Key Ops Dispatch

June 2003
Vol. 3, No. 4

This month we have updated federal payroll tax parameters to reflect recent tax cuts, as well as important news from Microsoft on the retirement of the Windows NT platform.

We’re also announcing resources and services to make your third quarter 2003 O/PUS® update run smoothly. For this purpose, we want to highlight two articles in particular, “Correcting Duplicate Stock Numbers” and “Removing a Vendor.” These articles contain information about issues that may affect your third quarter update.

We posted “Correcting Duplicate Stock Numbers” on the Web site last quarter, under O/PUS Update Notes. As a result of manufacturer mergers and acquisitions, one item record may be updated with information from a different product that has the same stock number. When planning your O/PUS load, you may want to revisit the issue, because we have discovered additional items, and you may need to correct those. Also, you can assign the items to a stock class and change your O/PUS parameters so that the third quarter update does not overwrite your corrected item data with erroneous descriptions and pricing.

If you need to remove a vendor from your inventory database for any reason, you may want to look at the “Removing a Vendor” article. Some of the procedures are best done when loading O/PUS.

Included in this issue:
1 Adjust Payroll Parameters by July 1 to Reflect Tax New Tax Withholding

2 Microsoft Retires Windows® NT; Call for Windows 2000 Upgrade

3 Top Five Reasons to Use RouteTrak® Digital Signature Handheld Unit

4 Correcting Duplicate Stock Numbers

5 Removing a Vendor

6 Get Ready to Load Your Next O/PUS® Update

7 Sign Up for O/PUS PSN Service, Get Faster Pricing File Downloads

8 Learn to Load O/PUS - For Free!

9 Saturday Support June 28 9 AM - 4 PM CST

10 Back by Popular Demand: Other Helpful O/PUS Documents

11 Fixing “Removable Storage” Error While Restoring from Backup

12 Did You Know? Tech Tips

Tell Us What You Think: Online Forms For Your Feedback
To Subscribe or Unsubscribe

1 Adjust Payroll Parameters by July 1 to Reflect New Tax Withholding

As we mentioned in a June 9, 2003, email titled, Adjust Payroll Parameters to Reflect Change in Withholding Tables, we have updated a FAQ file to help dealers implement new federal tax withholding tables.

To learn how to adjust your (L4) Federal Payroll Tables parameter screen, see the updated FAQ File #2: Setting Federal Tax Tables for 2003 on the Period End FAQs page.


2 Microsoft Retires Windows® NT; Call for Windows 2000 Upgrade

For customers whose DDMS® server software resides on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 servers, the operating system’s upcoming retirement may call for an upgrade to Windows 2000 Server.

Effective July 1, 2003, Windows NT 4.0 Server (Standard edition) and related components are no longer available for license. This means DDMS and ECi ™ can no longer issue licenses for Microsoft Transaction Server (MTS) software, a required component for DDMS software to operate on Windows NT 4.0 Server. This does not affect Windows NT 4.0 client workstations, only the server. However, it does affect our ability to support DDMS systems on the NT platform, even for customers running only text-based software.

In addition, Microsoft will begin phasing out support services for Windows NT 4.0 Server. Microsoft will offer technical support for this product only through online self-help and fee-based support agreements. Effective January 1, 2004, non-security hotfixes will no longer be available. For details, please see related articles on Microsoft’s Web site: Product Support Lifecycle and Retiring Windows NT Server 4.0: Changes in Product Availability and Support.

These are compelling reasons to upgrade to Windows 2000 Server. There’s also another reason: in order to take advantage of current technology, we have been forced to change the minimum requirements for DDMS systems. As of Version 5.10.111, the installation programs for all DDMS graphical — including DDMS™, eNsite X™, DDMS O/F™, and eNsite X O/F™ — have required Windows 2000 Server to be installed on the server.

We know that some customers purchased DDMS servers with Microsoft Windows NT as late as the year 2000. At that time, Windows NT still represented the most reliable platform available for DDMS business system software. We did not begin shipping Microsoft Windows 2000-based servers until we had thoroughly tested our software for compatibility with that operating system. Similarly, we will not ship DDMS systems with the Windows 2003 Server operating system (released last month) until we have thoroughly tested it with our software.

Customers may still be able to run DDMS text-based software on the Windows NT platform. However, Windows NT is no longer a supported operating system for the DDMS software. Also, customers who do not upgrade to Windows 2000 Server run the risk of encountering stability with the Windows NT platform.

Windows 2000 Server enables a simpler installation process and increased stability. Setting up DDMS on the NT platform meant installing MTS, Microsoft database access components (MDAC), and NT Service Pack 3 before you could install DDMS. The MTS and MDAC components ran in the normal memory space used by applications, rather than in the operating system memory space. This led to instability over time.

Microsoft incorporated the Microsoft Transaction Server and Microsoft Data Access Component into the actual Windows 2000 Server operating system. This enhanced system stability by segmenting memory specifically for those components. Having these components integrated into the operating system also simplifies the installation process.

