Locations

Locations

Locations Overview

Locations represent the physical retail store sites, each with a unique address identifying where it is situated. Every location is associated with a Pricebook Zone, which determines the product's cost and retail pricing based on the specific zone, area, or region — allowing pricing to vary for the same item across different locations.

Locations play a key role across multiple modules within the system. They are used when applying discounts or buydowns, assigning vendors and vendor parts, transferring inventory between locations, generating reports by location groups, and filtering data by specific locations — among many other use cases.

This article will walk you through all the location-related settings you need to manage your store locations effectively within Control Center.

Reaching the "Locations" Module
  1. Step 1: Log into Control Center 
  2. Step 2: Choose Point of Sale
  3. Step 3: Choose Maintenance 
  4. Step 4: Choose Locations
By navigating to "Locations" under Point of Sale, you can also navigate to Pricebook Zone to create or manage it.

                                                                                Figure 0.0

Understanding the "Locations" Main Page


By clicking any locations menu from the left panel as shown in Figure 0.1, the listing page of the locations will be redirected as shown in the figure below.
   

                                                                             Figure 0.1

You will see the list of the existing location records in the grid view:
1. Basic Details:
  1. Name: Name of the location (store).
  2. Store #: This column shows the unique number of each location that was entered during creation.
  3. Phone: This column shows the contact number details of each location that was entered in the Location & Contact details.
  4. Pricebook Zone: This column represents the assigned pricebook zone of the location (store).
  5. Location Groups: This column shows the location group the location is assigned to. This is useful when doing reports.
  6. City & State: This column provides the details of where the store is physically located.
Actions Buttons:
  1. Add New: This button helps the user to add and configure a new location (store).
  2. Edit: This button helps the user to modify (change/update) the details of the location.
  3. Delete: This button helps the user to remove the location.
  4. Scan Data: This button lets you make the scan data exports
  5. Mass Assign Locations: Clicking this button will implement these settings for all employees at the specified location.
  6. Manage Location Groups: This button helps in assigning and managing the location in the location group.
  7. Mass Updates: This button allows you to create various data changes in the "Locations" module one go.

1. Adding a New Location

By clicking the "Add New" button as shown in Figure 0.1, you will be redirected to the details page to configure the store and assign the pricebook zone.

                                                                                       Figure 1.0

Details | Location & Contacts | API Connections | Schedules | Online Order Settings | Manage Services | IP Address Filters

1.1. Details Tab

You need to configure the following settings from the "Details" tab:
  1. Location Name: Enter the store name. Location/store name will be useful to identify during other module configurations (location-specific tax rate) and to generate reports of product sales or inventory.
  1. Pricebook Zone: Select the pricebook zone from the drop-down list. Pricebook Zone carries the cost & retail price details of the products. So, the product pricing is also assigned to the specific location (store). The tax rates previously set up will be correctly applied to the pricebook that is assigned to the location.
Info
Please refer to the Pricebook Zones KB article to learn about how to set up Pricebook Zones. | Refer to the Tax Rates KB article for how the location-specific tax rate is configured.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Figure 1.1.0
  1. Location Type: Select the type, whether it is retail or warehouse. The warehouse location is used when a "corporate" inventory is kept and needed to transfer the inventory to another store for various reasons.
  2. Store Number: Enter a unique number for each store location. It helps the system in identifying a particular record of a particular store location from the database.
  3. Billing Address: This billing address is defined when the customer account is created. This can be entered from the list down below.
  4. Timezone: Select the applicable time zone where the store is located, i.e., the time zone will be helpful during the product discount starting and ending duration, scheduling employee's timing, etc.   
  
                                                                                                                                                                                                              Figure 1.1.1
  1. Location Groups: Select the location group from the drop-down list. By clicking any group name, the location group will be selected. You will see the existing groups in the drop-down list, but you can also add a new one from here just by entering the group name in the edit box to define the new location group.  
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Figure 1.1.2  
  1. Omit From Offline Report: This option is mainly used when a location is set up but should be excluded from all types of store reporting. For a live store, it should always be set to NO.

