Quote Alternatives
Offering Good / Better / Best Options on a Single Order
Product: FeneVision CORE Module: Order Entry Audience: Order Entry Users
Overview
Quote Alternatives let you present a customer with multiple product selections—each with its own pricing and dimensions—on a single quote. Instead of issuing several separate quotes, you mark certain line items as alternatives to a primary selection so the customer can compare options side by side before committing.
How It Works
Each line item on a Quote-type order carries an Alternative field. A blank or '0' value means the item is a Primary line item. Setting the Alternative field to '1' (or another number) links that line item to the primary item above it as an alternative choice. When you later convert the quote to an order, FeneVision prompts you to select which item—primary or alternative—should carry forward. Only the selected item is copied to the production order.
Step by Step
- Step 1: Add the Alternative column to the line-item grid via Column Management (one-time setup).
- Step 2: Create a new order and set the order type to Quote.
- Step 3: Enter the first line item—this becomes the Primary selection.
- Step 4: Enter a second line item representing the alternative product or option.
- Step 5: In the second line's Alternative drop-down, select 1 to link it to the primary item on line 1.
- Step 6: Repeat Steps 3–5 for additional primary / alternative pairs as needed.
- Step 7: When ready to convert, use the Copy to Order button. FeneVision prompts: 'Do you want to select alternatives?'
- Step 8: In the Alternatives dialog, confirm or change which item (primary or alternative) carries to the order, then click OK.
Key Rules / Things to Know
- You cannot assign an Alternative value until at least two line items exist on the quote.
- Only the selected item from each primary/alternative pair is copied to the production order; unselected alternatives are dropped.
- Alternative part information does not appear in Business Intelligence (BI) reports—only the chosen primary item is reported.
- Quote Alternatives are only available on Quote-type orders; they cannot be applied to standard Invoice Only or Order types.
- The Alternative column must be added to the line-item grid through Column Management before it is visible.
Tips
- Good / Better / Best: Use alternatives to present economy, standard, and premium tiers on one quote—customers appreciate seeing all options at once.
- Copy before converting: Save a copy of the original quote before converting so you retain a record of all alternatives offered.