General Merchandise Training

Overview

GM/Trade refers to the General Merchandise and Trade Books components of the TCS system. Since most of their functions are similar, they are combined here.

All merchandise items are maintained in a master file (MF), referenced by SKU/ISBN. SKUs may be added or deleted as required. Synonyms allow one item to be referenced by more than one SKU. The module handles Purchase Orders, Receiving, Returns, and Physical Inventory. A perpetual inventory is maintained; each receiving adds to the inventory, each sale subtracts from it. You can print bar-coded labels for the merchandise and print various reports.

Master File

Creating a New MF Item

At the ‘Enter your user id:’ prompt, type “GM” to log onto the General Merchandise account.
From the GM master menu, type in “MF” for ‘Master File Maint”.
At the ‘SKU:’ prompt, there are three (3) different ways of adding a new item (or assigning it a SKU number). Either way is acceptable.
1. Let the system automatically assign a SKU number
  1. To let the system automatically assign a SKU number, enter a ‘period’ “.” and the system will assign the item the next sequential SKU number in the system.
  2. After entering a period “.”, your next prompt will be the ‘Description:’ field.
2. To enter in your own SKU number
  1. Enter in the SKU number you have listed for this item.
  2. After entering your own SKU number, you will be presented with the prompt “Item not on file, Do you wish to add or copy? [A]=Add, [C]=Copy, [X]=Cancel”
    1. Choose “A” to add the item
    2. Note: You will only be presented with the ‘Item not on file’ prompt if the SKU number is not found in the system. If there is already an existing SKU number, the item that has that SKU number will be displayed. You will then either need to delete the old item, or assign the new item a different SKU number.
3. Scan the manufacturer bar code to create the SKU number (if you have a scanner available at the workstation that you are at)
  1. Scan in the manufacturer bar code using the scanner.
  2. After scanning in the manufacturer bar code, you will be presented with the prompt “Item not on file, Do you wish to add or copy? [A]=Add, [C]=Copy, [X]=Cancel”
    1. Choose “A” to add the item
    2. Note: You will only be presented with the ‘Item not on file’ prompt if the SKU number is not found in the system. If there is already an existing SKU number, the item that has that SKU number will be displayed. You will then either need to delete the old item, or assign the new item a different SKU number.
Enter the description of the item at the ‘Description:’ prompt.
1. Make sure you use ‘meaningful’ descriptions, and try not to abbreviate. Most descriptions can be accomplished using 25 characters or less (including spaces), but you may use as many as 45 characters.
2. Make sure you are consistent in describing like items. This field is a ‘cross-reference’ field, which means, you are able to do a search on various items by simply typing in a description of an item. For example:
  1. PEN will pick up PENcil, PEN, PENtal, PENdaflex
  2. CAN will pick up CANdy, CANvas, CANdle, CANary, CAN
Enter the Vendor Number for the Manufacturer in the ‘Manufacturer:’ field.
1. Presently, Manufacturer and Vendor are the same thing unless you have created Manufacturers in your Vendor Maintenance as well. In that case, enter in an appropriate Manufacturer number.
2. You may also enter in a short description of the Vendor/Manufacturer such as “SUP” for ‘Supplies are Us’. Keep in mind that you will also pick up any other vendors having ‘SUP’ in their name.
The ‘Style:’, ‘Color:’, and ‘Size:’ fields are optional fields.
The ‘Status Code:’ field automatically defaults to “A” for Active.
The ‘Date:’ field will automatically default to the current date.
You must enter a valid Class Code in the ‘Class Code:’ field.
1. You may enter a “??” or “//” to display a list box of valid class codes.
Enter the Selling Price of the item in the ‘Sell Price:’ field.
1. Entering “500” will be taken as $5.00. Only entering “5” will be taken as $0.05.
The ‘UOM:’ field (Unit of Measurement) will normally default to “EA” for each.
The ‘Price Code:’ field is optional and is used in special sale circumstances.
The ‘Promo Price:’ field will default to “N” for No. Accept this default.
1. This field is used in special sale circumstances.
Enter “Y” in the ‘Print Label?:’ field.
Enter the type of Bar Code Label Code you would normally use to print bar codes for this item in the ‘Label Code:’ field.
Enter “Y” or “N” if the item is taxable or not in the ‘Taxable:’ field.
Enter “Y” or “N” if the item is allowed to be discounted or not in the ‘Discountable:’ field.
You must enter a valid Vendor for this item in the ‘Vendor’ field.
1. You may do a “??” or “//” to display a list box of valid vendors, or you may enter in a brief description of a valid vendor such as “SUP” for ‘Supplies are Us’.
The next two fields “Catalog #’ and ‘Barcode’ are both optional and can be left blank.
You are required to enter in a Vendor List price in the ‘Vndr List’ field. Typically, the ‘Vendor List’ and ‘Sell Price’ are the same prices.
Enter “EA” in the ‘UOM’ field (Unit of Measurement)
Enter in the Vendor Cost in the ‘Vndr Cost’ field.
1. The Vendor Cost is what you pay for the item – not what you will sell it for.
The ‘UOM’ field under vendor cost automatically defaults to ‘EA’.
The ‘Min Order’ field defaults to “1” and can be left at that number.
If you are able to receive this item from multiple vendors, enter in the second vendor on line 2, and repeat steps 18-24.
Keep pressing the ‘Enter’ key until you come to another screen (the rest of the fields in the first screen are optional).
All the fields in this second screen are optional as well, so you can press ‘Enter’ until you see the ‘Options’ at the bottom of your screen.
Press ‘Enter’ to accept the default of ‘Save’ (< >=Save).

