Auto Shop Writer Bulletins

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 …

Version 9.33.23 has been released and will auto update to your computers.  Our clients have been busy with multiple suggestions to improve your experience with new features, new access to features from different locations, and even a few fixes.  If you want to know what is added in each version, just look at the Update Notes found under the Help menu.

Several times we have asked shops to send us a review of ASW and some shop photos for our website.  You can see how these are being used at www.AutoShopWriter.com .  Each shop will receive its own page and these will be expanded to provide links back to your own primary website.  Why ?  Because that improves your ranking on the search engines and may bring you more business. 

We have also asked for input on a new feature we are adding.  We have been asked to build a service inspection checklist that can be printed and provided to a client  after the service.  This is especially usefull since the release of Windows tablets.  The tech can simply check off the features on the tablet, or at the workstation, and the report can be printed.  We want your input on what should be added to the report.  You will have individual flexibility on this.  Why is it important ?  Because this type of report will improve your income.

You may have noticed a major change in the ASW website.  Keep an eye out for an announcement about new ASW websites.

Thanks for reading.