SPARcon User Guide Update FINAL - Spartan Chassis · visual editor (switch panel layout) ... (mass & center of gravity) ... chapter thirteen - sparcon user

USER'S GUIDE

Sales & Product Systems & Processes

David Skidmore Darren Bartel

CMT Application Consultant SPARcon Systems Admin

Office - 517.543.6400 x 3211 Office - 517.543.6400 x 3312

Cell – 517.231.1285 Cell – 517.667.8074

[email protected] [email protected]

http://spartaner.com/

Dcskidmo

Stamp

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TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2

SPARCON INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 4

SPARCON START-UP INSTRUCTIONS ............................................................................................................................................ 5

CHAPTER ONE - HOME PAGE .......................................................................................................................................................... 6

CHAPTER TWO – TOOL BAR ............................................................................................................................................................ 9

TOOL BAR BUTTONS .............................................................................................................................................................................. 9

CHAPTER THREE – CHOOSING A MODEL ................................................................................................................................. 10

CONFIGURE SOLUTIONS ....................................................................................................................................................................... 10

CHANGE MODEL .................................................................................................................................................................................. 10

CHAPTER FOUR – FACTORY OPTIONS SCREEN ...................................................................................................................... 11

COLUMNS ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 11

EDIT COLUMNS .................................................................................................................................................................................... 11

TOTAL PRICE ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 11

CHAPTER FIVE – WORKING WITHIN A QUOTE ....................................................................................................................... 12

WORKING WITH PRODUCT OPTIONS .................................................................................................................................................... 12

SELECTION FILTERS FUNCTION ............................................................................................................................................................ 13

SEARCH/FIND FUNCTION ..................................................................................................................................................................... 14

N/A (NOT AVAILABLE) – PRODUCT INCOMPATIBILITIES ..................................................................................................................... 15

INC (INCLUDES) BUTTON ...................................................................................................................................................................... 16

VIEW SPECIFICATION, IMAGE OR PDF FILE ......................................................................................................................................... 16

VISUAL SELECTORS ............................................................................................................................................................................. 17

VISUAL EDITOR (SWITCH PANEL LAYOUT).......................................................................................................................................... 19

BUMPER CONFIGURATION IMAGE “CLIKASSEMBLY” .......................................................................................................................... 21

WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION TAB (MASS & CENTER OF GRAVITY) ............................................................................................................. 22

TURN RADIUS ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 22

NFPA AND ULC NON-COMPLIANT OPTIONS ....................................................................................................................................... 23

CREATING ALTERED/SPECIAL PRODUCT OPTIONS (UNPUBLISHED OPTION) ........................................................................................ 23

SAVING A SOLUTION ............................................................................................................................................................................ 25

CHAPTER SIX – SENDING AND RECEIVING A SOLUTION ..................................................................................................... 26

SOLUTION MANAGER - LOCAL ............................................................................................................................................................. 26

SENDING A SOLUTION .......................................................................................................................................................................... 26

EXPORTING A SOLUTION ...................................................................................................................................................................... 26

SAMPLE QUOTE WRITER OUTPUT ........................................................................................................................................................ 28

IMPORTING SOLUTIONS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 28

UPDATE SALES PERSON (CLAIMING A SOLUTION AS YOUR OWN) ....................................................................................................... 29

CHAPTER SEVEN – PROPOSAL ...................................................................................................................................................... 30

OPTION PRINT ORDER .......................................................................................................................................................................... 30

PROPOSAL TEMPLATE .......................................................................................................................................................................... 30

WARRANTIES ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 31

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................... 31

CHAPTER EIGHT – SUBMITTING THE QUOTE / ORDER ........................................................................................................ 32

QUOTE / ORDER SCREEN ...................................................................................................................................................................... 32

UPLOADING A LOCAL QUOTE .............................................................................................................................................................. 32

REQUESTING QUOTE APPROVAL .......................................................................................................................................................... 32

SHIP TO TAB ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 34

CHAPTER NINE – SPARCON ORDER MANAGER....................................................................................................................... 35

ORDER CREATION ................................................................................................................................................................................ 35

QUOTE / ORDER STATUS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 35

AMENDING AN ORDER ......................................................................................................................................................................... 36

Page 2 of 46 SPARcon Support: 517-997-3899

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CHANGING AN ORDER.......................................................................................................................................................................... 37

EDIT VISIBLE COLUMNS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 38

CHAPTER TEN – CLOSING SPARCON .......................................................................................................................................... 39

CLOSE A SPARCON SOLUTION ............................................................................................................................................................ 39

CLOSE THE SPARCON PROGRAM ......................................................................................................................................................... 39

CHAPTER ELEVEN - SPARCON ADMINISTRATION ................................................................................................................. 40

ADMINISTRATION ................................................................................................................................................................................ 40

DEALERSHIP (OEM) ............................................................................................................................................................................ 40

CHAPTER TWELVE - CUSTOMER DATA ..................................................................................................................................... 41

QUOTE HEADER ................................................................................................................................................................................... 41

