Mass Emails and Recent Announcements

This page contains copies of the principal mass emails from ECi DDMS Technical Support in the last few months. (Mass emails may be sent to all current DDMS customers, all O/PUS customers, all ECinteractive or Dealer Station customers, or other large populations using products supported by ECi Technical Support.) You can view or print these messages. The most recent communication appears at the top of the list.

11/26/2008: DDMS Year-End Hints: Training, Shutdown and Backup Procedures

DDMS Year-End Hints: Training, Shutdown and Backup Procedures (under Period-End FAQs)

11/20/2008: ECinteractive Server Maintenance Saturday

ECi is performing some maintenance on its ECinteractive™ Web servers this weekend. The server maintenance will take place between 9 PM CST Saturday, Nov. 22 and 6 AM CST Sunday, Nov. 23.

11/19/2008: DDMS Year-End Hints: Your 2008 RoadMap-Specific Year-End KeyOps Is Online Now

Your 2008 RoadMap-Specific Year-End KeyOps Is Online Now

11/14/2008: ECinteractive Server Maintenance Saturday

ECi is performing some maintenance on its ECinteractive™ Web servers this weekend. The server maintenance will take place between 9 PM CST Saturday, Nov. 15 and 6 AM CST Sunday, Nov. 16.

11/14/2008: Announcing Version 8.5.1 of Dealer Station, is.D-Force, and Distributor Station

Announcing Version 8.5.1 of Dealer Station, is.D-Force, and Distributor Station

10/30/2008: O/PUS Update Notes United Stationers Releases Mid-4Q Update

O/PUS Update Notes United Stationers Releases Mid-4Q Update

10/22/2008: Announcing ECinteractive and is.D-Force2 Version 8.0.1

Announcing ECinteractive and is.D-Force2 Version 8.0.1

10/17/2008: Announcing ECinteractive and is.D-Force2 Version 8.0.0

Announcing ECinteractive and is.D-Force2 Version 8.0.0

10/16/2008: Announcing DDMS Version 8.16.2 Major Release

Announcing DDMS Version 8.16.2 Major Release

10/16/2008: ECinteractive and Dealer Station Integrate Sparco Enhanced JWOD and TriMega Catalogs

ECinteractive and Dealer Station Integrate Sparco Enhanced JWOD and TriMega Catalogs

10/10/2008: Quarterly Dealer Station Catalog Updates

ECi DDMS will update your Dealer Station servers with new quarterly catalog images and content THIS WEEKEND between 9 PM Central Time tonight (Friday, Oct. 10), and 6 AM CDT Monday, Oct. 13. The new timeframes may require changes to your site maintenance schedule. For detailed instructions on scheduling site maintenance in Dealer Station, see Chapter 1 of your Admin Manual.

10/3/2008: Updated! Quarterly Web Storefront Catalog Updates

ECinteractive Maintenance, Content Load THIS WEEKEND

During the same timeframe, ECi will update images and content on servers for the ECinteractive, Dealer Station, is.D-Force, is.D-Force2, 123Web!, and Dealer Station Xtended Web storefronts. This maintenance will take place all weekend, between 9 PM Central Time Friday, Oct. 3, and 6 AM CDT Monday, Oct. 6.

For detailed instructions on scheduling site maintenance in Dealer Station or is.D-Force, see Chapter 1 of your Admin Manual.

For detailed instructions on scheduling site maintenance in ECinteractive and is.D-Force2, see the ECinteractive FAQs for Specific Features under the topic, "How do I set up my Offline for Maintenance Page?"

Other products do not offer scheduled site maintenance. Please notify affected users as you see fit.

10/2/2008: ECinteractive Maintenance, Content Load THIS WEEKEND

ECinteractive Maintenance, Content Load THIS WEEKEND

10/2/2008: O/PUS Releases New OPUS Data Files for Synnex, S.P. Richards Corrections

In response to two wholesaler catalog load issues we reported yesteray (see below), O/PUS has revised the OPUS, OPUSISG, and OPUSTPA files and made them available on the O/PUS PSN as of 3:30 pm Central Time.

These new OPUS, OPUSISG, and OPUSTPA files now include the complete corrected file from Synnex as well as corrected pricing from S.P. Richards. In the files these wholesalers originally provided to O/PUS for the fourth quarter, the Synnex database was missing several thousand items, and the S.P. Richards database had consumer prices that were slightly higher than they should be.

