Chat Transcript – December 2007
Product: Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS)
Topic: Open Forum (any topic)
Date: Thursday, December 6, 2007
Q: When our system was set up, several item lookup codes (ILCs) were not entered as per the store’s ILC policy. What impact would changing ILCs have now that some sales have occurred?
A: There should be no issues in changing the ILC as the Item.ID is what is used for reference between tables. Are they using Headquarters?
Q: No, not using HQ. The journal viewer would still show original ILC - so maybe it would be a good idea to make the NEW Changed ILC - with Original ILC as Alias.
A: That's a great idea. You would want to change the ILC on the item; and set the Alias to be the original ILC.
Q: Can you use conditional logic in a receipt XML template for printing two receipts for one transaction when a particular Item Lookup Code has been purchased? What I was thinking about was If ILC = GC (Gift Certificate) - print Gift Certificate.
A: There can be issues with using string comparisons in receipts; but you could take a look at how this was done for specific tenders by downloading the Receipt - 40 Column with Two Receipts for Specific Tenders from the Reports Library (login required).
If you want us to take a look to see if this is possible, you could contact Technical Support to open a support request here:
https://mbs.microsoft.com/support/newstart.aspx (login required)
or by calling MBS support at: 1-888-477-7877.
Q: Our current setup is based on item tax but when we do a trade show, the tax for each item has to be modified at the transaction time - doing it item by item is very time consuming. What would you suggest?
A: The easiest way would be to run an Inventory Wizard Task 170: Assign Item Sales Tax to set the tax needed for the trade show; and then run the same thing when you get back to change it back.
Q: Unfortunately this would not work since the main store is still selling items while we are at the trade show... now they would have the wrong tax code...
A: If this is the case then you could create a SQL script to update the tax assigned to each item in the Offline DB so that it would be the correct tax while at the show; and then run a SQL script to change it back before synching up.
You would want to make backups before running the update scripts; and also would want to try this in a test environment first.
Q: Several of our items are one-time only purchases. What should we do with all these items once the inventory level is zero, set to inactive or delete ILC? Considerations would be keeping DB size down, fast ILC lookups, and keeping historical sales info.
A: I would recommend that you use the "Inactive" option to maintain database integrity. Items do not take up that much space in the database. Sales and journals are the primary database storage users. Another advantage of using Inactive instead of deletion is that your historic reports will remain intact. If you run a report based on an item that has been deleted, the sale will show, but the item and descriptions will not.
Q: How do inactive items affect ILC lookup search speed?
A: Speed should not be affected, since inactive items are not displayed in the ILC (F2) searches.
Q: Require more documentation on preparing qrp reports...documentation should be available on CustomerSource to customers and not only to partners. No information is more dangerous than providing user with some information.
A: From the Knowledge Base in Customer Source you can search "Modify Reports". There are a number of sample reports which should give you some good samples. You can also check the reports library for a list of samples.
https://mbs.microsoft.com/customersource/support/downloads/reportslibrary/rms_reportslibrary.htm
A: Also, report and receipt customization are both on our list for future articles on the Using Microsoft Dynamics RMS Web site. Keep visiting here: http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/rms/using/default.mspx
Q: I was hoping for more of an answer - since you guys are the Experts. As customers of RMS, we don't have access to partner docs regarding doing reports... Catch 22... :(
A: We will see what we can find and get it posted on the Using site. Unfortunately, this will probably not happen until the new year.
Q: Greetings: As a user and as a supporter of our clients, we often run into error codes that are not listed in the Knowledge Base. Is there a list anywhere that we can have access to? Have I missed it somewhere? Thanks.
A: When we run across errors and fix the issue we place the fix in a KB article. If you come across an error code you are unable to find by querying the KB resource, your best bet is to open a support incident. We do not have a listing of error codes and their meanings.
Q: What I hear you saying is, "If it's not listed, pay for a support ticket --then we will give out the answer" Is that what you meant?
A: The reason for the support incident is because if the error is not listed in a KB, we have not come across the error. We would need time to research and troubleshoot the incident/issue.
Q: Has anyone asked about 3.0 timeline? Due date?
A: Sorry, but the release date for 3.0 has not been announced.
Q: List of support hardware should be updated? Appears to be very old...
A: The Hardware Compatibility List contains a list of hardware products that manufacturers have tested with our software. We are planning to update this list for version 3.0.
Q: Situation: sell art, but want to have options be asked, like a tagalong, but with a matrix choice. For example, buy art and have it tag along. Will matrix work as a tagalong?
A: In a quick test, it appears that this isn't allowed. I will do some more research after the chat and include any discoveries in the transcript.
Editor’s note: Our experts verified that a matrix item cannot be assigned as a tagalong item through the user interface.
Q: Are 2.0 test versions available? I would like to do some testing before moving from 1.3xxx to 2.0
A: Trial keys are available; and you would want to contact your partner if you need one. If you are on a Support Plan 2.0 should have been sent to you. You should then be able to set up 2.0 on a test environment.
Q: We do have a support plan, but our partner says no trial or test version is available for 2.0!
A: There is not a different version available, just trial keys. There is a link here to request a trial key:
http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/products/retail-software/default.aspx#overview
If that link doesn’t work, you can try calling Sales Operations to request a trial key. The number there is 1-800-456-0025.
Q: We do recurring PO's. Any suggestion on the best way to do this?
A: There is not a way to do this within Microsoft Dynamics RMS, but you could:
1. Take a look at the Solution Finder to see if there is a 3rd-party product that does this. You will want to filter on Works With Microsoft Dynamics RMS.
2. Post a question on the public discussion board to see if anyone has a product that does this.
3. Enter this as a Product Suggestion.