QUOTE ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 41

CUSTOMER NAMEPLATE ...................................................................................................................................................................... 42

DEALER INVOICE ................................................................................................................................................................................. 42

DEALER CHARGES ............................................................................................................................................................................... 43

CHAPTER THIRTEEN - SPARCON USER ...................................................................................................................................... 44

INTERNAL USER ................................................................................................................................................................................... 44

EXTERNAL USER .................................................................................................................................................................................. 44

SUPPLIER ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 44

CHAPTER FOURTEEN - INTERNAL & EXTERNAL USER RIGHTS ....................................................................................... 45

NOTES .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 46


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SPARCON INTRODUCTION

SPARcon is a Comprehensive Sales Configuration and Ordering tool. With SPARcon you can:

o Create a solution for a customer.

o Select a standard model.

o Customize a standard model.

o Change the Model.

o Add customer and delivery information.

o Add financial information.

o Create a customized proposal.

o Display and print bumper assembly image.

o Submit a quote and concession request.

o Review responses to your requests.

o Purchase a Spartan cab and chassis.

o Check the status of your quotes / orders.

o Request a Change to an Order.

o Save your solution.

o Search Options and Descriptions.

o Import, Export, Send, and Copy a solution.

o Compare two solutions.

o Review the history of a solution.


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SPARcon Start-Up Instructions

Double Click on the SPARcon Icon which was installed on your desktop.

Wait for the program to load and a Log On Window to appear.

Current Databook Loading Screen

Person Id Type your Person Id here. Person Id is case sensitive.

Password Type your password here. Password is case sensitive.

Status If login fails the Status will display information on why

Update

Dealership Data

Click on the box to update your (locally stored) user profile information to the latest

Dealership and User data. You must be connected to Internet when this box is checked.

SPARcon will verify your User Id and Password, and update the SPARcon User data on

your computer to match the data to match what is on the SPARcon server. When this

box is not selected, SPARcon uses the dealership information stored in your computer.

Log On Click the Log On button to start SPARcon.

Cancel Click the Cancel button to cancel SPARcon Log On.


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Chapter One - Home Page

After Clicking OK the SPARcon Data will proceed to load and when complete the main menu window (Home

Page) will appear.

Select Configure Solutions to start a new solution

Select Saved Solutions to work on previously saved local solutions on your hard drive.


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Home Page (cont’d)

Select Order Status to view quotes and orders which have been uploaded to the Order Manager / SPARcon

server.

Select SPARcon Updates to receive available Updates from Spartan. (Note: When you are connected to the

internet and Logon you will be prompted to Update SPARcon if there is an Update available).


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SPARcon Release Notes link takes you to the Spartan Dealer Center where you can access the latest version of

the SPARcon Release Notes.


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Chapter Two – Tool Bar

Tool Bar Buttons

Home Home Button to return to SPARcon Home (the first screen after log-in).

Save Save Button - save your work.

My Saved Quotes

My Saved Quotes - find and load a saved solution or import and export a

solution.

Submitted Quotes/Orders

Submitted Quotes/Orders Button - check the status of an order; submit

a change request, or a quote request.

Save Manager

Save Manager Button – save or name a solution, checkout a solution or

close the solution.

New Custom Truck New Custom Truck Button - create a new custom solution.

Spec Spec Button - customize or review the solution.

Customer Data Customer Data - enter customer and financial information.

Proposal Proposal Button - create a customized proposal.

Quote/Order

Quote/Order Button - enter order information. Create a copy of a

solution or submit a change request.

ClikAssembly

ClikAssembly – display a 3D view of the front bumper assembly of the

chassis.

Compare

Compare Solution - display a report that shows the changes in a

specification. SPARcon compares the working (unsaved copy) to the

previously saved copy.

Print Screen Print Screen Button - print the current screen.

Page Setup Page Setup Button - select a printer and page layout.

Help Help - launch SPARcon help.

About SPARcon About SPARcon Button - display SPARcon version information.


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Chapter Three – Choosing a Model

Configure Solutions

♦ Select a Model to display the Configurations available in the current Data Book.

♦ If you represent more than one OEM you will need to click on the Brand dropdown to choose the

OEM you are creating the quote for.

♦ Select a Configuration to display the major components, base price of the base Configuration within

the solution.

♦ Click the Customize button to create a new solution with the selected base Configuration.

Clicking the Customize button will send you to the Specifications screen, in the Factory Options tab with all of

the Standards of the Base Configuration selected.

Change Model

When creating a Quote if for some reason you find you are not in the correct Model you can Change to another

Model and your manual selections will stay (if they are available options in the other Model).

To change the model click Tools then select Change Model. Choose the desired Model and then click OK.


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Chapter Four – Factory Options Screen

Columns

The columns can be widened or narrowed simply by clicking and dragging either side of the Description

column. The width of the Category/Subcategory section can also be adjusted.

Edit Columns

Right click in Factory Options Screen and click on Edit Columns. You can choose to view Inc, Quantity, Unit

Price and Price by clicking on the Visible box and then OK. Once columns have been set your screen view will

not change each time the program is opened until you reset the columns.

