Overview

CRM Custom Views extends the Progrid CRM module with two capabilities: automatic lead naming rules that generate standardized lead names from field data, and pipeline creation settings that control default behavior when adding new records from the pipeline kanban view.

Purpose

Sales teams often struggle with inconsistent lead naming. One rep names a lead “John Smith - Roof Repair”, another names it “Smith residence”, and a third just types “New lead”. This makes it difficult to scan the pipeline, search for leads, or generate meaningful reports.

This module solves that problem by letting managers define naming rules – patterns that automatically generate lead names from CRM fields like company name, contact name, source, medium, and stage.

It also provides pipeline creation settings that control what happens when a user clicks the + button on a pipeline column to create a new lead or opportunity. Managers can configure default values, required fields, and creation behavior.

Target Users

Sales Representatives

Experience automatic lead naming without any setup. When a naming rule is active, lead names generate automatically based on the rule’s pattern. Reps can still manually override any generated name.

Sales Managers

Create and manage naming rules for the team. Configure which fields compose the lead name, set the separator character, and define the order. Use the bulk apply wizard to retroactively rename existing leads.

Also configure pipeline creation settings to streamline how the team adds new leads from the kanban view.

Key Concepts

Lead Naming Rules

A naming rule (crm.lead.naming.rule) defines a pattern for automatically generating lead names. Each rule specifies:

  • Name – A descriptive label for the rule (e.g., “Standard Sales Naming”)

  • Pattern/Template – The combination of fields and separators used to build the name

  • Field Selection – Which CRM lead fields to include (company, contact, source, etc.)

  • Separator – The character(s) between field values (e.g., “ - “, “ | “, “, “)

  • Active – Whether the rule is currently applied

When a rule is active and a lead is created or updated, the system evaluates the pattern and generates a name from the lead’s current field values.

Note

Naming rules generate the name via onchange – the name fills instantly when data is entered. The generated name can always be manually overridden by editing the lead name field directly.

Pipeline Creation Settings

Pipeline creation settings control the behavior of the + button on pipeline kanban columns. These settings determine:

  • Default Values – What fields get pre-populated when creating from the pipeline

  • Creation Behavior – Whether clicking + opens a quick-create dialog or the full form view

  • Field Visibility – Which fields appear in the quick-create dialog

These settings are configured at the CRM team level, allowing different sales teams to have different pipeline creation workflows.

How Naming Rules Work

When a naming rule is active, the system watches for changes to the fields included in the rule’s pattern. For example, if a rule uses {company} - {contact}:

  1. User creates a new lead

  2. User enters the company name “Acme Corp”

  3. Lead name auto-generates: “Acme Corp”

  4. User enters the contact name “Jane Smith”

  5. Lead name updates: “Acme Corp - Jane Smith”

If a field in the pattern is empty, it is skipped and the separators adjust accordingly. A rule using {company} - {contact} - {source} where source is empty would produce “Acme Corp - Jane Smith” (no trailing separator).

Tip

Naming rules are most effective when your team consistently fills in the key fields that the rule depends on. Consider making those fields required on the lead form to ensure complete, meaningful names.

Security Model

The module uses Progrid CRM’s existing security groups:

Sales / User: Own Documents Only and Sales / User: All Documents

Can view naming rules but cannot create, edit, or delete them. Lead names generate automatically based on active rules.

Sales / Administrator

Full access to naming rules: create, edit, delete, and use the bulk apply wizard. Can also configure pipeline creation settings.

Next Steps