Margin Master Handbook
- Prerequisites
- Firewall and Network Requirements
- Microsoft Edge Download Block
- SQL Server Authentication Setup for IT Administrators
- Antivirus and Endpoint Security Exclusions
- SQL Server Tools
- Install or Upgrade SQL Server Express
- Install or Upgrade SQL Server Management Studio
- A Tour of the Main Window
- The Menus
- The Button Row
- The Main Data Grid
- The Summary Section
- Banners and Badges
- The Options Window
- Store Configuration
- Miscellaneous
- Export Options
- Vendor Settings
- POS / Connections Tabs
- Background Service
- AI Assistant (Experimental)
- How POS Import Works
- Supported Point-of-Sale Systems
- Data Import Workflows
- RockSolid POS Import
- Epicor Eagle FTP Import
- Epicor MySQL Compass Import
- Transact POS Import
- Paladin POS Import
- Falcon POS Import
- Spruce POS Import
- Bistrack POS Import
- RockSolid Max POS Import
- ECS POS Import
- Prosperity POS Import
- Catalyst POS Import
- Westlake POS Import
- MI9 POS Import
- AS/400 POS Import
- CounterWorks POS Import
- Dimension POS Import
- PacSoft POS Import
- ProStix POS Import
- Sympac POS Import
- Propello POS Import
- EagleVision POS Import
- MySQL/Compass Connection Configuration
- ECI VPN Requirement (Spruce, RockSolid MAX)
- Propello POS Integration Guide
- MI9 Data Pipeline — Import to Main Table
- Troubleshooting: Epicor Import Brought In 0 SKUs
- PACE POS Import
- Advantage POS Import
- General Store POS Import
- J-3 POS Import
- KeyStroke POS Import
- AutBusSystem POS Import
- Tomax POS Import
- Enterprise POS Import
- Computakey POS Import
- Redisell POS Import
- DART POS Import
- MIB POS Import
- Substruct POS Import
- DMAS POS Import
- RODS POS Import
- Procom POS Import
- Agility POS Import
- Acumen POS Import
- Cruise POS Import
- LSandE POS Import
- Retalix POS Import
- DIBCorp POS Import
- GMROI POS Import
- ECi Advantage POS Import
- Sunray POS Import
- ActivantAutomotive POS Import
- IBS POS Import
- Versys POS Import
- RMS POS Import
- TAMS POS Import
- Integrasoft POS Import
- Dynamic POS Import
- Microsoft ARS POS Import
- CDS POS Import
- Spartan POS Import
- Nitterhouse POS Import
- Jeds POS Import
- Theisens POS Import
- Emery Jensen POS Import
- SMS Pro POS Import
- Burdens POS Import
- Intact POS Import
- Bloom Retail POS Import
- NCR Counterpoint POS Import
- Horizon POS Import
- Cloud Vendor Data Sync
- Data Aging and Freshness Warnings
- Resetting Vendor and POS Data
- Rebuild Data and Rebuild Selection Lists
- Troubleshooting Vendor Sync
- Understanding the Strategy Hierarchy
- Pricing Strategies
- Creating a Strategy Step
- Updating and Deleting Steps
- Reviewing a Strategy and Running It
- Shared (Premade) Strategies
- SKU-Level Exceptions
- Manage Custom Groups
- Strategy Execution Cloud Tracking
- Importing from Excel
- Cost Break Analysis
- Cost Break Strategies
- Min/Max Strategies
- Strategy Backup & Restore
- Add Items from Catalog
- Store Grouping
- Data Diagnostics and Missing Index Recommendations
- System Diagnostics
- Margin Master Cannot Save Settings
- SQL Server 2025 Express vs. Full License
- Support Issue Management
- Catalog Lookup
- What's New After an Update
- Version History
- Documentation and the Help Buttons
- CTLD — Do It Best Catalog File
- MARGIN_MASTER — Ace Catalog File
- PCDITEMXREF — Do It Best SKU Classification File
- SAP_ZONE_PRICE_MARGIN_MASTER — Ace Zone Pricing File
- PCDPRODCLASS — Do It Best Product Classification Hierarchy File
- SAP_STORE_DEPT_ZONE_MARGIN_MASTER — Ace Store Zone Assignment File
- Taxonomy — Ace Product Classification File
- Mapp_Pricing — Ace MAP & IMAP Pricing File
- margin_mstr_plano — Ace Planogram File
On This Page
Store Configuration
What is this?
