As we approach the halfway mark of 2022, we have added a few new articles and updated others on the DotActiv PowerBase. During May, we wrote two new articles, updated three of them, based on recent software updates, and updated a further four to improve the content and clarify the processes in each article.
Each updated article aims to provide quick answers to any specific questions you might have on how to best use our software for your business.
If you would like to read past articles on what we’ve added or updated on the DotActiv PowerBase, you can browse through those PowerBase summaries here. You can also read about why we introduced the DotActiv PowerBase here.
New articles on the DotActiv PowerBase
How To Find Your Licence Key And Expiry Date
Each DotActiv software user has a DotActiv licence key and an expiry date linked to that specific licence.
Don’t know when your DotActiv software licence expires?
If you answered yes, then this new article we have written is for you. We also include where you can find your licence key and more information on the detected system, build type, latest release notes and where you can change your licence.
How Does DotActiv Deal With Data Security
Data can be one of a company’s most valuable assets when analysed, interpreted and utilised correctly.
The retail industry is no exception. In fact, using your data to plan product assortments and product space allocation in your stores can boost the performance of a store immensely.
So what about data security and how does DotActiv ensure it?
In this new article, we unpack data security, the importance thereof and how DotActiv ensures data security in more detail.
Software release updates on the DotActiv PowerBase
The Ultimate Guide To Clustering
With our recent software update, we have added the ability to have both a primary and a secondary display structure if you are working on a database in the DotActiv software. This new feature is also linked to numerous other features within the software, including clustering.
With the recent software update, not only does it allow you to select which cluster set you’d like to work with, but you can also save your new cluster when working in the Cluster Optimizer.
Along with these updates, we have also added a drop-down menu to the Cluster Optimizer icon which allows you to choose between creating new clusters and opening existing and backups.
Lastly, if you’d like to make changes in the cluster format, you can copy an existing range to the stores in the new cluster that you have created.
Read more about it in this complete step-by-step guide on how to use the Cluster Optimizer feature within the DotActiv software.
How To Set Up, Update And Maintain Clusters
As with the Cluster Optimizer, Cluster Maintenance has also undergone some feature updates with the latest software release.
When you want to set up a cluster plan for a particular category, you can select which cluster set you would like to work with.
On the other hand, when you open an existing cluster, you will be prompted if new stores have been added or if stores have been removed since you last opened the plan. In the case that new stores have been added, you will need to decide if you’d like to apply it.
Read more about How To Set Up, Update and Maintain Clusters here.
How To Create A New Range Plan In Range Optimizer
DotActiv’s Range Optimizer function is used to optimise a range based on certain variables or rules. The Range Optimizer function applies rules to a range and the DotActiv software can apply logic to suggest a range. This function is also used when creating a new range.
This article has recently undergone a few changes as well since we launched the option to have a secondary display structure and to save a cluster plan within the DotActiv software.
With the new release, this function now also gives you the option to select which cluster set you’d like to work with on your range plan. We have also made changes to the ‘Market Selection’, which now allows you to choose a saved cluster plan instead of a live cluster plan. This may prove useful if you’d like to run the range without having to implement it yet.
If you would like to know how to use the updated Range Optimizer function, you can read this article for a step-by-step explanation.
Updated articles on the DotActiv PowerBase
Staging Tables Explained
A staging table is a database table containing your business data. In the context of the DotActiv software, it consists of your Markets, Products, Sales and Stock information.
DotActiv provides its clients with generic staging table documentation. In it, we explain the fields that the client would need to populate as well as the format and set-up of these fields.
For easy and quick access to this document, we added a link to download the documentation to this article. We also recently updated the article by adding the tag ‘staging template’ so that it’s easy to find when searching the DotActiv PowerBase.
How To Use The Floor Plan Analysis Grid And Optimizer
DotActiv’s Floor Plan Analysis Grid feature allows users to perform a pre-analysis of their current floor plan by comparing the departments, categories, and current NODs per category against what is captured in the cluster grid in the live database.
The software also has what is called the ‘Floor Optimizer' feature. This feature is used to select Departments and Categories on your floor plan that you would like to optimise by performing a cross-category analysis to recommend the ideal space allocation (NODs).
However, before you can make use of the above features in floor planning in the DotActiv software, certain prerequisites must be in place. That is why we have recently updated this article to include the heading ‘Pre-Requisites’ above the listed steps that need to be followed before using the floor plan analysis grid and optimizer.
Duplicate ID Error When Saving A Planogram
Are you struggling to save your planogram? Don’t worry. We have the solution for you.
When trying to save your planogram when using the ‘CSV To Shelfplan’ import option, there are a few different errors that might pop up. One of these includes the ‘Key Product – Item Detail/Product Code’ Error. This error will prevent the user from saving the planogram as there are inaccuracies in the data.
Based on recent null search results and to ensure our users can troubleshoot this error, we have recently added the tag ‘cant save planogram’ to this article.
How To Set Up Your General Application Settings For DotActiv’s Software
When working in an integrated environment with ‘Data Views’, you might want to view what each of your products looks like and which image views you have saved.
Luckily, the DotActiv software allows you to view the different sides of an image as a field for a product view.
But how is this set up? Learn more about how you can set up your general application settings, including your image views in this article here.
Conclusion
The DotActiv PowerBase provides you with quick answers to specific questions about how to make the most of DotActiv’s products and services.
If you come across an article that doesn’t answer a question to your satisfaction, please leave a comment on the article. It’s entirely anonymous and will help us to help you get the answers you deserve.
Are you currently not a DotActiv client but want to learn more about how DotActiv software can help your business increase its sales while also pleasing your customers? You can book a meeting with a DotActiv expert here or browse our various software and services options on our online store here.