Total Price

To hide or show the total price right click in the area at the top showing model, and total price. Uncheck the

“Show Total Price” and the price will be hidden.

Edit Columns selection box

Column Sizing

Click and Drag


Dcskidmo

Text Box

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Chapter Five – Working Within a Quote

Working with Product Options

Under each Subcategory header you will view the product options and descriptions. When choosing the model,

a base solution will appear with a radio button (dots) in each Subcategory. These dots indicate that

SPARcon has selected the Product Options. As you work through each Category and Subcategory you will be

able to select the options you require and they will be indicated by a check mark . To view only what has

been selected under each Subcategory header and not all the product options, click on the minus icon by

the header and this will collapse only that header. To view all product options under the Subcategory header

again simply click on the plus icon and all product options can be viewed. For a mass opening and closing

of headers click on the plus and minus icons at the top.

On the left side of the screen

there are Category and

Subcategory headers to navigate

to specific Factory Options.

By highlighting a Category the

Subcategory list will populate to

those that match the Category

highlighted.

The Subcategories are the

headers that appear in the quote.


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Selection Filters Function

Manually Selected Options Only Allows you to only view selections that were Manually

selected

Available Options Only Allows you to only view Available options (un-available

options with NAs are not visible)

Standard Options Only Allows you to only view the Standard options in each

Subcategory

Non Standard Selected Options Only Allows you to only view the non-standard option selections

Visually Edited Options Only Filters to options with a Visual Editor screen

Resolved Options Only Filters to show all Resolved Subcategories (subcategories that

have the Clipboard icon checked)

Not Resolved Options Only Filters to show all Unresolved Subcategories (subcategories

that have a blank, unchecked Clipboard)

Non-Conditionally Visible Options

Only

Reduces the viewable list of Subcategories by hiding

subcategories that do not currently apply to the solution

VIS3 Options Only Filters to show only Manually selected VIS3 Options

Non-Compliant Options/SubCats Only Filters to show all Non-Compliant Options

Search Results Only Filters to show only items found based on what has been

entered into the search fields

Replacement Options Only Filters to show Replacement Options added to replace

Modified options

Reminder Pin Options Only Filters to show only Options that have Unresolved Reminder

Pins

Spec Options Only Filters to show Options that have Specifications attached

Turn Off All Filters Turns off any active filters to show all options normally


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Search/Find Function

To locate an option by a Code or Description, type the searchable characters in the appropriate box and click the

magnifying glass icon or press Return/Enter. The description field is not case sensitive and partial

descriptions are useable. It is a string search and entering less will yield better results. It is also a combination

search where a Code AND Description can be searched together to find combined results. Your entries will

also be saved in the dropdown for ease of selection to find those items again.

Useful tip: Using the Search Results Only filter will reduce the option list to only those that meet your search

criteria.


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N/A (Not Available) – Product Incompatibilities

When working in a solution you may be confronted with an icon in front of a product option you desire.

This icon is showing a product option as not available for the chassis configuration currently in the solution. By

clicking on the icon you will be able to view this Incompatibility as to why the product option is not

available. You can choose these product options but you may need to change a previous selection first when an

incompatibility is present. To view the product options you can click on the top menu icon, this will

direct you to each Category / Subcategory with a Not Available product option selected.

Note: address the N/As starting from the top working down after all Subcategories have been reviewed and

your quote or order is complete.

The Expert tab shows the Product Option or combination of options that are causing the N/A on the selection

you are trying to make by placing an asterisk next to the option or options that are selected in the list of options

that are blocking your selection. To resolve the N/A it can take logical thought to understand the relationship

between the option you desire and the option or options that are blocking the desired selection.


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Inc (Includes) button

The Inc icon in the quote can be used to view all parts that are included with that particular product option.

The options in the Inc list will be automatically selected by SPARcon when the parent option is selected. For

example, code 0100-011 Metro Star includes the following:

If you click on the GO icon it will take you to that product option.

View Specification, Image or PDF File

The book icon located next to a description indicates that a Specification, Image or PDF file is available to

view for the option. Right Click on the icon and the files available will be in bold and files that are not

available will be gray. When you select Copy the option description will be copied to your clipboard for pasting

into other documents. If you select edit columns you will be able to choose what columns you see in the Spec

screen.

Click on Spec, Image or PDF to view the available documents. Click on copy to copy the option description to

your clipboard, or Edit Columns to change the columns in the Spec screen.


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Visual Selectors

The visual selectors are useful tools to help with the selecting of product options. Left click on the pencil

icon at a category and the Visual Selector window will appear.

Visual Selectors are available at:

♦ The Cab category to select cab upper and lower paint, cab pinstripe, frame paint, front bumper paint, and

wheel paint options

♦ The Frame category to select the wheelbase and rear overhang options. This window also shows the Cab

to Axle dimension based on the wheelbase and cab options selected


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♦ The Cab Glass category to select window location, window type, and tinted glass options

♦ The Cab Seats category to select all seat related options

Note: this is the easiest way to select cab seating!!