Every item you will use in the system must be set up in this manner. In some of the processes that you will encounter, you will be asked if you would like to create a new item. Regardless of where you are at in the system and whatever process you are in that is asking you if you want to create a new item, you will go through the steps listed above in creating that new item.

Synonyms

Sometimes it’s necessary to refer to the same item by more than one SKU. This is readily done by making the second (third, fourth, etc.) SKU a synonym, pointing to the original SKU. Go to Synonym Maintenance (GM-SU-01-21) and enter the new SKU as the Synonym ID. Then enter the name of the existing SKU; it’s description will be displayed. Press Enter to save the synonym. When either value is entered as a SKU, the original record will be accessed.

To subsequently delete the synonym, go to Synonym Maintenance, enter the synonym and enter ‘D’ for delete.

Promotional Pricing

Please follow the guide located here on promo pricing.

Purchase Orders

Creating Pending Orders

Creating Pending Orders involves two steps, creating your pending orders, and then creating the purchase orders from pending. The purpose of Pending Orders is to group the items together that are going to the same vendor and putting them onto the same PO, This makes the process more simple for the vendor and yourself. Let’s get started with creating our pending orders.

At the Enter your user id: prompt, enter ‘GM’ to log onto the General Merchandise Account.
When you arrive at the GM main menu, Enter in a ‘1’ to take you to the Purchasing Menu.
You are now at the main purchasing Menu, Choose option number ‘1’ to enter/modify pending orders.
Next you will be prompted for a ID or Option number. To create a new one enter in a period and press enter.
The next field you will be prompted for is the SKU number, enter in the sku of the item you want to place an order for and hit the enter key.
Once you have hit enter it should automatically have filled in the Description, Manufacturer and Vendor number. Sometimes an item will have more than one particular vendor, if the one that was brought up is not the one you want to use, type in the correct vendor number and hit return.
After you have verified the vendor is correct and you have to hit the enter key. The Store number, shipping code, and prices are automatically filled in. If all the rest of the information is correct, you will only need to change the quantity if it is greater than the default that is set to ‘1’.
Once you have entered the amount you want ordered, you will be prompted for the UOM (Unit of Measure), Enter in the code for the ordering units here. These codes are set up using the following menu path: SU-Codes-Units of Measure.
Enter through the rest of the fields until you come to the options at the bottom of the screen. You now have the Option either to save it by pressing the enter key, or cancel the pending order by pressing X.

You have now created a pending order for that item. Once you have gone through and created pending orders for all the items you need, it is time to create your purchase orders.

Creating Purchase Orders from Pending

Once you are finished creating all your pending orders, it’s time to create Purchase Orders. From the main purchasing menu, choose option ‘4’ Create Purchase Orders (from pending) and enter.
Enter in the specific vendor you want to create the purchase order for. Leave vendor # blank to process pending orders for all vendors. If you only want to process pending orders for specific vendors, enter the number or numbers (separated by commas).
Leave the release date field blank to process all pending orders regardless of release date. If you specify a release date, all pending orders with a release date equal to or earlier than that date will be processed.
Enter ‘Y’ to include pending orders with no release date assigned. Enter ‘N’ to exclude any pending orders without release dates assigned.
Choose ‘Y’ to run procedure or ‘X’ to cancel.

