Creating your own containers

Introduction: what are your own containers?

Containers are the boxes, crates, buckets and trolleys in which flowers are transported. Easyflor works by default with the official code and price list from FloraHolland; you import that in one go (see Importing FloraHolland container price list).

If you also use your own container codes — packaging you buy yourself, settle internally, or receive from a supplier who does not work with FloraHolland containers — those are not in that list. You create them yourself.

Why create your own containers?

You create your own containers when:

• You use packaging that does not appear in the FloraHolland list
• You work with a supplier who uses their own container codes
• You want to settle containers internally between locations or administrations
• You want to charge a deposit or rental on packaging you buy yourself

Your own containers remain in place when you later import the FloraHolland price list. That import only affects the FloraHolland container lines and does not overwrite your own entries.

Preparation

First gather what you need. Per container type:

• A code that is not yet in use
• The name of the container as it should appear in the system
• The type and material the container falls under
• The currency
• Three amounts: deposit, rental price and price
• The dimensions in millimetres, if you want to record them (not required)

Also check whether the correct type and material already exist. Both are selection lists you manage yourself:

• Articles → Container types
• Articles → Container materials

If the type or material you need is missing, create it first. When creating the container itself, you can only choose from what already exists.

Step 1: check whether the container already exists

There are already hundreds of container lines in the system, largely from the FloraHolland list. A duplicate code causes confusion on packing slips and invoices.

1. Open Easyflor
2. Go to Articles
3. In the left menu, under the heading Container, click Container
4. Use the search field at the top of the list and search for the code or the name

If the container is already there, use that existing line and do not create anything new.

Step 2: create the new container

1. Click + New at the top
2. The Add container window opens on the right
3. Fill in the fields (see below)
4. Click ✓ Save at the top

The fields

All fields with a red asterisk are required. Without them you cannot save.

Important regarding the three prices

Deposit, rental price and price are all three required, even if they do not apply to your type of container. In that case, enter a 0. The system does not accept an empty price field.

If you charge only a deposit and no rental, for example, enter the deposit amount and put a 0 at rental price and price.

Step 3: check that it is correct

Test the container once before you actually start using it:

1. Look up the new container in the list under Articles → Container and check that the name and the three amounts are correct
2. Create a purchase or order in which you use the container
3. Check whether the deposit and the rental price come through with the correct amounts
4. Something not right? Open the line again, adjust it and save it again

Tips

• Use a recognisable code of your own, for example with a fixed starting letter or number range for all your own containers. That way you immediately see which container is yours and which comes from the FloraHolland list.
• Do not choose a code that is already in the list. Search first, then create.
• Create types and materials first. For the container you can only choose from existing values.
• Keep the naming consistent. Containers appear on packing slips and invoices; varying spellings lead to questions from customers.
• Adjust the amounts as soon as your purchase price changes. Container amounts run along unnoticed on every order.

Summary

Creating your own container works like this:

1. Check whether the correct container type and container material exist, and create them first if not
2. Search under Articles → Container whether the container is already there
3. Click + New, fill in all fields with a red asterisk and enter a 0 for prices that do not apply
4. Click ✓ Save and test the container once on an order