There is a requirement for dealers to import electronic parts order files from customers directly into Point-of-Sale (POS) to avoid re-keying part numbers on the Autoline system and introducing inaccuracies. You can use the Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) interface to import customer order files via the (00) global company in Point-of-Sale, in which the data is available to every site.
The EPC interface enables you to transfer a basket file containing spare parts (shopping list) from a client computer to the Autoline system, providing it contains the following basic information:
The EPC interface uses the Generic File Transfer (GFT) utility to import the files into POS for processing. To optimize performance, the transfer is performed in two stages. The system firstly searches for files to be loaded into the Work-in-Progress (WIP) record, and then transfers the selected file from the client computer to the Autoline system.
Before you begin, you must ensure that the Autoline system is set up correctly.
This help system assumes you are familiar with standard Point-of-Sale functionality.
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Review the set-up details
Before you attempt to use the EPC interface in Point-of-Sale, you must ensure that the Autoline system is set up correctly. This is usually done by, or on advice from, an Autoline consultant.
The EPC import uses a Generic File Transfer (GFT) record to search the list of files on the client computer and transfer a file into POS ready for processing. The GFT record must be set up with the correct ID. The ID for the GFT record used by the global company is currently EPC. Any change to the ID would require a change to the source program.
If the GFT record does not exist, it is created with the minimum values to avoid error messages when the program is run. The following fields must be set up correctly in the GFT record:
Manufacturer: Two-character franchise ID of 00.
Autoline path: Path on the Autoline system to which the files are transferred from the client computer.
Remote path: Path on the remote machine in which the basket files are stored.
Remote filename: Name of the file on the remote machine. An asterisk (*) indicates that the software should look for any files with a csv extension on the remote machine.
Post transfer (Autoline) actions: Set to N. Do not set to D because this results in the message Error - unable to open source file: File Path / File Name being displayed. For further details, see Troubleshooting.
Post transfer remote actions: Set to D to automatically remove all CSV files after they are transferred to the 00 EPC Interface form.
The basket files must be in Comma Separated Variable (CSV) format, and the fields in each record delimited (separated) by commas. The first two fields in the file should contain the spare part number (without the franchise) and the quantity. The franchise may be supplied as the third field but this is optional. If some parts in the file do not have a franchise code, the program automatically assigns the franchise code of the last record in the file, if available. If required, users can change a franchise code on a part when a file is selected in the EPC interface. It does not matter what filenames are used for basket files (as long as they have a csv extension) because the EPC interface retrieves all the files in the Remote path.
This procedure transfers basket files from the client computer to the Autoline system, and enables you to import a file into POS ready for processing. The process enables you to:
Select the file that you want to import
Display parts in the shopping list and check them against parts in stock
Change the franchise code on a part
Deselect parts that you do not want to load onto the WIP
Access superseded parts to use up old stock
Create a stock record from the price file
Create a stock record
To load parts in a shopping list onto a WIP:
On the Point-of-Sale form, select the Customer or Account, and select the 00 ( Global data) manufacturer code using the drop-down 
menu in the New product group box. (This is the default manufacturer code.)
Note: If you cannot see the drop-down proceed as follows, unless the EPC 
button on the toolbar is not available in which case see Troubleshooting.
The EPC command becomes visible on the Links menu, and the EPC button becomes visible on the toolbar.
Click the EPC toolbar button, or select Links > EPC from the menu bar.
The 00 EPC Interface form is displayed. If a WIP is currently loaded, the WIP number, and chassis number if present on the WIP, are displayed on the form. The system retrieves a list of files from the remote path specified in the GFT record. You will get one of the following results:
If there is a file that has the WIP number as part of the name, or there is only one file, the file is automatically loaded in to the 00 EPC Interface form. The system checks the shopping list against the records in Stock Management, and shows current stock availability in the grid. In the Load column, all the shopping list parts are selected by default, ready for transfer to the WIP.
If there is more than one file, the files are listed in the EPC Input drop-down.
Note: If there is a problem importing a file to Point-of-Sale, an error message is displayed. You should check that a basket file is present on your client computer in the correct directory. For further details, refer to Troubleshooting.
If more than one basket file exists, select the required file from the EPC Input drop-down. The system retrieves the file, checks the shopping list against the records in Stock Management, and shows current stock availability in the grid.
In the Load column, all the shopping list parts are selected by default, ready for transfer to the WIP.
Click the individual Load cells to clear the parts that you do not want to load onto the WIP.
Note: When the transfer begins, the system works through all the parts on the list, identifying parts where there is no stock and parts where there are supersessions. You cannot exit this process without all the system's messages' being displayed. So, if you only want to transfer, for example, the first two parts, you must first clear the rest.
