Basic Navigation Guide

Efficient navigation is key to productivity in Sederly. This guide will help you understand the interface layout, master keyboard shortcuts, and develop efficient workflows for common tasks.

## Interface Overview ### Main Layout Components Sederly uses a consistent layout across all pages: #### 1. Top Navigation Bar - **Organization Logo/Name**: Always visible in the top-left - **Search Bar**: Global search for orders, customers, and products - **Notifications**: Bell icon showing system alerts and updates - **User Menu**: Profile, settings, and logout options #### 2. Sidebar Navigation - **Dashboard**: Main overview and analytics - **Orders**: Order management and processing - **Customers**: Customer database and profiles - **Products**: Inventory and product catalog - **Reports**: Analytics and business insights - **Settings**: System configuration - **Help**: Quick access to support resources #### 3. Main Content Area - **Page Header**: Current page title and primary actions - **Content Panels**: Main working area with data and forms - **Action Buttons**: Primary and secondary actions for the current page - **Status Indicators**: Visual cues for data status and alerts #### 4. Footer (when applicable) - **Pagination**: Navigate through large data sets - **Record Counts**: Total items and current view - **Quick Actions**: Context-specific shortcuts ## Navigation Patterns ### Primary Navigation The sidebar is your primary navigation tool: #### Main Sections: - **Dashboard**: Click to return to the main overview - **Orders**: Access all order-related functions - **Customers**: Manage customer database - **Products**: Handle inventory and catalog - **Reports**: View analytics and generate reports - **Settings**: Configure system preferences #### Expandable Menus: Some menu items expand to show sub-options: - **Orders** → New Order, Order List, Pending Orders - **Reports** → Sales Reports, Customer Reports, Product Reports - **Settings** → Organization, Users, Branches, Payments #### Menu States: - **Active**: Current page highlighted in blue - **Hover**: Menu item highlights on mouse over - **Collapsed**: Sidebar can be minimized for more screen space ### Breadcrumb Navigation Breadcrumbs appear at the top of most pages: **Example**: Dashboard > Orders > Order Details > Edit Order - Click any breadcrumb level to navigate back - Breadcrumbs show your navigation path - Useful for understanding page hierarchy ### Quick Actions Look for these quick action elements: #### Dashboard Quick Actions: - **+ New Order**: Create order directly from dashboard - **Add Customer**: Quick customer creation - **Add Product**: Fast product entry - **View Reports**: Jump to reporting section #### Page-Specific Actions: - **Create New**: Add new records (orders, customers, products) - **Import**: Bulk import data from files - **Export**: Download data in various formats - **Filter**: Narrow down displayed results ## Search and Filtering ### Global Search The search bar in the top navigation searches across: #### Search Capabilities: - **Orders**: By order number, customer name, or product - **Customers**: By name, phone, email, or address - **Products**: By name, SKU, or description - **Invoices**: By invoice number or customer #### Search Tips: - **Partial matches**: Type part of a name or number - **Multiple terms**: Use spaces to search multiple keywords - **Exact phrases**: Use quotes for exact phrase matching - **Recent items**: Recently viewed items appear first ### Page-Specific Filtering Most list pages include filtering options: #### Common Filters: - **Date Range**: Filter by creation or modification date - **Status**: Filter by order status, customer type, etc. - **Branch**: Filter by specific business location - **Category**: Filter products by category - **Payment Method**: Filter orders by payment type #### Filter Usage: 1. Click **"Filter"** button on list pages 2. Select filter criteria from dropdowns 3. Click **"Apply Filters"** to update results 4. Use **"Clear Filters"** to reset view ## Keyboard Shortcuts ### Essential Shortcuts #### Global Shortcuts: - **Ctrl + /** (or **Cmd + /** on Mac): Open global search - **Ctrl + N**: Create new order - **Ctrl + Shift + N**: Create new customer - **Ctrl + Alt + N**: Create new product - **Esc**: Close modals or cancel current action - **?