Returnable Containers

Setting Up Returnable ContainersViewing Container BalancesContainer TransactionsCreating a Manual Container AdjustmentRecording Container Returns in My OrdersRecording Container Returns in MiniVend DeliveryDisplaying Container Balances on InvoicesDisplaying Container Balances on Dockets

The Returnable Containers feature allows you to track bottles, kegs, crates, or other reusable containers that are delivered to customers and returned on future deliveries. This is useful when customers hold returnable containers, such as 15L water bottles, and you need to keep a running balance of how many containers are currently held by each customer. Returnable Containers can be tracked from customer orders entered in EasyVend, deliveries completed in MiniVend, and manual adjustments entered in the customer’s Returnable Containers tab.

Overview

Before Returnable Containers can be tracked, you need to:

• Create a product with the Product Type set to Container.
• Link that container product to the item product being sold.
• Record delivered and returned container quantities through orders, MiniVend, or manual adjustments.
• View the customer’s running container balance in the Customers > Returnable Containers tab.

Once set up, EasyVend will automatically update each customer’s container balance when linked products are delivered or returned

Setting Up Returnable Containers

To begin tracking customer container balances, you must first create the container product, then link it to the product that uses that container.

For example, if you sell 15L Pure Water Bottle, you may create a separate container product called 15L Returnable Water Bottle, then link it to the 15L water product.

To Create the Container Product

1. Select Stock from the menu.
2. Select My Products.
3. Click Create New.
4. Set Product Type to Container.
5. Enter the Product Code, Product Name, and other details as required.
6. Click Save Changes.

Container products are not sold directly to customers. They are used by EasyVend to record and track the movement of reusable containers held by customers.

To Link the Container to a Product

1. Select Stock from the menu.
2. Select My Products.
3. Open the product that uses the returnable container.
4. In the With Container field, select the container product.
5. Click Save Changes.

Once the container is linked to the product, EasyVend can track the number of containers delivered and returned for that item.

Viewing Container Balances

Customer container balances can be viewed from the customer’s Returnable Containers tab. To view a customer’s container balance:

1. Select Customers from the menu.
2. Select Customers.
3. Search for and open the customer.
4. Select the Returnable Containers tab.

The Returnable Containers section displays a list of containers that the customer has a balance for. The balance shown is as at the current date.

Container Transactions

The Container Transactions section allows you to view the transaction history for a selected container. To view container transactions:

1. Select a container from the Select a Container field.
2. Enter a From and To date if you want to filter the transaction list by date range.
3. Click Search.

The transaction list shows the movement of the selected container, including deliveries, returns, and manual adjustments. The transaction list includes:

• Date: The date of the transaction.
• Type: Whether the transaction came from an order or an adjustment.
• Order #: The order number and link, where the transaction came from an order.
• Description: For order transactions, this shows the product sold with the container. For adjustment transactions, this shows the note entered for the adjustment.
• Delivery Qty: The number of containers delivered with the order, or the adjustment quantity.
• Return Qty: The number of containers returned with the order.
• Balance: The running container balance after each transaction.

Creating a Manual Container Adjustment

Manual adjustments can be used to correct a customer’s container balance where required. To create a manual adjustment:

1. Open the customer record.
2. Select the Returnable Containers tab.
3. Click Create Adjustment.
4. Enter the adjustment details: 
   • Container: Select the container product being adjusted.
   • Adjustment Date: Enter the date the adjustment should apply.
   • Qty: Enter the adjustment quantity.
   • Note: Enter the reason for the adjustment. 
5. Click Save.  

Recording Container Returns in My Orders

When a customer order includes a product linked to a returnable container, you can record the number of containers returned directly in the My Orders screen. To record returned containers in an order:

1. Select Orders from the menu.
2. Select My Orders.
3. Open or create the customer order.
4. In the product grid, locate the CR Qty column.
5. Enter the number of containers returned by the customer for that item.
6. Click Save Changes.

The CR Qty column is used for the Container Returned Quantity. It is available for products linked to a returnable container. Leave the field blank if the standard returned quantity applies or if no entry is required. Enter 0 if no containers were returned. When the order is marked as delivered or invoiced, EasyVend updates the customer’s container balance and records the transaction in the customer’s Returnable Containers tab. 

Recording Container Returns in MiniVend Delivery

If you use the MiniVend Delivery App, drivers can record returned containers while completing the delivery.

This helps keep container balances up to date without requiring a separate manual adjustment later. To record returned containers in MiniVend:

1. Open the MiniVend Delivery App.
2. Select the customer delivery order.
3. Tap the product details for the item that uses a returnable container.
4. Enter the number of returned containers in the Container Returned field.
5. Tap Save to return to the order screen.

When the delivery is synced back to EasyVend Web, the customer’s container balance is updated automatically. The returned quantity will also appear in the customer’s Returnable Containers transaction list.

Displaying Container Balances on Invoices

You can choose to show customer container balances on printed invoices. This allows customers to see the containers currently recorded against their account. To show container balances on invoices:

1. Select Settings from the menu.
2. Select General Settings.
3. Open Invoice Layout Configuration.
4. Open the invoice layout you want to update.
5. Tick Show CB.
6. Click Save Changes.

When enabled, a Containers Held section will appear on the customer’s invoice. This section includes:

Code: The container product code.

Container: The container name or description.

Balance: The customer’s container balance as at the invoice date.

Displaying Container Balances on Dockets

You can also choose to show customer container balances on delivery dockets. To show container balances on dockets:

1. Select Settings from the menu.
2. Select General Settings.
3. Open Docket Layout Configuration.
4. Open the docket layout you want to update.
5. Tick Show CB.
6. Click Save Changes.

When enabled, the customer’s container balance will be printed on the delivery docket in a Containers Held section.

To enable Container Management, please contact the JealTech team on 02 9188 4470.