In a multi store environment, the differences between serialized and non-serialized rental items have more impact on your inventory control then in a single store environment.
For serialized items, Equipment ID's serve little purpose other than to identify the item. when you transfer a serialized item from one store to another, the store number on the item simply shifts from the old store to the new store.
For non serialized items (tables, chairs, blades, etc), in a multi-store environment or when you are transferring merchandise to rental, a little more thought is involved with Equipment ID's. For example, if you have three stores that all stock the same chair, you will need to set the item up in all three stores. The system defaulted Item # will be unique each time you set up the item. The Equipment ID, however, will need to be the same for all three stores. This requirement is in place primarily for transferring purposes, so that when you transfer chairs from one store to another or when you are converting merchandise inventory to rental inventory, the inventory decreases and increases properly for the item in the stores or files involved in the transfer.
You can rent a serialized item from another store. You will be warned that you are doing so as you are selecting the item. However, no transfer will be automatically created for you. You will need to create a transfer as needed. If you do not transfer the item before the rental starts, the item normally will be automatically transferred to whatever store the item is returned to during the return process. you can turn off this automatic transfer during return function if needed, but typically leaving this function on is the best practice.
You cannot rent a non-serialized item from another store. If you try, you will be warned that you cannot do so.
Using our chair example from above, if your store has 20 chairs, but you need 50 chairs to fulfill a reservation, the proper procedure is to reserve 50 chairs, agree to the overbooking message, then communicate with another store to initiate a transfer of 30 more chairs.