You have now created a Purchase Order. After you have ran the procedure it should show you the First PO was #______ and the Last PO was #______. It should also send those numbers to the printer for you to keep as reference once you receive the items. Now that you have created a purchase order it is time to learn how to receive against a Purchase Order.

Creating Purchase Orders Manually

From the GM Master Menu, choose option 1 for Purchasing.
Next choose option 21 to Modify Purchase Orders.
1. Even though the option here says to ‘Modify’, this is the option to create a manual purchase order.
At the PO # prompt, enter a ‘.’ to get the next system assigned PO number.
1. Throughout the system, entering a period (.) in a key field (the key is the unique identifier of the item that you are creating – whether you are creating a new PO, Receiving log, SKU….) will let the system assign the number.
A prompt will appear letting you know that the item you are creating is not on file. Choose the Add option to add the item.
If you need to adhere to certain PO numbers, enter in your PO number in the Alternate # field.
1. The number (either numeric or alpha/numeric) entered in the Alternate # field will print on the PO as the PO number. The system assigned number will also be printed on the PO as a reference number.
The Order Date will default to the current date, but can be changed to the date of your choosing.
Enter the Vendor you will be creating the purchase order for.
1. You can choose the vendor by either entering the vendor number or by entering the vendor name.
  1. If you enter the vendor number, you must enter the entire number.
  2. If you enter the vendor name, you need to enter at least 3 letters of the vendor name.
    1. American Vendors can be entered by full name, by Ame (or more letters), by Ven (or more letters), or by Ame Ven (or more letters).
    2. Outstanding Office Supplies can be entered by full name, by Out (or more letters), by Off (or more letters), by Sup (or more letters), by Out Off (or more letters), by Off Sup (or more letters), by Out Sup (or more letters), or by Out Off Sup (or more letters).
      1. Note that the order of the words does not matter. Outstanding Office Supplies will be found if you enter Supplies Office, or Sup Outstand Off.
Enter your store number in the Ship To field.
Enter the preferred method of shipping in the Ship Via field.
1. If you are unsure what to enter, you may choose from a list that will display by entering two question marks (??).
Entering Comments is optional as well as the Must Ship By field.
To start adding items to the PO, choose the Add option when prompted as the line number is displayed.
1. Choosing the Add option will display another Order Entry screen.
Enter the SKU or Description of the item that you want to order.
1. If you enter the SKU number, you must enter the entire SKU.
2. If you enter by Description, you can enter part of the description as in the case of entering the vendor name.
Enter the quantity you wish to order in the Order Qty field.
The Vendor List, Selling Price, Discount %, and Cost fields will all default to the values assigned in the Master File for the item that you are ordering. You can change any of the values if you need to.
Both the Order Comments and Rcvng Comments fields are optional.
Choose the Save option to add the item to the PO.
Continue choosing the Add option for as many items that you want to place on the PO.
When you have completed entering the items for the PO, do not choose the Add option – instead, press the Enter key to continue.
Choose the Save option to complete the Purchase Order process.
1. Make sure you make note of the system assigned PO number for printing and receiving purposes.

Modifying Purchase Orders

From the GM Master Menu, choose option 1 for Purchasing.
Next choose option 21 to Modify Purchase Orders.
1. Note, this is the same option used in creating Purchase Orders.
Enter in the PO number of the PO you wish to modify.
If you need to modify the Alternate #, Order Date, Vendor, Ship To, Ship Via, Comments or Must Ship By fields, use the modify option.
If you need to Add new items or Change existing items, choose the Line Items option.
1. To Add new items;
  1. Choose the Add option and add the new item using the same process as creating a purchase order.
2. To Change existing items;
  1. Enter the line number of the item you wish to change and modify the item.
When you have completed any modifications to the PO, choose the Save option to save and update the PO.