  2. Hide From Customer: By enabling this option, you will hide the store information from the customers on the receipt.

                                                                                   Figure 1.1.3
  1. Account Number: Enter the account number for payment or payout for accounting purposes. (Financial Data).

  2. Bank Account Number: Enter the account number of the bank associated with the Location.

  3. Altria RCN: Altria RCN (Retail Coverage Number) is a unique identifier assigned by Altria Group, Inc. to each individual store location participating in its scan data or promotional programs. This code is crucial for maintaining accurate records for store-specific data — such as sales performance, promotional compliance, and incentive eligibility.

  4. Average Cost Duration: It allows you to specify how long the average cost of a product remains valid for a store. The average cost is based on the weighted average of purchase prices over a set period, helping track and manage cost fluctuations due to vendor pricing, promotions, or other factors.
Action Buttons:
  1. Save Options: Click on "Save," "Save & New," and "Save & Close" to save the information in the form. 

1.2. Location & Contact

Sometimes, the store's address and contact number will be helpful in communication. When any item is out of stock, the cashier/manager can check the nearest store from the POS and get the address details for the customers.


                                                                                        Figure 1.2.0

You need to enter the store address and contact details. This is the mandatory tab to fill in the details.

Fields:
  1. Address: Enter the address details like street no., building, area, etc.
  2. Address 2: Complete the address with the remaining part here.
  3. City: Enter the name of the city.
  4. Choose State: Select the state from the drop-down selection.
  5. Zip: Enter the valid zip code of the area.
  6. Location Phone: The phone number for establishing a contact at the store location is entered here.
  7. Fax: Faxing details are entered in this field.
  8. Payroll Comp: The payroll company details are entered here.
  9. EIN: Employer Identification Number (EIN) is entered here.

1.3. API Connections

The API Connections section provides optional configuration settings that are used for integrating the handheld devices with the Control Center and POS (point-of-sale) system. These devices run an app extension designed to streamline operations such as inventory counting and other store management tasks.

By leveraging API connections, the handheld devices can communicate directly with the central system to ensure real-time synchronization and accurate data transfer.
  1. This is the optional detail. API details will be used for the Android handheld that runs the app extension of Control Center and POS, i.e., counting inventories.
  1. It requires the input for API Hostnames  API Port .
Notes
This is for the on-premise retail application (FasTrax Director).

                                                                                      Figure 1.3.0

1.4. Schedules

  1. You can manage the opening and closing hours of the store for the days. By clicking the day, you can enable/disable for that day.

                                                                                      Figure 1.4.0
  1. You can set the timing by clicking the timestamp.

                                                                           Figure 1.4.1
  1. Once you have scheduled the store opening and closing for days, you can save the configuration and move to the next tab.

1.5. Online Order Settings

You can configure Online Order Settings for your locations if the company has FTx Commerce set up. You need to define your item selling through an ecommerce site and free delivery within a specific distance in the fields highlighted in Figure 1.5.0.


                                                                         Figure 1.5.0

1.6. Manage Services

This page lets you add the services that are available at the store, e.g., fuel, liquor, cigars, drive-thru, etc.


                                                                         Figure 1.6.0
  1. The services can be added by clicking on "Add New Service."

                                                                            Figure 1.6.1

Add New Service Fields:
1. Service Name: This field is to add an appropriate name to the service that the store is providing.
2. Logo: Upload a logo from the local files that matches the name of the services.
3. Is Active: Set the toggle to YES if the service is currently Active at the store.
  1. Once you fill all the fields, click on "Save" to save the additions made.
  2. After saving the changes, the service gets added, and it is displayed as highlighted in Figure 1.6.2 below.

                                                                  Figure 1.6.2
  1. Then after, check the checkbox against the added service and click on "Apply Selected Service" to apply the service.

