--- title: How to Use the Part Matrix (Custom Reports) description: Parts Matrix --- [Skip to content](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/how-to-use-the-part-matrix-custom-reports#main-content) [![WF-LOGO-RGB\_ICON-WHITE-1](https://help.wickedfile.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WF-LOGO-RGB_ICON-WHITE-1.png?width=50&height=60&name=WF-LOGO-RGB_ICON-WHITE-1.png)](https://23975302.hs-sites.com/knowledge-base?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [WickedFile Service Bay](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base?hsLang=en) 2. [Features & Capabilities](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/features-capabilities?hsLang=en) 3. [Parts Matrix](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/features-capabilities?hsLang=en#parts-matrix) # How to Use the Part Matrix (Custom Reports) ## The Part Matrix in Custom Reports is an audit tool. It helps you answer one simple question: “Are we actually selling parts at the markup we think we are?” This is not a pricing setup tool like your SMS. It is a way to **audit what actually happened** after the fact. ### **Where to Find It** 1. Go to **Custom Reports** 2. Click on **"New Report"** 3. Select **Parts** 4. Click on the **Part Matrix (Advanced)** drop-down 5. Configure your matrix settings 6. Run the report ![Screenshot 2026-02-19 at 12.22.32 PM](https://help.wickedfile.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-02-19%20at%2012.22.32%20PM.png?width=670&height=288&name=Screenshot%202026-02-19%20at%2012.22.32%20PM.png) ### **What You Configure** When building a Part Matrix, you define: - A **cost range** (ex: $0–$4.99) - A **target multiplier** (ex: 5x) - A **tolerance** - Whether you want to see: - All variances - Positive only - Negative only The report then shows **only exceptions**. ### **What “Tolerance” Means** Tolerance controls **how extreme the exception must be before it shows up**. - **Low tolerance** → shows more parts (smaller deviations) - **High tolerance** → shows fewer parts (only big outliers) Example: If your target multiplier is **3x** and you set a **high tolerance (like 80%)** and choose **Positive Variance Only**, you will only see parts that were marked up *way higher* than 3x — the extreme overcharges. You will **not** see small differences like 3.2x or 4x. Think of tolerance as: “Only show me the big stuff.” ### **Variance Options Explained** > You can choose what type of exceptions to see: > > ### Positive Variance Only > > Shows parts sold **higher than your target markup**. > > Operational meaning: > > - Extra margin > - Potential pricing inconsistency > - Possible customer experience issue > > ### Negative Variance Only > > Shows parts sold **lower than your target markup**. > > Operational meaning: > > - Margin leakage > - Discounting > - Missed markup > > ### All Variances > > Shows both over and under. ### **Best Way to Use It** > Start simple: > > 1. Pick one cost band. > 2. Set your expected multiplier. > 3. Start with low tolerance. > 4. Review results. > 5. Increase tolerance if you only want the extreme outliers. > > Use it to identify patterns — not to micromanage individual parts. ### **Important: This Is an Audit Tool** > The Part Matrix does **not control pricing**. > > It does **not replace Tekmetric or other SMS pricing rules**. > > It simply audits what actually happened and lets you: > > - Spot pricing discipline issues > - Identify outliers > - Evaluate margin behavior by cost band > > This de-conflicts it from SMS tools — they set pricing rules. > WickedFile audits outcomes. - [Getting Started](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content) - [AP Hub](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/getting-started?hsLang=en#ap-hub) - [Setup & Integrations](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/setup-integrations?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Shop Management System Integrations](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/setup-integrations?hsLang=en#shop-management-system-integrations) - [Document Uploading Integrations](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/setup-integrations?hsLang=en#document-uploading-integrations) - [Vendor Management](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/vendor-management?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Configurations](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/vendor-management?hsLang=en#configurations) - [Verified/Unverified](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/vendor-management?hsLang=en#verified-unverified) - [Ignored Vendors](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/vendor-management?hsLang=en#ignored-vendors) - [Statements](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/vendor-management?hsLang=en#statements) - [Features & Capabilities](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/features-capabilities?hsLang=en#main-content) - [AP Hub](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/features-capabilities?hsLang=en#ap-hub) - [Statements](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/features-capabilities?hsLang=en#statements) - [Tasks](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/features-capabilities?hsLang=en#tasks) - [Search](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/features-capabilities?hsLang=en#search) - [Custom Reports](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/features-capabilities?hsLang=en#custom-reports) - [Folders](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/features-capabilities?hsLang=en#folders) - [Trackers](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/features-capabilities?hsLang=en#trackers) - [Risk Ratings](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/features-capabilities?hsLang=en#risk-ratings) - [Parts Matrix](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/features-capabilities?hsLang=en#parts-matrix) - [Account & Billing](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/account-billing?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Scans](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/account-billing?hsLang=en#scans) - [Payment Information](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/account-billing?hsLang=en#payment-information) - [Billing History](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/account-billing?hsLang=en#billing-history) - [FAQs](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Scans](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#scans) - [QuickBooks](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#quickbooks) - [Custom Reports](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#custom-reports) - ["Inventory"](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#inventory) - [Best Practices](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#best-practices) - [Repair Orders](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#repair-orders) - [Account](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#account) - [Bank Account & Credit Card Integration (Plaid)](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#bank-account-credit-card-integration-plaid) - [AP Hub](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#ap-hub) - [Other](https://help.wickedfile.com/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#other) [![WF-LOGO-RGB\_MAIN](https://help.wickedfile.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WF-LOGO-RGB_MAIN.png?width=200&height=55&name=WF-LOGO-RGB_MAIN.png "WF-LOGO-RGB_MAIN")](http://wickedfile.com) [mailto:contact-support@wickedfile.com](mailto:contact-support@wickedfile.com) Copyright © 2025, WickedFile