Manager + New Customer Setup Problem
Manager + New Customer Setup Problem
We are having a problem with customers being accidently set up and we think we have found out why and we believe a software modification needs to be made to prevent. See explanation below and screenshots attached.
If you’re entering a counter sale and enter customer information, it automatically adds customer to customer list. It doesn’t even prompt you to verify that you want to add a customer. When using a repair order, you must select the “New Customer” button in order to add a customer. It is way too easy to accidentally add a customer through Counter Sale.
If you’re entering a counter sale and enter customer information, it automatically adds customer to customer list. It doesn’t even prompt you to verify that you want to add a customer. When using a repair order, you must select the “New Customer” button in order to add a customer. It is way too easy to accidentally add a customer through Counter Sale.
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- timbre4
- System Guru / Moderator
- Posts: 4532
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2004 5:47 pm
- Location: TN - Volunteer State
Re: Manager + New Customer Setup Problem
A Counter Sale (basically a simplified Invoice with a flag on some reports) starts by clicking an icon with the presumption that it will be a quick cash sale and to not introduce the overhead of the F6/New steps to such a transaction.
For any Counter Sales that are not CASH and a customer name is to be added, users MUST be trained to use the NAME button as this opens the customer list to verify and select the customer by name. In the event that the customer name is not found, a New button opens the Customer screen for fresh input for a new record to be saved.
For any Counter Sales that are not CASH and a customer name is to be added, users MUST be trained to use the NAME button as this opens the customer list to verify and select the customer by name. In the event that the customer name is not found, a New button opens the Customer screen for fresh input for a new record to be saved.
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Tim McDonnell -
Sr. Product Market Mgr / Forum Moderator / Mitchell 1 Media Developer
Sr. Product Market Mgr / Forum Moderator / Mitchell 1 Media Developer
- ricmorin
- 5K Holy Smokes Contributor
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- Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2005 10:11 am
- Location: New Hampshire
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Re: Manager + New Customer Setup Problem
From that window you should click on the Name button and retrieve the customer that way. It works this way for Estimate and Repair Order when started from F8 or F9 respectively. If you ever enter information into those windows on any of those formats, expect a new record to be made. None of the formats ask you if you want to make a new customer, which I think the software should do.
Ric Morin - Volunteer Forum Moderator, Shop Owner, ASE Master L1
Motorcar Alternatives, LLC
603-622-6434 x203
www.motorcaralternatives.com
I find my life is a lot easier when I use Special Orders
Motorcar Alternatives, LLC
603-622-6434 x203
www.motorcaralternatives.com
I find my life is a lot easier when I use Special Orders
Re: Manager + New Customer Setup Problem
We can definitely train our people with this practice and have already started doing so but that doesn't prevent the mistake from happening again. I think the system should prompt that a new customer will be added and it currently does not. Is this something that can be submitted for consideration of software modification?
- timbre4
- System Guru / Moderator
- Posts: 4532
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2004 5:47 pm
- Location: TN - Volunteer State
Re: Manager + New Customer Setup Problem
Let's explore the logic for a moment.
I'm creating a Counter Sale that by default will read CASH. I decide to click on the Customer tab to add the customer's name. If I do not include clicking the Name button as part of my workflow, I am not validating my entry. So I fill out the customer screen fields and return to pay & post activity.
I need to have the customer's name on this counter sale. I'm not going to let it go without a name.
If I saw a dialog that asked me "do you want to save this customer record?" What would I answer? I would say yes because I need that name on the invoice and I did not properly check to see that it did already exist. So without validation, and the need to have a name on the invoice, under what circumstances would I knowingly select no?
I'm creating a Counter Sale that by default will read CASH. I decide to click on the Customer tab to add the customer's name. If I do not include clicking the Name button as part of my workflow, I am not validating my entry. So I fill out the customer screen fields and return to pay & post activity.
I need to have the customer's name on this counter sale. I'm not going to let it go without a name.
If I saw a dialog that asked me "do you want to save this customer record?" What would I answer? I would say yes because I need that name on the invoice and I did not properly check to see that it did already exist. So without validation, and the need to have a name on the invoice, under what circumstances would I knowingly select no?
