All parts held on file are pre-fixed with a franchise code. Standard functionality exists that allows you to create and maintain franchise codes. For each franchise code, there are three tabs to complete:
TABS:
Warning: Before you add, or delete, a franchise code, contact Autoline Support to ensure that this will not cause a problem in accounts postings at parts franchise level.
To access franchise codes:
The STOCK MANAGEMENT menu is displayed.
Select Miscellaneous options and click OK.
The SM MISCELLANEOUS OPTIONS menu is displayed.
Select the Franchise table option.
The Franchise File form is displayed.
Warning: If the message Co 00 file written in red is displayed on the form you are about to edit, you are strongly advised to seek expert advice before amending this file. Amending a Co 00 file (global file), may have an undesirable impact on other companies using the same environment.
The Franchise File form is displayed when you select the Franchise table option from the SM MISCELLANEOUS OPTIONS menu. From this form, you can create and maintain franchise codes.
Franchise code: Enter the franchise code (up to 3 characters).
Tip: Click the Ellipsis button ![[...]](Ellipsis.gif){kind=small}
to search for available franchise records on file.
Description: A description of the franchise (up to thirty characters)
Price names: This is a split field containing 3 names of up to 7 characters, which are the descriptions of the three selling prices on the Prices tab of the stock record - for example: Retail; Trade; Wholesale Dealer Net (WDN); VAT Inc. The first occurrence of this field is always used for the base currency.
Currency code: This is a split field containing 3 names of up to 7 characters, which are the currency codes that correspond to the three selling prices on the Prices tab of the stock record.
Equivalent: If this franchise contains identical parts in a second franchise, enter the franchise code of the second franchise. For example, Part numbers RGBP 103 (Rover) and UGBP 103 (Unipart) are the same part. Enter the alternative franchise code in this field without any spaces. If the Rover number is entered in Point-of-Sale but not found, a search is invoked down the Unipart file for the same part.
Format surcharge: This flag is normally ticked so that surcharge parts are formatted in the same way as normal parts for the franchise. If the flag is not set, the surcharge parts are not formatted.
Surcharges used: If this flag is not ticked, the text Surcharge each and associated fields (Surcharge cost of sale and Sale of surcharge) on the purchase transaction record, are shaded or unavailable. However, if an import file is used to receipt parts with surcharge values, these values will update the part record.
Suffix on surcharge: This parameter determines an up-to-three-character code that is automatically added as a suffix to the exchange part number to create the exchange (old unit) part number. The standard Autoline convention is XP.
Note: Some franchises (Mercedes) have their own suffix held on the price file.
Surcharge Pre/Suffix: This parameter determines whether the Suffix on surcharge code is inserted at the beginning, or end, of the part number:
- P: Pre-fix
- S: Suffix
The Autoline convention is a suffix.
Post purchase surch: This check box is normally ticked in order to post an exchange unit surcharge value to the exchange unit surcharge stock account when the part is receipted into stock. However, some franchises, such as Volvo, charge a surcharge if the old part is not returned within a set number of days of the exchange part being fitted. In this case, you may want to prevent stock postings being made, and so should leave this box unticked.
Post ICT surcharge: Tick this box to indicate that surcharges should be posted with Inter-Company Transfers (ICTs). For a Volvo set-up, you may want to leave this field empty.
Surcharge balance: Tick this box to ensure that stock purchases and sales are maintained for the dirty old units. You may want to leave this field empty on a Volvo set-up.
Update prices via PC: This parameter controls which fields are updated on the Prices tab of the stock record when the manufacturer supplies a part and it is receipted into stock (as opposed to waiting for a price update through Media Transfer). The field can be set to one of the following, four values:
S: Updates the selling price on the stock record from Purchase Control each time the part number is receipted into stock
L: Updates the latest price on the stock record from Purchase Control each time the part number is receipted into stock
B: Updates the selling price and the latest price on the stock record from Purchase Control each time the part number is receipted into stock
N: Ensures that the selling price and latest price on the stock record are NOT updated from Purchase Control each time the part number is receipted into stock
Retain non-stocks: This parameter controls the number of days for which a part number with the Non-stock item indicator set, is held on file after the stock-on-hand, outstanding purchase orders, and back-orders, have returned to zero. The standard convention is to set this value to 180 days. However, if the business deals with franchise parts not related to its core franchise(s) business, this value may be set as low as 5 days, typically for bodyshops. Setting the value very high will have an impact on file sizes and the time it takes to carry out searches on the stock file.
NL posting code: While the franchise code itself can be up to 3 characters long, the code used as part of the Nominal Ledger posting permutations is only a single-character code, and it is this value that is entered here. Where single-character franchise codes are used, it is normal to set this letter the same as the franchise code. This code is matched against the franchise element of the nominal permutations table, which then looks up the nominal codes to be used within Aftersales modules.
Product group: This parameter defines the default product group to be used when a part number is created with this franchise code. This default applies whether the part is created in Stock Management or Point-of-Sale.
Analysis code: The analysis code is an element of the Nominal Ledger permutation string used to select the correct stock control accounts. This parameter defines the default analysis code to be used when a part number is created with this franchise code. This default applies whether the part is created in Stock Management or Point-of-Sale. The normal convention is to set this value to A.
Sell price 2 incr Factor: Currently, this functionality is only used by Spain. The parameter will increment price 2 on the part record when updating prices and when parts are created. There is a call in the software to utilise this field if the environment is Spain.
Cons fran: Tick this check box to indicate that this franchise is used as consignment stock.
Auto-receipt: Tick this check box if this franchise is consignment stock. When consignment stock is transferred to a bin, a purchase transaction is automatically created to represent the receipt and is set to status R.
Auto order seq: Enter the first order number to be used when receiving consignment stock.
Repl. a/c: This is a pseudo-Sales Ledger account to represent your company holding the consignment stock that actually belongs to your supplier.
Supplier: This parameter defines the default supplier to be used when a part number is created with this franchise code. This default applies whether the part is created in Stock Management or Point-of-Sale. Enter the supplier account from where the bulk of this franchise is normally purchased.
Price file code: In order to allow the standard Autoline programs to respond to unique requirements of various manufacturers, a two-character switch exists to which certain programs will respond. Because it cannot be determined that all dealers will use the same franchise code, this unique switch is held as a parameter within the franchise record.
Miscellaneous text: This box is for memorandum text regarding this franchise.
Warning text: This text appears as a warning message in Point-of-Sale if a part is selected with an asterisk (*) somewhere in the Description field of the part record.
The part number format is set up by your consultant when the system is installed. If, however, you require further franchises, these should be set up under the guidance of Autoline Support.
Warning: If the information on this tab is amended incorrectly, the parts in this franchise may become inaccessible from Stock Management and/or Point-of-Sale.
