Understanding Dependencies in Sherpa

DEPENDENCIES AND SHERPA

(Mandatory Accessories)

There are many types of mandatory accessories and relationships between accessories that are dictated by the manufacturers/vendors that dealers sell. For example, when a certain bridge kit is proposed, a specific finisher MUST also be sold with it (and no other finisher will be accepted!). Sherpa can help dealers make sure their reps properly configure deals by automatically requiring accessories together in such situations. However, there are some limitations to what Sherpa can automatically require. Below you will find descriptions and graphics to demonstrate each type of accessory requirement and whether or not you can make this automatically happen in Sherpa.

Keep in mind that although you may not be able to make some mandates automatically happen, you always have the option of creating a special machine in your Equipment Pricing area that has only the accessories you select. This is always an excellent workaround for when you want your reps to sell a certain configuration. Building dependencies is an art and a science, but the final results are rewarding and time saving for your business. Well done dependencies will make your reps WANT to use Sherpa.

Dependencies Sherpa Supports

1. Accessory 2 is always required with Accessory 1, no matter what.

2. Accessory 2 AND Accessory 3 are always required with Accessory 1, no matter what.

Dependencies Sherpa Does NOT Support

3. Accessory 2 OR Accessory 3 are always required with Accessory 1, no matter what.

Since we cannot predict which accessory the rep will choose, we cannot make one or the other required. What you can do instead is create a copy of the machine and include only the accessories you want the rep to propose. Make the decision for the rep and name the machine appropriately. I.e. if EITHER Finisher L1 OR Finisher L2 MUST be proposed with Bridge Kit A1, make one machine called “Machine Finisher L1” that includes Bridget Kit A1 and Finisher L1, and then make a second machine called “Machine Finisher L2” that includes Bridge Kit A1 and Finisher L2. Alternatively, you can keep both accessories available and put notes on the machine and accessories reminding the rep to choose either Accessory 2 or Accessory 3 (but not both!).

4. Accessory 3 is only required if BOTH Accessory 1 AND Accessory 2 are proposed.

Dependencies are built with a one-to-one relationship and therefore cannot be based on two or more items. What you can do instead is create a copy of the machine and include only the accessories you want the rep to propose. I.e. if Output Tray L1 is only required when BOTH Bridge Kit A1 AND Finisher L1 are selected, make one machine called “Machine Output Tray L1 Set” with all three accessories required, and then make a second machine called “Machine Not Output Tray Offered” for which none of the accessories are offered.

5. Accessory 2 CANNOT be proposed if Accessory 1 is proposed.

Sherpa does not currently support “exclusions” or DISallowing an accessory based on another accessory. What you can do instead is create a copy of the machine and include only the accessories you want the rep to propose. I.e. if the PCL Kit is not allowed when the PS Kit is proposed, make one machine called “Machine PCL Kit” that has the PCL Kit and the PS Kit is not listed, and make a second machine called “Machine PS Kit” that has the PS Kit and the PCL Kit is not listed.