Understanding Platform Modes
Understanding Platform Modes
Explore how one workspace can present different structures, information and functions through Platform Modes.
In TallyBoat, a Platform Mode is a way to focus a workspace on a particular operational context. Selecting a Mode can change the navigation sections, information and functions presented in that workspace, helping you work with the options relevant to your current activity.
Platform Modes are a cross-platform interface concept. This guide uses the Boat Workspace as a practical example, where the Mode Selector offers Setup, Charter, Sales and Maintenance.
1. What Platform Modes Do
A workspace can support several types of work. Instead of presenting every operational section in the same navigation layout, TallyBoat uses Modes to organize the workspace around a selected activity.
One business context
Continue working with the same business entity, such as a Boat, while viewing it through a different operational perspective.
Relevant navigation
See the sections and workspace options associated with the selected Mode.
Focused information
Move between setup, charter, sales and maintenance-oriented information where these Modes are offered.
Context-specific functions
Find the available controls and workflows presented for the selected operational context.
2. How to Use the Mode Selector
- Open a workspace that offers a Mode Selector, such as a Boat Workspace.
- Locate the Mode control in the workspace interface.
- Open the selector to view the available operational Modes.
- Choose the Mode that matches the activity you want to work on.
- Review the navigation and sections presented for the selected Mode.
The four screenshots below show the Mode Selector expanded in the same Boat Workspace, making it easy to compare the visible navigation.
3. Four Modes in the Boat Workspace
In this example, each Mode offers a different set of Inventory-related navigation options. Some sections appear in several Modes, while others are specific to a particular activity.
01. Setup Mode
Use this mode to explore the setup-oriented navigation of the Boat Workspace.
Visible Inventory navigation: Inventory Categories · Layout Setup.
02. Charter Mode
This mode presents navigation relevant to charter-oriented boat information. The example also shows Availability in the workspace.
Visible Inventory navigation: Inventory Categories · Equipment & Amenities · Charter Specs · Check-In/Out · Layout Setup.
03. Sales Mode
This mode organizes the boat workspace around sales-related information. Sales Survey is labeled Soon in the captured interface.
Visible Inventory navigation: Inventory Categories · Equipment & Amenities · Sales Pricing · Sales Survey (Soon) · Layout Setup.
04. Maintenance Mode
This mode presents maintenance-related navigation. Service Works List is marked Under review, while Maintenance Pricing and Maintenance Specs are marked Soon.
Visible Inventory navigation: Inventory Categories · Service Works List (Under review) · Maintenance Pricing (Soon) · Maintenance Specs (Soon) · Layout Setup.
4. Compare the Modes
The table summarizes the navigation shown in the supplied Boat Workspace screenshots.
| Mode | Distinctive visible sections | Shared sections |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Setup-oriented Inventory navigation | Inventory Categories, Layout Setup |
| Charter | Equipment & Amenities, Charter Specs, Check-In/Out | Inventory Categories, Layout Setup |
| Sales | Equipment & Amenities, Sales Pricing, Sales Survey (Soon) | Inventory Categories, Layout Setup |
| Maintenance | Service Works List (Under review), Maintenance Pricing (Soon), Maintenance Specs (Soon) | Inventory Categories, Layout Setup |
Notice that Inventory Categories and Layout Setup appear across all four screenshots. Other options reflect the operational focus of the selected Mode.
5. Understanding Availability Labels
Some options in the screenshots carry labels that communicate their current state:
Soon
Identifies an option shown in the interface as upcoming. In these screenshots, this applies to Sales Survey, Maintenance Pricing and Maintenance Specs.
Under review
Identifies an option under review. In the Maintenance Mode screenshot, this applies to Service Works List.
6. Key Takeaways
Platform Modes help you navigate the same workspace from different operational perspectives. Select the Mode that matches your task, then use its relevant navigation and available functions. In the Boat Workspace example, Setup, Charter, Sales and Maintenance each organize the visible sections differently.
For a broader introduction to the platform’s table interface, see Working with Tables & Views.
