Affiliates have full control over their item/service list.
The manifest system custom item/service list can be edited in your affiliate back end under Manage Manifest -> Settings -> Manifest Item/Service List.
What is a Master Item?
Every service in your Item/Service List needs a master item to use as a back end reference. The master item is in place so the system can relate your current item/service label to past item/service labels using the same master item, no matter what the item/service label is.
This is important if you DELETE an item/service from your list and you later decide that you want to re-add it. You will need to choose the SAME master item.
As an example, you may have an item/service in your list that uses the 3 Gal master item. You initially set the item/service label to read 3 Gallon. But, after a period of time, you decide that you actually want the item/service label to read 3 Gallon Box; and you want the 3 Gallon Box item/service to be treated as if it is taking the place of the old 3 Gallon item/service label. The master item is the backbone that allows this to happen. Simply adjust the label of the already existing item.
Any master item can be used for any of your items/services. For example, the master item "Custom 11" can be used for ANY of your item/services.
What is the Item/Service Label?
The label of an item/service is the wording that you will see throughout the system. The item/service label is what you see in your reporting and billing. It is what your drivers see when selecting items/services for pickup or items for delivery.
In addition, the label will appear on manifests that are created at the time of pickup or delivery. Because the item/service label appears on the pickup pdfs, it is recommended to keep the label as short and as abbreviated as possible. The pickup pdf has a limited amount of space to display the label.
What is the Volume?
Items/services can be given a volume in cubic feet. When servicing a customer, if you handle items that are assigned a volume, the total volume of all of the serviced items can optionally appear on the manifest pdf document. Volume should be recorded in cubic feet only.
What is the Tare Weight?
The tare weight is the weight that is automatically subtracted from a item/service's gross weight when performing an itemized service. Using tare weights is optional. It is acceptable to use a tare weight for some items/services, and not others. Tare weights should be entered in pounds.
What does it mean to make an item/service inactive?
Inactive items/services will not show up as options on the driver's screen. Deactivating an item/service means you can still bill for it, and the item/service will still be an option to choose from in your affiliate portal, including when setting up a schedule's expected items/services, and as a column option when exporting a custom spreadsheet. To be safe, it is generally recommended to deactivate items/services instead of outright deleting them.
What does it mean to delete an item/service?
Deleting an item/service is a sensitive action, and could have unintended consequences. Deleting an item/service means it will no longer be an option to choose from in your affiliate or driver portals, including when setting up a schedule's expected items/services, and as a column option when exporting a custom spreadsheet. A deleted item/service will remain a part of the reporting for past pickups and deliveries that involved the item/service. Items/services that are wrapped up in billing are not allowed to be deleted without first removing the billing associations. If a Delete button does not appear next to an item/service, that means it is wrapped up in the billing system.
We recommend deactivating the item/service by simply un-checking the "Active Driver Option" box, which will remove the item/service from your Driver's list.
Billing functionality that disqualifies an item/service from being able to be deleted includes:
- Having rules based on the item/service
- Having an item/service in an item/service set
- Having a CP Net partner's items/services matched to the item/service
- Any of your CP Net partners use the item/service in any capacity to bill
If you have no use for the item/service anymore, don't use it in any capacity, and don't intend to bill for it in the Compliance Publishing internal billing system, then the item/service can be safely deleted. Otherwise, it is recommended to deactivate it instead.