If you have not yet loaded your OPUS database file via SIMPLE this quarter, you should download the revised OPUS, OPUSISG or OPUSTPA file prior to running SIMPLE. This will ensure getting the corrected S.Pichards pricing as well as the additional Synnex items.

For S.P. Richards dealers who do not load Synnex, instead of downloading the revised OPUS,OPUSISG and OPUSTPA files and doing your OPUS process again, you may simply load the SPR-OCT file and other individual S.P. Richards price files, which were posted on the O/PUS PSN as of 4:30 pm CDT Monday, Sept. 29.

If you are a Synnex dealer and have already completed your O/PUS quarter-end procedures, you may wish to consider what extent the missing Synnex items affect your margins and volume before deciding to do your OPUS process again.

Note: As a reminder, O/PUS posts monthly SP Richards pricing files to the O/PUS PSN. These files contain updates to the catalog data that you normally load at quarter-end. SP Richards makes these monthly update files available to O/PUS by the 1st of each month. O/PUS will then post all files to the O/PUS PSN within 2 business days. The date display in the PsnControl Transfer List will indicate when any vendor pricing file was last updated. In addition to the price files, O/PUS will post a file that contains the changes to the base item information which will be named SPR-OCT, SPR-NOV, and so on. All files can be processed using the U_SPR loading program. SP Richards recommends that dealers download all their SP Richards price files every month to keep their computers updated with the latest prices.

Please call your SP Richards rep to find out which of your files contain changed information.

10/2/2008: Join ECi's free Web-based training on DDMS SQL Report Preview

Join ECi's free Web-based training on DDMS SQL Report Preview

10/1/2008: O/PUS to Release New OPUS Data Files for Sparco's Corrections, Synnex's Missing Items

Many Synnex dealers reported that thousands of item records were not loaded or updated as expected during their O/PUS update. The file Synnex provided to O/PUS for fourth quarter was much smaller than they normally submit, and was missing several thousand items.

O/PUS has received the complete corrected file from Synnex, and will release new OPUS, OPUSISG, and OPUSTPA database files late tomorrow after processing and testing. Since O/PUS is re-processing all these data files for Synnex, O/PUS is also taking this opportunity to include corrected pricing from S.P. Richards, who reported that the files they provided to O/PUS for the fourth quarter had consumer prices slightly higher than they should be.

If you are a Synnex or S.P. Richards dealer, you may wish to postpone your O/PUS load - or plan to re-load O/PUS - for after we announce a new OPUS, OPUSISG, and OPUSTPA files late tomorrow (Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008).

If you have already completed your O/PUS quarter-end procedures, you may wish to consider what extent the missing Synnex items and previous S.P.

Richards consumer prices (for HP and ACCO) affect your margins and volume.

For S.P. Richards dealers, you may instead simply load the SPR-OCT file and other individual S.P. Richards price files, which were posted on the O/PUS PSN as of 4:30 pm CDT Monday, Sept. 29.

Please stay tuned for tomorrow's upcoming announcement and additional instructions.

10/1/2008: ECinteractive to implement United Stationers SmartSearch Enhanced Content Mid-October

ECinteractive to Implement United Stationers "SmartSearch" Enhanced Content Mid-October

9/30/2008: Super Store Data Update Files Ready to Load

Super Store Data Update Files Ready to Load

O/PUS completed processing and testing the Super Store item cross-reference (SSDitems) and pricing-enhanced (SSDpricing) files from Trade Service, and made them available to download from the Private Supply Network (PSN).

The standard edition (filename SSDitems) includes super store name and SKU -- FREE as part of your O/PUS subscription.

The premium SSDpricing update is offered by Trade Service for an additional fee and requires a new authorization code each quarter. Dealers who signed up for an annual subscription to SSDpricing updates should have received their authorization codes for four quarters if you have called Trade Service at least one time. If you haven't called them or have misplaced your codes please contact Trade Service at 866-561-5940, Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm PST.

NOTE: Quill and Corporate Express only provide item cross-reference data; they do NOT provide pricing data. In addition to item cross-references, Trade Service obtains "Single National Pricing" data for Office Depot and Office Max, and "Regional Pricing" (West, Midwest, and East) for Staples.