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Visual Editor (Switch Panel Layout)

The Visual Editor for the switch Panel Layout allows you to select which rocker switch will perform a specific

function, and move switches and other components within the left, center and right switch panels (such as siren

heads, power points, optional displays, etc.)

When in the Switch Panel Visual Editor window:

Legends

An option which includes a rocker switch needing to

be located will be red. Click on the legend and drag the option to the

desired switch location.

You may locate many options from one panel to another or simply shift around within a panel for the desired

placement. In this image the siren head, seat belt indicator panel, USB and power points can be moved in each panel

or from panel to panel by the click and drag method. If you click on the image of a component and the four-way cursor

appears the item is moveable within the panels. If this does not appear it is a fixed object and cannot be moved.


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The switch panel option and editor window will show an N/A when it requires your attention in the location of a

switch or optional component. Click on the icon next to the option description to open the Switch Panel Visual

Editor or right click on the option and choose Visual Editor.

If all the switch connections are made and the 5020-001 Panel Layout Option still shows an N/A, open the

Visual Editor and hover your cursor over the N/A icon in the upper left corner of the window and a tool tip will

appear. It will give an explanation of the cause of the N/A using option numbers that can direct you towards the

problem.

In this example the tool tip reads “1344C-004/5510A-004 intersects another component”. This information

means:

♦ 1344C-004: the 1344 subcategory is the center rocker switch panel – the problem is on that panel

♦ 5510A-004: the 5510 subcategory is the electronic siren

♦ Solution: the siren on the center panel intersects another component

In the example above you can also see the overlap between the USB outlet and the siren control head

highlighted in red.

If an individual switch legend connection needs to be relocated to a different switch right click the legend and

choose Delete Connections. In the window that appears click Delete and then OK.


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You can also re-set the entire layout by left clicking at the clipboard icon in the upper left area of the panel

layout Visual Editor window and selecting Reset Layout. This will disconnect all manually connected rocker

switches and set all moveable components to their default locations.

NOTE: A Panel Layout selection is included in the Proposal settings so the switch panel image can be included

in your Customer Proposal.

Bumper Configuration Image “ClikAssembly”

In the top tool bar there is a ClikAssembly button. By clicking this button a three dimensional image of

the front bumper assembly, including the front frame section, front towing device, front suction pipe, bumper

apron, front bumper compartments, and bumper options mounted through the bumper and on the apron, shall

appear in a new window.

The image can be zoomed and rotated. The image will also show any interference between bumper and or apron

mounted components by highlighting the items that conflict with each other. In the image below the air horn on

the left side interferes with the selected electronic siren speaker causing the horns to be outlined red and the

speaker outlined yellow.


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Weight Distribution Tab (Mass & Center of Gravity)

Within the Weight tab the estimated weight distribution between the front and rear axle can be viewed. The

Weight Tab shows the estimated front and rear axle weights and the Center of Gravity. The program also allows

the body manufacturer to enter the estimated weight and the center of gravity of the body to insure the

completed vehicle meets the NFPA guidelines for Mass and Center of Gravity.

In addition to the vehicle weights, the Weight tab also provides:

♦ The estimated chassis height - from the ground to the top of the cab

♦ The estimated chassis height - from the ground to the top of the tilted cab

♦ The distance from the top of the frame to the top of the cab roof

♦ The frame height from the ground to the top of the frame front and rear

♦ Warnings if the estimated weight exceeds the axle ratings selected

NOTE: A Weight Distribution selection is included in the Proposal settings so the graphic can be included in

your Customer Proposal.

Turn Radius

Within the Turn Radius tab the curb-to-curb and wall-to-wall turning radius of the vehicle as configured is

shown. The informational items shown in this screen are the factors that determine the turn radius of the

vehicle. These bits of information include the chassis model, the wheelbase, the bumper extension length and

width, as well as the turn angle.

NOTE: A print out of this information is available as an Additional Document within the Proposal screen.

Frame Heights

Axle Weights

Center of Gravity

Cab Heights

OEM Weight and Center

of Gravity Information

Warning

Indicators


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NFPA and ULC Non-Compliant Options

SPARcon flags options that are not NFPA or Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) compliant. The

Non-compliant icon is shown next to the option number that is not compliant. To view which regulatory

group the option does not comply with, left click on the icon.

Creating Altered/Special Product Options (Unpublished Option)

To request a new Product Option that is not in SPARcon, you need to modify a similar Product Option. Click

on the Standard or Optional Code button next to the selected Product Option which is the closest to what you

would like provided. The Unpublished Option window will appear.


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First you must modify the option description so it reads in the way you want it to be displayed in the

Quote/Proposal.

After the description is modified the Modify Spec button will become activated. Click the Modify Spec button

to change the wording so it reads the way you want it to be displayed in the Specification of your proposal. Both

the option description and the specification must be modified to save your Unpublished Option.

When an option specification is modified any text that is added shows up in red colored font. Any wording that

is removed will show red strike-through font. After you finish modifying the spec click the Save button at the

bottom to finish the creation of the Unpublished Option.

