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
System Diagnostics
What is this?
Not on a menu in the current release. The System Diagnostics window exists in Margin Master but no menu item opens it; support staff reach it during a support session. The everyday diagnostics are Help > Data Diagnostics (table counts and ages), Help > Missing Index Recommendations and Help > Launch Diagnostics (password protected) - see Data Diagnostics and Missing Index Recommendations.
The System Diagnostics window collects information about your Margin Master installation, database, license, and computer in one place. Use it when troubleshooting a problem yourself, or to quickly gather information before contacting support.
Opening System Diagnostics
From the main window menu bar, click File > Utilities > System Diagnostics.
The window collects diagnostics automatically when it opens. Click Refresh at any time to re-collect all data.
- Application - version and .NET runtime.
- Database - connection status, server, database, SQL Server edition and size against the Express limit.
- SQL Server (This Machine) - every local instance and the installed SSMS version.
- License - status, store number, vendor and expiry.
- App Settings - active strategy, cloud sync mode, vendor, POS system and RSC.
- System - machine, Windows build, drive space and memory.
- Refresh - re-collects everything.
Diagnostic Sections
Application
| Field | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Version | The installed Margin Master version number |
| .NET | The .NET runtime version the application is running on |
Database
| Field | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Status | Connected / Not Connected |
| Server | SQL Server instance name |
| Database | Database name |
| SQL Version | SQL Server edition and version (e.g., "Express SQL 16 (16.0.1000)") |
| DB Size | Current database size compared to the 10 GB SQL Server Express limit |
Warning: If the DB Size shows 70% or more of the 10 GB Express limit, a warning appears. Above 90%, an error indicator appears. SQL Server Express stops accepting new data when the limit is reached. See SQL Optimization for guidance on reducing database size.
SQL Server (This Machine)
Lists all SQL Server instances installed on the local computer. Also shows the SSMS (SQL Server Management Studio) version:
| SSMS Status | What It Means |
|---|---|
| v19.x — Current ✓ | SSMS is up to date |
| v18.x — Upgrade recommended | An older version is installed; upgrading is recommended for compatibility |
| Not installed | SSMS is not on this computer |
License
| Field | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Status | Valid or Expired |
| Store Number | The store number this license is assigned to |
| Vendor ID | The vendor this license is for (Ace Hardware, Do It Best, etc.) |
| Expires | License expiration date |
| Last Validated | When the license was last confirmed with the licensing server |
App Settings
| Field | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Active Strategy | The currently active pricing strategy name |
| Cloud Sync | Modern (RowVersion) or Legacy |
| POS System | Your point-of-sale system type |
| Vendor ID | Your primary vendor type |
| RSC | Your Regional Service Center code |
System
| Field | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Machine | Computer name |
| Windows | Windows edition and build number |
| C: Drive | Available and total disk space on the C: drive |
| .NET Mem | .NET GC heap memory in use |
Recent Errors
Shows the last 15 error and warning entries from today's application log file. This is the first place to look when something unexpected happened.
If no errors occurred today, this section is empty.
Actions
| Button | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Refresh | Re-collects all diagnostic data |
| Copy to Clipboard | Copies the full diagnostic report as plain text — paste into an email or support ticket |
| Submit to Support | Pre-fills a new support issue with the diagnostic report and opens the issue submission form |
Common Questions
Q: What should I look for first when something is wrong? A: Check Recent Errors first — it shows the actual error messages from today. Then check Database > DB Size if the app seems slow or data isn't saving. Check License > Status if features appear missing.
Q: The DB Size warning is showing. What should I do? A: At 70%, you have time to act. At 90%, data writes may begin failing. Options: delete old import data, restore a smaller backup, or upgrade to SQL Server Standard/Enterprise. See SQL Optimization for step-by-step guidance.
Q: What does "SSMS — Upgrade recommended" mean? A: SQL Server Management Studio is a separate tool for browsing and querying your database. Older versions occasionally have compatibility issues. An upgrade is recommended but not required for Margin Master to function.
Q: How do I send diagnostics to support? A: Click Submit to Support. The diagnostic report is pre-filled into a new support issue. Add a description of what you were doing and click Submit.
