PlowTrax      How Storm Definitions Work

Here's how the Storm Definitions Feature works.

User creates Storm Definitions (no limit to number of Storm Definitions).

Each Storm Definition has a name, description and multiplier.
When a Storm Definition is selected during Service Call Data Entry,

The multiplier is applied to the rate for the selected service (plowing/sanding, etc).

In the Auto-Data-Entry mode, a drop down list is used to select the appropriate Storm Definition that determines the multiplier. The Multiplier is applied to each customer selected in the Auto-Data-Entry list. The default Storm Definition has a multiplier of 1.

Here are a few examples of how the Storm Definitions feature works.

Customer ACME
Plow Rate:  50
Sand Rate: 30

Say you want to charge this customer $75 for Mid-Level plowing (say 6 to 12 inches).
Create a Storm Definition named Mid-Level plowing with a multiplier of 1.5.
This Storm Definition would be used with the Plowing checkbox during Service Record entry.
So.....the Plowing price of $50 will get multiplied by 1.5 which comes to $75.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You need to enter your Plowing & Sand/Salt, in separate transactions.....but I think in many cases, these services happen on different occasions. Snow storm - plow, follow up with Sand/Salt on another call. The key thing to remember is that the multipliers get applied when you add a Service Call (multiplied times whichever service that you have checked off). You pick the Storm Definition/Multiplier depending on what the service was.

Here's another example.
You want to charge $25 for light shoveling.
Create Storm Definition: Light Shoveling:  multiplier of .5
Check Plow checkbox and .5 x 50 = 25
You will need to come up with multipliers that work with your pricing schemes, but I think it can be done fairly easily after you get the jist of it.


Here are some screen shots to try to illustrate it more.
The program automatically puts the Storm Definition name in the Service Call comment field which helps provide an explanation of the service call charges.

Below is an example of using Storm Definitions with manual service call entry.


In this case, I selected Storm Definition "Mid-Level Plowing" which I have defined with a 1.5 multiplier.

NOTE: I only use this Storm Definition with the Plowing checkbox.
(FYI: You can name the storm definitions whatever you want and assign whatever multiplier value you need via a Storm Definitions Form which allows you to create and edit Storm Definitions.

Note the Plow Rate is $50.  Apply the multiplier for Mid-Level Plowing of 1.5 and you get $75.
Also note the comment that I automatically stamp (which can be edited if you want to add more info).

Below illustrates the Service Call history with the newly added record.