Overview
Frameit offers an extremely flexible method of pricing mouldings.
It has been designed to cater for "Category"
or "Individual" pricing or a mixture of both. Individual descriptions of mouldings along with moulding
width sizes (to calculate wastage) is also used.
It is important to understand
the different features so that you can determine how you wish the system to work
for you. At first it may appear
complex but once you understand the differences and choose a method for you it
will make sense. To help you
understand what the different methods can do, I will try and explain as simply
as possible.
Category System
Frameit has 30 different categories into which a moulding is placed.
Most manual methods of pricing used a similar system whereas a moulding
would be catergised into a price bracket. A
united mm (top plus side measurement) length representing the frame is then
compared against a chart and the appropriate cost found.
It is suggested that your stock of mouldings be separated into up to 30
different price categories (some very special mouldings may need to be left
out).
With this system there is the ability to easily increase
the price on any particular moulding category by a percentage adjustment (say
5%) and all mouldings related back to category will be re-priced.
Individual System
While the Category system suits many framers there are some mouldings, usually
the very expensive ones, that cannot be catered for within a category.
Additionally, some framers preferred not to have their mouldings
catergised into groups. They sought
a system where each moulding could be individually costed.
If you want to review prices, you must do each moulding individually.
* The system can only
take into account the amount of actual moulding used for a job along with that
amount lost on the corners. It is
unable to calculate small unusable lengths, off-cuts or damaged stock.
It can provide a guide to stock rather than provide an accurate quantity
control.
Which System to Use
It is possible to change from one system to the other at any time however, it
can be a lot of work. It is
therefore important that the choice is made before you begin to set up your own
system.
The category system offers a quick set up system, probably very close to the system you are using at the moment. It provides a very quick way to review all prices as once the price against a category is changed, all mouldings that relate to that category will also change. You can also move a moulding from one category to another.
The individual system requires that a price be entered for each moulding you carry. This then makes it easy to review the price for that particular moulding so that it does not affect anything else (maybe as new stock is received, check your price). It gives greater flexibility and control over moulding prices
A mixture of both systems can provide a good way to cater for the majority of "standard" mouldings and still provide for the "special" moulding.
Although to initially set up a computer the Individual system will take longer, it will in the longer term provide more accurate pricing and flexibility.
Calculation of Wastage