Printing Purchase Orders

From the GM Master Menu, choose option 1 for Purchasing.
Next choose option 22 to Reprint Purchase Orders.
Since you can print more than one PO at the same time, enter the PO Number of the first PO you wish to print in the First Purchase Order # field.
1. If you are only printing one PO, you must still enter the PO Number in the First Purchase Order # field.
2. If you are printing more than one PO, the PO Number entered in the First Purchase Order # field must be sequentially lower than the next PO (keep the PO numbers in order).
Enter the PO Number of the last PO you wish to print in the Last Purchase Order #.
1. If you are only printing one PO, you must still enter the PO Number in the Last Purchase Order # field.
2. If you are printing more than one PO, the PO Number entered in the Last Purchase Order # field must be the last PO sequentially of the group of PO’s you want to print.
Enter the Printer Number you wish to print to in the Printer Assignment field.
1. Each printer used to print through the system has been assigned a printer number. You must enter the printer number as Fx with x indicating the printer number.
  1. If printer number 2 was going to be used to print the PO, F2 would be entered in the Printer Assignment field.
Choose the Y = Run Procedure option to print the PO.

Receiving

From the GM Master Menu, choose option 2 for Receiving.
Next choose option 1 for Receiving Log.
Since the Rcv Id is assigned by the system, enter a period (.) to get the next system assigned receiving ID number.
A prompt will display if you are creating a new receiving log letting you know that the item is not on file. Choose the Add option.
The Rcv Clerk field will default to the user that is signed on to that port, and the Rcv Date will default to the current date. Both may be modified if you wish.
Enter the PO Number you wish to receive against in the PO Num field.
1. The PO Number you will need to enter is located on the PO as either the Order Number or Reference #.
  1. Use the Order Number if you are using the system assigned PO Numbers to do all of your tracking for you.
  2. Use the Reference # if you are using the Alternate # field when creating the PO. The Reference # will then be the system assigned PO Number.
At the prompt “A new PO number will remove any existing Line Items”, choose the Accept PO Number option.
Some of the fields will automatically fill in using information that is on the PO that you are receiving against. With the other fields (up to the Inv Total field), they are all optional fields and do not need to be filled in. Below are brief descriptions of the optional fields if you do want to fill them in.
1. Comments – receiving log comments
2. Shipped Via – the method of shipment
3. Cond Code – what kind of condition did the shipment arrive to you in
  1. The condition codes are user defined codes and can be maintained at GM-SU-03-23
4. Num Pallets – how many pallets were used for this shipment
5. Num Cartons – how many cartons were in this shipment
6. Inv Num – what is the invoice number for this shipment
  1. Presently, if you do not have an invoice number to enter at the time of receiving and after you Post your receiving, you will not be able to enter the invoice number at a later time. Do not let this hold you up from receiving! Continue with the receiving process even if you do not have an invoice number. (We currently have a project in development to allow you to enter an invoice number at a later date)
7. Inv Date – the date of the invoice
The Inv Total field is a required field and a figure needs to be entered.
1. If you have the invoice, enter the amount of the invoice.
2. If you do not have an invoice, you still need to enter an amount. Entering a zero (0) is a valid amount.
Entering an amount in the Freight field is optional. If you have an invoice, enter the amount of freight if listed.
You will be prompted with a message to Select a method for sorting the PO lines. It is strongly suggested to choose the PO line numbers option.
1. Choosing the PO line numbers option will always keep your receiving log and purchase orders in the same order. This is extremely useful when receiving against multi-line PO’s.
Depending on how your system is setup, you may or may not be prompted with the option to choose your method for entering received quantities.
1. If you choose the Exception option, all of the order quantities of the items that are on the PO will be listed as the received quantities as well. This is useful when receiving an order that the majority of the items ordered are accounted for EXCEPT for a few items – thus the term Exception. You can still modify the received quantities regardless of what figures have been entered.
2. If you choose the Manual option, you will need to go through each and every item listed on the Receiving Log and enter an amount – even if that amount is zero (0).
With the cursor in the SKU field, press Enter to accept the SKU number.
Enter the quantity received in the RQty field.
You then have the opportunity to change any of the price and cost information. Making changes here will affect the master file if you choose to have your system automatically roll over receiving prices.
1. To automatically roll receiving prices, see GM-UU-23-01-store number-screen 3.
If you want to print tags for the items you are receiving, enter a Y in the Tags field.
Continue through the rest of the receiving log until you are finished.
The two main options at the bottom of the screen are S = Save, and P = Post & Save.
1. The Save option will allow you to save the receiving log and gives you the opportunity to modify the receiving log at a later date (by entering the Receiving Log Id number instead of a period at the Rcv Id prompt). Using the Save option will not post the received items to the inventory.
2. The Post & Save option will save the receiving log and post the received items to the inventory. Using the Post & Save option will not allow you to modify the receiving log at a later date.
When choosing the Post & Save option, you may get a prompt letting you know that the Line item total + freight does not match the invoice total.
1. If you did not have an invoice to enter an invoice total from, your figures will not match. Choose the Accept option in this case.
2. If you entered an invoice total from an invoice, and the figures do not match, you may want to choose the Re-enter option and see if any of the line items had a price change.
3. You may also choose to ignore the prompt and just choose the Accept option.

