Requesting a custom report

After you determine a need for a custom report, the next step is to develop a mock-up of the report in Microsoft Excel XLS format. SilkRoad uses that mock-up to develop a report specification to serve as the model for the report.

The mock-up should include:

• The column headings to be included on the report, in the display order you want.
• For each column heading, include a note that defines where the screen field appears in SilkRoad Recruiting.
• At least three rows of sample data. The sample data should reflect the desired output of the report.
• The name of the report and any additional notes should appear at the top of the report.
• Indicate the default sort order (which column) at the top for the report.
• Any global report parameters should be referenced as notes at the bottom of the mock report. A global report parameter is any parameter that defines the overall operation of the report, every time it is run, regardless of user input. For example, an "Open Job" report should never show closed jobs. Therefore, the fact that the job is open would be considered a global report parameter.
• It is important to indicate any report filters at the bottom of the mock report. For each report the customer may select up to five report filters. A report filter limits the data that is displayed on the report in some way. Any field may be used as a filter as long as it is a drop-down field or date and it is associated with the data being pulled into the report in some way.

After you create a mock report, send it to SilkRoad Support with an explanation of your request. An implementation consultant will be assigned to review the mock-up and draw up a specification based on the mock-up. The actual specification is an expansion of the mock report, using customer provided information, in a SilkRoad Recruiting "developer-friendly" format.

The implementation consultant will contact you with any questions during the review process to ensure the specification is correct. Once you and the implementation consultant agree that specification is correct, an estimate will be provided and a work order drawn up. Once the work order and contract for the work are signed, the report will be queued for development. Development of a custom report can take between one to six weeks depending on complexity and current work queue.

Some tips:

• Use an existing report as the basis for a new report. If you find that an existing report works for you, except that you need additional columns, the services charges will be lower for modifying an existing report than writing a new one from scratch.
• Reports can only contain one type of data per column. The data contained in a single column can only be pulled from one field. A maximum of 25 columns is allowed on any single report.