---
title: "Setting Up Starting Blocks in the Product Catalog Web Module"
slug: "setting-up-starting-blocks-in-the-product-catalog-web-module-1"
updated: 2026-09-18T14:42:29Z
published: 2026-09-18T14:42:29Z
canonical: "help.idibilling.com/setting-up-starting-blocks-in-the-product-catalog-web-module-1"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.idibilling.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Setting Up Starting Blocks in the Product Catalog Web Module

Authorized users can create and maintain *starting blocks* in the Product Catalog. The following starting blocks are provided out-of-the-box when the Orders setting is enabled:

- New (Basic) Order
- New (Basic) Sale
- Disconnect Customer
- Disconnect Service*
- Hotline Service*
- New Feature*
- New Service
- Reconnect Service*
- Redirect Service*
- Restore Service*
- Suspend Service*
- Swap Equipment*
- Bill Payment
- Return Item
- Void Transaction

In addition, for systems on IDI solution version 22.4 or later, the *Direct Invoice Experience* starting block is provided when direct invoicing is enabled.

> [!NOTE]
> Notes:
> 
> - Starting blocks marked with an asterisk (*) replace the equivalent options available in the *Actions* drop-down menu (available when starting blocks are disabled).
> - The out-of-the-box starting blocks listed above can be used *as is* or be modified as needed. You can also create custom starting blocks as needed.

To create/edit a starting block, in the Product Catalog web module choose **MANAGE** > **Starting Blocks**.

![Graphical user interface Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3f7f8ade-bcb1-4ec8-af25-0c0ad8601afb/Images/Documentation/graphical-user-interface-description-automaticall-195.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-14T10%3A51%3A58Z&se=2026-11-14T11%3A51%3A58Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=1747Lko0VcrnfEfcwfBy0GV9aLXLVJ4KGIMF9Tej%2FVU%3D)

This displays the *Starting Blocks* page listing existing starting blocks. The *Name* link for each block lets you open the block to view and edit its current configuration. You can also use this form to create custom starting blocks to meet your specific requirements.

![Graphical user interface, application Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3f7f8ade-bcb1-4ec8-af25-0c0ad8601afb/Images/Documentation/graphical-user-interface-application-description-567.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-14T10%3A51%3A58Z&se=2026-11-14T11%3A51%3A58Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=1747Lko0VcrnfEfcwfBy0GV9aLXLVJ4KGIMF9Tej%2FVU%3D)

To create a new starting block, click **New Starting Block** in the upper right corner. Then use the *New Starting Block* dialog to configure the block’s behavior.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:**
> 
> In IDI solution 22.12 and later, the New/Edit Starting Block form presents configuration options on two tabs – *Main* and *Policy*. In earlier releases, all fields are presented on one comprehensive form, and some fields are not available at all.

![A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3f7f8ade-bcb1-4ec8-af25-0c0ad8601afb/Images/Documentation/a-screenshot-of-a-computer-description-automatica-824.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-14T10%3A51%3A58Z&se=2026-11-14T11%3A51%3A58Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=1747Lko0VcrnfEfcwfBy0GV9aLXLVJ4KGIMF9Tej%2FVU%3D)

- The fields presented on the *Main* tab (shown above) are described below.

| **Name, Caption** | These fields are required. The text you enter here is displayed on the *Select Starting Block* form. The Caption should briefly describe the block’s purpose. |
| --- | --- |
| **Description** | This field is optional. You can use it to provide additional notes. > [!NOTE] > Note: > > This text is only displayed in the Product Catalog. |
| **Start As** | This field is required. Use the drop-down menu to select the type of transaction initiated when you select this block: - Order – back office no customer presence. - Sale – front office customer presence. **Notes**: - Prior to IDI solution version 22.12, this is limited to remote sales. With version 22.12, in-store transactions are also supported. - Sales transactions provide an additional summary page that lets the sales person review the sale with the customer. - Direct Invoice – This must be selected when the block is intended to start direct invoice transactions. |
| **Start Date, End Date** | These date pickers are optional. You can use one or both to establish a date range when the starting block will be available on the Select Starting Block form. It will not be available before the start date, nor after the end date. Not entering a start date makes the block immediately available, and not entering an end date makes it available in perpetuity. |
| **Order Type** | This field is optional. You can use it to set a default order type. The type can be modified on the *Basic Information* page when you start a new transaction. |
| **Starting Action** | This field is optional. You can use it to set a default action for the transaction. The action can be modified on the *Basic Information* page when you start a new transaction. **Note**: Additional options are presented for starting block co**nfiguration when applicable for the selected starting action. This lets you prepopulate the required information on the order to streamline the process and potentially avoid errors. The options depend on the selected starting action. For example, when Starting Action = Return Item, drop-down m**enus are provided for selecting a return reason and inventory status. ![A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3f7f8ade-bcb1-4ec8-af25-0c0ad8601afb/Images/Documentation/a-screenshot-of-a-computer-description-automatica-825.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-14T10%3A51%3A58Z&se=2026-11-14T11%3A51%3A58Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=1747Lko0VcrnfEfcwfBy0GV9aLXLVJ4KGIMF9Tej%2FVU%3D) |
| **Displayed In** | Use these check boxes to select where the starting block will be available for selection. This can be one or any combination of the: - Orders web module - Customer Care account-level - Customer Care service-level |
| **Allowable Actions** | Use these check boxes to select which actions can occur within the transaction. This can be one or any combination of the listed actions. |
| **Behavior** | This provides options to: - Perform Credit Evaluations. This directs the transaction to invoke your custom Credit Checking logic configured by IDI per your requirements. **Note**: This behavior also requires Require Register to Start Transaction to be enabled on the Policy tab. This requirement is indicated when you click the associated information (!) icon. - Skip one or both of the following pages when the starting block’s and/or Order Field configuration provide the required information: - Skip New Transaction (Basic Information) page and begin on the Details (Assembly) page. - Skip New Transaction and the Details pages and begin on the summary (either the Review Cart or the Summary page). - Display New Transaction page and then skip Details page. After saving the basic information, the transaction resumes at either the Review Cart or Summary page. |

- The fields presented on the *Policy* tab are shown and described below.