Returns

Manual Chargeback or Pending Return
1. It must first be decided whether to enter a chargeback or enter a suggested return.
Chargeback
1. Enter a chargeback if you know exactly what it is that you want to return.
Suggested Returns
1. This is to generate suggested returns or entering pending returns that can later be changed into a chargeback.
Clear Suggested Returns
1. Before you generate suggested returns, it is a good idea to run this procedure to clear out any suggested returns that may be lingering in the system.
Create Suggested Returns
1. This will create a number of pending returns with a status of ‘S’ for suggested. The initial selection is by the TR.MF or GM.MF file selecting with a quantity on hand greater than zero, checking also that purchase orders exist on file. The criteria on the returns are also different, than those in TEXT, in that the return is based on highest cost for the return with a secondary selection given based on the expiration date of the invoice.
Sales Cutoff Date
1. Anything that has not been sold since this date will be selected.
Vendor Number
- 1. You may limit this according to vendor.
Expire Days
1. To restrict it to items that will expire within a number of days, enter the number here. This is maintained in Vendor Maintenance (VM) with the vendor maximum months and the vendor minimum months.
Enter Pending Return
1. This allows you to enter the pending return yourself. It will remain as a pending return until made a chargeback or deleted.
Modify Pending Returns
1. You still may modify a pending return, before it becomes a chargeback.
Change the Return Status to “Release”
1. In order to change the pending return into a chargeback, you must first change the return status to release. This can be done individually, in Pending Return Maintenance, or you can change the status of the pending returns of a certain vendor all at once in Pend Returns Maint by Vendor.
Create Chargeback
Create from pending Returns
1. This is a batch process that will consolidate all of the pending returns of a certain vendor and create a chargeback. The return status of the pending return must be ‘R’ for release.
Enter Manually
1. In “Enter/Maintain Returns” enter a ‘.’ to enter your own chargeback.
Return Permission
1. If the vendor requires permission to return something, you should now print the permission requests. Vendor maintenance is where it is specified whether a vendor requires permission.
Send and Receive Permission Requests
1. Once the permission requests have been printed, they are sent out, confirmed, and returned.
Print/Send Chargebacks
1. Now the chargebacks are printed. If you only want to print chargebacks with certain vendors, then enter their codes. The chargeback records can be sent out with the merchandise so that your account can be credited.
Inventory Adjusted
1. To determine when the inventory will be adjusted, go to Returns Parameters (SU-2-6) and select ‘Consolidated’ or ‘Chargeback’. Consolidated will adjust the inventory when you create chargebacks from the pending returns. Chargeback will adjust the inventory when the chargebacks are printed.

Performing a Physical Inventory

Overview

Physical inventory consists of initializing the master file, recording quantities on hand (QOH) onto worksheets, checking the worksheets, and posting the counts to the master file.

Initializing the master file clears out any old worksheets and saves the current QOH values. Counts can be recorded on the worksheets manually or through a programmable scanner. Various reports are available to help check the worksheets. Posting updates the master file QOH counts.

Posting assumes the worksheet count is the count at the time of initialization. The new QOH counts are set to the worksheet counts minus any changes in the master file QOH since initialization. This allows you to continue to sell and receive inventory between initialization and posting.

Worksheets are identified by store, date, and sheet number. (Ignore any references to a Location Code, keep its value blank.) This uniquely identifies each set of worksheets. The worksheets can be created three different ways: by pre-loading it from the master file, by pre-loading it from a portable Densei scanner, and by manually creating it. When old worksheets become a year old, they are automatically deleted at the next initialization.

Worksheets may be Open, Committed, or Posted. Open worksheets can have their counts modified. Only counts from committed worksheets will be included in the posting. Items from open worksheets will not be included.

The menus have three sections, separated with a blank line: initialization, edit cycle, and posting. Interlocks require completing one section before proceeding to the next.