                                                                   Figure 1.6.3
  1. Once the service has been applied, it will be added as a service for that location, i.e., the service that store location offers.

                                                                          Figure 1.6.4

1.7. IP Address Filters

On this page, you can Add IP Address as highlighted in Figure 1.7.0 below to manage access to the employee portal based on IP address matching. If an IP used by the user's browser is not matching, this location will not be available for them to use.

                                                                       Figure 1.7.0
  1. When all the information is filled for all the required tabs, then save the changes with the buttons mentioned below.
Buttons: Once the location details are configured, save the location. See Figure 1.0 above.
  1. Save & Close: Click on this button if you want to save the location details and close it. You will be redirected to the location listing page.
  2. Save & New: Click on this button if you want to save the location details but also want to add a new location.
  3. Save: Click on this button if you want to stay on the location details page after saving it.
  4. Cancel: The department will not be added (saved), and you will be redirected to the location listing page.
Notes
Upon saving, the system prompts you to add the tax rate for the new location that you are adding/creating. This prompt lets you add the location-related tax rates from the same page. Though, the settings are skippable.

1.8. Configure Tax Rate When Saving a New Location

When you save a new location for the first time using any of the available save options, a Tax Rate pop-up will appear, allowing you to configure the tax settings for that location immediately. This step is optional and can be skipped during creation, as tax settings can be configured later if needed.


                                                                  Figure 1.8.0
  1. You need to select the "Tax Group" and "Tax Rate" from the drop-down list. You need to enter the applicable tax rate value for this location.

                                                   Figure 1.8.1
  1. By clicking the "Save" button, the tax rate detail will be saved for this location.
  1. As the location-specific tax rate is immediately asked upon saving the new location, you will not need to navigate to the "Taxes" module to enter the tax value for the newly added location, although you can navigate there if you want to manage the "Flat Tax" and/or "Occupational Tax."
  1. Once you configure the location and save it, the location will be listed on the main page with all the settings configured.

                                                                                              Figure 1.8.2
NotesBy default, a new location is created with a similar name to the account. Later on, you can edit and configure the location details.
Info
You can manage tax rates from its main page too.

2. Editing & Deleting Locations

To edit the location, click the Modify button that is highlighted or simply click on the location name from the list.


                                                                            Figure 2.0

In both cases, you will be redirected to the location details page.
  1. You will see the existing location details and setups for different tabs. Modify (change/update) the details and setups as per need.
  1. The edit location page also provides the status information of the devices present at the location - Standard Device, Media Players, and assigned POS Devices.

                                                                              Figure 2.1
  1. You will see the devices assigned to this location on the right side, whether they are online or offline.
InfoOnce the details are modified, save the location details. ("Save" button explanations will be similar to Adding Locations.)

There are many other options that are available on the Edit Location page that will help you manage location settings in one place.

1. Enable Standard Queue: If set to YES, this toggle will allow the Control Center data to sync with POS data through the standard queue method. If set to NO, the data will sync via the FIFO method which is set by default.

2. POS Panel: From the location detail page, the "POS Panel" drop-down option will be enabled. Select the required POS panel for this location from the drop-down list.


                                                                                    Figure 2.2

Every store (location) may not have the same POS (button) layout and different actions to perform the transaction, i.e., retail stores and tobacco store transaction options might vary. Food items from the retail stores might have food stamps, while all tobacco products can't be sold without age verification (DL scanning). There's an option to select the required POS panel that is relevant to your retail business.

Info
Need a visual guide? Watch the video tutorial on Adding POS Panels in Control Center.

3. QuickBooks Account: This field is for selecting the QuickBooks account that is set for this location. 

4. Tax Vendor Name: This is a field that lists tax vendors such as the Florida Internal Revenue Service and the New York Internal Revenue Service when the data is exported to QuickBooks.

