Creating POS system for auto repair

[hondacur]

I am attempting to create a POS system for an automotive repair facility. I am the owner of the facility (not a dedicated programmer).

This is how I decided to build the system:

I created 6 databases:

-PeoplePlaces (for contacts - customer and vendor)

-Vehicles (to hold vehicle information)

-SalesTransactions (to act as invoicing)...also this database has a table called SalesTransactionDetails (for line details)

-PurchasesTransactions (to act as purchase orders)...also this database has a table called PurchasesTransactionDetails (for line details)

-PartsLabor (to hold Parts and Labor info for use on SalesTransactionDetails and later, inventory control).

-SuppliesServices (to hold info about the Supplies and Services that are purchased by the company. This table would be used on the PurchasesTransactionDetails).

So far, I have created all the tables and am working with the SalesTransactions layout. I created portals to the PeoplePlaces database and the Vehicles database. Because the SalesTransactions table includes relationships to the PeoplePlacesID and VehicleID all the information pops up in the protal, in the respective fields when the PeoplePlacesID or VehicleID is entered. That is all great but I would like the employee to have the ability to find PeoplePlaces or Vehicles from SalesTransactions table and the info enter as it does when the ID is typed into the ID fields (basically, I don't want to have to know the ID to get the PeoplePlaces or Vehicle info).

Also, I haven't figured out how to create a portal that works as line items (SalesTransactionsDetail) with PartsLabor. I think after you all help me (if you would) with these issues I can go from there with the rest of the calculations.

[color:yellow]Please help soon.

.Ramsey.

Filemaker 8

WindowsXP Pro (for now...Mac is coming soon)

Also, I would like to update and add info to PeoplePlaces and Vehicles from the SalesTransactions forms.

Am I out of league...or is all of this easy to do with FileMaker? (because trying it in Access sucked).

[color:green]Attached is a Zip including all of the databases

HondAcurDatabases.zip

Edited March 12, 2007 by Guest

[mr_vodka]

Its not out of your league, but it will take some time. What you are asking for is a full customer/order/invoicing/inventory system. That will be a really quick task.

To help you get started, here is what I would recommend.

Then there should be a table that is a one to many from the PeoplePlaces table to a ownervehicle table. Currently your vehicle table is just a seperate entity. Each owner will have their own associated vehicles.

For your sales transactions, you can use a pulldown menu to display two fields; the ID number as well as the Customer Name or Vehicle. Use the conditional value list technique to display only vehicles that belong to the owner that is selected.

If the list gets too long then you can use a popup window display the information rather than a value list.

To understand how lineitems work, do a search in the forums for invoice or lineitem and a bunch of examples should show up.

Finally, you may want to think about putting vehicle information (not the same as customer vehicle)into seperate tables such as year/make, model, trim, engine type, etc. This is recommended because the same information at many times will have to be entered each time when entering info for the customer vehicle. IOW, there will be more than one person that owns a 2006 Ford F-150 pickup truck, V6, etc etc etc. Instead of having to type that in every single time and possibly getting typos etc. It makes easier user interface if you used conditional value lists to only display relevant info when entering in data.

I as a user could choose 2007 Ford. Then when I choose the model, the value list will only display ford vehicles F-150, Focus, etc... We can do this all the way down to the trim if you would like.

Anyway, just some things to think about.

[hondacur]

I had the VehicleID related to the PeoplePlacesID then did away with it...I will relate them again. I see how it would make better sense.

Instead of a value list for Customer retieval...could I just create a script/button that opens the PeoplePlaces in a 'find', search the PeoplePlaces by what ever field, and transfer that data to the SalesTransactions layout? Or maybe even just use the find to locate the PeoplePlacesID, then manually type the ID in the respective field? And how would it only select the vehicles that belong to that owner (I'm sure by some sort of calc...but where would I enter that calc?)

I am currently reading 'David Kachels White Paper for FM Novices'...thanks for the link.

[hondacur]

mr_vodka...

I've implemented your suggestion of relating PeoplePlaces and Vehicles...AND IT WORKS (for my purposes anyway).

Now, I can't seem to find the information I need to create line items in the SalesTransactions. I searched on FMForums and I can't seem to find info that helps (although lots of other good info).

I need to enter line items (most times not more than 20 lines). What do I do?

[mr_vodka]

Here are some links that can get you started.

Link 1

Link 2