Learn how to use ABS's enhanced grouping features (version 3.11.32.370+) to organize and analyze your agency data more effectively. This hands-on tutorial demonstrates the power of drag-and-drop data grouping.
Prerequisites
This tutorial is designed for current ABS users. Have ABS Agency Builder open and follow along with the steps below for the best learning experience.
Getting Started: Opening the Practice Query
- Navigate to Marketing > Predefined Queries
- Expand Auto Marketing
- Double-click Policy List
You should now see a grid displaying all your auto policies.
Step 1: Filtering Data
Before grouping, let's filter the data to make it more manageable by focusing on specific carriers.
Filter Process
- Hover over the Carriers column - this exposes a down-arrow filter button on the right side of the column header
- Click the Filter button
- Select 3-4 of your most popular carriers to create a good sample for this tutorial
Step 2: Basic Grouping
Now that your list contains policies from selected carriers, let's organize them by grouping rather than simple sorting.
To Group by Carrier
- Drag the Carrier column header up into the yellow Grouping Band
- Drop it anywhere in the yellow area
What Happens
- The Carrier header moves to the left of the yellow band
- A light blue row appears showing each carrier name
- All policies for each carrier are grouped together below their respective blue header
- You can scroll through each carrier's grouped policies
Step 3: Creating Sub-Groups
Add a second level of organization by creating sub-groups within your carrier groups.
To Add City Sub-Groups
- Drag the City column header into the yellow Grouping Band
- Drop it to the right of the Carrier header
Results
- Policies are now grouped by Carrier, then by City within each carrier
- A connecting line shows the relationship between group levels
- Each sub-group appears in its own blue header
Step 4: Rearranging Groups
Change the grouping hierarchy by rearranging headers in the Grouping Band.
To Change Group Order
- Drag the City header to the left of the Carrier header
- Watch for positioning arrows that show where you can drop
- Notice how the connecting lines and grid data reorganize automatically
This changes the grouping from "Carrier within City" to "City within Carrier."
Step 5: Expanding and Compressing Groups
Control how much detail you see using the compression tools.
Compression Controls
- Toolbar button: Compress/expand all groups at once
- Individual control: Click the plus (+) or minus (-) signs next to each group
Compressed View Benefits
- See only top-level groups for overview
- Expand specific groups as needed
- Navigate large datasets more efficiently
Advanced Grouping Tips
Multiple Levels
- Create more than two grouping levels if meaningful
- Each additional level provides more detailed organization
Meaningful vs. Meaningless Groups
- The system allows any grouping combination
- Choose groupings that provide useful business insights
- Consider how you analyze your data when selecting groups
Removing Groups
- Drag headers back to the grid to remove grouping
- Drop between existing columns to return to normal view
Practical Applications
Business Analysis Uses
- Policy reviews by carrier and location
- Premium analysis by coverage type and region
- Renewal tracking by month and agent
- Claims analysis by policy type and timeframe
Reporting Benefits
- Cleaner presentation for client meetings
- Easier identification of patterns and trends
- Flexible data organization without recreating queries
- Professional-looking reports with minimal effort
Best Practices
- Start with logical primary groups (carrier, agent, coverage type)
- Add sub-groups that provide meaningful insights
- Use compression to navigate large datasets efficiently
- Experiment freely - grouping changes don't affect underlying data
- Consider your audience when choosing grouping levels for reports
Powerful Data Analysis
This enhanced grouping functionality transforms raw data into organized, actionable business intelligence. Practice with different combinations to discover the most useful groupings for your agency's analysis needs.