> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.in8sync.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.in8sync.com/client-admin-guide/admin-app-overview/key-admin-concepts.md).

# Key Admin Concepts

The vocabulary of the Client Admin — workflows, modules, roles, components, and how they fit together

Six concepts run through every part of the Client Admin. If you understand these, the rest of the docs make sense.

{% hint style="info" %}
Keep this page open in another tab on your first day. The terms here show up everywhere.
{% endhint %}

## How it all connects

```
Users → Roles → Workflows → Modules → Pages (built with Components)
```

Read it left-to-right: a **user** is assigned a **role**. The role is linked to a **workflow**. The workflow is made of **modules**. Each module's page is built from **components**.

## The six concepts

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Concept</th><th>One-line definition</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Workflow</strong></td><td>The complete portal experience for a group of users.</td><td><a href="/client-admin-guide/workflow-builder-overview/workflow-concepts.md">Workflow Concepts</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Module</strong></td><td>A single page or functional area inside a workflow.</td><td><a href="/client-admin-guide/workflow-builder-overview/module-types.md">Module Types</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Role</strong></td><td>A named group of users that share a workflow.</td><td><a href="/client-admin-guide/managing-users/roles-and-permissions.md">Roles &amp; Permissions</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Page Builder</strong></td><td>The drag-and-drop editor where you design module pages.</td><td><a href="/client-admin-guide/getting-started.md">Page Builder</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Component</strong></td><td>A building block on a page (a button, a chart, a product list).</td><td><a href="/client-admin-guide/getting-started.md">Page Builder</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Catalog</strong></td><td>A collection of products available for browsing or ordering.</td><td><a href="/client-admin-guide/creating-catalogs.md">Catalogs</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Workflows in a bit more depth

A workflow answers the question: *"When this person logs in, what do they see and what can they do?"*

* A workflow is **assigned to a role** — everyone with that role gets the same portal experience.
* A workflow is built from **modules** (one per page).
* You can clone a default workflow and customize it, or build one from scratch.

**Example:** a *Cashier* workflow might include Dashboard, POS, and EOD Reports modules. A *Store Manager* workflow might include all of those plus User Management and Reports.

![Workflow with modules](https://229581143-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FAG04Mxmhw6PLRAZBvhtK%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-159a30a914b97540a9b1630e7514e9eee1c7a813%2Fworkflow-modules.png?alt=media)

## Modules

A module has three things:

* A **name** that appears in the User Portal navigation (e.g. *Dashboard*, *Place Order*).
* A **type** that determines its behaviour (Dashboard, Order Form, Catalog, Reports, and so on).
* A **page** designed in the Page Builder.

The module's type controls which components are available when you design the page — for example, catalog-specific components only appear inside catalog modules.

## Components — the building blocks

When you open the Page Builder you'll see components grouped into categories in the left panel. The categories are:

| Category         | Examples                                                      | What they're for                                 |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| **Layout**       | Row, Column, Grid, Flex, Space, Divider                       | Structuring the page                             |
| **Content**      | Heading, Text, Card, Button, Hero, Stats                      | Static information                               |
| **Entity**       | Entity Search, Create Entity, Entity 360, Address, PIN Pad    | Working with people (employees, customers, etc.) |
| **Products**     | Product Field, Product Image, Product Locations, Add to Order | Showing and ordering products                    |
| **Transactions** | Scan Items, Transaction Search, Order Lines                   | Reading and editing transactions                 |
| **Actions**      | Submit Button, Action Button, Action Dropdown, Print          | Triggering actions and navigation                |
| **Widgets**      | BRM Queue, Report, Chart                                      | Data visualization                               |
| **Advanced**     | HTML, JavaScript, CSS, Variables                              | Custom code and dynamic values                   |

<details>

<summary>Less common categories</summary>

* **Catalog Layout** — Catalog Filter, Catalog View Select, Category Sidebar (only inside catalog modules).
* **Reports** — Queue Report, EOD Report, Register Report (specialized reporting blocks).

The components available to you depend on the module type you're editing.

</details>

## Glossary

| Term             | Meaning                                                                                           |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Catalog**      | A collection of products or services for browsing and ordering.                                   |
| **Component**    | A page element placed on a module's page in the Page Builder.                                     |
| **Entity type**  | The classification of a user: Employee, Customer, Vendor, or Partner.                             |
| **Module**       | A single page within a workflow.                                                                  |
| **Module type**  | The functional category of a module (Dashboard, Order Form, Catalog, etc.).                       |
| **Page Builder** | The drag-and-drop editor for designing pages.                                                     |
| **PIN override** | A security feature requiring a PIN to authorize certain actions.                                  |
| **Provision**    | Granting a user access to log in to their portal.                                                 |
| **Role**         | A named set of permissions assigned to users.                                                     |
| **Subsidiary**   | A business entity in NetSuite. Most settings, catalogs, and workflows are scoped to a subsidiary. |
| **Workflow**     | The complete portal experience definition for a role.                                             |

## Questions to have answered before you start building

Setup goes faster when you've already thought through a few decisions. Before your first Page Builder or Workflow Builder session, it helps to know:

* **Catalog criteria** — which NetSuite categories, and which pricing rules, should each catalog include?
* **Payment methods** — which payment types will you accept, and do any locations need their own processor or account?
* **Locations** — which physical or business locations need their own registers or settings?
* **Templates** — do you need custom receipt, invoice, or email templates, and who's designing them?
* **Order-form fields** — which fields does staff actually need on the order screen, versus fields that would just be clutter?

You don't need firm answers to all of these on day one, but having a rough sense of each saves back-and-forth later.

## What to do next

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Your First Day</strong></td><td>Apply these concepts in a hands-on walkthrough.</td><td><a href="/client-admin-guide/admin-app-overview/your-first-day.md">Your First Day</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Portal Overview</strong></td><td>Tour the sidebar and the top bar.</td><td><a href="/client-admin-guide/admin-app-overview.md">Getting Started</a></td></tr></tbody></table>