Common Order Dashboards Explained

Introduction

ARMOR's Order Management system provides multiple dashboard views designed to help administrators monitor order workflows, track performance metrics, and manage daily operations efficiently. Each dashboard serves specific purposes, from high-level overviews to detailed order lists with filtering capabilities. Understanding how to navigate and utilize these dashboards ensures administrators can quickly access the information they need, identify issues promptly, and make data-driven decisions.

This comprehensive guide explains each order management dashboard available in ARMOR, describes their layouts and components, demonstrates how to use filtering and sorting options, covers quick actions available from dashboards, and provides best practices for dashboard-based workflow management. Whether you're monitoring pending approvals, analyzing vendor performance, or exporting data for reports, understanding dashboard capabilities is essential for efficient order management.

Dashboard Overview

Dashboard	Primary Purpose	Key Users
Order Summary Dashboard	High-level overview of order status distribution and key metrics	Administrators, managers, executives reviewing system health
Order List View	Detailed list of all orders with filtering, sorting, and action capabilities	Administrators, order creators, approvers managing daily operations
Pending Approvals Dashboard	Focused view of orders awaiting approval decisions	Approvers, administrators monitoring approval workflow
Vendor Performance Dashboard	Vendor-centric analytics showing order distribution and delivery metrics	Administrators managing vendor relationships and capacity
Analytics Dashboard	Charts and trends showing historical performance and patterns	Administrators, managers conducting performance analysis

Order Summary Dashboard

The Order Summary Dashboard provides a high-level snapshot of order management system health, displaying current status distribution and key performance indicators in a single view.

Dashboard Layout

Top Section: Status Overview

• Total Orders Card: Displays total order count for selected time period (default: current month)
• Pending Orders Card: Count of orders awaiting approval; click to drill into pending orders list
• Approved Orders Card: Count of approved but not yet sent orders
• Sent Orders Card: Count of successfully sent orders; primary success metric
• Failed Orders Card: Count of orders that failed to send; requires attention
• Rejected Orders Card: Count of rejected orders; quality indicator

Middle Section: Performance Metrics

• Approval Rate Gauge: Visual gauge showing approval percentage (target: >90%)
• Send Success Rate Gauge: Visual gauge showing notification delivery success (target: >95%)
• Average Approval Time: Displays average time from order creation to approval
• Orders Per Day: Current daily average for the selected period

Bottom Section: Quick Lists

• Recent Orders: Last 10 orders created, with status indicators
• Oldest Pending: Orders pending longest (age >48 hours highlighted)
• Recent Failures: Most recent failed notification attempts

Status Card Color Coding

Status	Card Color	Indicator Meaning	Action Level
Pending	Yellow/Amber	Attention needed; awaiting action	Monitor daily; act if age exceeds threshold
Approved	Light Blue	Positive status; in process	Should decrease quickly as orders are sent
Sent	Green	Success; completed system workflow	No action needed
Failed	Red	Error; requires immediate attention	Investigate and resolve same day
Rejected	Orange	Not progressing; review for patterns	Weekly review of rejection reasons

Using the Summary Dashboard

Daily Workflow:

1. Check Status Card Counts: Verify pending and failed counts are within normal ranges
2. Review Performance Gauges: Ensure approval rate and send success rate meet targets
3. Click Failed Orders Card: Drill into failed orders; investigate and resolve
4. Review Oldest Pending List: Check for orders pending >48 hours; follow up on approvals
5. Monitor Daily Average: Compare current day's order creation to average; identify unusual spikes/drops

Weekly Review:

1. Change time period selector to "Last 7 Days"
2. Compare current week metrics to previous week (if previous period comparison available)
3. Review rejection count and rate; analyze patterns if elevated
4. Assess whether pending orders are accumulating or being cleared efficiently

Time Period Selector

The dashboard typically includes a time period selector allowing administrators to view metrics for different timeframes:

• Today: Current day only; useful for intraday monitoring
• Last 7 Days: One week view; good for short-term trend observation
• Last 30 Days: Monthly view; standard reporting period
• Current Month: Month-to-date; useful for monthly reporting
• Last Month: Previous complete month; for historical comparison
• Custom Range: User-defined date range for specific analysis needs

Order List View

The Order List View provides a detailed, filterable table of all orders with comprehensive information and quick action capabilities. This is the primary working view for administrators managing day-to-day order operations.

