Selection of the Ratebooks option from the Kestrel Main Menu opens the Ratesbooks form from which the ratesbook quotation is created, edited or displayed.
This form is split into five parts which are as follows:
In addition to displaying the form name the Title Bar provides a number of useful buttons and, within the primary ratesbook form also displays the Ratesbook No. (this defaults to 0 until the ratesbook is saved).
The content of the Ratesbooks menu bar is dependent upon the particular process that is being accessed. The full menu bar contents, however, are as follows:
Enables the user to create, open, edit and print quotations
This menu selection provides access to the following options:
This form enables vehicles which have not met the required selection criteria to be viewed.
- Notes
Displays the Ratesbooks Notes form into which can be entered free-format RTF (Rich Text format) text related to the current ratesbook. The form has a format Text Toolbar which is used to enhance the standard text input.
This menu option provides access to the following options:
Selection of Edit Margin from the Tools Menu Bar option displays an Edit Margin box which enables the default profit margin to be edited for the current ratesbook quotation. This menu option is unavailable however, if Finance Profit has been selected as the default profit calculation method within the Calculation Methods Tab in System Maintenance / System Parameters .
Selection of Sort from the Tools Menu Bar option displays a Sort box which enables the default sort value within the Output Tab to be edited for the current ratesbook. The default "sort" mirrors the order in which vehicles are selected within the Vehicle Tab and can be overridden within the Sort form by manipulating a number of fields within the dialogue box.
Provides online access to a context sensitive Help form. In addition, the About option provides the version number and copyright information relevant to this product.
As with the menu bar, the content of the Ratesbooks toolbar is dependent upon the particular process that is being accessed. The full toolbar contents, however, is as follows:
This icon opens a new ratesbook quotation and defaults-in any pre-set values. The form also displays the User ID of the ratesbook creator.
This displays the Ratesbook Search form that enables a previously created ratesbook quotation (or quotations) to be found by entering search selection criteria.
Saves the current ratesbook. On saving a calculated ratesbook, a pop-up box is displayed giving the Ratesbook No. and an OK button prompt which is used for confirmation purposes.
The Save As function is a useful feature which enables an existing ratesbook to be saved again having altered one or more of the selection criteria. This eliminates duplication of effort with regard to the re-input of selection criteria.
Having made the required change(s) to the criteria within an existing ratesbook (and edited the ratesbook Description , within the Details Tab , to reflect this) the Save As option is selected. This saves the new ratesbook and displays a pop-up box giving the next available sequential Ratesbook No . and an OK button prompt which is used for confirmation purposes.
Exits the current form and returns to the previous form or menu. If the ratesbook has not been saved then the following prompt is displayed:
The current Ratesbook has not been saved. Click OK to Continue or Cancel to Return and Save the Quote.
Select the OK command button to exit the current ratesbook and return to the primary ratesbook form.
Select the Cancel command button to remain within the existing ratesbook.
Select the Help command button for online context sensitive help.
Displays the Ratesbooks Notes form into which can be entered free-format RTF (Rich Text format) text related to the current ratesbook. The form has a format Text Toolbar which is used to enhance the standard text input.
This icon is only available when a ratesbook is in the process of being calculated. Selection of this icon halts the calculation process and displays a Finished pop-up box which displays the total number of records read, calculated and rejected for example,
Read 305 Calculated 105 Rejected 200
Selection of the OK command button confirms the halt to the calculation process and effects a return to the Output Tab where only those records processed prior to the interrupt are displayed.
Following input of the appropriate selection criteria - for example, product type, finance type, etc - within the Ratesbooks Dialogue Boxes the Autocalc icon is used to generate the calculation for the ratesbook quotation. The chosen fields (selected via the appropriate checkboxes) are displayed within the Output Tab .
Prior to the ratesbook being calculated the Edit Margin box may be displayed for amendment/display of the current margin value. This is dependent upon whether the Prompt for Margin checkbox has been selected in Quotation Defaults Tab (in System Maintenance / System Parameters) .
If a required value, which prevents the ratesbook quotation from being calculated, is not input then the Quotation Calculation Errors form is displayed detailing the exact error. for example,
No Vehicle Selected
No Product Selected
No Finance Type Selected
No Finance Profile Selected
The OK and Cancel Command Buttons will effect a return to the Ratesbook form so that the missing information can be addressed.
Displays the Print Selection Dialogue Box which enables the selection of a number of print parameters.
Selection of the Sort icon displays a Sort box which enables the default sort value within the Output Tab to be edited for the current ratesbook. The default "sort" mirrors the order in which vehicles are selected within the Vehicle Tab and can be overridden within the Sort form by manipulating a number of fields within the dialogue box.
This Exceptions form enables vehicles which have not met the required selection criteria to be viewed.
Provides online access to a context sensitive Help form. In addition, the About option provides the version number and copyright information relevant to this product.
The dialogue box provides a breakdown, by way of a series of five structured Tabs , of all the constituent elements required for the generation of a ratesbook quotation. These are as follows:
Selection of a new or existing ratesbook automatically displays the Details Tab as a default. This Tab contains the basic controls which dictate the contents of the ratesbook and how the calculated output is displayed.
This Tab enables the selection of one or more available Product Types (set up within Miscellaneous Options / Product Management / Product Details ) for use within the current ratesbook. Default Product Types (at a global or customer level) are invoked and displayed if applicable. In addition, a number of icons are displayed for the purpose of manipulating the confirmed Product Types .
This Tab enables the selection of the required Finance Type and subsequent selection of one or more available Finance Profiles (set up within Miscellaneous Options / Finance Management / Finance Sources ) for use within the current ratesbook. Default Finance Types (at a global or customer level) are invoked and displayed if applicable. In addition, a number of icons are displayed for the purpose of manipulating the confirmed Finance Types .
This Tab is used to add, delete or exclude vehicle(s) for use within the ratesbook by searching at manufacturer, model and variant level or by using the advanced Vehicle Selection Criteria option. Factory Fitted Options and Dealer Fitted Accessories may also be selected from this Tab if required.
This Tab is used to add or remove Factory Fitted Options or Dealer Fitted Accessories within the ratesbook.
This Tab is used to generate and display the calculations for the ratesbook. The contents of this form are dynamic and dependent upon the selections that have been made within the previous Tabs .
Located at the foot of the form this area displays a textual description of the users current location within the system. This is particularly useful when a ratesbook is in the process of being calculated when it displays the number of records that have been read, calculated and rejected so far for example,
Calculating Ratesbooks Read 230 Calculated 214 Rejected 16