10.81.24–New Method to assign Client / Vehicle

We’ve streamlined the process for adding a vehicle and client to a workorder.  In the past you needed to work through the vehicle and client edit screens … now we use automated processes and pop up windows to do the task … easier and quicker.  We’ve also included using barcode readers.

When you select the Add button, and then Service, on the Workorder List screen, you will get a popup box that asks for the License, State, and VIN.  If you leave all three boxes blank, then you will open the workorder as a Cash Sale, and you can use the normal Vehicle and Client buttons to add that information at a later time.

If you enter the license, then hit the Ok button, the system will search for the vehicle.  If it exists in the data file, then it will grab it, plus the client, add them to the workorder, and open it.  If it does not find them, it will prompt you for the VIN, and search again by that value.  If it still doesn’t find it, then it will lead you through adding the vehicle.  There is not much to this since it automatically reaches out to CARFAX and gets all the essential data.

If you enter the VIN, then it will do a search by that tag, and if it isn’t found, prompt you to add it.  Of course it automatically reaches out to CARFAX for the data.

VIN numbers are long.  However, you can click the mouse to place the prompt in the VIN field, walk to the vehicle, scan the vin code with a proper reader, then go back into the office to complete your work.  ( You must use a barcode reader that decodes VINs. )

So what if you don’t want to go get the VIN.  You enter the license and state, and if it is in the system, it starts a workorder with that data.  If not, it obtains the VIN and the vehicle data, and adds a new record for you.

The whole process is fast, and easy, eliminating a lot of lookups and steps.  ASW does the work for you.

We have been using the Inatech P6, Yellow, from Amazon.com, for all of our testing.  It’s lightweight, rechargeable, and wireless.  It sells for $ 80 at this link:  https://www.amazon.com/Inateck-P6-Y-Wireless-Barcode-Scanner/dp/B071GJGKQT/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519690708&sr=8-1&keywords=inateck+p6   You can certainly use any barcode reader you like, but be sure it can read both VIN and UPC codes ( for vehicles and parts ). 

This release will arrive in the next few days. We want to do some more aggressive testing before release.

Errors with ASW 10.81.21–And How To Resolve Them

Most people have had no problem with the latest build of Auto Shop Writer, but a select group have, and there is a reason, and a solution.

First, we update two builds.  One has the icon ASW 2016 on your desktop.  ( It’s actually 2018, so you could rename the shortcut if you wish ).  It is the most current, and it is built with Microsoft Tools that are compatible with the very latest releases of Windows 10.  No one running this version has reported any problems.

The other has the icon ASW 10.  This is a compatible build and it has given people some problems.  Obviously, if the system is crashing, that is wrong … and if it happens more than once you should be on the phone to us immediately.  People report this one has given them lots of problems.  So why even have it.

This build is for people using very old versions of Advantage Data Base Server ( ADS 7 or 8 ).  Most shops upgraded to the latest version but some are still using the 10 to 12 year old software. The old ADS is not compatible with the Microsoft Builds, so we use this older compatible version of the build tools.

It appears the build of the ASW 10 file may have been corrupted during the build and upload process.  A new build has been created, tested, and appears to work as it should.  This should appear on all computers by midnight Tuesday and be fully functional on Wednesday morning ( 02/21/2018)

Unless you are using Advantage Database Server 7.0 or 8.0, you should always run the desktop icon titled ASW 2016.  If you have ASW 10’s icon, and are running a later version of ADS, or no version of ADS, you should always use the ASW 2016 icon.  You should also select the down arrow next to the help button, and click on About.  Make sure it says you are using Microsoft Visual C++ for the compiler unless you are using ADS 7 or 8.

QBe sure to call and get help if you still have questions.