9/27/2008: Removing Vendors At Quarter End

Dear O/PUS Customers:

Since Action Wholesale has been acquired by S.P. Richards, and EMCO has been acquired by United Stationers, we recommend removing unique items that the acquired vendors previously carried, but which your current vendors no longer support.

If you do NOT remove their unique items from your database, it can affect your short- buy process - and possibly your pricing.

To determine which items to remove from your database, you'll simply adjust your O/PUS SIMPLE parameters to resequence your vendor call priorities, and make sure O/PUS is set to flag the "deleted" status. See Preparing to Remove Vendors at Quarter End (www.ddms.com/Resources/Support/faq/opus/opRemoveVendor.pdf).

To complete the removal during post-load procedures, you will complete Inventory Housekeeping (www.ddms.com/Resources/Support/faq/inventory/opus-del.pdf).

We hope this is helpful!

Sincerely,
ECi DDMS Technical Support

9/26/2008: O/PUS Update Notes: 4Q 2008 Ready to Load

O/PUS Update Notes: 4Q2008 Ready to Load We are pleased to announce that this quarter's FYI² Notes newsletter, OPUSInstall software updates, and O/PUS Opdb MultiVendor database update file are ready for download. Please follow the step-by-step instructions:

1st Read the Latest News on Your Quarterly Update
2nd Do Pre-Load Steps 24 Hours Ahead
3rd Load the OPUSInstall Software Update
4th Download Data Files Via PSNControl
5th Use SIMPLE to Execute MultiVendor Update
ECi DDMS Offers Saturday Support Sept. 27th

9/23/2008: Launching MeadWestvaco Microsite In Dealer Station® and is.D-Force™

New! Launching MeadWestvaco Microsite In Dealer Station® and is.D-Force™ With the AAG Dealer Connect microsite from MeadWestvaco in DealerStation and is.D-Force, you'll be your customers’ first choice for dated goods. Just like the HP Supplies Finder and Xstamper tools, your new Calendars & Planners navigation button launches a new window. Your customers will be able to order AT-A-GLANCE®, Day Runner®, DayMinder®, and Visual Organizer® brand calendars and planners. You’ll be able to offer dated goods earlier in the year online, as soon as they are published, rather than having to wait for your back-end system’s quarterly update. You’ll help customers trade up from a basic, core planning product to a more feature-rich, value-add product. And with AAG Dealer Connect's cross-selling features, you’ll be able to increase unit purchases — and your profit — in the dated goods category. To learn how to activate it in Dealer Station and is.D-Force, read this original announcement.

9/17/2008: ECinteractive to implement United Stationers SmartSearch Enhanced Content This Month

ECinteractive to Implement United Stationers "SmartSearch" Enhanced Content This Month

9/17/2008: O/PUS Update Notes: Planning for 4Q 2008

O/PUS Update Notes: Planning for 4Q 2008 It will soon be time to load your quarterly O/PUS® OPdb® multi-vendor catalog update. To help ensure that your quarter-end procedures will go smoothly, we want to provide you with timely news, reminders, and tips about the following topics:

A. When Will this Quarter’s Files Be Ready to Download?
B. O/PUS Introduces Printer Essentials
C. SNCustom Imports Dealers' Supplies Network Price Files
D. LagaCustom Imports LagasseSweet Pricing Files
E. Reminder: SIMPLE Automates Make-Buys
F. Remember to Re-Import EnsiteEBS Post-Load
G. When Will the Super Store Data Update Be Ready?
H. Can I Get Refresher Training on the O/PUS Procedure?
I. What Are The Top Mistakes To Avoid?
J. When Will You Offer Saturday Support?
K. What If I Have Other Questions about the O/PUS Service?

9/10/2008: Dealer Station Server Maintenance This Weekend

On Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, ECi will conduct Dealer Station Web server maintenance between 9 PM and 6 AM Central Time. During this maintenance period, you or your customers may have trouble connecting or completing orders. You can schedule your site to be Offline for Maintenance. The new timeframes may require changes to your site maintenance schedule. All server times are Central. For example, if you wish to turn off the site at 8:30 PM Central, add 12 hours for PM and type 20:30. For detailed instructions on scheduling site maintenance in Dealer Station or is.D-Force, see Chapter 1 of your Admin Manual.