Tim McDonnell -
Sr. Product Market Mgr / Forum Moderator / Mitchell 1 Media Developer
Sr. Product Market Mgr / Forum Moderator / Mitchell 1 Media Developer
- ricmorin
- 5K Holy Smokes Contributor
- Posts: 5997
- Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2005 10:11 am
- Location: New Hampshire
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Re: Manager + New Customer Setup Problem
Orders, be they Repair Orders, Estimates, Counter Sales aren't linked to the name database live with the name fields. To check a name against the database, you need to press Name first. It's an extra step that I've gotten used to, but I see your point. It would be neat to skip that step.hokiejill wrote:We can definitely train our people with this practice and have already started doing so but that doesn't prevent the mistake from happening again. I think the system should prompt that a new customer will be added and it currently does not. Is this something that can be submitted for consideration of software modification?
Ric Morin - Volunteer Forum Moderator, Shop Owner, ASE Master L1
Motorcar Alternatives, LLC
603-622-6434 x203
www.motorcaralternatives.com
I find my life is a lot easier when I use Special Orders
Motorcar Alternatives, LLC
603-622-6434 x203
www.motorcaralternatives.com
I find my life is a lot easier when I use Special Orders
Re: Manager + New Customer Setup Problem
I believe that the question should be "do you want to add a new customer?" instead of "do you want to save this customer record?".
It's too easy in the Manager Plus software for system users to accidently type information in the first name and last name fields which possibly results in duplicate customer records.
We have two locations using Manager Plus and both locations have had this happen, one more than the other because of turnover.
We can train users but users forget and turnover happens. I believe that good system design prevents users from accidently making mistakes (in this case as a message prompt) as I have described.
It's too easy in the Manager Plus software for system users to accidently type information in the first name and last name fields which possibly results in duplicate customer records.
We have two locations using Manager Plus and both locations have had this happen, one more than the other because of turnover.
We can train users but users forget and turnover happens. I believe that good system design prevents users from accidently making mistakes (in this case as a message prompt) as I have described.
Re: Manager + New Customer Setup Problem
Tim, Have you had a chance to review my last reply?
- timbre4
- System Guru / Moderator
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- Joined: Tue May 25, 2004 5:47 pm
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Re: Manager + New Customer Setup Problem
I have. Did you review the logic I shared previously? Asking if I really want to save a new record doesn't address the duplicates situation because it lacks the validation that clicking Name provides. There are only two possible outcomes to the suggestion:
1. YES to Save the customer record - might be okay or it might still be a misspelled duplication (how would you know for sure without a means of validation?)
2. NO to Save the customer record - employee either goes with CASH or asks you what to do next
You're really asking us to extend validation to whatever is typed in Customer fields and this would require some type of auto-complete against the existing customer list. That's different altogether and a much larger job. Without some form of validation there is no way for the user to know if creating duplicate records.
1. YES to Save the customer record - might be okay or it might still be a misspelled duplication (how would you know for sure without a means of validation?)
2. NO to Save the customer record - employee either goes with CASH or asks you what to do next
You're really asking us to extend validation to whatever is typed in Customer fields and this would require some type of auto-complete against the existing customer list. That's different altogether and a much larger job. Without some form of validation there is no way for the user to know if creating duplicate records.
Tim McDonnell -
Sr. Product Market Mgr / Forum Moderator / Mitchell 1 Media Developer
Sr. Product Market Mgr / Forum Moderator / Mitchell 1 Media Developer
Re: Manager + New Customer Setup Problem
Tim, Is there a way we get schedule a time to talk to you on the phone and show you through TeamViewer, WebEx, etc?
- ricmorin
- 5K Holy Smokes Contributor
- Posts: 5997
- Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2005 10:11 am
- Location: New Hampshire
- Contact:
Re: Manager + New Customer Setup Problem
Tim is in California this weekend for the Manager Seminar. He may be on limited accessibility to this forum for a few days.hokiejill wrote:Tim, Is there a way we get schedule a time to talk to you on the phone and show you through TeamViewer, WebEx, etc?
Ric Morin - Volunteer Forum Moderator, Shop Owner, ASE Master L1
Motorcar Alternatives, LLC
603-622-6434 x203
www.motorcaralternatives.com
I find my life is a lot easier when I use Special Orders
Motorcar Alternatives, LLC
603-622-6434 x203
www.motorcaralternatives.com
I find my life is a lot easier when I use Special Orders
Re: Manager + New Customer Setup Problem
Tim, Can we schedule a call to discuss this issue?
- timbre4
- System Guru / Moderator
- Posts: 4532
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2004 5:47 pm
- Location: TN - Volunteer State
Re: Manager + New Customer Setup Problem
Check your PMs
Tim McDonnell -
Sr. Product Market Mgr / Forum Moderator / Mitchell 1 Media Developer
Sr. Product Market Mgr / Forum Moderator / Mitchell 1 Media Developer