IMPORTANT : Update 10.73.10 released–changes made

July 18, 2017 by

Auto Shop Writer 10.73.10 has been released and will automatically load to those of you who have current rental or DPP status.  Of course, if you are still on ASW 9, you need to call and have us immediately update you to ASW 10.

New CARFAX VIN decoding

In the past we have provided a table on your system to decode VIN numbers.  However, keeping it current sometimes was a challenge.  Now we have taken the decoding ONLINE.

When you press the little license plate icon, or have added a new vehicle, and you put in the license plate and state code, CARFAX not only provides the VIN but also the information about year, make, model, engine, transmission, etc.  This actually will cut out a few steps for you.

IF the vehicle doesn’t have a plate, obviously it cannot return the VIN.  In this case, you will need to type in the VIN to that field, and when asked if it is the correct car, say YES even though there is no vehicle shown.  Then you simply press the little icon on the right of the VIN field ( if the VIN is there ) and it will use the built in table to decode the details for you.

This feature does utilize the internet, so we hope by now you have a good internet service provider and a reasonably fast system.

MORE CARFAX …

We frequently tell you about the FREE CARFAX services.  One of them provides you with FREE marketing.  It also provides your clients with FREE updates on tech bulletins, and more.  In a coming update, we will have a button working that allows you to enroll your client from within ASW … just by pushing that button. 

You are hopefully familiar with the CARFAX service history report.  Again, a single button push gives you meaningful data on the services performed on this vehicle.  We are updating the information system, also in a coming version, and again, at no cost to you.

Many other modifications

People send us their “wants and needs”.  The Version Notes  button under help tells you about the additions in each version.  Sometimes there are a few generic statements which means that people asked us to refine a report, or display, or other “small stuff” and it was done.

Everything we do is based on your input.  So, when you see new capabilities, most of the time it’s because someone sent us an email saying “Hey, can you do this ?” and we did.

Filed Under: Updates Tagged With:

ASW 10 Update–10.72.21 Installation Notes

May 23, 2017 by

On Monday we pushed out the latest build of ASW 10, and it is a significant update.  We need you to do one task, with these steps, or call and we’ll do it online for you —

  • In the lower right corner of your task bar, find the little island icon, and click the right mouse button.  When the menu pops up, click on Close Updater.
  • Now, look for the Windows Explorer icon.  It should look like a manilla file folder, and it will be on the task bar ( across the bottom of the windows screen ), or you can right click on the Windows Start button and find it.
  • Once it opens, in the columns on the left, locate the ASW10s folder.  Click on the symbol to the left of the name to see the subfolders.  One is MLS.  Click on it with the left mouse button.
  • On the right side of the screen, you will see a list of files.  One will say MLS10aus.exe.  Point to it, right click on the mouse, and select Copy.  Then point to and highlight the main ASW10s folder, right click on it, and select Paste. ; It will ask if you wish to overwrite the existing file.  Say Yes.
  • Now, with the ASW10 folder highlighted, browse down the list on the right side and find the MLS10aus.exe file.  Double click the left mouse button on it, starting the new updater.
    That’s all you need to do.  Again, we can sign on and do it for you without a problem.

So what is included in here ?  First, we get a lot of suggestions from people asking us to fine tune various aspects of the program, and especially new features.  This is because there are many ways for people to input data into ASW, and sometimes we can improve how people do it “their way” with some small adjustments, while not interfering with how the majority do it.

Secondly, some people were experiencing problems using the F1 key to bring up the proper help pages when on specific screens.  We’ve handled that.

Third, the new updater now handles the reminders for the new PM system, and for appointments.  We also did some adjustments to it’s email system.  We also increased the functionality so that it will do more auto update features.

Fourth, we have provided an update to the ASW 10 manual that includes the very latest features.

There has been a lot of work in here, but we certainly are not done yet.  We have some very helpful new features coming to serve you better this summer, and there will be a series of new training videos ( short, to the point ), and instruction on how to use all the power of the ASW marketing tools to actually drive more business to your bays.

Filed Under: Bulletins Tagged With: ,