Dealers still utilizing the Windows NT operating system are also missing out many of the new features in the DDMS system. The following features are available only on servers running the Windows 2000 Server operating system:

To meet the new minimum requirements of ECi ’s DDMSducts, current Windows NT users will need to upgrade to Windows 2000 Server. Unlike Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server Upgrade is rarely available at most retail centers. You will probably need to contact a vendor or reseller. You can find a reseller at Microsoft’s Web site.

To learn how to upgrade your server, see How to Upgrade from Windows NT Server 3.51 or 4.0, available on the Microsoft Web site, and Upgrading your DDMS-NT server to Windows® 2000, available on the DDMS Web site.

3 Top Five Reasons to Use RouteTrak® Digital Signature Handheld Unit

  1. RouteTrak synchronizes with your shipping manifests. Drivers can identify errors, shortages and overages at the point of delivery.
  2. RouteTrak synchronizes with your customer order data, so drivers no longer need to file multi-part forms.
  3. Drivers upload digital signatures and customer delivery data as soon as they return. Your customer service agents can respond to customer delivery inquiries with confidence and indisputable proof of delivery.
  4. With RouteTrak’s data analysis, you can be certain your drivers are productive and your routes are as efficient as possible.
  5. You can count on an excellent return on investment. To use our ROI calculator, check out our RouteTrak page or call ECi Sales at 1-800-366-3367.

4 Correcting Duplicate Stock Numbers

As a result of manufacturer mergers and acquisitions, the same item number is sometimes used for two different products. In some cases, this causes one product to get updated with information from a different product that has the same number. We originally described this issue in “Correcting Duplicate Stock Numbers,” an O/PUS Update Note that we posted on the Web site last quarter.

Since last quarter, additional items have been found with duplicate stock numbers, and you may need to correct those. Also, you can assign the duplicate items to a stock class and change your O/PUS parameters so that the third quarter update doesn’t overwrite your corrected item data with erroneous descriptions and pricing.

For detailed instructions, see the O/PUS Update Notes for Correcting Duplicate Stock Numbers, available on our Web site.

5 Removing a Vendor

If you need to remove a vendor from your inventory database for any reason, you may want to look at Tech Note # 239: Removing a Vendor. Some of the procedures are best done when loading O/PUS.

6 Get Ready to Load Your Next O/PUS Update

We’ll soon be sending you e-mails about when your O/PUS update package should arrive and other helpful information for the third quarter of 2003.

Upcoming Reminders

Customers with their own DDMS servers will receive the following notices:

ASP Customers will receive the following notices:

How O/PUS Billing Works

O/PUS database updates are only shipped to customers whose accounts are current. Your account must be paid in full for you to receive your O/PUS update package.

Your O/PUS subscription is scheduled for either semi-annual or annual billing. Your payment schedule determines when you receive your invoice. For example, if you sign up in December for semiannual payment, you receive invoices in December and June. If you sign up in May and pay annually, you receive an invoice each May. Regardless of whether you have an annual or semi-annual subscription, if your billing cycle occurs in June, you should have received your invoice.

If you have questions concerning your O/PUS account, or if you need a copy of an invoice, please call our Accounting department at 800-959-3373, and select option 3 for O/PUS.

We appreciate your cooperation as we prepare for a smooth period end.

7 Sign Up for O/PUS PSN Service, Get Faster Pricing File Downloads

Using the O/PUS PSN service over your existing broadband connection to the Internet gives you the following advantages:

As long as you already subscribe to O/PUS, there is no additional charge for access to pricing files via the O/PUS PSN service: no initial setup fees, and no future transaction charges. For detailed instructions, see Setting Up and Using the O/PUS PSN (pdf).

8 Learn to Load O/PUS - For Free!

Take the mystery out of your O/PUS database load. Our free Virtual Classroom training sessions walk you through the basics. You can watch a live software demonstration on the Internet. Classes are led by an experienced trainer and include other customers learning the same subject. You benefit from hearing their questions and discussion. These classes were very popular last quarter and, for a limited time, they're free!

Note: All class times listed below are Central Standard Time.

O/PUS SIMPLE Program for DDMS

The dates above are subject to change, but you can check the schedule and register online on our Web site.

As a convenience to our customers, we programmed the virtual training calendar to show only classes that still have openings. If a class session is full, it no longer appears on the calendar. Class size is limited, so sign up now!

For other training and consulting requests, contact the training team at training@eci2.com or 800.959.3367.

9 Saturday Support June 28 9 AM - 4 PM CST

The end of a quarter is always a busy time for dealers as you close out the current period and load new pricing files. To support you more effectively during this time, Customer Service again offers complimentary fax and e-mail support on:

Saturday, June 28, 2003
9 AM - 4 PM Central Standard Time

You can send questions relating to month-end procedures and quarter-end O/PUS procedures three ways:

Phone calls to Customer Service will be routed to 24/7; if your call is not related to quarter-end O/PUS issues, you may be billed for 24/7 support.

When emailing or faxing a support request, please include the following information to help us reach you and resolve the issue quickly:

There will be no charge for this additional support. However, it is available only for questions about your month-end procedures and quarter-end O/PUS procedures. All other issues must be referred to our standard Saturday or 24/7 support services, which may be billable.