2.1 Manage POS Settings:

Upon clicking, this button will take you to the POS Device Location Settings.
The POS and transaction-related settings in the POS Device Global Setting (Settings & Panels) will be applicable to all the stores (locations). But, as per the requirement, you can override the settings and update the location-specific POS device settings by clicking the "Manage POS Settings" individually.


                                                                                   Figure 2.1.0
  1. Modify/configure the settings as per the store location's requirement.
  2. By default, the flags are disabled; you have to check the checkboxes present against individual options in order to override the settings at the location level.

                                                                      Figure 2.1.1
  1. Click on "Close." The settings are automatically saved.

2.2. Manage Scheduler Settings:

Upon clicking, this button will direct you to the scheduler settings page, which you can override to set the basic needs of a store location.

                                  Figure 2.2.0
  1. Minimum Staff: Enter the minimum number of staff for the location.
  2. Pre-Opening Time: Enter the time value of the pre-opening time for the location.
  3. Post-Closing Time: Enter the time value of the post-closing time for the location.
  4. Weekly Budget Hours: Enter the weekly budget hours or click on "Suggest" to allow the system to suggest the weekly budget hours.
  1. Once edited, click on the "Save" button to save the changes on location page.

3. Deleting a Location

  1. You can delete the location record from its editing page. You will see the additional "Delete" button on the top-right side when you click the location for modifying. (See Figure 3.0)
  1. You can also remove the location record from the Location home screen page by clicking the "Remove" button as highlighted in Figure 1.0 above.

                                                                                 Figure 3.0
  1. In both cases, a warning pop-up will be asked to confirm the deletion.

                                        Figure 3.1

4. Scan Data:

This feature will redirect you to Scan Data Exports and help you manage Scan Data Reports location-wise. This page will help you generate and download scan data files, view run history, and also help you configure scan data report type for a location.


                                                                                        Figure 4.0

5. Mass Assign Locations

When you are creating an employee, you also need to assign permissions for locations (stores) to access their settings (dashboard, POS, and handheld). Sometimes, it requires that an employee needs to be assigned to another location(s) because of the shortage of employees or for extra shifts needed at that location.

To manage the location assignment to more than one employee, the "Mass Assign Locations" setup is provided at the location level. You will find the "Mass Assign Locations" setup (button) from the locations listing page on the top-right side.


                                                                                      Figure 5.0
  1. By clicking the "Mass Assign Locations" button, you will see the pop-up to set up the location assignment in bulk.

                                                                              Figure 5.1

There are mainly three settings: Dashboard Settings | POS Settings | Handheld Settings. You can enable the required setting and select the employee(s) to provide the accessibility of the specific location(s).


                                                                     Figure 5.3
  1. Select Employee: You will see the list of all the employees. Select the employees to assign the location with the settings.
  2. Select Locations: You will see the list of all the locations. Select the locations to provide the access to the selected employees.

                                                                                           Figure 5.4

6. Manage Location Group:

From here, you can add/edit/remove the location groups.
  1. To assign and manage the location in the group, you will see the "Manage Location Groups" button on the top-right side of the Locations listing page. 
  2. By clicking this button, you will see the window named "Manage Location Groups" to manage the groups and assign the locations.                             

                                                Figure 6.0

6.1.1 Add Location Group: You can add a new location group. You must have at least one Location Group created for the Location assignment.
6.1.2. Assign Locations: You can assign the locations to the group and add/remove them from that group assignment.
6.1.3. Edit/Delete: Option to edit the group name and remove the group, respectively.

6.1.1. Adding New Location Group

  1. By clicking "Add Location Group," a pop-up will appear asking you to enter the name of the new group. The name of the group depends on how you currently or plan to utilize editing and reporting functions.
  1. You can also add a new group from the Location Groups listing page in a similar way.

                                              Figure 6.1.1.0
  1. Enter the name of the location group and click the "Create" button.
  2. After clicking the "Create" button, the new location group will be added to the list. 

