Distributed Views in 2024.3.1 is still ONLY half-baked in my opinion.

[steveh3]

Getting around to installing all of our Thick Clients for 2024 and just realized after all of the beta testing that we did, that ALL grid state settings would be part of the distributed views. Well unfortunately they are NOT. As of this build, the only grid states that are affected with the update is the primary panes which includes Items, Project Explorer, and Change Order List. Any tabs that are in Preview Panes for each grouping above, are NOT included in the distributed views and have to be customized for all users.

The tabs are used just as much if not more than in the primary panes. For us, the Change Order Records tab is a necessity to have this the same for all users of a certain Distributed View group. It forces you to still copy .xml's to all users and in my opinion completely defeats the purpose of having Distributed Views. I thought that was the whole idea w/ Distributed Views was to eliminate having to deal with .xml's and make it easy to push out changes in the grid states to all users. 

So, it is my requested is that all Preview Panes be added into the Distributed Views Utility ASAP. When you have a 100 workstations to customize, it only makes sense to include ALL grid states.

Best,

Steve Hilvers

Added Information

Steve and Irvin had a conversation and came up with two ideas.

1. Have the Custom View feature include all tabs of the object. For example, the Custom Views options for Items include the General, History, Bill of Materials, and other tabs of the Item. Likewise, with the File Explorer tabs, the History, Uses, Where-Used, etc. And, for Change Order List, all of the tabs specifically the Records tab.
2. The ability to distribute the Custom View from #1.

[Senthil_Kumar]

@steveh3 

We hear you. What we did so far just one phase of implementation. There are other phases planned that may cover the areas you have mentioned. Please stay tuned. Thanks for bringing this to us.

[steveh3]

@Senthil_Kumar 

Thank you for the update, will be patiently waiting.😁

[Senthil_Kumar]

@steveh3 

I was wrong. Because what you are asking is already in 2024.3. Please check this video and let me know if this is what you are looking for. 

[steveh3]

Thanks for the video @senthil....

So, if I am comprehending this correctly...the Distributed Views on the Toolbar (pointed out w/ arrow below) has no bearing on the Preview tabs?

And, in the Preview tabs, you are only allowed ONE Distributed View, whereas the Primary Pane is unlimited?

So, if you have several groups and each has their own grid state, then that is not possible and have to rely on .xml's.

My assumption correct?

[ihayesjr]

@steveh3 

That is correct. The Distributed Views did not change the functionality of the tabs. 

The Custom Views setting has only ever been about the main grid, not the tabs. 

[steveh3]

Plz take this a constructive criticism 🤔 😁

From and admin / user perspective.....the way it currently is extremely confusing and almost useless. I thought whole idea of Dist Views was to eliminate the .xml manipulation for all? I completely missed the boat in Beta because I thought this was all encompassing for Dist Views. Must have missed that discussion or I was day dreaming 😴

We just performed some tests here is what we are finding...

Here's some suggestions/thoughts that I am seeing...

1) Can't have more than one one Dist Views for Preview Panes. The records tab in the Change Order is the main focus for us. This is the most used of all the Preview Panes and it changes depending on the department and how they use it. Some data is more important than others and views need to be customized to reflect this.

2) Since you only have one Dist View for Preview Panes, still rely on xml's. So, adding Dist Views was really no benefit as I see it. Just adds confusion.

3) In the Preview Panes, any user can over-write a saved Dist View. The ability to save Dist Views should be an admin permission and not available to all users

4) At the very minimum...."Save Dist View" in Custom Views for Preview Pane needs to be a little more hidden, most users instinct is to hit the first button they see and click on it without reading. Then as admin I have to find our .xml template and re-instated it as the Saved Dist View. It will be a constant battle when you have a bunch of users.

HTH,

Steve H.

[ThomasRambach]

@steveh3  I agree. If distributed views are not applicable to the tabs, why is the "Save as distributed view" button available when I customize that view? Also, feedback when I click that button would be good, like an "ok" response.

[gandhey]

Thanks @steveh3 for the feedback and the use cases.

1. We have received this as feedback - and as we always had only one view for all the tabs/panes. we consider this as a new enhancement (not related really to storing and managing views etc on server) to support multiple views for tabs/panes
2. Kind of related to point1
3. Please note in the phase1 of this storing and managing of views/options etc on server - we are not enforcing the admin settings yet. And your feedback is in same regard, we plan to consider the enforcement of options.
4. Actually we need role 'Config Administrator' and / or 'Vault set options' permission. So saving of Distributed option is not possible for normal user. But yes within users who have this permission or role this could be battle if people hit the 'Save Distributed view' button.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Yogeshwar Gandhe

(Vault team)

[ihayesjr]

@ThomasRambach 

It does work with the tabs.

[steveh3]

Thank you @gandhey and @ihayesjr ...

As always THANKS for listening!

Just summarize what my wish / idea is...

Ultimately....I would like the Custom Views drop down to control Primary Pane as well as all of the tabs and the Distributed Views that go with them. Basically, one setting does it all.

As mentioned, Mfg Engineers, to Data Entry, to Design Engineers care about certain properties more than others, so they want all of their grid states set up a certain way to meet their needs.

And, if that can't be done, at the very minimum...we need the ability to have more than one Distributed Views for the tabs to keep all groups happy.

Best,

Steve H.

Thanks everyone.

[ThomasRambach]

@ihayesjr If it's supposed to work on tabs, I can't get it to work using 2025.1.

My workflow as admin:

1. Customize Item BOM Tab columns.
2. Click Save as Distributed View button.

Login to another computer using a normal account:

1. Refresh - No prompt or change
2. Login/Logout - No prompt or change.

What am I doing wrong?

[ThomasRambach]

Also, when I update the main grid that's the only time I get the prompt to update the view. But only the main grid updates, never the tabs. Should I submit a ticket?

[steveh3]

@ThomasRambach ...

If I'm understanding your comments.....I believe that's my wish.

The Custom Views is currently unrelated to the Distributed Views. They are independent of each other. I feel they should be connected.

In addition...you are only allowed one Distributed View. We require multiple because to the different departments using Vault.

[ThomasRambach]

@steveh3  I was referring to the Where Used, Uses, Bill of Materials, etc. tabs for Files and Items. You can customize them, click the save to distributed view button and it does nothing. It only applies to the main grid.

[steveh3]

I don't have 2025 ADMS installed yet, but it does work in 2024.3.1. If I have time I will install and verify.

[ihayesjr]

@ThomasRambach 

The distributed view is based on the grid you are in, not the tabs. They are not grouped.

[ihayesjr]

@ThomasRambach 

Also, on the other computer, completely close the Vault client and restart it after the change.

Your BOM tab should get updated.

[ThomasRambach]

@ihayesjr I could only get it to work if I reset the tabs (BOM view) to the distributed view. That's also what the response to my case was as well. It's not automatic for me.