That was quick.  Here are a couple of changes we made overnight:

1)  We sent a new AutoUpdate program ( MLS9aus.exe ) to your computer.  IF you are using Demand Force ( and if we didn’t make the switch for you on Tuesday ), then you will want to follow the proceedure in the previous bulletin to move that file to the ASW9s folder.  Remember, you must stop the Updater first or you won’t be able to copy the file.  We found some people had servers with too little RAM to support the DemandForce builds.  This resolves the problem, but of course we still suggest 8 GB of RAM ( its so cheap now ) on each computer.  If you plan to use Demand Force, you can also copy over the newer file.  If not, then you are fine with the current AutoUpdater.

2)  A bit of a cleanup on Security was preventing people without Check Writing privileges but with Vendor privileges to not see the Vendor button.  Of course it still worked fine on the Menu.  This was fixed.

3)  We had a request to add two more fields to the Excel Spreadsheet report for clients:  account number, and date of first service.  Also, it you don’t see a date of first service, you will want to run the Date utility.  If you don’t see the customer totals and averages, plus visit count, you will want to run that utility.  Both are found under the Client menu item.

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.