Options Screen
The Options screen has a number of tabs available to set options for various parts of the program. Most options tabs are accessible directly from the affected area of the program. However, once in the Options Screen, it is easy to review and edit all of the options for all of the different areas of the Margin Master Program.

Import Options Tab

• Current Export Folder.  This is the current windows folder that Margin Master export all text/report files to. This can be changed as needed. Some users or POS systems want the data exported from Margin Master to go someplace special, but the default works fine for most users.
• Always Delete Non-Updated Store Sku's.  When processing store data, items that were previously imported, but were not included in the current import, are considered non-updated Sku's. This usually happens when Sku's have been removed from your POS system. By selecting this option, these Sku's will automatically be assumed deleted, and will also be removed from your Margin Master database.
• Automatically perform Compaction after Each Stores Reports.  When processing store data, if this option is selected, the database will automatically compact/optimize itself after each store is imported. This can be useful if the are a number of stores and we want to maximize database performance.
• Automatically perform Compaction after ALL Reports.  After all data has been imported, if this option is selected, the database will automatically compact/optimize itself. Otherwise, the compaction will take place when returning to the Main Menu.
• Automatically Process Files After FTP Download.  The true goal of this, and most of these other options, was to automate the entire import data process. With this option selected, the user can initiate the transfer of the files - and leave.  The computer will automatically download the selected files, process them, apply the above options and complete. When the user returns, everything will be completed, and there will be no delay in getting started with Margin Master and no user intervention will be required through the import process.
• Always do Full Ace Data Update.  When importing vendor data, it is possible to do an incremental update, or a full update. An incremental update will only update the items that changed and add new items. The full update will completely re-load all of the vendor data. This takes longer but ensures a higher level of accuracy.
• Automatically Rebuild Selection Lists.  Every time data is imported, Margin Master must rebuild the selection list data so the selection lists can accurately display any changes made in your data. With this set to automatically rebuild, no user intervention will be required. Otherwise, the Selection List will be rebuilt when returning to the Main Menu.

MM Screen option Tab

• Quick Key Direction.  After pressing a Quick Key - this determines the direction the selected line will go.
• Sort Method.  PACE and Activant use different sorting rules. Depending what POS system you are using, you can specify which sorting rules you want to use.
• Multi Store Options.  Generate Multi Store C - Multi Store C is called the Consolidated Store. Store C is simply a combination/subtotal of all of the Sku's from all of the stores. Information like sales history, and quantity on hand are totaled, while other information like location code is ignored. The use of multi store C can be effective for stores that keep all stores priced the same, and want to minimize the number of Sku's in their database.
• Remove Individual Store Data.  Taking the Multi Store C to the next level - this option will automatically remove the underlying details for each individual store from the Margin Master Database. Use this option with caution - because once the individual store data is gone, the only way it can be brought back is by re-importing all of the data.

Pricing Strategy Tab

• Enforce Pricing Strategy at Margin Master Start up.  With this option selected, every time Margin Master loads, it will apply the Sku level Pricing Strategy Rules. Doing this effectively sets the Future Price for all items with a Sku level pricing strategy, and locks the Sku with a Pricing Strategy Lock that is visible while you are working.
• Default Status for Newly Created Strategy Rules.  When a Pricing Strategy Step is saved, this option determines if the newly created step will be Active or inactive.
• Automatically Reset Data Before applying Strategy.  This will automatically remove any future prices that have been set prior to executing the first step of your pricing strategy. This is almost always a good idea - otherwise - if you make some random changes to your data - then apply your Pricing Strategy, you may end up with some unintended price changes. I suggest you leave this option enabled at all times.
• Automatically Remove Items with a net zero changes.  After your pricing strategy has executed, this option will automatically remove any future prices have a net zero change from your Current Price. If this is not done, items will have a Future Price - perhaps equal to your Current Price - and be exported as a price change. I suggest you leave this option enabled at all times.
• Display Items with a Future Price after Processing Strategy.  Enabling this step does nothing other than display the resulting changes from the execution of your Pricing Strategy. This same thing can be triggered by clicking the button.

Miscellaneous

• Store Price List.  When Exporting your Stores Price List to a file, this determines what will be exported to the file.
• Restore Default Settings.  One click - and all Margin Master Options are set back to their default settings.

System Colors Tab
This tab has options to modify many of the visible items on your screens. Play with a different color scheme until you find one you like. If you mess it up - no problem - click Restore Defaults and all will return to default colors.

• Selection List Label Color
• Selection List Color
• Form Background Color
• Sku List Background Color
• Summary List Background Color
• Primary Tab Front Color
• Primary Tab Back Color
• Secondary Tab Front Color
• Secondary Tab Back Color
• Button Color
• Restore Defaults

Store Information Tab
This information is used to identify your store and contact information. This information is required. If your contact name or e-mail change, changing it on this screen will submit notification to us - so we can be sure to send communications to the correct person.

• Primary Ace Store Number
• Contact Name
• Contact E-mail Address
• POS System Type

System Options Tab

• Internet Update
• Use Ace Order Multiple.  With this item checked, after importing Store Data, the Order Multiple will be set to whatever the Ace Order Multiple is for the item. This is generally only used by stores exporting information from Margin Master to another program - like a Bin Label printing program.
• Generate OM-SKU.  With this item checked, after importing Store Data, the OM-SKU will be recalculated for each item. For stores that print Order Enabling Bin Tags, the OM-SKU is the field used to generate the UPC code printed on the Bin Tag. This is generally only used by stores exporting information from Margin Master to another program - like a Bin Label printing program.

Database Options Tab

• Database to use.  Choose Store Database when you are ready to load your own data. Otherwise the demo database provides just enough information to show you how the program works.
• Current Database Name.  Some users may want to have multiple databases, or change their database name.
• Current Database Folder.  The database folder is the windows folder that has your Margin Master databases in it.
• Automatic Backup.  With this option enabled, every time you exit the Margin Master screen, a backup of your database will be created. If you have created a Pricing Strategy, there is not really any reason to backup the database. The file we want to protect is our pricing strategy file. Typically this file has the same name as your database - followed by -PS.INI. It would be a good idea to occasionally copy