Introduction
We often get some form of the question, “what happened on this _____?”, where the blank could be quote, BOM, PO, part, etc. What changed, who did this? You need the answer for audits, training purposes, and verifying who’s right. In any case, you need a tool to show what happened when, by whom, and what data was changed. Cetec ERP includes a built-in Usage Log that makes it easy to see exactly which user made updates, when those updates occurred, and what kind of action took place.
What the Usage Log Tracks
The Usage Log records user activity across nearly every part of the system, including:
- Quotes and orders
- Invoices and POs
- Customer and vendor records
- And more
Data is retained for the past three months, giving you a detailed look at recent actions and system activity.
How to Access and Search the Usage Log
- 1. Go to Admin > Logs > Usage Log.
- 2. Enter the **URL** for the record you want to investigate (for example, an order or PO).
The log will return all related updates and page visits for that record, along with:
- The user ID
- The date and time of each action
- The type of activity (e.g., page view or data update)
Tip: Use a broad URL to capture all related actions.
For example, enter:
https://mysite.cetecerp.com/order/MN1930.1/
rather than the full view link.
This ensures you see every related action (like /edit, /edit_update, or /view).
Identifying Specific Actions
If you’re looking for a particular update, such as who changed a line item or updated a shipment, you can perform that same action yourself in a test order. Then, check the most recent usage stats to see what URL pattern was recorded. You can use that pattern to search for similar entries in the record you’re investigating.
You can also sort for POST methods, which typically indicate an action was taken (as opposed to a simple page view, or GET).
Clicking into a POST entry opens additional data about that update.
Practical Use Case
Let’s say a customer claims their order quantity changed after submission. By checking the Usage Log, you can confirm:
- Which user made the change
- The exact date and time it occurred
- The action URL involved
This helps ensure accountability and provides visibility into your team’s workflow history, all within your ERP.
Why It Matters
The Usage Log is more than a troubleshooting tool, it’s an internal audit trail that supports process control, user accountability, and data integrity.
For manufacturers managing large volumes of orders and quotes, this level of transparency ensures that every change is traceable and verifiable.