Initializing

Make sure you’ve set the correct Inventory Method: A, B, or C (GM-SU-02-03). Use method A if you want to initialize a set of worksheets from the master file, method B if you’re going to create most of your worksheets from items scanned with the Densei scanner and method C if you’re going to manually create all your worksheets. Methods A and B also allow manual creation of worksheets for any adjustments you may need to make for items already on other worksheets. Each method has slightly different menu options for the inventory.

Regardless of the method, current master file QOH counts are saved so any changes before posting can be used to adjust the worksheet count.

You must initialize (GM-24-01-01) before you can do anything else. Enter the date you want to use as the inventory date. This date identifies this inventory, so the same date must be used throughout the inventory.

Counting & Verifying (Edit Cycle)

As explained above, method B allows counting items with a special Densei scanner. You then create worksheets from the scanned items. You can commit the worksheets as you create them, or leave them open and commit each one manually at a later time. Special reports help you monitor the status of all items scanned. Only items in the master file can be included in any worksheets; you’ll be notified of any scanned items that are missing.

You can modify the count on any open worksheet, but once it’s committed you can only change a count by entering an adjusting count for the same item on another open worksheet. Do not try to make adjustments through the inventory adjustments menu between initialization and posting; they won’t have any effect.

Various reports help you monitor and confirm the counts before you perform the irreversible stop of posting. You can run the reports as often as you want to verify and refine the inventory count.

Print non-committed sheets

Lets you see which worksheets won’t be included in the posting if done at this time.

Master file status report

The other reports look at the inventory from a worksheet viewpoint, but this one lets you look at the inventory status of items from the viewpoint of the master file. Various options help you check on the progress of the inventory.

Print Adjustments / Valuation

This report shows you the cost/price valuation of the worksheet items, open and committed, at this point in time, along with the difference between the old master file QOH counts and what they’ll be if you post the current worksheets.

Utilities

You can add new worksheets at any time up to posting. The same item can be on more than one worksheet; the counts are added together. If you’ve committed a worksheet and discover an error in the count, you can manually create a worksheet and record a compensating count, positive or negative, for the item, so when they’re added together they provide the correct count.

You can delete any worksheet at any time prior to posting.

You can print any worksheet at any time.

For inventory method B, you can also print status reports on the intermediate file holding the Densei scanned data before it goes to a worksheet.

Posting the Counts

Once you’ve confirmed that you have the correct counts in committed worksheets for all the master file items you want updated, you can perform the irreversible posting step. This is where the master file QOH values are actually changed. For each item, the worksheet counts are added together and the difference between the QOH at initialization and the current QOH is subtracted for the new QOH value. For example, if the item count at initialization was 10, the worksheet counts total 8, and 3 items were sold between initialization and posting, the new QOH will be 5 (the counted 8 minus (the original 10 minus the current 7)).

Corrections after Posting

Corrections during inventory, between initialization and posting, must be made on worksheets. Corrections between inventories are made through the inventory adjustments menu (GM-24-02). Enter the SKU, the adjustment amount, and the reason code for why the adjustment was made. An inventory adjustment report (RP-01-21) lets you review and monitor these adjustments.

Printing Barcode Labels

You can print tags from the MF Maintenance menus, from Receiving, or from the TAG account’s main menu. You can have as many different types of tags as you want; each will be identified by a unique tag type (TAGS-25). Each tag type includes a header tag format and a detail tag format. When you print several sets of tags at once, the header tag helps you find the beginning of each set of tags. The detail tags are the ones you attach to the merchandise.

Each Tag Type specifies the type’s Code, the Header and Detail Tag formats (TAGS-24), how many Header Tags to print at the beginning of each run, and where to print the tags. An item’s tag type must be specified explicitly at the TAGS menus, while Receiving and MF Maintenance pick up the tag type according to the following priority.

The Label Code specified in the SKU definition (GM-MF, SKU) – or if it’s null,

the Tag Default specified in the Class definition (GM-SU-01-02) – or if’s null,

the Tag Type used in the last print job.

Whenever you’re asked to enter a tag type, you can enter ?? to get a list of what types are available.

Create Matrix Items

This document explains how to create and modify GM Matrix items. The Matrix is for items that come in different sizes and colors. It allows you to link these items together—maintaining, ordering, and receiving them as a group. Yet it also allows you the flexibility to do those things with individual matrix items as well. Here are the steps to making a matrix item.

