Filter Groups
Filter groups are how Dime.Scheduler matches the right resource to the right job. You use them to capture requirements on work items (qualifications, region, certifications, and so on) and attributes on resources (a driver's license, languages spoken, and so on), then let the planner pair the two. Managing filter groups and their values from Business Central is the most convenient way to set this up.
The 'Dime.Scheduler Filter Groups' setup also lets you define categories, time markers and pins. The configuration described below applies to these visual indicators as well.
Creating any of these entities follows the same four steps:
- Create the item
- Specify the source
- Generate the available values (filter groups only)
- Send the record to Dime.Scheduler
You can send filter groups and filter values to Dime.Scheduler manually (through an action in the ribbon) or automatically through the scheduled job functionality on the 'Dime.Scheduler Setup' page.
Create the filter group
Open the Dime.Scheduler Filter Groups list in BC. You will find a grid with the following fields:
| Field, tab or group | Description |
|---|---|
| Type | Specify whether this record represents a filter group, category, time marker and pin. |
| Group | The entity's name. This is also the name that is displayed in Dime.Scheduler. |
Specify the source for the filter values
The source list for the filter values lives in the ribbon under the ellipsis button, in the 'Related' submenu:
The list contains the following columns:
| Field, tab or group | Description |
|---|---|
| Table No. | Specify the table number that is the source for the filter values |
| Field No. | Specify the field number of the field that contains the filter values. |
| Field Filter | Enter an optional filter to limit the available values (e.g. WHERE(Type=CONST(Resource),Skill Code=FILTER(DS))) |
Generate the available values
With the sources in place, generate the filter values from them. Click the 'Create Filter Values' button. In the screenshot below, Dime.Scheduler generates filter values for the 'Zone' filter group based on the data in table 5957 (service zones).
You can also enter filter values manually.
Send the filter values to Dime.Scheduler
Open the 'Dime.Scheduler Filter Values' list in BC and select the entities you want to synchronize with Dime.Scheduler, or select none to send them all.
You can mark certain filter values to be excluded from Dime.Scheduler. This is an alternative to the field filter in the filter values sources. To exclude a filter value from Dime.Scheduler, enable the Do Not Synch field.
Filter values
To send all filter values to Dime.Scheduler manually: Actions -> Synch. All. To send a selection of filter values: Actions -> Synch. Selection
Filter groups
The same buttons are available here to send the filter values for filter groups in one go. To send them for all filter groups at once: Actions -> Synch. All. To send them for a selection of filter groups (from the filter groups page only): Actions -> Synch. Selection
Automatic
To automatically send filter groups, categories and time markers to Dime.Scheduler, use the supplied codeunit DS Scheduled Sync.
Use a job queue to run DS Scheduled Sync every night.
Standard connector
The standard connector lets you skip this setup for a few common scenarios. Skills and zones, for instance, come out of the box in Business Central, with setup available in the FastTrack Wizard. When you enable it, the connector adds the filter groups and configures their sources so Dime.Scheduler uses resources' skills and zones to match the task requirements.
This standard functionality is a good illustration of what the filter group and values setup in Business Central can do.
For an even more flexible approach, consider using dimensions. The guide on using dimensions for filter groups walks you through the setup.