9/4/2008: What's New in ECinteractive 7.4.7

Announcing ECinteractive™ and is.D-Force® 2 Version 7.4.7

8/29/2008: Emergency Preparationfor your DDMS system

Emergency Prep for your DDMS system

8/28/2008: Labor Day Holiday and ECi DDMS Technical Support

Dear ECi DDMS and Web Data Center Customers:

As a reminder, ECi DDMS Technical Support will be closed to observe Independence Day on Monday, Sept. 1.

However, 24/7 Support will be available during the holiday when calling our standard Technical Support number, 800-366-4778. As always, calling Technical Support during a holiday or outside of business hours (7 AM to 8:30 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday) is billable unless you subscribe to 24/7 Support services.

Meanwhile, we wish you a safe and happy holiday!

Sincerely,
ECi DDMS Technical Support

8/25/2008: O/PUS Releases New OPUSInstall To Handle September Price Increases

In light of recently published item files with price increases and the migration of the O/PUS PSN server to the new ECi Data Center in Texas, O/PUS has released a new OPUSInstall. In order for your PSNControl software to connect to the new server, you must run the new OPUSInstall. For detailed instructions, see O/PUS Update Notes for 3rd Quarter.

As we announced in separate messages, UNIX customers must email their list of files. ASP customers can use their existing (+IFD) screen to obtain the files.

8/21/2008: 123Web, Dealer Station Xtended Migrate This Weekend

Dear 123Web and DSx Customer,

ECi plans to move 123Web and Dealer Station Xtended sites to Web servers at the new data center in Texas this weekend, Aug. 22-25, 2008.

This data center migration task, including your standard backup procedures, is scheduled to:

Begin at 10 pm CDT Friday, Aug. 22.
Complete by 6 am CDT Monday, Aug. 25.

Your Web storefront will be unavailable this weekend.

Custom URLs Redirecting to dswebengine.com

Some dealers have custom Web addresses (such as PaulsOfficeSupply.com) with a Web or ISP server configured to redirect visitors to the IP address for the generic URL, www.dswebengine.com/xxxxxxxxx.

Such custom sites use our existing IP address (207.126.108.x) in the Authoritative Domain Name Server (DNS Host A) record for www.dswebengine.com at ECi's old data center.

This weekend, these IP addresses are changing as we migrate your Dealer Station and Distributor Station sites to our new data center.

To find out if this situation applies to you, ask yourself these questions:

To get to your Web storefront, do your customers go to a custom URL (such as paulsofficesupply.com)? If yes, go to question 2.
- Alternative: If your customers only use the URL with account subdirectory like www.dswebengine.com/xxxxxxxxx, the situation does not apply to you. No action is needed.
When your customers go to your Web site, are they automatically redirected to the storefront's home page? If yes, go to question 3.
- Alternative: If your Web site uses a frame with your company's site information and navigation around an interior frame for your storefront, then this situation does not apply to you. No action is needed.
- Alternative: If your Web site presents information about your company not found within Dealer Station or Distributor Station, and visitors have to click a link to get to your storefront, then this situation does not apply to you. No action is needed.
Did you answer yes to both question 1 and 2, AND did you confirm that the alternatives do not apply to you? Please contact ECi DDMS Technical Support for verification and assistance.

To avoid "Page Not Found" connectivity issues, affected dealers with custom URLs may need to coordinate with their Web server administrator or Internet Service Provider to update the Authoritative Domain Name Server (DNS Host A) record.

Our new IP Address starts with 205.216.10, but keep the fourth octet as is. For example, if your DNS host A currently points to 207.126.108.14, use that same last number at the end, like 205.206.10.14 (Note: your fourth octet is probably a different number).

Again, if this applies to you, please contact ECi DDMS Technical Support for verification and assistance.

If you have any questions, please contact ECi Technical Support at 877.956.4672 or support@eci2.com.

Sincerely, ECi Technical Support

8/21/2008: Dealer Station Confirmation Emails Not Delivered (UPDATED)

Some dealers have reported that their customers are not receiving the order confirmation or order approval email messages from their Dealer Station system this week.

