Overview
The ArcSite Fence Builder takes your pre-existing product data and applies common fencing rules to combine it into logical groupings called Bundles. This process is designed to significantly reduce the time and effort it would take to build this environment on your own, automating a majority of the work for you.
While the feature handles a wide range of common scenarios, there likely will be cases that require additional customization. For that reason, after completing the Fence Builder, there are a few specific articles you can go through.
This initial release covers wood, vinyl, and residential chain link fences. Other fence types will be added in the near future.
Overview of the Required Steps
To get your product environment ready for use in ArcSite, you will follow the steps listed below. The entire process is designed to be completed in one sitting, allowing you to get up and running as quickly as possible.
Note - Each step has a help link specifically addressing the task at hand.
Step 1: Download, Add Your Products to the Spreadsheet and Upload
Begin by downloading the pre-formatted spreadsheet from the Fence Builder homepage.
Enter your different fence type product details on the appropriate tabs (Wood, Vinyl, or Residential Chain Link). NOTE more fence types are coming soon.
The only required column is Name, but you can also include SKUs, pricing, and descriptions.
Best Practices for Your Spreadsheet:
Do not change any of the Spreadsheet Column or Sheet names.
If a product is used by multiple fence types (e.g., concrete, hardware, etc.), place that product on each relevant tab to ensure it's available for all fence projects. Note: Those products will not be duplicated on the final library.
Consider the naming of your products carefully. Clear, descriptive names (e.g., "6' Vinyl Privacy Panel" instead of just "Panel") will make it easier for your team in the field to find and use the right items.
The import will look for items it needs to build a proper fencing system and let you know if it cannot find specific items. Therefore it is important that you verify your list is complete.
Step 3: Start the Creation Process
Select one of the fence types (Wood, Vinyl, or Chain Link) to begin the individual creation process. You will complete these steps for each fence type separately.
Step 4: ArcSite Analyzes and Categorizes Products
The system will analyze the information from your spreadsheet to automatically create and categorize your products.
Step 4B: Pre-Check Products
If the app determines that there are issues with how the data is presented or if it cannot find enough information to create valid bundles for the styles you have requested, it will return one or more messages explaining the issues found. It will also enable you to re upload the spreadsheet after you have fixed any found issues.
Step 5: View and Edit Products
Once the app has finished reviewing and compiling the products, you will then review the created product data. You will also have the opportunity to make any required changes or refinements to ensure the products are set up correctly.
Best Practices for Editing Products
Use Good Naming Conventions - Follow best practices for editing, such as ensuring product names are descriptive for field use and that common products are available under all relevant fence types.
Use Natural Language - When editing you can type in your desired changes into the entry box using simple / ordinary language. The easiest way to think about this is to talk to it like you're texting a helpful assistant.
Instead of clicking through menus or searching for keywords, simply type out what you want to do.
For example:
If you want to | You can now just type... |
Get rid of one of the products listed | Remove this product |
If you want to change the category it was put under | Move this to <category name> |
If the app has mistakenly mixed up the "numbers" and you want to tell it how to fix those | Change the Width (or height or length, etc) to be <ANSWER> |
The walkaway here is that you can scan through the list and make quick changes before applying the list in an iterative and straight forward.
Apply changes to more than one product at a time - There can be times where the same issue is in multiple products. Rather than change them one at a time, you can click to apply this change to all relevant Products and the app will do so.
Step 6: ArcSite Creates Bundles
Once the products are finalized and you tell the app to move forward, ArcSite will automatically create bundles (assemblies/ kits) based on your provided information and the required questions you answered earlier.
Step 7: View and Edit Bundles
Review the automatically created bundles and make any necessary changes. This is your chance to refine them before they are finalized.
Best Practices for Editing Bundles:
In the same way that you previously went through the ArcSite suggestions for products, here you will see the bundles ArcSite suggests making.
Use Natural Language - When editing you can type in your desired changes into the entry box using simple / ordinary language. The easiest way to think about this is to talk to it like you're texting a helpful assistant.
Instead of clicking through menus or searching for keywords, simply type out what you want to do.
For example:
If you want to | You can now just type... |
Change the quantity / amount of a product that is added to the bundle | On this one, there should only be 3 per fence section |
If you want to change the category it was put under | Move this to <category name> |
Product is offered as an upgrade or otherwise optional | This and the other barbed products should be optional |
The walkaway here is that you can scan through the list and make quick changes before applying the list in an iterative and straight forward.
Apply changes to more than one bundle at a time - There can be times where the same issue is in multiple bundles. Rather than change them one at a time, you can click to apply this change to all relevant Bundles and the app will do so.
Step 9: Finalize Product Library
Once you have accepted the proposed Bundles, ArcSite will finalize your product library, making it immediately available for use in your account.
Step 10: Next/Final Steps
Congratulations! Your product environment is now set up in ArcSite, and your team can begin using your custom product library right away.
If you would like to customize what has been built, here are a few specific articles you can go through.
Further Reading
A list of articles and videos on manually create your environment