What to Start with¶

Introduction

This manual is designed to assist in the set up and use of the Blindata software system by a window blind manufacturing company.
It describes all aspects of setting up the software as well as day to day use of the system. A separate document is available that
describes all the reports that are produced by the system.

System and Business Considerations

Prior to setting up the system, a business should concentrate on the most important aspects of their business. Companies involved in
the window blind business can be divided into three separate categories: trade, retail and contract. Many companies will do all three,
but will concentrate on one particular category.

It is a useful exercise to look at existing manual and computerised systems. How are prices calculated? Is everything done manually?
Are there existing spreadsheets set up for price tables? Who will be responsible for the setting up and running of the software?
Is there a link to an accounts package? What sort of stationery is to be used for labels, works orders and invoices?

If the business is mainly involved in manufacturing, how is manufacturing documentation to be produced? Are dimensions to be in imperial
or metric? Are the dimensions to be in size entered or actual blind size? How is stock to be handled? Are cost prices to be properly monitored?

There are many questions to be answered before the software is implemented, all of which are relevant to the running of a business.

Quick Set Up

The following is a quick guide to setting up the software. Before you set up anything on the system, you should compile a list of the following:

Blind types is all the different ranges of products you manufacture and sell. This should include products you buy in from other manufacturers
and sell on. It should also include all the necessary information you require to make the blinds. For example, for a vertical blind, you may
need to know about headrail colour, bunch, controls and cord colour. These options will be different for each blind type. In our experience,
this is an extremely important exercise, and requires a commitment by management to ensure that the exercise is carried out properly.

Price tables for all blind types. If you have these on spreadsheet, they should be formatted in the same way as the Blindata price table
spreadsheet format.

Suppliers. If you have these on a spreadsheet, they can be imported to Blindata.

Nominal codes. If you use Sage Line 50 or another accounting system, you must make sure that the correct nominal codes can be applied.
It is important that this *structure is understood properly. If in any doubt, contact your accountant.

Stock items. This is a potentially big subject, as it contains all fabrics and components that are used in the manufacture of blinds.
If you intend using the stock control system, it will also mean supplying all the formulae that are used to manufacture blinds.

Manufacturing data. Slat tables (or pitch for venetians), ladder web spacing (for venetians) number of vanes for verticals (both single and
split bunch), rules about joins in roller blinds, type of headrail system used for verticals etc. This information tends to be specific to each
manufacturer and specialist knowledge is required.

Customers. If you are a Sage Line 50 user, this data can be imported directly from the Sage data. Alternatively it can be set up on a spreadsheet
and imported to the Customers table.

There are other pieces of information that are useful to have prior to system setup: do you have reps, use areas, sources of advertising,
currency types, departments etc.

Once all this information has been gathered, the following should be set up in Blindata:

1. Enter company details (Administration > Company Details).

2. Enter parameters (Administration > Parameters).

3. Enter all relevant system tables (Administration > System Tables > All). The most important tables are area codes, code letters, department,
employees, fabric group, measure to, nominal codes, option names, post codes and price tables.

4. Enter fabrics and components (or preferably use preloaded fabrics that come with system). If stock is being used, set up stock calculators
for all products.

5. Enter blind types along with stock defaults and option descriptions.

6. Enter price tables (or preferably import from spreadsheets, if possible).

7. Enter customers (or import automatically, if running Sage Line 50).

8. Check that all reporting documentation is satisfactory.

Now you're ready to enter orders!