The ASW 9.51.10 update is now available and for current accounts ( DPP 2015, Quarter 1 paid, or rental clients ), it will auto install to your computers.  However, there are some steps you will need to take to make it current.  Here they are, but please remember, if you are not comfortable doing this, call us at (949) 589-3186, you will be directed to go to http://www.logmein123.com and given a 6 digit code to enter, and we’ll do it for you.

1)  Have all users exit the Auto Shop Writer program on all computers.

2) Go to the server.  In the lower right corner of the Task Bar, look for the icon.  You may need to select the ^ icon to open a display for more Tasks.  When you see it, click the right mouse button, and from the popup menu, Exit the updater.

3)  On the taskbar, look for the Windows Folder icon, or right click on the Start button and select Windows Explorer.

4)  On the display, on the left side, look for the ASW9s folder.  It will typically be on the C: drive but your hardware person may have setup a different data drive.

5)  Click on the + next to the ASW9s folder, then click on the MLS sub-folder

6)  Hold down the Ctrl key, and click the left mouse button to highlight ( select) the following files:

APAFTT.DBF
EVECFX.DBF
MLS9AUS.EXE

Click the right mouse button and select Copy

7)  Now point to the ASW9s main folder, and right click the mouse again and Paste the files.  You should be asked if you wish to overwrite the existing files and you should answer Yes.

8)  Now click on the Windows Start button, go to All Programs, select the > next to the Startup folder, and click on ASWUpdate.

9) Go into ASW on a workstation, and under Tools select Index … then All Files, and perform the Index.

10)  You are now fully updated.  You can go into the About selection on the Help menu and you should be at ( or above ) ASW 9.51.10.  

Please note the client menu has an option to do a Phone Fix.  This utility will clean up your phone numbers.  Many people only put in a 7 digit number for people in the same area code.  Some services now require the full 10 digit number.  If you have a 7 digit number in a phone field, this utility will add your shop’s local area code in front of the existing number.  It will also format all numbers as (999) 999-9999.  

And now a few comments about Text messaging.  You will need to have your email setup and working for text messaging to function.  If you go to the Client Edit screen, next to the Cell Phone number, you will see a new field.  To send texts, you must select the client’s wireless provider.  They are listed in the box, so hit the drop down icon and pick the one that your client uses.  Be sure to save the screen.  You will now be able to use texting.  Either select the button in the client edit screen, or in workorders, use the little drop down arrow next to Client ( in the General tab ), and select the text message menu item.  A box pops up for the text message.  Type it in and select OK … and the text will go to the client’s phone.  NOTE:  When clients give you a cell number, make sure you get the carrier so you can text them.

If any bugs are reported they will be immediately fixed and updates released.

Please remember, we are in the office starting at 9:00 AM Pacific Standard Time.  Please do not call to leave messages to call you back because when we do, it is often not a good time for you to “stop everything” and let us access your system.  It is far better to call when you have a quiet time so we can assist you immediately. 

Finally, this is NOT the ASW 10 Upgrade.  That is a major project, with many new and enhanced capabilities, and a complete internal optimization.  Work on it continues.

 

 

A new update for Auto Shop Writer 9 will post on Monday, January 12th.  It will include the following:

• Auto phone number reformatting:  over the years phone numbers have been added without the proper formatting ( ie. (810) 427-2633 ), or without area codes.  A new utility not only reformats the number, but if there is no area code, it assumes it is local and adds the shops area code.  This is a simple “clean up” for data not fully entered in the past.
• Text messages from workorders:  Now, when clients come in, go to their record and be sure you enter both the cell phone number, and select the carrier.  Then, from within a workorder, a single button lets you enter, and send, a text message direct to their phone.
• New CARFAX VIN decoding database current to 1/1/2015.
• Several other file updates ( Datamanager, Auto Updater )
• Internal improvements.

The update will arrive before opening on Tuesday morning, and at that time there will be another bulletin here with specific instructions for files that need to be manually moved.  If the instructions confuse, feel free to call and have us do it by remote connection.

One last note.  This update is 9.5.  To receive it, your DPP fees must be paid through Q1 of 2015 ( bills went out in mid-December ).  We will post all checks received by Monday afternoon, and all credit card payments made through that time, updating the keyfiles to allow for the update.   Payments received after that time will receive updates when the accounts become current.

Also, please note we want Datamanager ALWAYS closed on the server.  In fact, there is no reason for 99% of our clients to ever use Datamanager.  The utilities you need are all in the workstation ASW programs now.  Also, DO NOT use the File Editor in Datamanager.  It is outdated and not updateable.  It was replaced by the File Manager in ASW 9 which is current and much stronger.

Until Tuesday morning …