6.2.1. Assign Locations to Location Group

You can assign and manage the locations in the group by clicking the "Assign Locations" button.

                                              Figure 6.2.1.0
  1. By clicking "Assign Locations," you will see the "Manage Filter" window to manage the location.

                                                  Figure 6.2.1.1
  1. You need to select the location from the left side and move it to the right side.
  2. You can remove any location that is no longer required in the group by clicking the "Remove"  button.
  3. When you remove the department from the "Selected List," a confirmation pop-up will be asked.
After managing the departments for this group, click the "Apply" button, and the departments will be assigned to the group.

6.2.2. Edit Location Group

  1. Location Groups are used only as an a way to group alike Locations.
  2. You can edit the location group name by clicking the Edit button. 
  3. You can also edit a group from the Location Groups listing page in a similar way. 

                                            Figure 6.2.2.1

6.2.3 Deleting a Location Group

  1. You can delete the location group from the list by clicking the "Remove"   button.
  2. When you click the "Remove" button, an alert will appear on the screen for confirmation to delete the location group.
  3. The department group will be removed by clicking the "Yes" button.

                             Figure 6.2.3.0
Notes
If the locations are already assigned to the group, you will get the Unable to Delete Location Group Alert pop-up. 


                                               Figure 6.2.3.1

7. Mass Update Locations

This button opens up Mass Update Location and lets you make changes related to vendors/discounts /buydowns/commissions in the existing or newly added locations in one go.


                                                                                Figure 7.0

On this page, you can either individually add vendors, discounts, buydowns, etc. or you can copy the assignments of all the needed attributes from another location which can be picked under Copy From Location button 

7.1. Add Vendors: This button will help you in assigning vendors from the added vendors' list on the associated Manage Filter page as highlighted in the Figure 7.1.0.
                                                                                                   Figure 7.1.0
  1. You can add vendor(s) by searching the vendor in the searchbox by their name and selecting and moving him to the Selected List area.
  2.  Or, from the vendors' list, check the checkboxes present against the vendors' name to select and move the selected vendors to the Selected List area.
  3. Use Move  button to move the selection from the results side to the selected side.
  4. Click on  to clear one selection, click on "Clear Selection" to clear entire selection.
  5. Once done, click on "Apply" to apply the selected vendors to the location,
  6. To discard the changes made on this page, click "Close."
7.2. Add Discounts: This button will help you in assigning active discounts from the associated Manage Filter page.
Notes
The steps to adding active discounts to the locations are same as adding vendors. 

7.3. Add Buydowns: This button will help you in assigning active buydowns from associated Manage Filter page.
Notes
The steps to adding active buydowns to the locations are same as adding vendors. 

7.4. Add Commissions: This button will help you in assigning active commissions from the associated Manage Filter page.
Notes
The steps to adding active commissions to the locations are same as adding vendors. 

7.5. Add Campaigns: This button will help you in assigning active campaigns from the associated Manage Filter page.
Notes
The steps to adding active campaigns to the locations are same as adding vendors. 
  1. Once all the features have been applied to the location as highlighted in Figure 7.1.

                                                                                    Figure 7.1
  1. Click on "Apply Mass Update" to apply the changes to the locations. 
  2. Once done, it will display a Success dialog box.

                                  Figure 7.1.0
  1. Click on "OK" to acknowledge the changes applied.

7.2. Copy From Location

  1. To copy the attributes of a location for Mass Update, you must first select the location from the associated field drop-down.

                                                   Figure 7.2.0
  1. Then, click on "Copy From Location" to copy the selected location's attribute and update those in one go.

                                                                     Figure 7.2.1
  1. Click on "Save" to apply the selected location's attributes to the newly added location.
  2. The Success dialog box appears as highlighted in the Figure 7.2.2 below.

                               Figure 7.2.3
  1. Click on "OK" to acknowledge the change applied.
Info
Need a visual walkthrough? Watch the video tutorial here.

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