Users are able to add custom pricing to the Generic catalog in LiveStorage, but does take some initial effort to get properly setup. The following guide can be used to customize Generic component prices.
Getting Started
- Copy the Generic Price file to your Documents folder:
- Open My Computer and navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\CHI-LLC\LiveStorage\CHIRT\dbdata\parts_generic.tab
- Copy this file and paste into C:\Documents\LiveStorage\
- LiveStorage checks for this file in this location upon every launch. The file name and location cannot be changed, or else LiveStorage will not load the custom pricing.
- Open the copied file in a spreadsheet editor (Excel):
- Run Excel and choose File – Open and navigate to the Documents\LiveStorage folder
- The price file will not show initially. Change the File Type drop down from “All Excel Files” to “All Files (*.*)”
- Select parts_generic.tab and choose Open.
- If the Text Import Wizard appears, choose Finish and the file will open.
- Expand Column D to see the part descriptions.
- Add pricing to the spreadsheet ( Column F ):
- Many item prices are calculated by the square footage of material (partitions, shelves, doors, etc.)
- Items such as closet rods, hang rails, and wire shelves are calculated by the linear foot.
- Garage and Home Office cabinets are priced based on the cubic foot calculation.
- Each item, including individual colors, has a separate PartID in the application.
- The Labor column (Column G) is meant for time and is used to calculate labor charges based on the Sales Scheme. 1 = 60 minutes .5 = 30 minutes .05 = 3 minutes etc.
- [Warning] Only columns C, D, F, and G (PartString, Description, Price, Labor) should be changed. Altering any of the the other columns may cause unexpected program behavior, including program crashes.
- Save the generic price file:
- Choose File – Save and select Yes when Excel prompts asking to keep the format (Tab delimited).
- Close Excel. The program will prompt to save again (in the Excel format). Choose Don’t Save since the file was already saved in the previous step. Excel must be closed before launching LiveStorage, or the pricing will not show in the program.
- Test your new pricing:
- Open LiveStorage and specify a design with components that now have pricing.
- Look at the Parts List and check that specified items are showing a Material Charge.
- Double check that additional components, such as cup hooks, have pricing. If not, close LiveStorage, reopen the price file in Excel, and make any changes.
- Open the Sales Scheme Editor, choose the Generic Catalog from the drop down menu, and check that List Prices are showing for any priced components.
Adding custom pricing for the Generic Catalog can take some time to initially setup, however, it will require little maintenance going forward.