How To Create Service/Install Modifier?

Question

I've been working for some time to figure out how to create a modifier, if it's even possible, to calculate install time for our users, and either add a separate line (say, an item named 'Install'), or something else.
What we have are projects for our customers where there is installation that needs to be billed separately. We know how much time is required for each component, and at present, we track this in a spreadsheet outside of the application. The users then user Configurator to build their project out, and then manually input the quantities and items into the spreadsheet, and use a macro to calculate the install time, adding that as another line item on the order. Obviously this works, but it adds a large potential for error.
So, what I am thinking in my head is that we can create a new DFF for the items, and store the installation time there. Can a modifier look at the DFF and sum that across the order, changing the quantity on a line?
I am guessing someone else has been down this road, and maybe I'm either missing something easier or someone can point me in the right direction. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Answer 1

In QP, there is a method to create promotional goods modifier to add an item to an order when another item is ordered. You could have pricing attributes that limit the conditions when this occurs. However, I don't know that there is a way to specify the "Quantity" for the promotional item -- at least not dynamically.
Another option would be an extension that uses the Process Order API to automatically add the line based on the conditions that you provide within the code. This logic could look at the DFF values on your prior lines and determine the item and quantity for the additional line.
Your probably might be how this extension is initiated. With the pricing engine idea, you might gain because it would automatically add the item during the pricing call -- based on the phase that you choose in your setup. With a non-QP extension, you might need to have the users manually invoke the process. For example, you could have a personalization on the OM Lines screen so that the user clicks Tools > Add Service Item. This would execute the PL/SQL to add the new line to the order. The Personalization could also requery the ilnes the refresh the display.
Another option would be triggering the same PL/SQL Process Order API via Workflow. Perhaps at the time of Booking the order, you could add a custom workflow activity to execute the calculations and use Process order API to add the line to the order at that time.
Thanks,
Jason