Hi,

In order to eliminate human errors as much as possible, we're trying to build a user friendly quote templates for some of our products that have lots of options. A good example of the format we're looking for is the option listing when ordering a Dell computer online.

I was thinking of building an Excel application take in the information and then importing everything in SalesCQ. But that also can lead to more problems…

Is there a third party program that we could use to do this?

Thx.

I think that the industry term for what you are looking for is a configurator. Usually a configurator has lots of logic behind it. For example, there might be drop down boxes for size and material, but if size ordered exceeds some limit, material choices are limited to aluminum or steel. Configurators can get complicated, but they enforce correct product specifications. Dell's configuator, for example, won't let you buy Small Business Server and Exchange because Exchange is included in Small Business Server. MISys had a configurator but I think they discontinued the product. Check with them at http://www.misysinc.com

Hi Monique,

Brian's right about the term for the program you are looking for, and is also correct that MISys discontinued their version (which integrated with their manufacturing solution) because of lack of sales. By their very nature, these programs are complex and usually customized to a specific company's product range.

I'd reccomend soliciting the services of an experienced Excel guru. Otherwise, just make sure that an experienced person reviews all the quotes prepared by less experienced staff.

Thank you for your help.

So... I started building the Excel application and while testing a quote import I came over a glitch. Even if the Shipto code is correctly imported, the Shipto address stays as the default costumer’s address and not the correct shipping address. If I reselect the Billto code manually it updates both addresses correctly. Same thing if I turn the quote in a order.

It seems like the BillTo/ShipTo tab doesn’t update.

Here’s my Import Field
1 Hdr-Header type – H
2 Hdr-Cusomer Number
3 …
13 Hdr-Shipto Header – S
14 Hdr-Shipto Code
15 Det-Detail Header – D
16 Det-Item Number
…

Any ideas how to correct this problem?

Hi Monique,

Thanks for the details on the import problem. We'll try and re-create it here and see if we can get it fixed in the upcoming V8.1B SalesCQ. I don't expect that module to ship before September at the earliest though.

Sorry for the inconvenience. Could you import the entire ship to address as a work around?

Hi Monique,

Instead of putting the Ship to code on an 'S' line, put it in the Header row.

Yes Andrew, we could always import the entire shipping address. It would simply make the excel file slightly larger.

I also tried to import the with the Shipto code in the Header row… but the result is the same.

Thx.

Sorry, Monique,

Currently the Ship to code on the Header Line is working for OrderEntry but not for SalesCQ.

This is on the wishlist for the next release.

Here are some more problems I’ve encountered while building this application:

We can’t automatically generate serial numbers for our products in Inventory, nor can we import serial numbers in Order Entry. We have to enter everyone of them manually from a other database.

Also if we import a order, the quote won’t be mark as transferred. We can’t link a existing quote to a new order that was created with the import function.