Set Up Color Codes
Set Up Size Codes
Create “Mother” SKU in MF
Add Matrix Items
Modify Matrix Items

The way the matrix works is that you create a “Mother” SKU in Masterfile Maintenance. This is a master SKU that will be used to link the matrix items together. Then you choose the Matrix option on the masterfile screen and enter a size and color combination for each matrix member you wish to have included. A new SKU is generated, or if the individual SKU is already on the Masterfile, you would enter it’s existing SKU. These steps are explained in detail in this document.

The Color Index and Size Index are used, with the Parent SKU, to generate a SKU for a matrix item

Set Up Color Codes

Go to the Color Code Maintenance Screen (menu path SU-3-3).

Type in either a “.” for a numeric code or type your own short alphanumeric code.
Enter a description of the color.
Enter in a number for the index. If the code is alphanumeric, then the index must be above 100. If the Color Code is numeric make the Color Index the same number, if possible.

Repeat these steps for each color code you wish to use.

Set Up Size Codes

Go to Size Table Maintenance Screen (menu path SU-3-4).

Enter in a Size Code. Enter “.” for a numeric code, or enter your own alphanumeric code.
Enter a description of the size.
Enter a number in the Size Index field. This can be the same number that is in the Size Code field.

Repeat this for every size code you wish to use.

Create “Mother” SKU in MF

Go to Masterfile Maintenance, by typing “MF”. Now add a new masterfile item by typing a “.”

Except for the size and the color, everything you enter here is used as a default for the matrix members.
Once you have entered the MF item, type “U” at the bottom of the screen.

You will be prompted with this message.

Choose Continue.

This saves the mother SKU in the masterfile. This is necessary before continuing.

Add Matrix Items

Once you have entered “U” from the masterfile screen, you will go to this matrix screen.

The SKU generated is the Mother SKU with both the Color Index and the Size Index added as a suffix.

First type “A” to add matrix items.
Choose a color code in the Color field and a size code in the Size field.
Accept the generated SKU unless the individual matrix item already exists on the masterfile. In that case enter it’s SKU instead.
Enter its selling price in the Sell Price field. The mother SKU’s price comes in as a default, but can be changed.
Enter the Unit of Measure code, usually this will be “EA”.

Repeat these steps for each matrix member that you wish to enter.

Choose “C”. This creates an MF record for each matrix member. You can also just hit enter to save, and the masterfile records will be created automatically

Modify Matrix Items

Once the masterfile record has been created for the individual matrix member, enter the line number of the matrix member you wish to modify. For example enter “3” to modify the third line item. Or you can go into Masterfile Maintenance and type in the matrix member’s SKU directly.

You will be taken to the masterfile screen with this prompt.

Choose Individual Member.
Enter “M” to modify.
Make changes and save them.

You must do these steps for each matrix member you wish to change.

Promo Pricing

Special pricing can be applied in a 2 for 1 type of setting or a flat promo price. Each type of pricing can be applied over a range of dates or indefinitely.

Price Tables

Price tables are built in GM-SU-3-22 and are the only method for setting up 2 for 1 type discounts.

The following example will cover how to create a 2 for 1 discount that resets on the last quantity.

SU-3-22

“R” will reset the pricing to the top of the table once the bottom Qty has been reached. Since no price is set for the 3^rd Qty, the system will start over at the top of the table, charging $.59 for the 3^rd item. If a 4^th is sold it will sell for .41

Enter the price to be charged for each QTY sold at the register. Qty1 + Qty2 price should equal the special 2for1 price.

Create a new table or pull up an existing one.
Make sure the description is acceptable
Use “M” to modify
1. Qty1 is the original sale price of the item
2. Qty2 is the price to be charged for the second item. The two prices added together should equal the desired discount price. In this example .59 + .41 = $1.00
Enter an A to add or an R to reset
1. An A will continue pricing additional quantities of the item at the same price as the final Qty in the table. I.e. a 3^rd item sold will ring up for .41 since .41 was the last price entered
2. An R will reset the pricing of subsequent items to the top of the table. A 3^rd item will sell for .59 and the 4^th will sell for .41.
Save the table, remember the table’s name for setting up the MF record.

Applying the Discount

To apply the discount, bring up the item’s MF record
Tell the system which table to use in the Price Code field.
Press Enter, and put a Y in the Promo Price field
The next prompt is not used or applied if a table is being used, put whatever you’d like into the next Promo Price field.
Enter a Y to use the table entered in the Price Code field
You may enter a Start and Ending date if you want this pricing to expire. If you don’t want it to expire, just leave those fields blank by entering through them.
Save the changes made to the MF record.