Current wireless retail functionality in the IDI platform supports configuring devices (Handsets) by Technology Type. In doing so, the system enforces business rules for the expected serial number (Equipment ID) formats per the Technology Type (15 or 16 numeric characters maximum, no alpha characters allowed).
Some carriers now offer a home internet setup with wireless routers. These devices may use a different Equipment ID format that prevents them from being sold in POS as a traditional wireless equipment associated to a service. To support the sale of such devices in POS Make Sale this enhancement lets you bypass Equipment ID business rules for handset Technology Type by associating a retail product SKU with an equipment type created in the Inventory web module. This changes the business rules for the Make Sale Wizard [Product Name} Detail page where you enter the Equipment ID. This version of the Product Detail page supports Equipment ID values of up to 50 alphanumeric characters.
In IDI Desktop Client and Customer Care you can view the retail device with associated equipment type and Equipment ID on the service. This lets you see devices on a service (other than handsets) that may contribute to charges on the service.
If the product is returned the association is removed such that the serial number is available for use on another service.
This functionality requires the following setup:
Create Equipment Types in the Inventory web module. Follow the instructions in Inventory web help (available on E-Support > Help Resources page). There are no specific requirements for these equipment types.
For each device that needs to bypass handset Equipment ID restrictions, associate an equipment type (and Inventory) to a serialized retail product. This is done in the Client Product Catalog as described below.
Associating an Equipment Type on a Retail Product SKU
Note
When a Retail Product in the Product Catalog is marked as Serialized there is a new set of Equipment fields that let you associate the product to an equipment type created in the Inventory web module. These fields are greyed out (disabled) if the Serialized check box is not checked.
To make the association, check the Assign to Service level by Default check box to enable the Type and Inventory drop down menus in the Equipment section and then make your selections in the respective menus.
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With this setup in place, when you sell a retail product associated to an equipment type as described above, the Make Sale Wizard [Product Name] Detail page lets you enter a serial number of up to 50 alphanumeric characters.
Viewing Equipment Associations for a Service
Once a retail product with an equipment type association is sold out to a service, the system creates a record for this association in the IDI database. The information stored in this record enables you to view the equipment association in both the IDI Desktop Client as well as Customer Care. This lets you see devices on a service (other than handsets) that may contribute to charges on the service. Note: For database replication purposes, the name of the table where these records are stored is InventoryItemAssociation.
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CostGuard Client - Customer Management
In CostGuard Client, in the Customer window go to the Services tab. Right-click on a service and choose View > Equipment Associations.
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Customer Care
In Customer Care, this equipment association can be found in the Device Information section of the Services and Features page, as well as the Device section of the Service Details page. In the customer menu select Services > Services and Features. Then on the Services and Features page select the service in the left pane and select View > Device Information in the right pane.
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Or click service number link and select the DEVICE tab.
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Returns
The device associated with the service number can be returned by right-clicking the line item in the Retail History tab and selecting Return. Returning the device will DELETE the association record between the service and equipment inventory item. This means there will not be a history of equipment associations, and the serial number will be freed up for use on another service.