To view and/or edit any of the Altered Product Options in the existing solution, click on the tab labeled

Unpublished Options.

To return to the solution click on the Factory Options tab.

Modified Spec Window Proposal Specification


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Unpublished Option Notes:

♦ When viewing the Unpublished Option specification you can hover your cursor over the spec

modification and a tool tip will appear with the user ID of the person that changed it and a date and time

of when the change was made.

♦ The red font coloring and strike-through font of the spec modification is only visible within the modified

option specification window. When a proposal is created the added wording font will be black in color

and the strike-through wording will not be visible.

Saving a Solution

While you are working on your Quote, to save your work to your local hard drive, there are two ways to

accomplish this:

Using the Save Toolbar Button

♦ Select the disk icon on the Toolbar (or you can use the keyboard shortcut – ctrl-S – both keys held down

together).

♦ A Save Solution box will appear asking ‘Do you want to Save the Solution?’

♦ Make the appropriate yes or no selection to continue with your work.

Save Manager

♦ Go to the Save Manager

♦ If desired, type in the Quote Description field replacing My Deal with your own Quote Description.

♦ A Quote ID will be created for you by SPARcon however you can change the Quote ID if desired.

♦ Click on Save to update the solution, or

♦ Click on Save As to make a new, separate copy of the solution if you want to use the existing quote and

rename it for use with another customer. After clicking Save As a window will appear which allows the

name and quote ID number to be changed prior to saving the solution.

Completing these steps saves the solution to your hard drive. The list of local saved solutions can be viewed

within the Solution Manager – Local screen.

To return to the solution after saving in the Save Manager screen, click on either the Spec icon or click

View and select Configurator on the top menu bar.


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Chapter Six – Sending and Receiving a Solution

Solution Manager - Local

This is where locally saved solutions (on your local computer’s c: drive) can be Loaded, Deleted,

Imported or Exported.

Sending a Solution

To send a solution: first highlight the desired solution and click Send Copy. This launches Microsoft

Outlook, creates an email with a copy of the solution attached, ready for you to address and send.

NOTE: - the receiving party will need to Save the solution attachment to their hard drive and then Import

it into SPARcon for viewing.

Exporting a Solution

To Export your Solution go to the Solution Manager – Local screen, highlight the desired solution, click

Export OR click File click Export – an Export dialog box will appear - select the folder destination of the

file. In the dropdown for File of Type there are several selections available:

♦ To send a copy of the SPARcon solution select SPARcon Solution, or

♦ To export the solution in a Quote Writer type file select QuoteWriter Quote, or

♦ To export a list of SPARcon options select Options in CSV. When this option is selected a

choice is presented to export either All Options (for all VIS1 and VIS2 options available for the

model on the Solution), or Selected Options (for all options selected on the Solution itself)

♦ Click Export. In the window that appears you can choose where the exported file will be saved.


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When you choose Options in CSV, SPARcon will create and export a spread sheet that opens in Microsoft

Excel.

When you choose QuoteWriter Quote SPARcon will create and export a QuoteWriter file.


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Sample Quote Writer Output

Importing Solutions

To Import a Solution from your hard drive or other media, click Import OR click File and select Import

– an Import dialog box will appear – select the Look In: dropdown to navigate to where the SPARcon

solution was previously saved. Highlight the solution to populate the File Name: and then click Import.

You may be presented with an Update Report which will require your review of each of the subcategories

mentioned in the report to insure they contain the proper option content. Print the report or capture a

screen shot of it for your action / records.


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Update Sales Person (Claiming a Solution as your Own)

If you receive a solution via an e-mail / flash media etc. that was created by another SPARcon user, you

can claim the solution as your own:

♦ Import or load the solution in SPARcon

♦ In the Save Manager screen click the Update Sales Person button – this will update the solution

with your user information – your SPARcon User ID and dealership information, and save the

solution.

NOTE: if a solution is uploaded to the server with the wrong sales person, contact the SPARcon help line

and the sales person can be changed by a SPARcon Administration user.


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Chapter Seven – Proposal

After preparing your solution, you will proceed to create

the Proposal by clicking on the Proposal icon on the

tool bar, or click on View and select Proposal. By

checking the items you require on the proposal you can

create a professional looking document to present to your

Customers.

If you don’t require a Total Price (or don’t want the

customer to see pricing) make sure to uncheck Unit

Prices, Extended Prices and Quote Summary. These

checked selections are User centric and will be retained

for your next proposal.

Once you have selected the items needed in the proposal,

click on Print Preview - the proposal will open in the

SPARcon preview where you can edit or save as an .rtf

file which will then open in Word.

IMPORTANT NOTE: when you edit the

proposal specification you are changing the Spartan

Chassis verbiage and you will be responsible for the

changes communicated to your customer. Spartan

Chassis will build from the submitted SPARcon

solution.

Option Print Order

You can customize the order in which the options are

displayed on the proposal. Select Custom and click the

edit button to bring up the Option Print Order screen.

