Auto Shop Writer 9.34.20 has been posted to the server, and will auto update on your computer.  Here are a few key things to know:

1)  IF you did not update the data files in Datamanager in accordance with the URGENT notice we posted to the bulletin system last week, your system will upgrade, but not run.  You will need to go to your server, and run Datamanager.  You will need to post where the backup is to be stored, let it then update the files, and sign in to Datamanager.  At that point, go to Files – Index.  Select All and press the Index button.  You are now ready to go to work.

2)  This version has been shop tested full time during its development.  At this time we see no problems.  If you encounter any issues, IMMEDIATELY email them to support@masterlinksoftware.com.  You can also use the Email Support option in ASW.  Please provide a detailed explanation of what you were doing and what happened.

3)  This version includes many new features.  They are all documented in the manual.  One of them is the “Post Service Checklist”.  This is completely user definable.  However, if you want to start with our list, and build it out from there, please email support@masterlinksoftware.com and request the checklist.  We will send you a zip file by return email that you can open in the \ASW9s folder.  The files are available NOW.

4)  For a list of features added in this release, select Version Notes from the Help menu in ASW.

5)  New 3rd party integrations are included in this version, and more will be activated in the coming weeks.  You can find out about these at the www.AutoShopWriter.com website.

6)  If you visit our site, you will notice some shops actually sent us a review and photo, and now they have their own pages on our site.  We will be linking these to your shop site which should help enhance your rankings.  We want to drive business your way.

7)  Finally, to receive this upgrade, your DPP fees must be current. 

Problems ?  Please email.  You will receive a written response, usually within minutes.

On Tuesday you will find a new Datamanager.exe to your server.  It is very important that this gets run before November 5 when a new update will post and install.  IF YOU DO NOT RUN THE DATAMANAGER UPDATE, your new ASW Update will not work until you do this task.

The new update brings with it a wide variety of improved and new features.  This is a very significant upgrade.  We will provide details at the time of its release.  You WILL want this update to work from day one.

Here is what you need to do, but please remember, if this concerns you, call us at 949 589-3186 and we’ll go online and do it for you …no charge.

1)  Get completely out of ASW on ALL workstations.  BE SURE everyone is out.

2)  Go to your server.  Start Datamanager.  You should receive a message that the program is about to begin a backup.  If you do not get this message, do step 3.  If you do, skip to step 4.

3)  If you don’t get the backup message, exit Datamanager.  In Windows explorer, go to the ASW9s\MLS folder and copy the DATAMANAGER.exe file to the  \ASW9s root folder.  Now go back and start Datamanager.

4)  When prompted for a location to put the backup, browse to the \ASW9s\Databases folder and let it build there.  Click OK.

5)  The program will do a backup, and then you will see a message that it is updating files.  When this is done, you can sign into Datamanager.

6)  Under Files, click on Index, then Select All and click on the Index button.  All files should reindex.

7)  You may now go back to work even though your ASW itself did not update ( yet ).

So why is this so critical ?  We constantly do our work based on user input.  Often when adding new features we do some internal routines to create new databases, or set “flags”.  It was time to actually make sure everyone is on the same playing field, and to handle all those flags more efficiently.  We also wanted to modify the lengths of some fields and to add new ones for additional, requested, data.  This Datamanager operation does it all … and gets us ready to turn on some wonderful new features.

PLEASE … do not delay, and do not be intimidated.  If the steps above concern you in the least, call 949 589-3186, and we’ll go online and do it for you …