Directus Jewellery Costing Prototype: A Technical Guide to Prototyping and Process Efficiency

The purpose of this article is to provide a technical overview of setting up Directus for prototyping, enabling users to understand how the system can improve their process efficiency. This guide will walk you through the setup process, data model, and the workflow for calculating jewellery prices based on materials, gemstones, and labour involved in creating each piece.

Understanding the Client's Requirements

Our client needed a solution to track the price of each jewellery item based on:

• The materials used
• The gemstones incorporated
• The labour involved in creating the piece

From an architectural standpoint, a jewellery item can have one or many materials and one or many gemstones. Additionally, each jewellery item can have multiple price calculations to account for different markups or labour costs.

Data Model in Directus

The data model in Directus is designed to capture all relevant details about jewellery items, their materials, gemstones, and associated price calculations. Here is a visual representation of the data model:

Jewellery Item Overview

Inside the Jewellery Item table, using the ‘Cards’ layout, users can see the image and title of each jewellery piece at a glance:

Detailed View of a Jewellery Item

When users access a specific item, such as 'Diamond Ring 221', they can see and edit the following details:

• Item Name
• Category
• Description
• Product Image

Materials and Gemstones

Beneath the main details, users can view and manage the related materials and gemstones associated with the jewellery item. This section ensures that all components contributing to the final piece are accurately tracked:

Price Calculation

The 'Price Calculation' section is crucial for determining the final price of the jewellery piece. This section uses a formula that factors in the materials, gemstones, labour cost, and markup percentage. We've created a workflow called ‘Calculate Cost’ that automates the generation of the price calculation record.

Sequence Diagram for Price Calculation

To provide a high-level overview, the sequence diagram below illustrates the process of calculating the price for a jewellery item. It details the interaction between the user interface, application, and database when the 'Calculate Cost' button is triggered:

Setting Up Directus for Prototyping

Directus is a versatile and user-friendly platform for prototyping and managing data. Here's how to set it up to meet the client's requirements:

1. Define the Data Model: Start by defining tables for Jewellery Items, Materials, Gemstones, and Price Calculations.
2. Create Relationships: Establish relationships between these tables to accurately model the one-to-many connections between jewellery items, materials, and gemstones.
3. Configure Layouts: Use the ‘Cards’ layout for a quick overview of jewellery items and detailed forms for editing individual records.
4. Automate Workflows: Implement custom flows, like ‘Calculate Cost’, to automate repetitive tasks and ensure consistency in price calculations.
5. User Access and Permissions: Set up user roles and permissions to control who can view, edit, and manage different aspects of the data.

Benefits of Using Directus for Jewellery Management

• Efficiency: Streamline the process of tracking materials, gemstones, and labour costs.
• Accuracy: Ensure precise price calculations based on real-time data.
• Flexibility: Easily adapt the data model and workflows to meet changing requirements.
• User-Friendly: Provide a simple interface for users to manage complex data relationships.

By setting up Directus as described, users can prototype their jewellery management system, enhance their understanding of the process, and ultimately improve efficiency and accuracy in their operations.