Overview
In ConnectSx Beacon, list sorting is optimized for the specific workflow of each module. Because managing surgical schedules requires chronological tracking while managing Directory records requires quick alphabetical lookup, default sort orders differ depending on where you are in the application.
This guide explains the default sort dynamics across Beacon and how to interactively sort table columns.
Default Sort Order by Module
Module / View | Default Sort Order | Sorting Logic |
Events (Cases) | Date & Time (Chronological) | Upcoming and recent events display first. In Board View, items are grouped by Event Status. |
All Inventory | Catalog Number (Alphanumeric A-Z) | Items are grouped by Catalog #, with sub-sorting by Lot Number and Expiration Date. |
Transfers & Requests | Created/Updated Date (Newest First) | Displays the most recent inventory movements and pending requests at the top. |
Directory (Facilities, Physicians, Procedures, Manufacturers) | Name (Alphabetical A-Z) | Standardized A-Z sorting for rapid lookups. |
Dropdowns & Modals | Name (Alphabetical A-Z) | All selection dropdowns across Console and Mobile follow strict A-Z alphabetical order. |
Audits | Catalog Number (Alphanumeric A-Z) | Groups audited items logically by part number to streamline physical stock counts. |
Preference Cards | Assigned Procedure / Reverse Creation | Grouped by surgical procedure type, with newly added items listed in reverse creation order during setup. |
Key List Dynamics & Ticket Enhancements
1. Alphanumeric Catalog & Lot Sorting
In the All Inventory and Mark Used list views, inventory items are sorted alphanumerically by Catalog Number.
Items sharing the same Catalog Number are sub-grouped by Lot Number and Expiration Date.
When auto-refill or selection rules (such as FIFO or LIFO) are applied, Beacon overrides default list positioning to prioritize either the oldest acquisition date (First-In, First-Out) or newest acquisition date (Last-In, First-Out).
2. Standardized Dropdown & Selection Modals
All assignment dropdowns (e.g., assigning Facilities to Users or Procedures to Physicians) and modal selection lists are strictly sorted alphabetically (A-Z). Type-ahead search filtering dynamically narrows the A-Z list as you type.
3. Interactive Column Sorting (Desktop Console)
On desktop table views (such as Events, All Inventory, and Data Exports):
Click any column header with a sort icon to toggle between Ascending (A-Z / Oldest First) and Descending (Z-A / Newest First).
Active sort indicators highlight which column is controlling the current view.
Note: In Kanban/Board views and Beacon Mobile, column header sorting is fixed, and list presentation is managed via Filter Chips and search bars.
Tips for Navigating Lists
Use Filter Chips: If a default sort order places an item below the fold, click active Filter Chips (e.g., Custodian, Facility, or Status) to narrow the list scope.
Scan to Find: On mobile or desktop, use the barcode scanner or OCR text search in the search bar to jump directly to a specific Catalog # or UDI, bypassing manual list scrolling.
New Release Documentation Identification
Beyond list sorting refinements, recent releases introduce several major capabilities that require dedicated Knowledge Base documentation:
Scan to Move (Container Processing & GPS Proximity)
What it is: Continuous multi-container scanning mode in Beacon Mobile with built-in duplicate protection and auto-matching to nearby facilities via GPS coordinates.
KB Need: Step-by-step mobile guide on toggling Scan to Move, managing the staging bucket, and executing batch transfers.
VP of Sales Role & Management Hierarchy
What it is: A new management role sitting above Regional Managers (VP → RM → Sales Rep) providing downstream visibility into team sales, inventory, and Looker analytics.
KB Need: User management article detailing VP purview, assignment capabilities, paired account patterns, and permission boundaries.
Return-To Custodians & Automated Round-Trip Returns
What it is: Pre-designating a return custodian on loaner transfers and using single-click "Round Trip" actions to generate return transfers for unused inventory.
KB Need: Transfer management guide on setting return custodians and executing round-trip return transfers.
Multi-Select Assignment Dropdowns & Enhanced Filter Chips
What it is: Checkbox multi-selection for bulk directory/user assignments and interactive filter chips on event list views.
KB Need: Console UI guide covering multi-select assignments and quick filter chip management.
NPPES Registry Integration & Kevin AI Physician Lookup
What it is: Live lookup and comparison of local physician records against the federal NPPES NPI registry via Kevin AI.
KB Need: Directory article explaining how to audit, compare, and auto-update physician records using NPPES integration.