Navigating the Left Sidebar & Notifications

The left-hand sidebar in Hoicko Dealer Portal remains consistent across every module, which means once you learn it once, you can navigate confidently anywhere in the system.

Icons you'll typically find, top to bottom:

• Home icon — returns you to the module's main dashboard.
• Compass/discovery icon — often used for exploring available apps or modules.
• Document/file icon — quick access to document-related records.
• Chat/conversation icons (multiple) — internal messaging or vendor communication threads.
• Grid/apps icon — a full list of all applications you have access to.
• Notification bell — shown with a live unread counter badge (e.g., "37") indicating pending alerts.
• Search icon — global search across records.
• Share/redirect icon — for sharing specific records or links.
• Profile avatar (bottom) — your account identity, usually shown as initials (e.g., "NO").

To check pending alerts — like a rejected PR, a new registration update request, or an auction closing soon — click the bell/notification icon. The red number badge shows unread items in real time, and clicking it opens a list you can act on directly.

Using global search effectively:

1. Click the search icon in the sidebar.
2. Type any identifiable value — a vendor name, PR number, PO number, or material code.
3. Results are typically scoped to records you have permission to view, saving you from manually opening each module to hunt for one record.

Using the top-right icons:

• The profile/person icon (top-right) usually opens quick profile or account-switch options.
• The gear/settings icon opens account settings, notification preferences, and system configuration (for admin roles).

Why a consistent sidebar matters for onboarding new staff: Because the exact same icons, in the exact same order, appear in Vendor Registration, Purchase Requisition, ASN & Reports, and Visitor Management, a new employee only needs to learn the sidebar once — everything else is module-specific content changing in the main panel, not the navigation itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I see how many notifications I have? 

The red counter badge on the sidebar bell icon shows this in real time, visible from any screen in the portal.

Does the sidebar change between modules? 

The icons and their positions stay consistent, though the specific content behind icons like "Home" or "Search" is scoped to whichever module you're currently in.

Can I search for a vendor by their Vendor Code instead of name?

Yes — the global search typically accepts any unique identifier, including Vendor Code, PR Number, or PO Number.

What do the small chat icons in the sidebar represent? 

They typically represent messaging or discussion threads tied to specific records or general internal communication — useful for quick clarifications without leaving the portal.

How do I know which module I'm currently in if I get lost? 

The top navigation bar highlights the active tab (usually in blue), and the breadcrumb near the top-left of the content area shows the current record or screen name.

Is the notification count shared across all modules, or module-specific?

The bell icon in the sidebar typically reflects your total unread notifications across the portal, not just the current module.