Features Of NTC Business Services (Introduction)

This section of the Manual explains features and issues relating to the various NTC business services.

Each of these business services

• Is a Windows type operating system, tailored to the particular needs of the Department

• Allows you to tab into fields and onto function buttons, using the [Tab] key on the keyboard

• Includes on-line help system

The normal on-line Windows Help system is available for general guidance on using the Windows system.

Fields

A field is normally an area on the screen in which information can be entered (an input field), or information held on the computer record is displayed but cannot be amended (a view only field).

You can normally position the mouse pointer in an input field and, by clicking on the left mouse button, place the cursor in that field. You can then use the keyboard to make the required entry.

Fields may be presented in other ways

• A list box, or selection box providing you with a list of the options available. You select an entry by clicking on it to set that entry on the record

• A check box. This is a one-character field normally used for indicators, where, for example, the entry must be ‘Y’ or ‘N’. You click in the field to set or unset the indicator or signal

• A radio button group. These are normally used for mutually exclusive choices. For example, to select a specific period from a selection of labelled radio buttons, where clearly only one period can apply

Buttons

In the NTC business services, various labelled buttons are shown on the screen. Usually these are at the bottom of the screen.

They are used to do many things, with each labelled button serving a specific purpose. For example, to

• Complete actions

• Move to other functions

• Go back to a previous screen

• Go forward to the next screen

• Abandon the function

• Call up System Help. This is the [Help] button

You normally select a button by moving the mouse pointer onto the on-screen button and clicking the left mouse button.

Where a button is shown in a lighter grey than the other on-screen buttons it is inactive, that is not available for use. This is referred to in guidance as greyed out. For example the [OK] button will not be available until you have completed all the mandatory fields on a screen. Once you have completed all the mandatory fields the [OK] button will become active.