Understanding the result of a Price Update
When you run a Parts Price Update, generally the Distributor file is copied into Autoline, the existing Price file updated or overwritten, the Stock records updated with a date stamp and latest pricing and a Supersession file created. There are variations to this process controlled by parameters and sometimes a Report Generator.
The Distributor File
This is sometimes supplied directly to the user via email or the user may download on demand from the Distributors web site or the file is supplied to Systime where we would install and notify the user that there is a Price file to run.
Update Log File
For every Price Update, a log is generated outlining what has happened in the update. The important information contained in the log is that the new file could be imported and read and that the run was successful.
Price File Update
For most Autoline Retail Dealerships, the file supplied is a complete replacement. A backup copy is made for the old Price file before a new file is generated replacing the old. Some Wholesale Dealerships Price files contain data not supplied in new files, so these tend to be updated rather than replaced. When the update is run, the price file is created or updated first, followed by the Stock file then a Supersession chain file created. The start to finish process is completed by the single action of selecting the green tick in the Automatic Price File Update function.
Parameters
Below are some common parameter options
Report Generator
Some Dealerships have specific Price Update requirements that cannot be handled within the parameters. It might be that the Distributor only supplies one price, ie Retail and further pricing is to be calculated from this.
Stock Records
When Price (1) is updated in a stock record, the previous price is stored in the record along with the change date. This can be used for reporting purposes.
Stock to not be Updated
There is a parameter on every stock record, which when ticked, will prevent a Price Update on this record.