Order List Columns

Column	Information Displayed	Usage
Order ID	Unique identifier; click to open order details	Navigate to full order view; copy for reference in communications
Created Date	Timestamp of order creation	Sort to find oldest/newest orders; calculate age
Asset	Asset name/identifier for which order was created	Filter by specific asset; identify asset with multiple orders
Order Type	Parts or Service designation	Filter by type; analyze type distribution
Status	Current order status with color indicator	Quick visual status assessment; filter by status
Vendor	Assigned vendor name	Filter by vendor; track vendor workload
Requestor	User who created the order	Track order creator activity; filter by requestor
Approver	User responsible for approval (if applicable)	Identify approval bottlenecks; distribute approval workload
Description	Truncated order description (first 50-100 characters)	Quick context without opening full order; search within descriptions
Actions	Quick action buttons (Edit, Delete, Resend, etc.)	Perform common actions without navigating away from list

Filtering Options

The Order List View provides robust filtering capabilities to narrow displayed orders:

Status Filters:

• All Orders (default)
• Pending Only
• Approved Only
• Sent Only
• Failed Only
• Rejected Only
• Cancelled Only
• Custom combinations (e.g., Pending + Approved = "Needs Attention")

Vendor Filter:

• Dropdown or searchable list of all vendors
• Select single vendor to view only their orders
• Multi-select capability (if available) to compare multiple vendors

Order Type Filter:

• Parts Orders Only
• Service Orders Only
• All Types (default)

Date Range Filter:

• Last 7 days
• Last 30 days
• Last 90 days
• Custom date range (start and end date selectors)

Requestor/Approver Filter:

• Filter to orders created by specific user
• Filter to orders assigned to specific approver
• Useful for workload analysis and training assessment

Asset Filter:

• Search by asset name or identifier
• View all orders for specific asset
• Useful for asset maintenance history review

Sorting Capabilities

Click column headers to sort orders (ascending/descending toggle):

Sort Column	When to Use Ascending	When to Use Descending
Created Date	Find oldest orders (potential delays)	See most recent orders (today's activity)
Order ID	Review orders chronologically by ID	Find most recently assigned IDs
Status	Alphabetically (Approved → Sent)	Reverse alphabetically (Sent → Approved)
Vendor	Group orders by vendor alphabetically	Reverse alphabetical vendor grouping
Asset	Group orders by asset alphabetically	Useful if asset names start with dates/numbers

Common Filtering Workflows

Morning Review Workflow:

1. Filter to "Pending" status
2. Sort by "Created Date" ascending (oldest first)
3. Review orders pending >48 hours; follow up with approvers
4. Change filter to "Failed" status
5. Address all failed notifications immediately

Vendor Performance Review Workflow:

1. Set date range to "Last 30 Days"
2. Select specific vendor from vendor filter
3. Review order count, status distribution, and any failed sends
4. Repeat for each vendor being evaluated
5. Export results for each vendor if needed

Order Creator Quality Review:

1. Set date range to "Last 30 Days"
2. Filter by specific requestor/creator
3. Sort by "Status" to group rejected orders
4. Assess rejection rate and patterns
5. Identify training opportunities based on rejection reasons

Quick Actions from List View

The Actions column provides buttons for common operations without navigating to full order detail:

Action	What It Does	When Available
View/Edit	Opens full order detail for viewing or editing	Always available; editing restricted by status
Approve	Approves pending order directly from list	Pending orders; user must have approval permission
Reject	Rejects pending order with reason prompt	Pending orders; user must have approval permission
Resend	Retry sending notification to vendor	Failed or approved orders not yet sent
Cancel	Cancels order before completion	Pending, approved, or failed orders; not sent orders
Delete	Permanently removes order from system	Typically restricted; admin-only; cancelled orders only
Copy	Creates duplicate order with same details	Any order; useful for recurring similar orders

