A typical change we see when a rep agency start using MRSware is the switch from not using account numbers -- or more often using some internal account number -- to using the manufacturer's account number for the customer. This is particularly evident when starting to use the invoice import wizard, as spreadsheets from the manufacturer typically include the manufacturer's account number in them. The question then becomes which account number to use, and how.
Reasons to use an account number, reasons to use the manufacturer's account number:
1. In the Customer listing, users can switch to "Account View" in the "Customers" menu to enable the display of each account number for each customer and the related manufacturer. This enable the filter and search by manufacturer features as well. As the name implies, Account View can only be used when there are account numbers present to refer to.
Reasons to use an account number, reasons to use the manufacturer's account number:
1. In the Customer listing, users can switch to "Account View" in the "Customers" menu to enable the display of each account number for each customer and the related manufacturer. This enable the filter and search by manufacturer features as well. As the name implies, Account View can only be used when there are account numbers present to refer to.
2. When entering invoice information the account number is typically on the commission statement or import file, which is being entered or imported from. Having the number in hand, it is easy to reference... That being said, your data entry person most likely knows exactly what the account number for most of the lines is by heart. However, think of the ones they don't know off hand, or when there is a new person to do some data entry who wouldn't know them as well.
3. When working with the manufacturer or customer, it is sometimes helpful to refer the customers account number with the manufacturer. When using the manufacturer's actual account number, this will be the same information in the manufacturer's system as well as what the customer has in hand. The alternative, an internal number at the rep agency, is not usueful to the customer, manufacturer, or in most cases even the rep agency itself.
I'm am sure there are quite a few reasons for both methods. I invite you to share yours and give feedback for others to consider.
For those of you that have started switching over account numbers, or are thinking about what to do, refer to our help section on using the Bulk Assign Customers feature to fix account numbers for customers. This feature enables account number changing, correction, and merging in bulk.
3. When working with the manufacturer or customer, it is sometimes helpful to refer the customers account number with the manufacturer. When using the manufacturer's actual account number, this will be the same information in the manufacturer's system as well as what the customer has in hand. The alternative, an internal number at the rep agency, is not usueful to the customer, manufacturer, or in most cases even the rep agency itself.
I'm am sure there are quite a few reasons for both methods. I invite you to share yours and give feedback for others to consider.
For those of you that have started switching over account numbers, or are thinking about what to do, refer to our help section on using the Bulk Assign Customers feature to fix account numbers for customers. This feature enables account number changing, correction, and merging in bulk.
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