![Graphical user interface, application, email Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3f7f8ade-bcb1-4ec8-af25-0c0ad8601afb/Images/Documentation/graphical-user-interface-application-email-desc-23.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-14T10%3A51%3A58Z&se=2026-11-14T11%3A51%3A58Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=1747Lko0VcrnfEfcwfBy0GV9aLXLVJ4KGIMF9Tej%2FVU%3D)

| **Location Options** | These options are only applicable when the block is intended to start a *retail* or *direct invoice* web transaction. This can be handled in two ways: For *remote* (not in-store) sale applications where sales associates are not required to use a specific location/register, you can specify a global **Location** & **Register** using the respective drop-down menus. These menus are populated with locations and registers as configured in IDI Desktop Client POS Back Office. For *in-store* sale applications where sales associates must use their individual locations/registers you’ll typically leave the Location and Register undefined. In this case, check the **Is Register Required** check box. This will require sales associates to select their location and register at the start of each transaction (as long as they are not pre-assigned to a register via Register Management). For *Direct Invoice* applications, you must set Location and Register specifications on the starting block. The My Locations option is not applicable for direct invoice transactions |
| --- | --- |
| **Email Options** | These options support emailing a receipt or service/installment agreement for the transaction. The drop-down menu defaults to **No Email**. In this case, all related fields are disabled and there will be no options to email a receipt on completing the transaction. If you want to email a receipt, select one of these options: - **Message Email** enables all related fields. - *Email From Address* and *Email Subject* are required. - *Prompt for Email Upon Submit* displays a dialog asking whether to email the receipt when the transaction is finalized/submitted. This defaults to checked (display the dialog). - *Allow Email on Demand* adds a button to the Finalize/Submit transaction page that lets you send an email with receipt/invoice, regardless of the state of the transaction. This defaults to checked. - *Only After Transaction Submitted* specifies the receipt can only be sent on submitting the transaction. There is no prompt, nor is there a button on the Finalize/Submit page; however, the button is available after the transaction is submitted. This defaults to unchecked. - **Notification Message** – Enabling this option behaves the same as Message Email, except that *Email From Address* is disabled as *From* address does not apply to notifications. |
| **Receipt/Invoice Configuration** | This area is labeled *Receipt Configuration* when *Start As* on the *Main* tab = **Sale** or **Order**. In this case you can use this area to: - Select a template for receipt presentation. The drop-down menu is populated with templates as configured in IDI Desktop Client. - Specify footer text for the Receipt. - Select a logo image to appear on the receipt. This area is labeled *Invoice Configuration* when *Start As* = **Direct Invoice**. In this case you can use this area to: - Select a template for invoice presentation. The drop down menu is populated with templates as configured in IDI Desktop Client. - Choose to include all order items on the invoice or only direct invoice items. - Specify text for the terms and conditions. - Select a logo image to appear on the invoice. |

## **Considerations for Tender Bill Payment Starting Blocks**

The default Bill Payment starting block is predefined with the following parameters on the Main tab:

- Start As = Sale
- Starting Action = Tender Bill Payment
- Displayed in is set to Customer Care Account Level and Orders
- Allowable Actions Account level and Bill Payment are enabled (checked)
- Behavior = Skip Transaction Details Page

The Policy tab setup has not changed, except that Require Register to Start Transaction is preselected and cannot be disabled.

## **Considerations for Return Item Starting Blocks**

The default Return Item starting block is predefined with the following parameters on the Main tab:

- Start As = Sale
- Starting Action = Return Item – This provides two additional drop-down menus:
- Return Reason
- Inventory Status
- Displayed in is set to Customer Care Account Level and Orders
- Allowable Actions all are enabled (checked)
- No Behavior to skip pages are predefined

The Policy tab setup has not changed. **Note**: As rules that govern returns are set on a register policy basis, the Location options can be used to set up additional starting blocks to enforce different return rules for different locations. Also, Require Register to Start Transaction is preselected and cannot be disabled.

## **Considerations for Void Transaction Starting Blocks**

When Void Transaction is selected as the starting action:

- The Start As drop-down menu is set to Order and cannot be changed. This ensures voids can only be performed on order transactions.
- The Allowable Actions options are disabled and cannot be changed.
- Displayed In defaults to Customer Care Account level and Orders; however, Customer Care Service level may be selected if you want.

On the Policy tab, Location, Email and Receipt configuration options are disabled and cannot be changed.

## **Considerations for Service/Installment Agreements – Email Options**

If you want the ability to email agreement documents during a web transaction, set up the starting block to support email options accordingly.

![A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3f7f8ade-bcb1-4ec8-af25-0c0ad8601afb/Images/Documentation/a-screenshot-of-a-computer-description-automatica-826.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-14T10%3A51%3A58Z&se=2026-11-14T11%3A51%3A58Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=1747Lko0VcrnfEfcwfBy0GV9aLXLVJ4KGIMF9Tej%2FVU%3D)

## **Considerations for Credit Checking and Manual Deposits**

This functionality requires you to select the Perform Credit Evaluation Behavior and Deposit Allowable Action. This action toggles the ability to manually add a deposit to the transaction, independent of the credit scoring logic. This setting does not impact automatically adding deposits to a transaction as dictated by your credit scoring logic.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note**:
> 
> With proper setup, manual deposits can also be supported without starting blocks.