Bulk Actions

Some Order List Views support bulk actions on multiple orders simultaneously:

• Select Multiple Orders: Checkboxes next to each order
• Bulk Approve: Approve multiple pending orders at once (if all eligible)
• Bulk Resend: Retry multiple failed notifications
• Bulk Export: Export selected orders to CSV/Excel
• Bulk Status Change: Change status of multiple orders (limited use cases)

Bulk Action Best Practices:

• Use filters to ensure only intended orders are selected
• Review selection before executing bulk action (count and spot-check)
• Document reason for bulk actions in notes or logs
• Verify bulk action completed successfully before moving on

Pending Approvals Dashboard

The Pending Approvals Dashboard provides a focused view specifically for orders awaiting approval decisions, optimized for approver workflows.

Dashboard Components

Header Metrics:

• Total Pending: Count of orders awaiting approval
• Pending >24 Hours: Count of orders pending more than 1 day
• Pending >72 Hours: Count of orders pending more than 3 days (urgent)
• Today's Submissions: Count of orders submitted today awaiting approval

Pending Order List:

Similar to general Order List View but pre-filtered to pending status only, with additional approval-relevant columns:

• Age: Time since order creation (e.g., "2 hours", "1 day 5 hours")
• Urgency Indicator: Visual flag for orders pending >72 hours
• Estimated Cost: If provided by requestor
• Preview Images: Thumbnail of uploaded images (if any)
• Quick Approve/Reject: Large, prominent action buttons

Approval Workflow from Dashboard

1. Review Order Information: Read description, view images, check asset and vendor
2. Assess Appropriateness: Determine if order meets approval criteria
3. Click Approve or Reject: Take action directly from dashboard
4. Add Notes (if rejecting): Provide clear reason for rejection
5. Confirm Action: System confirms approval/rejection and updates status
6. Move to Next Order: Dashboard automatically advances to next pending order

Pending Approvals Sorting Options

Sort Option	Use Case	Benefit
Sort by Age (oldest first)	Address longest-pending orders first; prevent SLA violations	Ensures no order sits too long; improves average approval time
Sort by Asset	Group orders by asset for context on asset status	Identify multiple orders for same asset; potential duplication
Sort by Vendor	Group orders by vendor for capacity consideration	Identify if too many orders going to single vendor simultaneously
Sort by Order Type	Approve all parts orders first, then service orders (or vice versa)	Batch similar order types for efficiency
Sort by Requestor	Review all orders from specific creator together	Identify if specific creator has quality issues or needs training

Approver Best Practices

• Daily Review: Check pending approvals dashboard at least once per business day
• Set Personal SLA: Aim to approve/reject all orders within 24 hours of submission
• Provide Clear Rejection Reasons: Help order creators improve future submissions
• Use Notes for Clarifications: If order needs more info, add note and contact creator rather than rejecting immediately
• Delegate When Unavailable: Ensure backup approver during vacations or busy periods
• Monitor Pending >72 Hours: If any orders exceed 3 days, prioritize immediate review

Vendor Performance Dashboard

The Vendor Performance Dashboard aggregates order data by vendor, providing vendor-centric analytics for relationship management and capacity planning.

Dashboard Layout

Vendor Summary Table:

Displays one row per vendor with key metrics:

• Vendor Name: Click to drill into vendor-specific orders
• Total Orders: Count for selected time period
• Share Percentage: Vendor's portion of total orders
• Send Success Rate: Percentage of successful notifications
• Failed Sends: Count of failed notifications
• Average Approval Time: Approval speed for this vendor's orders
• Trend Indicator: Up/down/flat arrow showing volume trend vs. previous period

Vendor Comparison Chart:

Visual representation (bar chart or pie chart) showing order distribution across vendors. Helps identify concentration and underutilization at a glance.

