SmoothPay uses a consistent interface across most areas of the system. Once you understand the main navigation and the general layout, it becomes much easier to move around the software and understand what each area is for.
Navigation bar
The navigation bar remains at the top of the page throughout smoothpay.
Use the navigation bar to move between screens and access additional controls.
Clicking on a button on the navigation bar will either:
open a different screen
display a panel of options
open a separate window
The buttons and controls available are:
Company selector
Switch between companies available to your user account.
Dashboard screen
View a general overview of payroll information.
Staff screen
Create and maintain employee records.
Payrun screen
Prepare and finalise a pay process.
Reports screen
Produce reports
Print screen
Review previously generated report outputs.
Files screen
Obtain files used for external processes.
Settings screen
Maintain company details and default settings.
Pay dates
Change the current period end date and pay date.
Codes screen
Maintain pay components, costing & other useable elements
Savings
No longer supported
Resources screen
Store and download payroll-related resources.
Tools
Access utilities and support tools.
User profile
Maintain your user settings and manage users.
Basic elements of the layout
Four basic elements appear throughout smoothpay. Once you understand how they work together, navigating different areas of the software becomes much easier.
Screens
A screen is the main layout displayed below the navigation bar. When a navigation button replaces that entire layout, it has opened a different screen.
Data columns
Primary data column
A data column is a list of selectable records. Most screens have a primary data column on the left side.
Multiple data columns
Some tabs or areas contain an additional data column. This secondary column displays records related to the item selected in the primary data column.
Some areas contain more than two data columns. Read their relationship from left to right, with each column depending on the selection made in the column before it.
Active, inactive and selected records
Records within a data column may be active or inactive. Their appearance changes when selected.
Inactive records display with strikethrough text on a red background.
Active records display with black text on a light background.
When an inactive record is selected, the text changes to white while the red background remains.
When an active record is selected, the text changes to white and the background changes to dark blue.
Detail panels
A detail panel usually appears to the right of a data column. It displays the fields, settings and options associated with the selected record and tab.
Tabs
Tabs usually appear above the detail panel. Select a tab to display a different category of fields, settings or options within the panel.
Selected tab
Select a tab to display its contents.
The selected tab has a grey background with white text.
Unselected tabs have a white background with black text.
Summary
The four main layout elements work together as follows:
The screen determines the broad area of smoothpay you are working in.
The data column allows you to select a record within that screen.
The detail panel displays the information, settings and options associated with that record.
The tab determines which category of information is displayed in the detail panel.