Fixed Pricing

In This Topic

In this tutorial we will use the Fixed Cost (Only) pricing method.

The Fixed Price method is accomplished in the Library Catalog Manager. This allows you to apply a Fixed Cost to each shape.

If you wish to use a combination of Fixed Costs with Area Costs, then see the tutorial on Area Pricing.

Fixed Costs need to be calculated and entered manually but you can use Area Costs methods to help you determine this.

Create a Custom Shape

If Fixed Costs (Only) pricing is to be used, then it may be a good idea to create a custom shape saved with a set Fixed Cost and Sell Price, for use with future drawings/jobs.

There are two ways to create a new custom shape in the catalog.

Customise in List View using a supplied library shape and set a Fixed Cost and Sell Price. Then 'Add to Catalog', saved for future use.
- This method has the added benefit of allowing you to use Editor modes for adding cutouts etc.
Create a 'Duplicate' of an existing shape in Library Catalog Manager and then customise shape and set a Fixed Cost and Sell Price.

Method 1: Add to Catalog in List View

Select a shape from the standard library e.g. a Rectangle and click the 'Add from Library' button to add to List View.
Format the shape with all specifications i.e. shape dimensions, flaps, brackets, cutouts etc to ensure it is the finished product ready for pricing.
- For this tutorial, set the Fixed Cost to $350.00 and Fixed Price with a 10% Markup i.e. $350 + $35 = $385.00
- NB: If the Extended Price doesn't automatically calculate, place cursor in this field and hit [F5] to Refresh.
Right click on the list item and click on 'Add to Catalog'.
A 'New Name in Catalog' edit box will appear, allowing you to create a custom shape in the current library [ShapeMaster-2 is selected - click on image]

Click to Expand

If successfully added, you will get a confirmation message. Click OK.

If you now open the Library Catalog Manager you will get the following message. Click Yes.

Method 2: Add to Catalog in LCM

You may want to create the custom shape and then set fixed pricing at the same time in the Library Catalog Manager, saved for future use.

Columns in the library can be sorted by clicking on the headings and hide/show columns by using the right click menu on a heading.

See topic on Custom Shapes in Library Catalog Manager.

Step 1 : Open the Catalog Properties from within the Library Catalog Manager.

How to access Catalog Properties in LCM

Open the LCM by clicking on command button on the Home tab.

Step 2 : Now we will create a copy of a shape, so that we retain the original and customise the copy only.

Select the shape that you want to copy and, from the right click menu, select Duplicate.

A (copy) will be created. Simply click on the code, as shown, and type in a new name e.g. Rectangle (Custom)

Step 3 : Now you would customise the newly created Rectangle (Custom) in the Library Catalog Manager.

Customise the shape as per your requirements, if you haven't already done so in List View discussed above.
- The settings are not important for this tutorial as a Fixed Cost needs to be manually calculated - see above Tip!

Example of customised shape settings used in this tutorial for reporting.

For the example in this tutorial, we have customised the rectangle in the Library Catalog Manager as per the following.

Remember that if you need Help with shape Pages (left) or Properties (right), you can use Context Help which is the quickest and easiest way to navigate online help.

Step 4 : Set the Fixed Cost and Sell Price by simply clicking the required field and typing these in manually.

For this tutorial, set the Fixed Cost to $350.00 and Fixed Price with a 10% Markup i.e. $350 + $35 = $385.00

You will need to repeat the above for every shape that you want priced this way.

Step 5 : Save Changes and Exit from the Library Catalog Manager.

in the LCM ensure that you click the Save Changes and Exit button.
- To close without making/saving changes, click on the Cancel Changes button.

Click to Expand

Remember that changes to the Catalog only affect future drawings, so you may need to close current drawing and open a new drawing.

Test in List View

If you have started a new drawing, then select the shapes and 'Add from Library'. In this example, we have added...

ID001 Rectangle (Custom) x1 which has Z Brackets added to each flap - see settings above.
ID002 Rectangle (Custom) x3 which has all Z Brackets removed.

In List View we can view the Cost and calculated Extended Sell prices of our shapes.

Click to Expand

Reporting

Now it is simply a case of creating a report.

The Area(sqm) has been turned off on the Setup > Reports page, as it isn't relevant here.

From the File menu, select Report > Report and then select the Job Details.rdl report - click to view.

Resulting Job Details Report