Top Performers Section:

• Highest Volume Vendor: Vendor receiving most orders
• Perfect Delivery Vendor: Vendor(s) with 100% send success
• Fastest Approval Vendor: Vendor whose orders approve quickest

Issues Section:

• Failed Notifications by Vendor: List of vendors with failed sends requiring attention
• High Rejection Rate Vendors: Vendors whose orders frequently rejected
• Inactive Vendors: Vendors with zero orders in selected period

Using Vendor Performance Dashboard

Monthly Vendor Review Workflow:

1. Set time period to last 30 days
2. Review summary table; note any unusual patterns (very high/low volume, poor send success)
3. Check "Issues" section; address failed notifications immediately
4. Identify top 3 vendors by volume; consider whether concentration is appropriate
5. Click vendors with low volume to review if they're meeting expectations or underutilized
6. Export vendor summary for reporting or external analysis

Quarterly Strategic Review:

1. Set time period to last 90 days or full quarter
2. Compare current quarter to previous quarter using trend indicators
3. Identify vendors showing sustained growth or decline; investigate causes
4. Review inactive vendors; determine if relationships should be maintained or ended
5. Assess vendor diversification; plan to develop alternates if concentration too high

Analytics Dashboard

The Analytics Dashboard presents historical order data through charts, graphs, and trend visualizations for performance analysis and reporting.

Common Analytics Widgets

Widget/Chart	What It Shows	Use Case
Order Volume Trend Line	Total orders over time (daily, weekly, or monthly)	Identify growth trends, seasonality, unusual spikes
Status Breakdown Pie Chart	Percentage distribution across all statuses	Quick visual of order flow health
Approval Rate Trend	Approval percentage over time	Monitor order quality trends; assess training impact
Send Success Rate Trend	Notification delivery success over time	Identify vendor contact data degradation
Orders by Type Stacked Bar	Parts vs. Service distribution over time	Understand maintenance mix; seasonal patterns
Top Vendors Bar Chart	Order count by top 5-10 vendors	Vendor workload comparison; concentration assessment
Approval Time Histogram	Distribution of approval times	Understand approval speed patterns; identify outliers
Failed Notifications Timeline	Failed send events plotted over time	Correlate failures with system events or vendor changes

Analytics Dashboard Best Practices

• Monthly Trend Analysis: Review all trend charts monthly; document observations and actions
• Compare Periods: Use dashboard's comparison features to view current vs. previous period
• Export Charts: Save chart images for reports or presentations
• Identify Anomalies: Investigate unusual spikes or drops; document causes for future reference
• Share with Stakeholders: Use analytics dashboard in monthly/quarterly executive briefings

Exporting Data from Dashboards

Most dashboards provide data export capabilities for external analysis, reporting, or archiving.

Export Options

Export Format	Best For	Limitations
CSV (Comma-Separated)	Excel analysis, database import, custom reporting	Plain text only; no formatting, images, or charts
Excel (XLSX)	Spreadsheet analysis with formulas; pivot tables; formatted reports	May not include all dashboard visualizations
PDF	Static reports for distribution; archiving; executive summaries	Not editable; cannot manipulate data further
JSON	API integration; custom application development; data warehousing	Requires technical knowledge to parse and use

Export Workflow

1. Configure Dashboard View: Apply desired filters, date range, and sorting before exporting
2. Click Export Button: Usually located in dashboard header or footer
3. Select Format: Choose CSV, Excel, PDF, or other available format
4. Confirm Settings: Some exports allow column selection or additional options
5. Download File: Save to appropriate location; use descriptive filename with date
6. Verify Export: Open file to ensure data exported correctly and completely

Export Best Practices

• Consistent Naming: Use standard naming convention (e.g., "OrderExport_YYYY-MM-DD.xlsx")
• Regular Archiving: Schedule monthly exports for historical record-keeping
• Filter Before Export: Export only needed data to keep file sizes manageable
• Document Context: Add note about filters/settings used for export if not obvious from filename
• Version Control: If exporting multiple times same day, use version numbers or timestamps

Customizing Dashboard Views

Some ARMOR installations allow dashboard customization to match organizational needs and preferences.