If you want to change the franchise code on a part, do the following:
The Select Franchise Code form is displayed.
Select the required franchise code from the drop-down , and click OK.
The existing part number is prefixed with the selected franchise code.
Note: If the franchise code is wrong on a part, you must ensure that you change it. For further details, refer to Troubleshooting.
Click Load to Wip to transfer the parts to a WIP.
You may get any of the following results:
If a part is in stock, and not superseded, the part is transferred to the WIP when you have dealt with all remaining parts. (The parts present within the EPC interface are created as new part lines in the grid on the current WIP.) In this case, no further action is required.
If a supersession exists for a part, the part is highlighted in turquoise. The Select Item from List form is displayed and the system directs you to superseded parts to use up old stock as per standard POS functionality.
Note: The Supersession prompt type in the SO MISCELLANEOUS OPTIONS Menu > Operators File controls the first view you are given of the supersession chain if one exists.
Select the superseded part you require from the Select Item from List Form, and click OK to transfer it to the WIP. If you click Cancel, the original shopping list part is transferred to the WIP instead.
If a part on the shopping list does not exist within Stock Management, one of the following two messages is displayed:
[Part number] Not found on Stock file
This means that the part is not in stock but exists on the manufacturer's price file. In this case, you must create a stock record from the price file.
[Part number] Not found on Stock file or Price file
This means the system has not found the part in either the stock file or the manufacturer's price file. In this case, you must create a stock record in Stock Management.
If the part is not in stock but exists on the manufacturer's price file, the following message is displayed:
[Part number] Not found on Stock file
Note: Both the Create from price file and Re-enter buttons are available. Do not click the Re-enter button.
To create a stock record from the price file:
Warning: If you want to transfer a part to the WIP with a different franchise from the normal franchise, care is needed when creating new part records from the parts price file because the franchise code could be wrong on a part. See Troubleshooting.
Click Create from price file to create a new stock card from the price file as per standard POS functionality.
If you have more than one franchise, the system assumes you want to create part records using the first franchise that it finds. (This is the first franchise it finds within the Franchise table in Stock Management, linked to the price file involved via the Price file code field on the Details Tab.)
If you want to see the stock card, double-click the part number on the Point-of-Sale form.
If the system has not found the part in either the stock file or the manufacturer's price file, the following message is displayed:
[Part number] Not found on Stock file or Price file
Note: The Create stock record and Re-enter buttons are available. Do not click the Re-enter button.
To create a stock record in Stock Management:
Click Create stock record.
The parts present within the EPC interface are created as new part lines on the current WIP, and a stock record is created as per standard POS functionality.
If you want to display the stock card, double-click the part number on the Point-of-Sale form.
This form is displayed when you select a customer or account from the Point-of-Sale form, set the franchise to the appropriate manufacturer using the drop-down menu in the New product group-box, and click the EPC toolbar button or select Links > EPC from the menu bar. The form enables you to transfer an electronic parts order file from a remote system onto a WIP.
Chassis number to EPC:
Chassis (VIN) or registration number of any vehicle present on the WIP. If the chassis number is not displayed on the WIP, this field is empty.
WIP number:
Point-of-Sale Work-in-Progress number, if a WIP is loaded. Otherwise, left empty.
EPC Input:
Displays the basket files transferred to the Autoline system from the client computer. If only one file exists, the file is automatically selected, and the parts are displayed. If there is more than one file, you must select the required file.
Note: File names for customer parts order files are not standard.
GRID:
The grid displays the EPC parts shopping list checked against records in Stock Management. It shows the current stock status and availability.
Part number: Number of the part on the shopping list, for transfer to the WIP.
Tip: To change the franchise code on a part, right-click the part and select Change Franchise Code from the shortcut menu.
Description: Description of the part required.
Menu: Not used.
Qty.: Quantity of the part required.
Stock: Amount in stock.
Free stock: Stock quantity available for sale. That is, the total stock quantity less any reserved stock/stock allocated to the customer.
Bin: Bin location on the stock record.
Disc%: Percentage discount allocated to this customer.
Total: Total price payable.
Load: All parts are ticked in each cell of the Load column by default, ready for transfer to the WIP. Deselect the cell if you do not want to transfer a part to the WIP..
Colour coding that indicates the status of the stock on the Autoline system:
Surcharge Part carries an exchange surcharge. No free No stock available for sale to this customer. No stock A part normally stocked is not in stock. Normal Part is in stock. Non-stock Part is not normally stocked. Alternative Indicates supersessions. The system displays all the parts in the supersession chain showing current availability. You can then choose which part to supply/order.
Total: Total price of the list.
BUTTONS:
Load to Wip: Transfers the shopping list parts to the WIP, allowing for selection of superseded parts where there is a supersession.