After connecting to a database, Margin Master needs to know which store you are managing. This screen collects your store details and validates your software license with the Margin Master licensing server. You will see this screen on first launch, or if store information has not yet been configured for your database.
The Store Configuration Window
The window displays "Store Configuration Required" with the subtitle:
"Enter your store information to validate the application license."
At the top, you will see your connected database displayed as "Connected Database: ServerName / DatabaseName".
Step-by-Step Setup
1. Select Your Primary Vendor
Choose your primary vendor/buying group from the "Primary Vendor" dropdown. This determines which vendor-specific features and data sync options are available.
Common vendor selections include:
- Ace Hardware
- Do-It-Best (DIB)
- Orgill
- United Hardware
- And others
2. Enter Your Store Number
Type your store number in the "Store Number" field (maximum 6 characters).
After a brief pause (about 2 seconds), Margin Master automatically looks up your store name. A spinning indicator appears while the lookup is in progress, and the "Store Name" field auto-populates with the result. A green checkmark appears next to the store number when the lookup succeeds.
Tip: The Store Name field is read-only and auto-populated. If the wrong name appears, verify you entered the correct store number.
3. Select RSC (Ace Hardware and Do-It-Best Only)
If you selected Ace Hardware or Do-It-Best as your primary vendor, an additional "RSC (Retail Support Center)" dropdown appears. Select your warehouse/distribution center from the list.
This field is hidden for other vendors.
4. Select Your POS System
Choose your Point of Sale system from the "Point of Sale System" dropdown. Options include:
- NCR Counterpoint
- Epicor Eagle / Epicor Compass
- Bistracking
- Spruce / Rocksolid
- And others
This setting determines how Margin Master imports and exports data to/from your POS system.
5. Validate Your License
Click the "Validate Store & License" button (with checkmark icon).
Margin Master contacts the Margin Master licensing server to verify your store's license. During validation, a spinner and status message keep you informed.
On success, a green section appears showing:
- "License Validated Successfully"
- Expiration Date (e.g., "March 15, 2027")
- Store Count (number of stores covered by your license)
The "Save & Continue" button becomes enabled.
6. Save and Continue
Click "Save & Continue" (green button) to save your store configuration and proceed to the main application.
Other buttons:
- "Back to Database Selection" (orange) -- Returns to database setup if you need to change your database
- "Cancel" (gray) -- Exits without saving
Editing Store Information Later
After initial setup, you can update store information from the main application:
Tools > Options (or Tools > Options (New)) > Store Information tab
This tab contains:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Primary Vendor/Buying Group | Your primary vendor (dropdown) |
| Retail Support Center (RSC) | Your RSC/warehouse (dropdown, Ace/DIB only) |
| Multiple RSC's | Checkbox for multi-RSC configurations |
| Primary Vendor Store Number | Your store number (max 8 characters) |
| Contact Name | Your name or primary contact |
| Contact Email Address | Email for communications |
| POS System Type | Your Point of Sale system (dropdown) |
Per Store Processing Section
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Implement Per Store Processing? | Enable multi-store processing (currently read-only) |
| Import Exclude | Pipe-delimited list of store numbers to exclude from import (max 100 characters) |
Store Grouping Section
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Use Store Grouping? | Enable grouping stores for batch operations |
| Groups grid | Lists defined store groups (column: "Groups") |
| Group Stores grid | Lists stores assigned to the selected group (column: "Group Stores") |
| Unassigned grid | Lists stores not yet assigned to a group (column: "Unassigned") |
| Arrow buttons | Move stores between groups and unassigned |
Common Questions
Q: My store number isn't recognized -- what do I do? A: Verify the number with your vendor. If the number is correct, your store may not be registered in the Margin Master system yet. Contact Margin Master support.
Q: My license validation failed -- what does the error mean? A: See the error messages table in the Technical Details section below. The most common issues are an expired license or an unregistered store number.
Q: Can I change my vendor after initial setup? A: Yes, go to Tools > Options > Store Information and change the Primary Vendor dropdown. Note that this may affect which data sync and import options are available.
Q: What is an RSC? A: RSC stands for Retail Support Center. It is the warehouse or distribution center that serves your store. This is used by Ace Hardware and Do-It-Best for zone pricing and catalog data.
Q: My license shows as expired but I renewed it -- what now? A: Click "Validate Store & License" again to re-check. If still expired, contact Margin Master support to verify your renewal was processed.
