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Report Scheduling

Coming Soon

Report scheduling is a planned feature that will enable automated generation and distribution of reports. This functionality is currently not implemented in NopeSight v3.

Current Status​

What's Available Now:

  • Manual report generation through the UI
  • On-demand report templates
  • Real-time dashboard widgets with auto-refresh
  • Export capabilities for individual reports

What's Planned:

  • Automated report scheduling (daily, weekly, monthly)
  • Email delivery of scheduled reports
  • Multiple export formats (PDF, Excel, CSV)
  • Recipient management and distribution lists
  • Failure notifications and retry logic

Manual Report Generation​

While automated scheduling is not yet available, you can generate reports manually:

1. Using Report Templates​

  1. Navigate to Reports → Templates
  2. Select a pre-built template
  3. Click Run Report to generate with current data
  4. Use Export options when they become available

2. Dashboard Widgets​

Dashboard widgets provide a form of "scheduled" updates:

  1. Add report widgets to your dashboard
  2. Set auto-refresh intervals (1-15 minutes)
  3. View real-time data updates
  4. Share dashboard with team members

3. Custom Report Generation​

  1. Create custom reports using the template builder
  2. Save templates for repeated use
  3. Generate reports on-demand as needed
  4. Copy report URLs for bookmarking

Planned Scheduling Features​

Schedule Types​

When implemented, the system will support:

Fixed Schedules:

  • Daily reports at specific times
  • Weekly reports on chosen days
  • Monthly reports on specific dates
  • Quarterly and annual reports

Flexible Options:

  • Business days only
  • Holiday awareness
  • Timezone support
  • Multiple recipients

Distribution Methods​

Planned delivery options:

  • Email: Send reports to individuals or groups
  • Shared Folders: Save to network locations
  • API Integration: Push to external systems
  • Dashboard Publishing: Automatically update shared dashboards

Report Formats​

When scheduling is available, reports will support:

  • PDF: Professional formatted reports
  • Excel: Data tables with formatting
  • CSV: Raw data export
  • HTML: Interactive web reports

Current Alternatives​

1. Manual Scheduling​

  • Create calendar reminders to generate reports
  • Use dashboard bookmarks for quick access
  • Set up team processes for regular report generation

2. Dashboard Monitoring​

  • Create dashboards with auto-refresh widgets
  • Share dashboard links with stakeholders
  • Use dashboard themes for different audiences

3. Export Workflows​

  • Generate reports during regular review meetings
  • Create standardized export processes
  • Use screen sharing for live report reviews

API Integration​

While automated scheduling isn't available, you can integrate with the reporting API:

# Generate a report manually via API
POST /api/reports/templates/{templateId}/run
{
  "filters": {
    "dateRange": "last_30_days",
    "department": "IT"
  }
}

# Get report results
GET /api/reports/{reportId}/results

You could create your own scheduling system using:

  • Cron jobs to call the API
  • External automation tools
  • Custom scripts for report generation

Implementation Timeline​

The scheduling feature is planned for a future release with these phases:

Phase 1: Basic Scheduling

  • Simple daily/weekly/monthly schedules
  • Email delivery to fixed recipients
  • PDF export format
  • Basic error handling

Phase 2: Advanced Features

  • Complex scheduling patterns
  • Multiple distribution channels
  • Advanced recipient management
  • Retry logic and monitoring

Phase 3: Enterprise Features

  • Holiday calendars
  • Conditional scheduling
  • Approval workflows
  • Advanced analytics

Best Practices (For Manual Reports)​

1. Regular Report Generation​

  • Create a schedule for manual report generation
  • Assign team members to specific reports
  • Use dashboard widgets for real-time monitoring
  • Document report generation processes

2. Template Management​

  • Create reusable templates for common reports
  • Name templates clearly and consistently
  • Share templates with appropriate team members
  • Keep templates updated with changing requirements

3. Data Freshness​

  • Check data update times before generating reports
  • Use appropriate date ranges for analysis
  • Consider time zones for global teams
  • Validate data quality before sharing

4. Distribution​

  • Create standard distribution lists
  • Use consistent file naming conventions
  • Establish clear communication channels
  • Document report purposes and audiences

Workarounds​

1. Using External Tools​

  • Set up external cron jobs to call the API
  • Use tools like Zapier or Microsoft Power Automate
  • Create custom scripts for automation
  • Integrate with existing workflow tools

2. Dashboard-Based Approach​

  • Create comprehensive dashboards instead of reports
  • Use auto-refresh for near real-time updates
  • Share dashboard links rather than static reports
  • Use dashboard themes for different audiences

3. Process-Based Solutions​

  • Create standard operating procedures for report generation
  • Use calendar reminders for regular reports
  • Establish review meetings with live report generation
  • Document manual processes for consistency

Getting Updates​

To stay informed about scheduling feature development:

  1. Check Release Notes: Monitor product updates
  2. Contact Support: Ask about timeline estimates
  3. Community Forums: Join discussions about planned features
  4. Feature Requests: Submit specific requirements

This documentation will be updated as the scheduling feature is developed and released.