Highlight a subcategory and use the

up and down arrows to change the position in which the

options will print.

Proposal Template

After selecting the check boxes for your print proposal

you can store the way your proposal is configured by

clicking the icon in the template section. After

clicking a window will appear for you to name your

template, and then click OK. As an example you can set

up a template and call it “Bid Proposal” and have the

pricing shown as desired, or “Tender” which could be a

specification only with “Bidder Complies Y__N__”

along the right of the specification. Making templates

will save time recreating how you want your proposal to

print for each situation.


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Warranties

Within the Proposal screen there is a tab labeled

Warranties. In this tab a list of all the warranty options

contained in the solution are shown, along with a link

to each of their corresponding Warranty Documents.

The documents are provided by Spartan as well as the

individual component manufacturers. The warranty

documents can also be found at the individual

warranty options when in the Spec screen.

In the Warranties screen you can print any or all

warranty documents pertaining to your solution.

Additional Documents

Also in the Proposal screen there is a section along the

right of the window for additional documents. You

can select from the following:

♦ Amp Draw Report

♦ Customer Supplied Equipment

♦ Code Sheet – iSCAAN

♦ NFPA Compliance Report

♦ ULC Compliance Report

By making a selection from the list and clicking the

Print Preview button at the bottom you can view and

print each report.


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Chapter Eight – Submitting The Quote / Order

Once all of the NAs (incompatibilities) have been resolved (cleaned up) a Quote Solution can be submitted

to Spartan Motors. An internet connection is required to submit and Upload Solution.

Quote / Order Screen

The Quote / Order screen is where you:

♦ Upload a solution to the server

♦ Request review and approval of a solution on the server

♦ Purchase an Approved solution

♦ Make a copy of an existing solution which is located on the SPARcon server

Uploading a Local Quote

When you are ready to upload a local solution to the server, click the Upload Solution button. A Request

box will appear. Enter any special instructions for the OEM or Spartan into this box, such as when you

need to have the Solution approved for your bid. After entering any special instructions or if no comments

are needed click Send.

Requesting Quote Approval

After a quote solution is uploaded to the server, an OEM user (body/apparatus manufacturer) of SPARcon

reviews the quote solution on the server. If the solution is acceptable to the OEM they can either “Request

Quote”, “Approve Quote”, or “Make Copy”.


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When the OEM user goes to the Quote / Order and loads an un-approved quote solution located on the

server, the Quote / Order screen buttons will appear this way:

♦ By clicking Approve Quote the status of the solution will change to OEM Approved. This should

only be used if there are no Unpublished Options or if the dealer needs to check the solution out to

make changes. Spartan does NOT process the quote in any way when in OEM Approved status and

the solution cannot be purchased until in Approved (approved by Spartan) status.

♦ By clicking Request Quote the status of the solution will change to Spartan Pending. This prompts

Spartan to review and approve the solution for purchase.

♦ By clicking Make Copy a local copy of the quote is created on the user’s local computer.

When a quote solution is on the server in Approved status the Quote / Order screen will look like this (IF

the SPARcon user has rights to order chassis):

To order a chassis follow the following steps:

♦ Click the Purchase Quote button

♦ In the window that appears enter the:

o Quantity of chassis desired

o Customer Purchase Order Number

o Select a Requested Delivery Date

o Enter any customer information missing

♦ After all required information is entered and the alert icons are cleared, the Send button will become

active. To finish the purchase click the Send button


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Ship To Tab

In the Ship To tab you can enter the address the chassis is to be delivered to. Using the drop down list an

OEM user can select My Dealer Info and the click the Copy button. This will fill in the ship to information

using the OEM’s address.


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Chapter Nine – SPARcon Order Manager

Order Creation

An Order will be created when an Approved Quote is purchased. SPARcon will generate the Sales Order

Number and the sequence portion of the VIN. After the quote is purchased the working copy of the order is

now located in the Orders tab.

Quote / Order Status

To check on the status of your submitted Quote or Order:

Click on the Order Manager icon and then choose the Quote tab or Orders tab and review the Status

column. Below are the statuses and what they mean to your quote or order:

Quote Statuses:

♦ OEM Pending: This denotes the quote solution requires a review by the OEM prior to Spartan

reviewing and approving the quoted price and specifications. In this status the OEM is responsible

for the next step and Spartan is not processing the quote solution.

♦ OEM Modified: This denotes that the previously approved quote solution has been checked out,

modified and re-uploaded awaiting the OEM to review the changes prior to Spartan re-approving

the quoted price and specifications. In this status Spartan is not reviewing the quote solution.

♦ OEM Approved: This denotes that the OEM has reviewed the quote solution and approved the

solution without a Spartan review. This status should only be applied to a solution with NO

modified options or N/As or if the dealer needs to check a solution out to make additional changes.

A solution in this status cannot be purchased. In this status Spartan is not reviewing the quote

solution.

Order Manager – Server

Orders Tab

Order Manager – Server

Quotes Tab


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♦ OEM Checked Out: This denotes that the solution has been checked out by the OEM, normally

for a pre-construction meeting or to make changes. The server copy of the solution is locked from

making changes, only the checked out local copy can be modified by the person who checked it out

or has the checked out copy. In this status Spartan is not reviewing the quote solution.

