the date and time of all transmissions.

Included Reports

Figure CM1 below shows the screen for registering a report with the COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER module. This sets the default distribution channels for the report (These can be overridden for a individual farmer

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CM1: Screen for registering reports with the COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

In the case of e-mail the system will sends the report in PDF format attachment to an e- mail. The message on the e-mail will be the one contained in the “Body of Text” box on this screen.

How it works

If a report is registered with the communications manager then when the report is run then in addition to the three usual options of Print to Printer, Print Preview and Print to File there is a fourth option i.e. “Communications”. If the “Communications” option is selected then the report will be distributed via the COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER. The tick boxes for E-mail, Fax and print allows the restrict distribution to the channels that are ticked e.g. if only E-mail is ticked only those scheduled to receive the report by E-mail will get it.

Figure CM2: Distributing a report using the communications Manager

The date and time of all distributions via the COMMUNICATION MANAGER are recorded. There is a report detailing when any report was dispatched to a farmer and by what channel.