How to: Flexibly configure order entry via the web portal

A customer portal is a powerful tool that allows your customers to directly create orders in your software system. Previously, Boltrics achieved this through the App Platform. But now, we are bringing this order entry functionality directly to the web portal with Web Portal Forms. Previously, we already introduced the new order entry functionality via the web portal in our blog. Now, we are taking it a step further and will explain step-by-step how to build web portal forms yourself.

Easily set up web portal forms in 3PL Dynamics

The technology behind the order entry views in Boltrics’ web portal is similar in many ways to the setup of your scan screens for the App Platform. In both, you can use standard available functionalities and apply them flexibly in your process. However, while the App Platform is mainly focused on facilitating internal processes, such as scanning activities in your warehouse or as a driver’s app on the road, the web portal forms are specifically developed for use by your customers.

The basics of Forms in the web portal

A Form is a new type of view in the web portal. Before, you were already familiar with list and dashboard views. But now, we have added the ‘Form’ view. This new view has three important distinguishing features compared to the others, consisting of stages, the side pane, and submission:

1. Stages

Stages (1) are configurable steps that your customer goes through in the form. These steps in the web portal are visible in the bar at the top of the view. Functions can be executed before and after a stage, allowing data to be retrieved from or sent to 3PL Dynamics. These stages form the basis for your customer’s entry process and indicate progress. We will further explain these stages in the continuation of the blog.

2. Side pane

Under the side pane (2), you configure the information that should be displayed on the side panel during order entry. Here, you can display contact details or show a summary of the information entered so far. You can add fields such as locations, contacts, or free text fields. When these fields have a value – meaning they have been filled in by your customer – they are displayed in the side panel.

3. Submit Form

Finally, this new view has two properties related to submitting the form. You can configure to which view of the web portal your customer is redirected and which notification should appear to show your customer (3).

Guide your customer step-by-step through the entry process with stages

As mentioned earlier, your customer goes through different stages during the entry process. Each of these stages can be flexibly built, allowing you to configure the entire order entry process as desired. Each stage consists of sections and functions.

1. Sections are the main elements in a stage. These contain fields that your customer fills in to create, for example, a transport order. Here, you can let your customer enter the movement scope and address details. For each choice your customer makes, you can make the subsequent form look different.
2. Functions retrieve information from your software system or send it to it. You can link these input and output functions to different fields on the form.

More information on Web Portal Forms?

Do you want to learn more about the possibilities for order entry in the web portal? And how you can apply these in your processes? Mail to marketing@boltrics.nl.