♦ Spartan Pending: This denotes that the quote solution is awaiting or in process of being reviewed

by the Spartan Inside Sales department. In this status Spartan IS responsible for reviewing the

solution.

♦ Modified: This denotes that the solution, which had been previously approved, has been checked

out, modified, re-uploaded, reviewed by the OEM, and is awaiting or in the process of being re-

reviewed by the Spartan Inside Sales department for approval. In this status Spartan IS responsible

for reviewing the solution.

♦ Approved: This denotes that Spartan has reviewed the quote, replaced any modified options with

VIS2 options or added price for the option if not already in SparCON, and approved the pricing. A

solution in this status can be used for a bid or can be purchased.

♦ Closed: This denotes the quote solution is no longer needed due to loss of bid, etc. This status

manually set by Spartan upon dealer or OEM request. A solution in this status is no longer being

processed in any way.

♦ Expired: This denotes that the Databook in which the solution was created is no longer price

protected and is no longer valid for purchase. A solution in this status is no longer being processed

in any way.

Order Statuses:

♦ Submitted: This status is applied to an order immediately after the quote solution is purchased.

This denotes that Spartan is responsible for processing the order. When in this status the OEM

cannot make changes to the order.

♦ Spartan Acknowledge: This denotes that Spartan has received order and entered it into our system,

prior to the Spartan Inside Sales Coordinator processing the order. In this status the OEM cannot

make changes to the order.

♦ OEM Acknowledge: This denotes that the Spartan Inside Sales Coordinator has reviewed the order

and attached the SOA documents. The order is awaiting OEM response to any questions or

clarifications to be responded to or changes to be made. In this status Spartan is awaiting the OEM

to finalize the order by confirming the final content. Spartan is finished reviewing the order but it

has NOT been scheduled for production.

♦ Received: This denotes the order has been fully processed and is scheduled for production. No

further actions are required unless the customer or OEM require the order content to be changed in

some way.

♦ Change Order Pending: This denotes that a change has been requested placing the “working

copy” of the order solution in the Order Changes tab. This copy reflects the order content prior to

submitting the change request and is locked from editing.

Amending an Order

When a SparCON order has been placed the OEM has an opportunity at the beginning of the order process

to make multiple changes to the order over a period of time prior to the change being processed and the

order being scheduled for production. This process is used in most cases between the time when the order

is placed after the pre-construction meeting has been held.


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To amend an order:

♦ Open / Load the Order Solution that requires Changes.

♦ Make the changes by making the different selections within the Factory Options area for the items

that need to be changed (NAs / incompatibilities need to be addressed prior to final submission of

the change request).

♦ Click the Amend Order button to save the selection changes.

♦ To make additional amendments load the Order Solution from the Order Changes tab and make

additional option changes/selections.

♦ Click the Amend Order button again if there are additional changes to come or click the Request

Change button (if the changes are finalized) to submit the selection changes for approval.

Changing an Order

To change to an order:

♦ Open / Load the Order Solution that requires a Change.

♦ Make the changes by making the different selections within the Factory Options area for the items

that need to be changed (note – NAs / incompatibilities need to be addressed prior to submission of

the change request).

♦ Click the Request Change button to submit the selection changes for approval.

Select Order Manager and the Order Changes tab to view your requested Order Changes and their

Status.

Click to submit a Change

Click to Amend an order


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Order Changes Statuses:

♦ OEM Pending: This status denotes that questions were raised by Spartan regarding the change

which was submitted. In this status the OEM needs to provide clarification to complete the change.

In this status Spartan is waiting for a response from the OEM to the questions.

♦ Spartan Pending: This status denotes Spartan is processing the change which was submitted by the

OEM.

♦ Checked Out: This denotes the solution has been checked out by the OEM from the Order

Changes Tab for additional changes to be made.

♦ Denied: This denotes the change request was denied due to schedule position or other reasons.

♦ Committed: This denotes the change has been completed and the changes have been applied to the

order and BOM.

Edit Visible Columns

In each section of the Order Manager (Quotes / Orders / Order Changes) - right click in the table area and

select Edit Visible Columns to determine which columns are to be visible/invisible. You can edit the

columns in any of the three Order Manager – Server tabs.

The Filtering button controls the Solution Status visibility of each Order Manager – Server tab. If the

status is checked the Order Manager screen will display solutions in that status. Select the desired statuses

and click OK, then refresh the screen to apply your selections.


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Chapter Ten – Closing SPARcon

Close a SPARcon Solution

Click the Save Manager icon and click the Close button at the bottom of the window to close the

solution and remain in SPARcon.

Respond to the prompt to Save your solution.

Close the SPARcon Program

Click the red box ‘X’ in the upper right corner of the main SPARcon window to Close SPARcon, or click

File and choose ‘Exit’.

