Recovering Deleted Data in Acumatica Without Audit History
This video discusses how to recover deleted data in Acumatica, even when audit history is not enabled.
Challenges
- Data loss due to accidental deletion: Clients may accidentally delete important data like purchase orders, leading to stress and disruption in operations. This is especially problematic when audit history is not enabled, as it makes tracking down the deleted information significantly more difficult.
- Lack of an ‘undelete’ button: Unlike some software, Acumatica does not have a simple ‘undelete’ function to recover deleted data. This necessitates finding creative workarounds using the existing Acumatica features.
- Difficulty identifying the cause of data loss: Without audit history, it is challenging to determine how the data was deleted, whether by user action or an automated process.
Solution
Balaji D, an Associate Principal Consultant at Tayana Solutions, encountered this exact problem with a client. He devised a clever solution using a combination of three key Acumatica tools:
- Access History: This feature, typically used to track user logins, can also be used to build a timeline of user activity around the time the data disappeared. This helps to narrow down potential causes and identify users who accessed the system when the deletion occurred.
- System Events: This log records automated processes running in the background, such as data imports or scheduled tasks. Examining system events can reveal if an automated process was responsible for the data deletion.
- Show Deleted Records: This option, available in some Generic Inquiries (GIs), can be used to indirectly identify deleted data. While not directly applicable to purchase orders, it can be used on related data like customers or vendors. For example, if a customer suddenly has zero purchase orders associated with their record when they should have some, this could indicate a deleted purchase order.
Benefits:
- Data Recovery: While this method may not recover the complete contents of a deleted record, it can help determine the deleted order number, which is invaluable for investigation and follow-up.
- Versatility: This approach is not limited to purchase orders and can be applied to other types of deleted data in Acumatica, such as vendor records.
- Problem-solving skills: Balaji’s solution highlights the importance of understanding how data connects within Acumatica and thinking creatively to leverage existing features for problem-solving.
This podcast encourages Acumatica users to explore and experiment with the platform’s versatile features. It emphasizes that even seemingly impossible data recovery situations may have solutions by thinking creatively and understanding the interconnected nature of Acumatica’s data. If you’re struggling with a complex Acumatica issue, consider reaching out to expert consultants like Tayana Solutions for assistance.