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*

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

• 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: 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 – Supports reviewing transaction with 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 configuration 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 menus are provided for selecting a return reason and inventory status.
  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 on the Policy tab are not applicable unless you need to use registers in support of retail-related functionality.

  

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:

With proper setup, manual deposits can also be supported without starting blocks.