Paradigm's navigation structure is mainly driven by list view grids, detail view forms and pivot grids used for analysis. This section covers the general user interface and navigational elements.
1. Navigation Pane
The main menu is an Accordion Style navigation menu. The menu is grouped into the main modules and functions that make up the application with each Paradigm module given its own menu header. The modules menu items are then categorised into the following folders:
- Processing Folder
All the menu items in the processing folder are the features you’ll use for day-to-day processing if your business makes use of that specific module. - Enquiry Folder
The Enquiry Folder, only found under the 'Documents' and 'Inventory' modules, directs you to the screens where you can efficiently search and query all entries made within these modules. This is especially useful in the 'Documents' module where the most entries are made. - Analysis Folder
The analysis folder includes all pre-defined reports and standard pivot tables used to analyse the data of that particular module. - Maintenance Folder
All the menu items in the maintenance folder will direct you to the screens where you setup the parameters and pre-defined drop-down values of that particular module.
If the Navigation Pane is not visible, click 'View' on the main toolbar, then select 'Navigation Pane' > 'Visible'.
In older versions of Paradigm, the solution is very similar. 'View' > 'Panels' > 'Navigation' > 'Visible'.
However, in Paradigm versions older than V5, the Navigation Pane can be undocked from the side of the screen that then acts as a floating window. To re-dock the Navigation Pane, click-and-drag the panel onto the docking option you desire. The docking options appear as soon as you start dragging the panel arround.
2. List Views
Each menu item on the navigation menu will first direct you to a list view grid of all the records related to the menu item you clicked on. The screenshot below is a list view grid of all customer records.
3. Detail View
Double-clicking on a record on the list view grid will direct you to the detail view of that particular record. The screenshot below is a detail view of a specific customer record.
4. Tabbed Layout
Paradigm's default navigation style is to open each window as its own tab, with each tab acting independently so that you can work in multiple screens simultaneously. The amount of tabs open at the same time is limited to 10 tabs.
5. Toolbars
The main toolbar changes dynamically based on the current active tab, so only toolbar buttons that are relevant to the current screen will be visible.
