Chat Transcript – September 2007
Chat Transcript – Matrix Items
Chat Topic: Matrix Items
Date: Thursday, September 13, 2007
Note
We experienced technical difficulties when we attempted to save the transcript for this chat: the questions were saved but not the answers. Our experts have re-created their answers here, but some differences between their answers in the chat and their answers in the transcript are to be expected.
Q: Using RMS 1.3X – heard that there were a lot of problems regarding matrix items when you update to RMS 2.0? Is that now fixed and what version of RMS 2.X should I be using to do my upgrade
A: All reported issues were fixed in Hotfix 5. If you are on a support plan, you can obtain the Hotfix by calling Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System Technical Support or submitting an eSupport request.
Q: What is the latest version of RMS 2.xx.xx that would include all hotfixes especially hotfix 5?
A: The latest version of RMS is 2.0.0111.
Q: I upgraded from RMS SO 1.3R to RMS SO 2.0 I have a lot of issues with Matrix's that were converted from 1.3R to 2.0. If I install SP1 will this fix these issues?
A: You should upgrade to Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System Hotfix #5. This will fix all of the known open issues for matrices. Service Pack 1 is installed as part of Hotfix #5, so you can install Hotfix #5 directly over the top of the base version.
Q: Was hotfix 5 released after RMS 2.0 SP1?
A: Yes. Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System 2.0 Service Pack 1 was released on 7/31/07 and Hotfix #5 (which includes Service Pack 1) was released on 9/7/07.
Q: Is there a How to Guide on the best way of implementing matrix and what should be considered?
A: We are featuring a series of articles on inventory management on the Using Microsoft Dynamics RMS Web site. Last month’s installment, Using matrix items, includes detailed information about creating and using matrix items, although the new features provided by Hotfix 5 are not yet covered there.
Q: With the release of hotfix 5 can you now add existing items to matrices and edit the dimensions of existing matrices?
A: Yes, these features are included in the hotfix.
Q: When we used RMS SO 1.3R we were able/allowed to create matrixes with only a dimension 1 and 3 (dimension 2 was left blank because the matrix didn't require a Color). We are currently using 2.0.0108 and when I try to pull up one of these it errors out.
A: The solution for this will include running a SQL script that can’t be detailed in the chat environment. Please contact Support.
Q: Why is Hotfix 5 and a list of issues resolved not listed on the Hotfix page?
A: It will be added this week.
Q: After upgrading from 1.3R to 2.0.0105 the general matrix fields were not populated (with barcode type, description, supplier, department, category, tax, etc.), which causes a lot of problems (especially when creating new components). How do I fix this?
A: These fields didn’t exist in 1.3R, so they will not be filled in automatically. We have developed scripts that can populate these fields. We plan to publish a Knowledge Base article at some point to address this request. In the meantime, you can open a support incident to request the scripts.
Q: If I upgrade from 1.3X to 2.0.0.111 (hotfix 5) will I have any of the previous questioner's problems - general matrix fields not being populated (with barcode type, description, supplier, department, category, tax, etc.)?
A: The general matrix fields were added in 2.0. See previous response.
Q: How can we set (our own) defaults for drop down boxes that show up after clicking on the create components button? It's very annoying that we have to change them all the time to the same values.
A: This can’t be done at this time, but it’s a great suggestion for our next release.
Q: Why are there no responses for the last 10 minutes or so?
A: We are working on the answers.
Q: It would have been nice to have known about hotfix 5 before the chat so we could have checked/confirmed that all the Matrix issues have been resolved (so we wouldn't waste time talking about resolved issues. Why were we not informed sooner?
A: Hotfix 5 was released on Monday to everyone who reported issues.
Q: When or how can we get better Matrix reporting functionality, i.e., top selling (matrix) items for store, department, category, or supplier in a matrix/grid view?
A: Currently, you can only generate reports about the component items in the matrix.
Q: In regards to the last question: We live and die by matrix functionality. The matrix reporting is really lacking/non existent. Are you saying we have to wait till RMS 3.0 for this?
A: You may be able to contact our support team or your partner about customizing the Detailed Sales Report. You could add the Matrix Lookup Code field to the report, and group by that value. This will work as long as you don’t have component items in more than one matrix at a time.
Also, you can check the Reports Library (login required) to see if something there will help.
Q: Should I recommend that they wait till V3.0 before upgrading?
A: With all the new matrix functionality added to V. 2, and with all the bugs fixed (except the general field info, which isn’t a bug because the fields didn’t exist previously), I would recommend upgrading now and not waiting for V. 3.
Q: In 1.3R we could update the subdescription 1, 2, and 3 with the matrix attributes. Since the 2.0 release we are not able to do this anymore. Has this been fixed in hotfix 5? (Currently I have to run a script, but what we need is a check box to automatically update these fields.)
A: This was not addressed in Hotfix 5. You can enter it as a product suggestion.
Questions about things other than matrix items
Q: Can someone help me with issues with Internet Explorer?
A: This is a chat for RMS. We are not IE experts. For help, visit the IE support page.
Q: How do you collect a deposit on a sale that has a back order included in the sale? My customer wants to collect a deposit on the back order item.
A: You can configure RMS to either collect the deposit “in full” or pay in full when the customer picks up the order. Back Order deposits cannot be configured using default percentages like Work Orders or Back Orders.
Q: Where do we set deposit requirements? It seems that 10% is the default?
A: These can be set in Store Operations Manager | File | Configuration | Ordering.
Q: Doing a three day trade-show off site, so I will be running in off-line mode but would like to be able to do an end-of day reports similar to a z-report. What would you suggest?
A: The current version of the product doesn’t allow for offline batch operations such as X/Z/ZZ reports. I’m afraid you will have to wait until you get back to the store to see this information.
Q: How do we setup a dual monitor system (one for the customer, one for the cashier) in place of a pole display?
A: Please see this article about setting up a net display. (login required)