We believe this additional support will help us be more responsive to your need for support during quarter end.

10 Back by Popular Demand: Other Helpful O/PUS Documents

Several O/PUS documents were very popular last quarter:

• File #219: Switching Your Primary Vendor During Quarterly O/PUS Updates

• File #145: Correcting List Price Variances after Loading O/PUS

• File #220: Determining why your cost or price is incorrect (for Windows users)

• File #98: Changing Contract Prices

• File # 24: Setting Stock Classes or Departments by Purchasing Vendor

• Inventory housekeeping for Version 3 or higher

The complete list of O/PUS update notes, forms, FAQ files, and documentation is on our Web Site.

11 Fixing “Removable Storage” Error While Restoring from Backup

After selecting the volume where you’ve stored files you want to restore, a “Removable Storage” error may appear. It indicates a problem with your media pools settings.

To learn how to fix your media pools settings if you get this error, please see Tech Note #241: Fixing ‘Removable Storage’ Error While Restoring from Backup, available on our Web site.

12 Did You Know?

Our technical support professionals submitted the following quick tips related to this month’s articles:

12A Release Note Advises Updating a Windows NT Server

According to Release Notes, installing TBL Server 4.16 or later on NT 4.0 may prevent you from using TBL Config to make changes. If you experience problems with TBL Config on NT 4.0, update your DDMS server according to the instructions in our new Tech Note #240: Updating Windows® NT to Use TBL Server 4.16.

12B O/PUS Load Automatically Updates PSN Control

If the PSN Control software is currently installed on your server in the c:\Program Files\PSNControl\ folder, running the new O/PUS Update CD will automatically update it. If you had selected another location to install PSN Control when you originally installed it, you can browse this quarter’s O/PUS Update CD and copy the PSNControl.exe file and the PSN.hlp file to the desired directory on your DDMS server.

12C Third Quarter O/PUS CD Includes United Stationers DPM Plans

USSCO price plans have officially changed to the DPM model, and are provided on the quarterly O/PUS update CD. Additional price plans and Matrixes (X1, X2, X3) are available via the O/PUS PSN or BBS. The Matrix filenames to download are MATRIXX1, MATRIXX2, and MATRIXX3 and are loaded into a DDMS contract with U_UCC.

12D Azerty, United Stationers add Product Weight

Azerty and United Stationers are now including an item weight with their product information. When loading the third quarter O/PUS update, review your vendor parameter screens to see if you have this option enabled. Product weight will be loaded when Azerty or United Stationers is the primary wholesaler for the Master item only.

12E O/PUS Load Stops If Printer Goes Offline

Before loading your O/PUS update, make sure the printer you plan to use is turned on, is on-line, loaded with paper, and ready to print at 17 cpi. If the printer stops during the load, the load stops until the printer is back on-line.

12F Have Vendor Cost Column Passwords Ready

Have your vendor passwords ready, since some vendors require a password to enter or update Cost Column settings. For example, Mid Continent requires Cost Column passwords. You can only get a password from your vendor.

12G If You Loaded the Wrong Pricing Program, “Kill” it with (+I)[K]

If you load an invalid flyer, contract, or program, you can use the (+I)[K] Kill Records from I-CAT by Program ID feature to delete it. (In the graphical software, go to the Key Ops Menu, double-click the Specials icon and type I.) In the (+I) OPdb Tool Box screen, select the [K] Kill Records from I-CAT by Program ID option and enter the code for the flyer, contract, or program. The system scans for the code and removes it from your Scanalog/I-CAT file. For more detailed instructions, see File # 118: Removing O/PUS Pricing Plans

11H Displaying S.P. Richards MXS Page Numbers

What is MXS?

This is S.P. Richards' Matrix pricing file, which is loaded via BPIR. This consumer price file is associated with a specially priced printed catalog.

Situation:

The printed Matrix catalog is not in the same order or format as S.P. Richards' standard catalog; therefore, the page numbers differ. You may want the MXS page numbers to appear in the Order Entry screen.

Problem:

The Commercial Order Entry screen displays the item's page number from the Primary Wholesaler record (the I-WHL file), but MXS is not loaded into that file during O/PUS procedures.

Solution:

The Multiple Vendor Screen is the only place the MXS page numbers will appear in DDMS.

Tell Us What You Think: Online Forms For Your Feedback

We are always open to your ideas for continual improvement, and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to communicate those ideas.

If you have feedback or corrections to report for documentation, please use our online documentation feedback form. Of course, you can also send a simple email to docfeedback@eci2.com, but using the online form will help us find exactly what needs to be fixed.

To submit Support requests, please enter detailed information about your problem on the Contact Support page. The online form provides your Support tech with information regarding your issue, which is helpful before returning your call. You can also call us at 800-366-4778 or email us at ddmssupport@ecisolutions.com.

Can you think of anything we can do to make Customer Service even better? Please send any comments or suggestions to keyops@eci2.com

Changing your email address? Would additional coworkers like to receive these messages? Or has a previous key operator moved on to other things? Let us know at emailchg@eci2.com. Please include your correct email address, company name, account number and phone number for validation purposes.

For other ECi contact information, please see the Contact Us page.

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