This article will describe how you can create and edit Zones.
To edit how "Zips - Postal Code related to a Zone", read this article: How to Create Edit Zone to Zip - Postal Code Relationship
Note: Every IDS client will have set up IDS or will need to set up IDS in their own unique way. There is no Industry Standards for Zones, so please be aware that you will have different Zones.
Step-by-step guide
- Logged into IDS's PC Client as an Admin, locate the Wizard Dropdown in the top left hand side of the IDS PC Client.
- If the "Wizard" is not visible exit IDS and login as an "admin."
- Select the "Rate Wizard."
- Click the Next button to proceed to the next screen
- Locate the "Next" button, which is found on the bottom right hand side of the pop up.
- Click the "Next" button 3 times until the "Zone Screen" is displayed. It will look something like this.
- To create a new zone, enter in the new zone in the "Zone Label (Max 3 letters suggested):" field.
Note: Technically a zone description can be more than 3 characters in length. However, depending on the computer screen resolution, more than 3 characters maybe cut off in the Trip Entry Screen's Zone Dropdown in the Pick up and Delivery Address sections or in the Rate Matrix. - Now press the "Add" button located on the left hand side of the screen.
- This will add the new Zone to the bottom of the Zone List (The Zone List is the large field taking up the majority of the pop up).
Now press the "Update Zones NOW" button located on the top right hand side of the pop up.
Note: The "Update Zones NOW" can never be clicked too often. However, if it is not clicked the work entered will not be saved. SO press it.
Now we have to stop and think about how this new Zone will appear in the Zone Matrix. Without doing anything further, our zones could be out of order and create a challenge in the Zone Matrix. To see what we are talking about, do the following:
- Still in the Zone Screen of the Rate Wizard, to be clear, here:
- Locate the "Next" button, which is found on the bottom right hand side of the pop up.
- Click the "Next" button 1 time.
- The screen will now look something like this. Remember, your screen will be slightly different as you have your own unique Zones.
- The Zones List both across the top and along the left hand side. Its important that we take a moment to organize the zones into an order that makes sense for when we enter in our rates. Best Practices is to place zones that are geographically located beside each other in the real world, beside each other in the Zone list.
For example, Bob's New York Courier has a zones for
Manhatten called "Man"
Brooklyn called "Brook"
Staten Island "Stat"
Since Manhattan is located right beside Brooklyn and Brooklyn is located beside Staten Island then best practices would dictate the Zone order should be:
Man
Brook
Stat - Now return to the Zone screen by clicking the "Back" button located in the bottom right hand side the pop up.
- Click and highlight the zone created at the start of this article. Remember, the Zones will be different as every company is different.
- Now locate the "Up" and "Down" buttons
- Click either the "Up" or "Down" buttons to move each the Zones into an order that will make the Rate Matrix logical.
- Now click the "Update Zones NOW" button located on the top right hand side of the pop up.
Note: This button can never be clicked too often. However, if this button not clicked the the work entered will not be saved. SO press it.
If any of the Zones are not correct or are no longer being used delete the zone by doing the following: - click to highlight the zone:
- Then click the "Del" button.
- Now press the "Update Zones NOW" button located on the top right hand side of the pop up.
Note: This button can never be clicked too often. However, if this button not clicked the the work entered will not be saved. SO press it.
Remember
For the changes to appear on the Trip Entry Screen, exit and restart IDS.
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