Package Items

When you need a group of items to go on a contract together in set quantities, Suggested Items won't do it, because they only offer items for the counter person to choose. Package Items add every item to the contract automatically in the quantity you define. After following this article, you'll be able to set up Package Items with special pricing, update package quantities on a contract, and tie items to or untie them from a package during contract processing.

Applies To

Expert and Elite users setting up or working with Package Items. No special permissions required.

Topics Included in This Article

• Package Items vs. Suggested Items

• Building a Package Item

  • Before You Begin

  • Getting Started

  • Setting Special Pricing for Package Line Items

  • Checking the Availability Setting

• Updating Package Quantities on a Contract

• Tying Items to a Package on a Contract

• More Information / FAQs

Package Items vs. Suggested Items

Package Items are set up the same way as Suggested Items (items the system recommends when another item is added to a contract). The difference is in how they reach the contract:

• Suggested Items are offered to the counter person (the staff member processing the contract), who decides whether to add them.

• Package Items are added to the contract automatically, in the quantity entered on the Package Items screen. The counter person can't change the quantity until after the items are on the contract.

Building a Package Item

Before You Begin

• Every item you plan to include must already exist in the Item File. This applies to the main item and to each component item. Create any missing items before you start building the package.
   

• If you're setting up an item with the Rental - Package item type, you must use Package Items to define which items it includes. There's no other way to set the contents of that item type.
    

Getting Started

Every item you plan to include must already exist in the Item File. This applies to the main item and to each component item. Create any missing items before you start building the package.

1. Locate or create the item you want to set up as a package. The item type must be set to "Rental - Package". Follow the path below to create or locate an item file for your product.
   

   • Expert: Click Program Menu > File Maintenance > Item File.

   • Elite: Click the Configuration Gear > File Maintenance > Item File.
      

2. Click Tools > Package Items.
   
    

3. Right-click anywhere to view, edit, or add items to the package. When adding items, enter the quantity for each. These quantities are what will be added to the contract automatically.  Continue to the next section. 
   

Don't add an item to its own package. Doing so creates an endless loop.

Setting Special Pricing for Package Line Items

You can set a special price for each line item in the package.

1. On the Package Items screen, find the line item you want to price.

2. Check the Special Price checkbox.
   
    

3. If needed, enter the following:
   
    

   • A special price replaces the standard rate. You can set minimum, daily, weekly, and monthly rates. They apply only when the item goes out as part of this package. 
      

   • Use only one pricing method per line. The system allows a special price, a dollar discount, and a percentage discount on the same line, but the discounts stack. Choose whichever single method works best for the line.
      

   • Discounts are taken off the item's standard rental rate. The standard rental rate is the rate set for that item in the Item File. If you leave all pricing fields blank, the item's standard rate applies when it goes out in the package.
     
      
   • To include an item at no charge, discount it 100%. For example, if you charge the rental rate for a shop vac, you can discount its hose and filter 100% so customers pay only for the vac.
     
     
     
     
4. Press Save to save your changes and exit. Continue to the next section.

Checking the Availability Setting

1. Go to the Options tab.
   
   

2. Make sure the box is unchecked to suppress availability. If the box is checked, the package item's quantity displays as 99999.
    

3. Once you've confirmed the settings is unchecked. Press OK to save your package item. It is now ready to add to contracts.

Updating Package Quantities on a Contract

1. On the contract processing screen, update the quantity of the first package item.When prompted, confirm to automatically update the quantities of the rest of the items in the package.

Tying Items to a Package on a Contract

You can add an item to a package directly on the contract, even if it isn't part of the package setup.

1. On the contract processing screen, double-click the Kit column (the column that shows which package a line belongs to) on the item's line.

2. When prompted, enter the package line number (the contract line number of the package item you want to tie this item to).

To remove t0he tie:

1. Double-click the Kit field on that item's line again.

2. Enter 0.

More Information / FAQ

Q: Can I set fractional quantities for items in a package?
A: Yes. See Rack Quantities for how to set fractional quantities.

Q: When should I use Suggested Items instead of Package Items?
A: Use Suggested Items when the counter person should decide whether to add an item and how many. Use Package Items when the items should always go on the contract together in a set quantity.

Q: My Rental - Package item isn't bringing its items onto the contract. What should I check?
A: Confirm the included items are set up on that item's Package Items screen, since a Rental - Package item gets its contents only from Package Items. If the problem continues, contact Point of Rental Support with the item number and an example contract number.

How does a package appear on the contract, and where does the revenue go?
A: The package item itself has no rate. Each item in the package appears as its own line on the contract, and each line carries its own revenue.

Q: What's the difference between the Rental - Package and Dynamic Quantity classifications?
A: The classification is set on the item when you build a kit, and it affects how item income is distributed.

• Rental - Package fits a fixed set of items that always go out together, such as an excavator, trailer, and bucket.
• Dynamic Quantity fits larger kits built from many small components, such as a tent or scaffolding. The system calculates how many complete packages you have based on the components on hand.