Napa Parts Ordering Comment Field

[Fordracer]

When ordering parts through Napa when we submit parts there is no comments fields but other vendors like WorldPac has a comments field. Prior to upgrading and ordering all my parts from Shopkey I used to place order directly on the web with Napa and they have a comment field. This is very helpful. Is there anyway to enable this option in Shopkey?

Tim

[timbre4]

Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting.

Not all of the catalog integrations work exactly the same way; we provide the specs and they build it out. The NAPA ProLink catalog integration itself would have to be changed to accommodate this request. I will make an inquiry.

[Rich]

I wish everyone had a comment field, saves me from making a call to tell them I don't need something right away.

[nickscarcare]

I use this all the time on other catalog look ups, works great! I agree would be nice to work in prolink.

[Rich]

I have talked to my NAPA salesman about it. Maybe we can all gang up on this and talk to out salesman/reps and see about getting them to add the feature. I think seeing many other programs do this, that Mitchell has done their part to help us.

[brianp87]

I use the ref inv # for note after putting the po in.

[ARS]

We agree a comment field would be greatly appreciated for NAPA pro link.

[Fordracer]

Did anything come from your inquiry as to why Napa does not have a comment field?

[timbre4]

Yes, there is a test underway now. Will advise.

[Johnny5]

The comment line is turned off inside the catalog DLL used by Manager; Mitchell can make this change if NAPA's system will accept it. Inquires have been made to NAPA.

[Rich]

THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!

[rhillig]

The comment line is turned off inside the catalog DLL used by Manager; Mitchell can make this change if NAPA's system will accept it. Inquires have been made to NAPA.

Thank you!!

One other thing that would be nice with the parts ordering. Most of the vendors, if you order on their parts catalog have an URGENT field to check. It would be very nice to have that on the Mitchell ordering.

Oreilly & Auto Value have a field that takes our RO # & puts it on the invoice, so that we can easily figure out what vehicle the parts are for...(I know, should be using purchase orders - but that does not list the RO# on it all the time either) It would be nice if the RO # showed as a reference on the invoice vs some made up number or the PO number.

[timbre4]

While what the vendors can vary what they do with the data we send, Manager SE will always display the RO# in the title bar:

POnum.png (2.53 KiB) Viewed 11484 times

The exception is when users order parts at the Estimate stage where it will instead display " Purchase Order Worksheet for Estimate" until such time as the EST is converted to Repair Order and then it will display as above.

Recommendation: Use the Estimate stage to gain customer's approval, convert to Repair Order THEN order parts. (intended workflow)

[rhillig]

Since there is a number assigned to the estimates on the main WIP screen, could that number not be transmitted & show up just like the RO #?

We are probably not following the normal Mitchell mode of the way things should be done.

1. Customer calls in to make an appointment that is going to need a few parts that is not normally stocked by the parts stores in town.
2. I make the appt and order the parts.
3 HOWEVER, due to the nature of some customers making an appt and not showing up - I don't want to make the est into a RO until the customer walks in the door.

We are usually booked out two weeks, so if I have ordered it this way and it does not list a RO number, I sometimes have to search some to find what vehicle the part is ordered for.

The recommended/intended workflow sounds good in theory, but since I like to be prepared when the customers vehicle comes in - it's not the idea situation. If the customer doesn't show up - I have RO #'s getting voided.

[ricmorin]

Since there is a number assigned to the estimates on the main WIP screen, could that number not be transmitted & show up just like the RO #?

We are probably not following the normal Mitchell mode of the way things should be done.

1. Customer calls in to make an appointment that is going to need a few parts that is not normally stocked by the parts stores in town.
2. I make the appt and order the parts.
3 HOWEVER, due to the nature of some customers making an appt and not showing up - I don't want to make the est into a RO until the customer walks in the door.

We are usually booked out two weeks, so if I have ordered it this way and it does not list a RO number, I sometimes have to search some to find what vehicle the part is ordered for.

The recommended/intended workflow sounds good in theory, but since I like to be prepared when the customers vehicle comes in - it's not the idea situation. If the customer doesn't show up - I have RO #'s getting voided.

Solution: Use Special Orders where parts are ordered in advance.

[timbre4]

Manager SE generates two types of document #s; Estimate numbers, some portion of which are discarded and R.O. #s which are permanent. The software uses these R.O. numbers and will not use the EST numbers.

[rhillig]

Solution: Use Special Orders where parts are ordered in advance.

I see special order on the view tab, but how do I access that? I clicked on it & it creates an order with no customer name or information?

[ricmorin]

Yes. When you create one from scratch, you'll get blank order. Click on the name button to fill in the name, then select the vehicle.

We use these all the time.

[rhillig]

Usually we already have an estimate in a revision, but cut & paste it to an estimate now that it assigns RO numbers if you sell the revision. (I know - defeating the system, but again don't want voided RO's if the customer doesn't come in to do the work.)
If I click on special order & go to the customer screen - it still shows special order # in the corner - so it is not assigning an order number that is track able?

[ricmorin]

Usually we already have an estimate in a revision, but cut & paste it to an estimate now that it assigns RO numbers if you sell the revision. (I know - defeating the system, but again don't want voided RO's if the customer doesn't come in to do the work.)
If I click on special order & go to the customer screen - it still shows special order # in the corner - so it is not assigning an order number that is track able?

Yes, it is assigning a number at the SO stage. In fact, it will be the same number as the RO when you convert it.

You'll need to accept a few deleted numbers to gain the trackability you're looking for. A fair trade in my opinion.