Methodology / worked examples
Rental Kit Check guide
Event-rental availability is a time-and-quantity problem. Put the proposed kit in one CSV and every existing hold that could touch the event in another. The result reserves only rows with the same item and an inclusive date overlap, then exposes shortages by bundle.
1. Record the proposed kit
Required quantity is what the event needs, on-hand is what is physically owned, unit rate is an operator-entered rental amount, and bundle is a reporting label. Duplicate inventory names are rejected to keep stock accounting unambiguous.
Rental total = required quantity × entered unit rate
2. Test dated conflicts
For every item, the planner adds quantities in prior booking rows whose inclusive ranges overlap the event. A booking ending on the event start date is intentionally treated as a conflict so pickup buffers remain visible for review.
Available = on hand − overlapping reserved quantity
3. Resolve before quoting
Short units are sourcing prompts, not automatic substitutions. Add a real hold, repair buffer, or pickup window as a dated booking row and rerun the check before confirming a bundle.
If 140 chairs are owned and 30 are reserved by an overlapping booking, 110 are available; a 120-chair kit is short 10.
Limits and assumptions
- The planner uses the entered inventory and booking rows only; it is not a live reservation system or synchronized calendar.
- Date overlap is inclusive and does not model pickup, cleaning, repair, transit, or buffer days unless you add them as booking ranges.
- Rates are manual planning inputs and exclude deposits, taxes, delivery, labor, and damage waivers.