Closes the Solution

SPARcon remains open

Closes the Solution

and closes SPARcon


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Chapter Eleven - SPARcon Administration

The Administration screen in SPARcon provides External Users with visibility to the Dealership and

individual User information loaded into the SPARcon program database. If the data within the

Administration screens is incorrect or needs to be updated please contact SPARcon Support – 517-997-

3899.

Administration

Click on Administration to get to OEM / Dealer / User creation and maintenance.

Dealership (OEM)

The Dealership tab is where your basic OEM contact information is displayed.


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Chapter Twelve - Customer Data

Quote Header

Quote

In Customer Data within the Quote Header tab the

Department / Company – Name: field is what is displayed

in the Customer column within the Order Manager.

Note: Spartan does not require the Customer name /

information for a Quote but an entry in the Name: field will

be visible in the Order Manager when the Quote is uploaded

to the Spartan server for Pricing and Approval.

The Quote tab is where the Quote

Quantity can be adjusted. This is

also the area where the Total Quote

Amount can be viewed.


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Customer Nameplate

Dealer Invoice

Note: the Customer Nameplate screen will be

presented to the SPARcon user at the time of

chassis purchase. If left blank the nameplate will

be populated with ‘America’s Bravest’ for U.S.A

or ‘Canada’s Bravest’ for Canada based on the

Country of Service option selection.

The Dealer Invoice tab is where the line items

for List Price, Discounts, Surcharges, Dealer

Invoice (net price) can be viewed and entered.

Training, Warranty and Freight information

can also be viewed within this area.


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Dealer Charges

The Dealer Charges tab is

where additional line item

charges can be added to your

Quote for items that will be

provided by the dealership


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Chapter Thirteen - SPARcon User

SPARcon displays the current user settings within the Sales Person screen. An individual SPARcon User

can have many different privileges whether they work for a dealership, an OEM, a chassis Parts Supplier,

or are a member of the Spartan Chassis Inside Sales Team.

The different types of SPARcon users include:

Internal User

An Internal SPARcon user is one which works inside the Spartan Chassis network. Internal Users have the

Uses Live Data privilege. An internal User loads the real time configuration data from the Product Data

system. All Spartan inside sales and engineering department members utilize Live Data and can see

changes made to SPARcon options and rules each time the user logs in or refreshes data.

External User

An External SPARcon user is one which works outside the Spartan Chassis network. An External User

loads a published snapshot of the Product Data via Databook(s). All dealers, OEMs and Spartan Regional

Business Managers are External Users and use data that is updated at two month intervals.

Supplier

A SPARcon user that has Is Supplier rights utilizes Live (Real-Time) Data so they can access configuration

data within SPARcon. This allows the company to provide their portion of the required components for the

chassis order. Among the components in which Suppliers access SPARcon for are the chassis main frame

rails with all required holes drilled in the proper position, and the dash switch panels with each switch

labeled and component located exactly as shown within the panel layout screen in SPARcon.


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Chapter Fourteen - Internal & External User Rights

Is OEM User - Is OEM User privilege is given only to the OEM internal staff. This flag enables an

OEM to view and modify all of its sales solutions.

An OEM has a Brand which identifies its products. An OEM also has Dealerships who sells one or more

OEM brands.

An OEM corporate staff may be designated as an OEM user by checking the Is OEM User checkbox. A

SPARcon user with this privilege can view all solutions that reference a truck which has the same Brand as

the Brand of the OEM.

Dealer Principal - This checkbox indicates if a user is the Dealer Principle of a dealership. This flag

enables a dealership staff to view and modify all dealership sales activity.

Can Create Sales Person – (Admin user only) - This checkbox enables a user to create new users. If

the user works for a dealership, created users are added to the dealership. If the user works for OEM,

created users are added to the OEM.

Uses Live Data - This checkbox indicates that a user can use only the real time Product Data and such

users can work only within the Spartan Chassis network. All OEM and Dealership users are external users

and they are not given Uses Live Data privilege.

Can Submit Orders - This checkbox indicates that a user can create an order. An order is created when

a user purchases an approved quote. All users can submit quote requests. But only those with Can Submit

Orders privilege can purchase a quote.

Can Edit Orders - This checkbox indicates that an Internal User can modify an existing order. An

External user can request a change only by submitting a Change Request. A change request is committed

when Spartan approves the change. An Internal user with Can Edit Orders privilege commits the Change

Request.

Can N/A Override - This checkbox indicates that an Internal Admin User can override an N/A on a

solution. This allows the solution to be uploaded with an approved product incompatibility.

Can Change Solution Owner - This checkbox indicates that an Internal Admin User can change the

owner of a solution.

Can Clear Solution Lock - This checkbox indicates that an Internal Admin User can clear the

solution lock to allow editing from another user. This is irreversible.

Is RSM - An OEM or a Dealership has an assigned Spartan RSM (Regional Sales Manager). An RSM

can view all sales activity of its assigned OEMs and Dealerships.

Is Supplier - This checkbox indicates that the user is a Supplier User (chassis component supplier) and

has limited read only access.


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NOTES

SPARcon User Guide Rev 12042015
