I have a single store in operation and I want to add HQ and a second store. I'm getting very close, but the manuals are not much help with some issues...
1) HQID Item IssueI have created a blank HQ database and imported the information from the existing store. That worked fine. However, I found some cryptic information in a getting started guide (downloaded online) about how it is best to export a store, even for existing locations. That does not make sense to me, and I do not want to lose my history. I think it has something to do with the HQID for the items. It goes on to say that I may need to run Transact-SQL statements on the SO database if I want to preserve my existing items and history and make everything work properly.
My printed getting started guide does not say anything about this. However, I can imagine why the HQID might be a problem. How is this handled? I checked the Item tables in my HQ and SO databases, and HQID is 0 for all items.
Do I need to do something before sync'ing the store with HQ or before exporting a database from HQ for the second store? Should I set Item.HQID Item.ID before importing into HQ (by running "UPDATE Item SET HQID = ID" on the SO database)?
On the other hand, I created a new item in the HQ Manager and realized that HQID is not assigned in the HQ database, so maybe SO is looking at Item.ID in the HQ database for sync'ing with Item.HQID in the SO database. In this case, I would need to run the above statement on the SO database AFTER importing the data into HQ. (?)
2) Global CustomersAll of my customers will be global for both stores. Should I change all customers to global before importing existing SO data to HQ? If not, if I later change a customer at a store from local to global, will that customer get uploaded to HQ? Do I need to do anything else to get this to work properly?
3) Items costs/pricesMy two locations will each have different prices and costs for items. I remember reading that you can set it up where HQ does not update any price or cost information at the stores (which would be desirable in my situation). How do I tell it to do this? Subsequently, I guess the price and cost in the HQ database are irrelavent (only used when exporting a new store) - correct?
I assume costs are updated when receiving items at the stores with a PO. That's good. However, when I initiate a transfer from store 1 to store 2, my costs will need to change in store 2. For example, if my cost in store 1 is $10, I want to be able to account for additional costs to get it to store 2. In my situation, this would be significant. The total cost at store 2 might be $15. Will I be able to adjust the costs on the incoming tarnsfer order at store 2 without affecting cost at store 1?
4) Other concerns?Are there any other concerns when trying to move to a HQ environment from a single store? All of my tax, tender, and other options are identical for both stores.
I know its a lot of questions. Help with all or part would be graetly appreciated.