Business Activity Queries (BAQs) are a core tool in the Epicor® ERP ecosystem. Whether you’re building dashboards, exporting reports, or driving BPM logic, BAQs sit at the heart of intelligent decision-making.
But poorly structured BAQs can lead to bloated queries, confusing logic, and long-term maintenance challenges. In this guide, Epicforce Tech shares practical, real-world tips for structuring Epicor® BAQs in a way that makes them easy to understand, efficient to run, and simple to maintain over time.
Why Maintainable BAQs Matter
A well-structured BAQ helps teams:
-
Avoid performance slowdowns
-
Enable smoother upgrades and migrations
-
Reduce support costs
-
Improve team collaboration
-
Lower the learning curve for new analysts
At Epicforce Tech, we often find that simplifying query design results in better data performance and higher trust in the system output.
1. Use Clear, Consistent Naming Conventions
Always name:
-
BAQs with a prefix (e.g.,
FIN_,SALES_,HR_) -
Subqueries descriptively (
Main_Order,Join_Customer,Calc_Totals) -
Calculated fields (
TotalAmt,OpenQty,DaysLate)
Tip: Avoid generic names like Query1 or TempJoin — they make long-term support harder.
2. Break Complex Logic Into Subqueries
Instead of writing one long query with deeply nested calculations and joins:
-
Break the logic into layered subqueries
-
Use a top-level “Main” subquery to compile final output
This modular approach:
-
Simplifies troubleshooting
-
Supports reuse
-
Improves performance
3. Limit the Use of Calculated Fields at Output Level
Calculated fields are useful, but they’re better placed in subqueries than the final output query—especially when:
-
You’re performing aggregations
-
The logic is reused in multiple places
-
Performance is a concern
Move logic “down” the query stack to keep outputs clean.
4. Document the Purpose of the BAQ
Use the BAQ Description field to note:
-
The business purpose
-
Key filters
-
Table joins
-
Important calculated fields
This simple step reduces onboarding time and speeds up audits.
5. Avoid Excessive Table Joins
Too many joins (especially outer joins) can degrade performance and introduce null value issues.
Best Practices:
-
Only pull fields you need
-
Prefer inner joins unless business logic requires outer joins
-
Join on indexed fields whenever possible
6. Group Queries by Module or Department
Structure your BAQs into folders or naming series based on use case:
-
SALES_Orders_By_Rep -
FIN_TrialBalance_Quarterly -
HR_ActiveEmployeeList
This makes queries easier to find and maintain by functional users.
7. Use Parameters Instead of Hardcoded Filters
Replace hardcoded values (WHERE Company = 'ABC') with parameters:
-
@Company -
@StartDate -
@CustomerID
This improves reusability and makes your BAQ more flexible for dashboards and exports.
8. Review Field Types and Data Formatting
When pulling data:
-
Avoid large text fields unless necessary
-
Normalize date formats
-
Keep decimal precision aligned with business needs
These choices reduce query load and simplify downstream formatting.
9. Validate with a Known Test Case
Before releasing a BAQ:
-
Run it with known input values
-
Compare results with native Epicor® screens or reports
-
Check for missing records or misaligned values
This step builds confidence and prevents downstream issues.
10. Restrict Access to Sensitive BAQs
Use Security IDs and User Groups to restrict:
-
Financial data
-
HR details
-
Customer pricing
Maintain security best practices even within reporting layers.
11. Monitor and Review Performance Periodically
BAQs grow over time. Regularly:
-
Check execution time
-
Review row counts
-
Identify fields or joins causing performance issues
Epicforce Tech recommends a quarterly BAQ performance audit, especially for widely used dashboards.
12. Create a BAQ Archive for Retired or Replaced Queries
Never delete old BAQs blindly. Instead:
-
Move them to a folder like
ZZ_ARCHIVE_ -
Update the description: “Superseded by XYZ as of [Date]”
This ensures historical reference while keeping active lists clean.
13. Standardize Usage of UD Fields
BAQs often reference User Defined (UD) fields. Keep usage:
-
Consistent across modules
-
Documented
-
Mapped clearly to business meaning
This avoids confusion when someone inherits your query.
14. Avoid Overusing BAQs for Real-Time Logic
BAQs are powerful but shouldn’t replace BPMs or stored procedures for transaction-time logic. Use them for:
-
Analysis
-
Reporting
-
Dashboard metrics
For data integrity and automation, use Epicor® BPMs instead.
15. Train Your Team on Best Practices
Create internal training materials that reflect:
-
Naming standards
-
Join strategies
-
Testing and validation techniques
A trained team means more scalable and maintainable queries.
Conclusion
Structuring Epicor® BAQs with long-term maintainability in mind is essential to building a high-performing, sustainable ERP reporting ecosystem. It reduces technical debt, improves user trust, and speeds up enhancements.
At Epicforce Tech, we help organizations audit, optimize, and rebuild underperforming BAQs into well-documented, efficient, and secure reporting assets.
Need help reviewing or optimizing your Epicor® BAQs?
Reach out to Epicforce Tech at
info@epicforcetech.com | (888) 280-5585
We’ll help you simplify your ERP reporting and drive data confidence.
