End of Year – Update 11.14.35 Posting 1/1/22

It has been our tradition to NOT post updates during the holiday season.  No matter how much we test, Murphy’s Law can always take place.

As noted in our recent newsletter, we have been working on a significant upgrade titled ASW 12 ( MLS 12 ).  You can read about all it includes there.  However, we’ve made a couple of small adjustments to ASW 11.  So we will be issuing an update, version 11.14.35.  We are actually posting it on 1/1/22, so when you arrive at work after your New Years Eve celebration, it should auto update on each workstation.  Most people will not notice any operational changes, though a couple of features have been updated for individual requests and/or needs.

This new build will be constructed with the very latest programming tools/llanguages/interfaces from Microsoft.  Since much of their code has been optimized in this new release of their product, you may see some improvements in performance, especially if you have machines now running Windows 11.

One special note upfront.  As Microsoft makes Windows 11 available on more computers, they have been releasing updates to Windows 10 to prep them.  If you find you are having networking problems or workstations cannot connect with the ADS server, the most common reason is an incomplete Windows update.  If so, we suggest you shut down all workstations, then reboot the server, and then restart your workstations.  We’re not talking about ASW here.  This is about Windows.  Don’t just go to a main screen.  Physically power off all workstations using the Windows Shut Down option.  Then select the Restart/Reboot option in Windows on the server.  The odds are very likely that this will resolve your problem.

We hope as you celebrate your special end of the year holiday, that it be special and bring you great joy.  Thanks for partnering with us over the years and we look forward to an exciting new year.

IMPORTANT NOTE

We are often asked about a “cloud based application”.  Yes, we could offer it, but we do not for two simple reasons:

1). Most of our clients do not have sufficient internet service to handle multiple computers interacting with a cloud server at the same time.  Also cloud servers provide data in small segments and our clients love to see everything on one screen at one time.

2). Cloud systems do fail, or go offline, and then you have no program access whatsoever.

The problems with cloud servers is amplified because most use servers provided by large companies, and these are prone to continuous attacks and “denial of service” hacks.  Amazon servers, used by many large companies, has been downed twice now in recent weeks.  

For fast, secure, reliable service we continue to provide a locally based server program.  If you do need mobile, or remote, access, it is available on our current systems.  We’ll provide more information on this after the first of the year, but it’s very easy to do, and has been built in for years.

WINDOWS 11 Coming Soon – FAQ

Microsoft just announced the release of Windows 11, the newest operating system for your business.  We know this will present lots of questions, so here are some we think will be important for you to know.

What is Windows 11 ?

Actually, Windows 11 is the latest “update” for Windows 10, but with some new features and changes in how it displays some of the main features for the user.  

How much does Windows 11 cost ?

Microsoft will provide the upgrade at no cost to registered Windows 10 users.

Do I need to do the Windows 11 update ?

Updating will be optional, and Microsoft will continue to support Windows 10 for another 4 years.  If you buy new computers, they will have Windows 11 pre-installed.

When is this update to be released ?

Microsoft will be starting the rollout on October 5.  Not all computers will receive the update at the same time.

Can my computer run Windows 11?

Some older computers will not be able to install, or use, Windows 11.  There is the possibility of using an external disk to install it on some older computers, but that is unwise since they will not update properly and some features simply won’t work.  Microsoft will have a compatibility tester online that you will be able to run and see if your machine can be updated.

Will I need to buy new computers ?

Absolutely not.  Windows 10 and Windows 11 can work together on the same network.  You will not need to update if you don’t want ( though you may see advantages if you can ), and since most businesses will rotate out computers every 3 years, you can transition older devices out in your normal replacement cycle.

How will Auto Shop Writer handle this ?

Auto Shop Writer will continue to run on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers.  We have already tested it with the development testing copy of Windows 11 and encountered no difficulties.  In addition, we always use the very latest Microsoft programming tools for our builds and that assures the latest compatibility with both Windows 10 and 11.  We are now using the testing release of those tools and ASW builds, and works, perfectly.

Will there be changes in Auto Shop Writer ?

We always study how our clients use Auto Shop Writer, and make continuous updates to improve that experience.  We have now entered the next phase of development, Auto Shop Writer 12, with some powerful new capabilities, while maintaining the familiar interface you have used.  Working with our development partners, we continue to explore options that improve your flexibility while being sure what we offer is practical in the “real world”.  

If you have any further questions, please feel free to email support@masterlinksoftware.com for a personalized response.