Common Customization Options

Customization	Description	Availability
Column Selection	Choose which columns display in list views	Common; user-level customization
Default Filters	Set default filter values when opening dashboard	Common; user-level or role-based
Widget Arrangement	Drag-and-drop widgets to preferred layout	Varies; may require admin configuration
Metric Thresholds	Define when metrics display warning colors	Admin-level; affects all users
Chart Types	Choose bar, line, pie chart for specific data	Varies; may be fixed by system
Saved Views	Save specific filter/sort combinations for quick access	Common; user-level feature

Creating Saved Views

1. Configure dashboard with desired filters, sorting, and columns
2. Click "Save View" or "Create Filter" button
3. Name the view descriptively (e.g., "Failed Notifications - Last 7 Days")
4. Save view; it appears in quick-access menu for future use
5. Create multiple saved views for common workflows

Recommended Saved Views:

• "Morning Review" - Pending + Failed orders, sorted by age
• "Vendor Check" - Last 30 days, grouped by vendor
• "My Orders" - Orders created by current user
• "Urgent Approvals" - Pending >48 hours, sorted by age
• "Monthly Report" - Current month, all orders, standard columns for export

Mobile Dashboard Access

Many ARMOR installations provide mobile-optimized dashboard views for on-the-go monitoring and approval.

Mobile Dashboard Considerations

• Responsive Design: Dashboards automatically adapt to smaller screens
• Touch-Friendly Controls: Large buttons and touch targets for mobile interaction
• Simplified Views: Mobile may show fewer columns or widgets due to space constraints
• Quick Actions Emphasized: Approve/reject actions prominent for easy mobile approval
• Limited Export: Some export functions may not be available on mobile
• Notifications: Mobile access often paired with push notifications for pending approvals

Mobile Dashboard Best Practices

• Use mobile primarily for monitoring and quick approvals, not detailed analysis
• Configure push notifications for critical alerts (failed sends, urgent approvals)
• Review detailed analytics on desktop for better visibility and full feature access
• Ensure mobile access credentials are secure (strong password, biometric if available)
• Test mobile view before relying on it for remote access during travel

Dashboard Performance Optimization

For organizations with large order volumes, dashboard performance can be optimized:

Performance Tips

• Limit Date Ranges: Viewing very long periods (>90 days) may slow dashboard loading
• Use Filters: Narrow results with filters before loading dashboard
• Paginate Results: Use pagination (e.g., 50 results per page) rather than loading all orders
• Schedule Off-Peak Exports: Large exports during business hours may impact performance
• Cache Refresh: If dashboard data seems stale, use refresh button to reload latest data
• Browser Performance: Close unnecessary tabs/applications for better browser performance

Related Articles

• Understanding Order KPIs: Detailed explanation of metrics displayed in dashboards
• 7/30-Day Trend Reports: Interpreting trend data from analytics dashboard
• Vendor Performance Analytics: Deep dive into vendor dashboard metrics
• Creating Service Orders: How to create orders that appear in dashboards
• Orders Not Sending to Vendor: Troubleshooting failed orders shown in dashboard

Summary

ARMOR's order management dashboards provide comprehensive views for monitoring, analyzing, and managing order workflows. Key takeaways:

• Order Summary Dashboard provides high-level system health snapshot with status cards and key metrics
• Order List View offers detailed, filterable table for day-to-day order management and bulk actions
• Pending Approvals Dashboard optimizes approver workflow with focused view and quick approval actions
• Vendor Performance Dashboard aggregates vendor-centric metrics for relationship management
• Analytics Dashboard visualizes trends and patterns through charts for strategic analysis
• Filtering and sorting capabilities enable precise data views for specific workflows
• Quick actions and bulk operations improve efficiency for common administrative tasks
• Export functionality allows external analysis and reporting in multiple formats
• Customization options let users tailor dashboards to their specific needs and preferences
• Mobile access enables monitoring and approvals from anywhere

Effective use of order management dashboards enables administrators to monitor system health, identify issues promptly, make data-driven decisions, and manage daily operations efficiently. Regular dashboard reviews combined with appropriate filtering and export capabilities ensure comprehensive order management oversight.

Tags: orders, dashboards, reporting, analytics, filtering, views, metrics, interface, navigation, exports