**: Show keyboard shortcuts help #### Navigation Shortcuts: - **G then D**: Go to Dashboard - **G then O**: Go to Orders - **G then C**: Go to Customers - **G then P**: Go to Products - **G then R**: Go to Reports - **G then S**: Go to Settings #### List Page Shortcuts: - **J/K**: Navigate up/down in lists - **Enter**: Open selected item - **Ctrl + A**: Select all items - **Delete**: Delete selected items (with confirmation) #### Form Shortcuts: - **Tab**: Move to next field - **Shift + Tab**: Move to previous field - **Ctrl + Enter**: Save form - **Ctrl + S**: Save current changes ### Customizing Shortcuts You can customize some shortcuts: 1. Go to **Settings > Preferences** 2. Click **"Keyboard Shortcuts"** 3. Modify shortcuts to match your workflow 4. Click **"Save Changes"** ## Mobile Navigation ### Responsive Design Sederly adapts to different screen sizes: #### Mobile Menu: - **Hamburger Menu**: Tap to open/close sidebar - **Swipe Navigation**: Swipe left/right to navigate - **Touch-Friendly**: Larger buttons and touch targets - **Simplified Layout**: Streamlined interface for small screens #### Tablet Navigation: - **Sidebar Overlay**: Sidebar appears over content - **Touch Gestures**: Tap, swipe, and pinch to zoom - **Portrait/Landscape**: Optimized for both orientations ## Workflow Optimization ### Common Navigation Patterns #### Order Processing Workflow: 1. **Dashboard** → Check today's orders 2. **Orders** → **New Order** → Create order 3. **Search Customer** → Select or create customer 4. **Add Products** → Search and add items 5. **Process Payment** → Complete transaction 6. **Print Receipt** → Provide to customer #### Customer Management Workflow: 1. **Customers** → View customer list 2. **Search/Filter** → Find specific customer 3. **Customer Profile** → View details and history 4. **Edit Information** → Update as needed 5. **View Orders** → Check purchase history #### Inventory Management Workflow: 1. **Products** → View product catalog 2. **Filter by Category** → Focus on specific products 3. **Check Stock Levels** → Identify low inventory 4. **Update Quantities** → Adjust stock levels 5. **Generate Reports** → Track inventory performance ### Time-Saving Tips #### Dashboard Efficiency: - **Pin frequently used reports** to dashboard - **Customize widget layout** for your workflow - **Use quick action buttons** instead of menu navigation - **Check notifications regularly** for important updates #### List Management: - **Use bulk actions** for multiple items - **Save frequently used filters** as presets - **Sort columns** to prioritize important data - **Adjust page size** to show more/fewer items #### Form Efficiency: - **Use tab navigation** instead of mouse clicks - **Learn field shortcuts** for faster data entry - **Save templates** for recurring entries - **Use auto-complete** features when available ## Troubleshooting Navigation Issues ### Common Problems #### Page Loading Issues: - **Refresh the page** (Ctrl + R or Cmd + R) - **Clear browser cache** if pages load slowly - **Check internet connection** for connectivity issues - **Try different browser** if problems persist #### Menu Not Responding: - **Click directly on menu text** rather than icons - **Wait for page to fully load** before clicking - **Disable browser extensions** that might interfere - **Use keyboard shortcuts** as alternative navigation #### Search Not Working: - **Check spelling** of search terms - **Try broader search terms** if no results - **Clear search filters** that might be too restrictive - **Use global search** instead of page-specific search ### Getting Help If you encounter navigation issues: 1. **Check Help Center** for specific guidance 2. **Contact Support** for technical assistance 3. **Report Bugs** through the feedback system 4. **Join Community Forum** for user tips and tricks ## Quick Reference ### Essential Navigation Elements - **Sidebar Menu**: Primary navigation - **Global Search**: Find anything quickly - **Breadcrumbs**: Track your location - **Quick Actions**: Fast task access - **Keyboard Shortcuts**: Speed up workflows ### Most Used Shortcuts - **Ctrl + /**: Global search - **Ctrl + N**: New order - **G + D**: Go to dashboard - **Esc**: Cancel/close - **?**: Show help ### Mobile Tips - **Tap hamburger menu** to open sidebar - **Swipe left/right** for navigation - **Use landscape mode** for better visibility - **Pinch to zoom** on detailed views