“Hidden” Features Series: Unearthing Hidden Efficiency with SugarCRM's Tile View Feature

Hey there, SugarCRM enthusiasts! Welcome to the fifth SugarClub installment of our "Hidden Features" series. This ongoing series covers less commonly known features in Sugar Sell and Sugar Enterprise. Please let us know if you have suggestions about a feature/capability we should include! We'd love to hear from you. Note: This feature is also available in Sugar Serve.

In today's post, I'm excited to delve into one of Sugar's hidden gems - the Tile View feature. While not a new addition, Tile View has recently undergone significant enhancements that make it an indispensable tool for managing tasks, leads, cases, and opportunities within Sugar Sell, Serve, and Enterprise. In this post, I'll explore the intricacies of Tile View, emphasizing its configurability and its seamless integration with Focus Drawers.

The Hidden Power of Tile View

The Tile View feature has silently evolved over the years, transforming from a modest capability to a powerful asset. Initially, it was available for only four modules: Cases, Tasks, Leads, and Opportunities. However, with the 2023 Q3 release, its capabilities have been extended to encompass all sidecar modules with dropdown values, including custom modules. This significant expansion opens endless possibilities for administrators to configure and optimize Tile View across various parts of the platform.

Configuration & Flexibility

One of the most remarkable aspects of Tile View is its configurability. As an admin, you have the power to tailor Tile View precisely to meet your organization's unique needs. Here's how:

  1. Enable/Disable Tile View Access: Start your journey by navigating to "Admin" and then to "Tile View Settings." In this section, you can enable or disable Tile View access for different modules. This level of granular control ensures that Tile View can bring the most value to your organization.
  2. Specify Module Settings: In the "Module Settings" section of Tile View Settings, the world of customization expands further. Here, you can fine-tune every aspect of how Tile View appears and functions for each module. This includes configuring column headers, selecting the fields displayed on the tiles, and determining the number of tiles displayed per column. With these options at your disposal, you can ensure that Tile View seamlessly aligns with your organization's workflow. For information on configuring tile view in eligible modules, refer to the Tile View Settings documentation in the Administration Guide. 
  3. Access & Use Tile View in a way that works best for you and your organization! For more detailed information on using Tile Vew in Sugar and its full capabilities, refer to the User Interface documentation in the Application Guide.

Tile View & Focus Drawers: the Dynamic Duo 

For both admins and users alike, the synergy between Tile View and Focus Drawers is a game-changer. Focus Drawers are a powerful tool within SugarCRM, granting users access to all the information they need for a single record without the need to navigate through multiple pages. In the 13.1 update, SugarCRM has seamlessly integrated Focus Drawers into all sidecar links within Tile View.

Here's how this synergy unfolds: When a user opens a Focus Drawer from a Tile View record, the column in view elegantly slides to the left, while the Focus Drawer opens to the right. This intuitive design allows users to concentrate on the specific record they want to work with, eliminating distractions and streamlining the user experience.

Enhanced Data Presentation

Recently added within Tile View are calculation headers that remain fixed in place, an update that significantly enhances data presentation. These calculation headers simplify data comprehension and reduce the number of clicks required to access critical information. Additionally, users can now sort columns by various criteria and independently scroll through columns, providing quick access to essential insights.

Sorting and Filtering

To further enhance the user experience, Tile View offers robust sorting and filtering options. Users can easily sort records using the Sort by field. However, it’s important to note that you cannot drag and drop tiles within the same column, as the sorting order determines their placement.

For filtering, users can choose from the following:

  • Users can refine visible tiles based on the standard filtering options. 
  • Users can create or select stock or saved custom filters to dynamically fine-tune the Tile View display.

Note that filters applied in the module's list view automatically carry over to Tile View and vice versa, ensuring a consistent data presentation across the board.

Effortless Editing

Editing records within Tile View is straightforward and efficient. Users can open a Focus Drawer by simply clicking the Focus icon within a tile. This action keeps all tiles within the column visible while working inside the drawer. Alternatively, clicking on a record's name or subject link within a tile immediately takes users to the record view layout, ready for editing.

For those who prefer a more tactile approach, Tile View allows for changing the stage, status, or expected close date by moving tiles between columns using the intuitive drag-and-drop functionality.

Tile View: a Hidden Treasure for Admins 

SugarCRM administrators possess the key to unlocking the full potential of the Tile View feature. This hidden treasure within SugarCRM offers a level of configurability and integration that can transform your users’ CRM experience. By configuring Tile View to align with your organization's specific needs and harnessing its advanced features, you can elevate your CRM efficiency to new heights.

Tile View Use Case: Streamlining Sales Processes

In the world of sales, every lead, opportunity, and interaction matters. SugarCRM's enhanced Tile View becomes a powerful ally for sales teams. Consider managing leads through different stages of the sales journey. Tile View lets you configure columns to represent these stages, from initial contact to closing the deal. With drag-and-drop simplicity, your sales team can swiftly move leads through the pipeline, update statuses, and identify bottlenecks at a glance. This visual approach empowers your salespeople to prioritize their efforts effectively and focus on closing deals. Additionally, integration with Focus Drawers ensures that all crucial information is readily accessible, streamlining the sales process and helping your team stay on top of their game.

Tile View Use Case: Efficient Case Management

Case management is another area where Tile View shines. Whether you're handling customer inquiries, support tickets, or service requests, the ability to categorize, prioritize, and manage cases effectively is vital. Tile View allows you to create custom case modules tailored to your specific needs. You can represent cases by urgency, complexity, or any other criteria that matter most to your organization. The drag-and-drop functionality makes it easy to assign cases, track their progress, and ensure that each one receives the attention it deserves. With integrated Focus Drawers, your support teams can access all the relevant case details without switching between multiple screens, leading to faster resolution times and happier customers.

Get Started

In the ever-evolving realm of customer relationship management, efficiency and organization are paramount. SugarCRM's Tile View provides the tools needed to create a customized CRM experience. Dive into Tile View, discover its configurability, and uncover how it can revolutionize your workflow optimization, streamline sales processes, and simplify case management. With Tile View as your ally, you can transform your CRM into a dynamic platform that enhances productivity and helps your teams achieve their goals with ease.

This article was originally constructed using ChatGPT; it has been edited for clarity and additional insights by Katie Moss.