Mastering Generic Inquiries in Acumatica: A Comprehensive Guide
Acumatica, a cloud ERP solution, empowers businesses with robust tools to streamline operations. Among its many features, Generic Inquiries (GIs) stand out as a powerful yet user-friendly tool for extracting and visualizing data. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a business user with minimal technical expertise, mastering Generic Inquiries can unlock significant value for your organization.

What Are Generic Inquiries?
Generic Inquiries in Acumatica allow users to create custom data queries without the need for extensive coding. With GIs, you can:
• Extract data from multiple tables.
• Filter, sort, and group data dynamically.
• Create dashboards and pivot tables.
• Export data to Excel or other external tools for further analysis.
• Integrate data with third-party applications using OData.
Essentially, Generic Inquiries provide a bridge between raw database information and actionable insights.

Key Benefits of Generic Inquiries
1. Flexibility: Tailor reports to meet specific business needs without relying heavily on IT.
2. Real-Time Insights: Access up-to-date information directly from your Acumatica database.
3. Ease of Use: With a user-friendly interface, creating and modifying GIs is straightforward.
4. Integration: Seamlessly integrate with tools like Power BI or Tableau using OData feeds.

Creating a Generic Inquiry: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Navigate to the Generic Inquiry Screen
• Go to Configuration > Reporting > Generic Inquiry in the Acumatica menu.

Step 2: Define the Inquiry
• Inquiry Title: Provide a meaningful name for your inquiry.
• Tables: Select the database tables you need. Use the Add Table button to include multiple tables and define relationships between them.

Step 3: Configure Data Fields
• Add the necessary fields by selecting columns from the tables.
• Use the Field Alias to rename columns for clarity.

Step 4: Apply Filters
• Define criteria to narrow down your data. For example, you can filter invoices by date range or status.
• Use parameters to make your filters dynamic and reusable.

Step 5: Customize Sorting and Grouping
• Specify sorting rules to organize your data.
• Group data by relevant fields, such as customer or product categories.

Step 6: Set Display Preferences
• Configure which fields should be visible in the results.
• Adjust column order and width for better readability.

Step 7: Save and Test
• Save your Generic Inquiry and preview the results to ensure accuracy.

Troubleshooting Common Issues
• No Data in Results: Double-check table joins and filter criteria.
• Performance Issues: Optimize filters and avoid overly complex joins.
• Errors in Calculated Fields: Verify formulas and ensure correct syntax.

Generic Inquiries are a cornerstone feature of Acumatica, empowering users to gain actionable insights without diving into complex coding. By mastering GIs, you can enhance decision-making, improve operational efficiency, and drive business growth. Start experimenting with Generic Inquiries today and unlock the full potential of your Acumatica ERP system!