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modifiers

Why do we use Modifiers?

Freshdesk: https://support.windwardsoftware.com/a/solutions/articles/66000495583

Modifiers are used to configure an inventory item so when you sell it you can specify item-specific options (for example, a 2-seat or 3-seat couch, it's color and type of wood trim or various cell phone/air time plans).

You can have additional costs associated with specific options and specific options can have their own part number. You can link inventory items that have the same modifier options so if you need to change an option you do so once and it applies to all linked items. (Use caution when linking items; the only way to break the link is to delete linked inventory items and re-create them).You can also copy modifier configurations from another item which then appends that configuration to the current item (you can also modify appended configurations).

Modifiers are commonly used for parts such as furniture that you may stock a demonstrator model of but you would special order the exact item with the options the customer specifies. Modifiers are useful for items that you manufacture. It is also commonly used for cell phone/air time packages.

There are two types of modifier options:

  • Integrated Selection - these options are contained within the item on the invoice. The descriptions show as comments and the cost and retail prices are included in the line Price and Retail Price.
  • Non Integrated Selection - these options show as separate items on the invoice. There must be actual parts created for these options.

How to Enable Modifiers:

Setup Wizard > Inventory Options 1 > Enable Modifier Check Box

Configure an inventory item with modifiers (color & style example)

In this example we set up a couch with the following options:

  • Two Seats
  • Three Seats
  • Available with or without trim in Oak, decorative side cushions, pull-out coffee tray
  • Available in Blue, Black and Orange

Instructions

You can approach the creation of the modifier option hierarchy in a vertical or horizontal approach. In a vertical approach, you create the modifier and associate all options/sub-options to the modifier before moving on to the next modifier (Mod a = seats, options = 2-seat or 3-seat). In a horizontal approach, you create all the modifiers first and then add the options/sub-options to each modifier in turn (Mod a = seats, Mod b = wood trim, Mod c = color). For this example, a horizontal approach is demonstrated.

Note: You cannot modify the order of the sub-options in the modifier group nor the order of the modifiers so ensure you create the modifiers in the order you wish them to appear at Point of Sale

  1. To add a modifier to an inventory item, edit the item and select the Inventory Details window - Modifiers tab.
  2. To add the first modifier, right-click anywhere on the left-pane and select New from the pop-up menu. The Enter Description dialog box appears. Should you create a modifier or modifier option/sub-option in error, right-click on the modifier and select Delete from the pop-up menu. You can only delete from the tree view on the left-pane, not from the listing on the right-pane.
  3. Type “Select # of Seats” in the text box and click [OK]. The dialog box closes and you return to the Modifiers tab with the new modifier appearing in the tree view menu in the left-pane and in the modifier list in the right-pane.
  4. Repeat for modifiers “Select Nice Touches” and “Select Color”. They appear below the Select # of Seats modifier in the order created.
  5. To add a rule for the type of selection the modifier requires, click the Rule cell button and select one of the following rules from the drop-down list:
    • Selection - relates to a modifier option choice where the modifier option has it's own part number. The existing part may be an item you stock or just a miscellaneous item. The options shows as separate line items on an invoice and/or special order. They must have an existing part associated with them.
    • Integrated Selection - relates to a modifier option choice where the modifier option doesn't have it's own part number but is an integral option of the modifier. The option shows as a comment only attached to the main item on the invoice. The cost and retail prices are built into the invoiced item.
    • Select Options - relates to a modifier where you are not required to select modifier option but you can select more than one if so desired.
    • Select One of - relates to a modifier where you can only select one of the modifier option choices.
    • Select One or More of - relates to a modifier where you can only select one or more of the modifier option choices.
    • Production Part - relates to a modifier option choice where the modifier option is a production part and not an inventory item.
    • Use the following information for step 5:
      • Select # of Seats modifier rule type = “Select One of” because either the 2-seat or the 3-seat must be chosen from.
      • Select Nice Touch modifier rule type = “Select Options” because the customer doesn't need to select any of the nice touch options or can select all of them.
      • Select Color modifier rule type = “Select One of” because the customer can only chose one color.
  6. To specify each modifier's options, right-click the desired modifier in the tree view menu and select New Sub Item from the drop-down menu. The Enter Description dialog box appears for this modifier option group. Use the following information for steps 6a) through 6d):
    • Select #of Seats
      • 2-seat, Part = W126SOFA-2S, Rule = selection
      • 3-seat, Part = W126SOFA-3S, Rule = selection, Cost = $100.00, Retail = $200.00
    • Select Nice Touches
      • Oak trim, Part (suffix) = Trim, Rule = integrated selection, Cost = $20.00, Retail = $40.00
      • Side cushions, Part (suffix) = Cushions, Rule = integrated selection, Cost = $10.00, Retail = $18.00
      • Pull out coffee tray, Part (suffix) = Coffee tray, Rule = integrated selection, Cost = $25.00, Retail = $42.00
    • Select Color
      • Blue, Part (suffix) = Blue, Rule = integrated selection
      • Black, Part (suffix) = Black, Rule = integrated selection
      • Orange, Part (suffix) = Orange, Rule = integrated selection
    • a)Type the description of the option and click [OK]. The dialog box closes and you return to the Modifiers tab with the new modifier option appearing in the tree view menu in the left-pane and in the modifier option list in the right-pane. You could either repeat the procedure above for each modifier option, or since you are continuing in the same list, just enter the information in the list on the right-pane.
    • b)Click the Rule cell button and select the appropriate rule from the drop-down list. Repeat for each modifier option.
    • c)Type either a part number (when rule = selection) or part suffix (when rule = integrated selection) in the Part column. The part suffix is only used for reporting.
    • d)For all options that have an additional cost to (positive number) or reduce the cost of (negative number) the base item, enter the correct cost in the Cost text box and retail price in the Retail text box.
  7. To view how this configuration appears at Point of Sale, click [Test]. A series of dialog boxes appear exhibiting the following behavior:
    • a)First dialog box is entitled Select # of Seats, you must select either the 2 seat or 3 seat option before [OK] is available. You are not allowed to chose both. Chose the 3 seat option so you can test that the extra charge is considered.
    • b)Click [OK] and the second dialog box entitled Select Nice Touches appears. The [OK] is immediately available because you are not required to select any, however, you can select multiple options in the list. Chose two options so you can test that the extra charge is considered.
    • c)Click [OK] and the third dialog box entitled Select Color appears. You must select one of the three color options before [OK] is available. You are not allowed to more than one.
    • d)Click [OK] and the third dialog box entitled Confirm appears listing the choices you've selected. Click [OK], the dialog box closes and you return to the Modifiers tab.
  8. Click [Ok] on the Inventory Details window Toolbar.
modifiers.txt · Last modified: 2021/09/09 00:12 (3 years ago) by jbalasabas