In our investigation, we found that our Internet Service Provider was not responding properly in cases where the recipient's email provider runs a reverse lookup (usually in efforts to protect recipients from spam). Where the reverse lookup did not get the expected response, the email provider would drop the message and not pass it to the recipient.

We are working with our service provider to correct this issue as soon as possible. UPDATED: We confirmed that reverse lookups result in the proper response as of 4:40 pm Central Daylight Time.

Meanwhile, you may want to communicate to your customers to this effect:

Due to a temporary issue with our system's email server, some email providers have been denying the order confirmation or order approval email messages this week. This is being corrected today. If you have not received an email message regarding order confirmation or orders requiring approval, we recommend logging in online to check the status of orders and any orders requiring approval from earlier this week.

We extend apologies for any inconvenience this issue may have caused.

Sincerely,
ECi Dealer Station Technical Support

8/21/2008: ECi PSN Automatically Updates DDMS with Kimball Office and National Fuel Surcharge

ECi PSN Automatically Updates DDMS with Kimball Office and National Fuel Surcharge Released in DDMS 8.15.9, the Furniture Manufacturer Acknowledgement Exception Reporting feature for use with furniture manufacturers Kimball Office and National. This feature applies to these manufacturers' national fuel charge. It lets you automatically update your purchase orders and sales orders with the surcharge-loaded cost, by enabling the Update Cost field in the Vendor record. For detailed instructions, see Handling Kimball Office or National Fuel Surcharges (pdf).

8/21/2008: What's New in ECi DDMS 8.15.9

Announcing ECi DDMS 8.15.9 The ECi DDMS 8.15.9 maintenance release addresses a small number of design changes and software issues.

8/20/2008: is.D-Force Servers Move to New Data Center This Weekend

Dear is.D-Force Customers:

As we announced three weeks ago, ECi is moving hosted products from our data center in Virginia to a new Tier 1 data center close to our new headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas.

Please see the message, ECi Data Center Migration This Weekend: is.D-Force Web Server, IP Changes for news specific to:

is.D-Force Migration This Weekend
Dealers who have custom Web addresses with a Web or ISP server redirecting to IP for www.dforceweb.com/####/
Reminder On Firewall Rule To Allow Traffic From New IP

8/20/2008: ECinteractive, is.D-Force2 Servers Move This Weekend, IP Changes

Dear ECinteractive and is.D-Force2 Customers:

As we announced three weeks ago, ECi is moving hosted products from our data center in Virginia to a new Tier 1 data center close to our new headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas.

Please see the message, ECi Moves ECinteractive, is.D-Force2 Servers To New Data Center This Weekend for news specific to:

ECinteractive and is.D-Force2 Schedule
Dealer Station Sites Down Briefly to Reactivate Tool to Export Customer Accounts
Admin Tool to Monitor PSN Transactions Disabled
Dealers who have custom Web addresses with a Web or ISP server redirecting to IP for www.ecinteractive. com/####/ or www.dforce2.com/####/
Reminder On Firewall Rule To Allow Traffic From New IP

8/15/2008: Dealer Station Server Migration This Weekend, IP Changes

Dear Dealer Station and Distributor Station Customers:

As we announced two weeks ago, ECi is moving hosted products from our data center in Virginia to a new Tier 1 data center close to our new headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas.

Please see the message, Dealer Station Server Migration This Weekend, IP Changes for news specific to:

Dealer Station & Distributor Station Maytech Edition (DSME) Migration This Weekend
Admin Tool to Export Customers to ECinteractive
Dealers who have custom Web addresses with a Web or ISP server redirecting to IP for www.officesupply-link.com/####/
Reminder On Firewall Rule To Allow Traffic From New IP

8/8/2008: Maintenance TONIGHT on ECinteractive and is.D-Force2

Loading Version 7.4.6 Build 1611 of ECinteractive and is.D-Force2

7/31/2008: ECi Data Center Maintenance This Weekend

ECi Data Center Maintenance This Weekend As part of our preparation to move the ECi Data Center from Virginia to Texas, we are scheduling some general maintenance during this weekend, from 9:00 pm Central Daylight Savings Time (CDT) Saturday, Aug. 2, to 6 am CDT Monday, Aug. 4. During this weekend's maintenance period, all products and services hosted at the ECi Data Center will experience intermittent availability.

REMINDER: At the new data center, ECi-hosted products and services will have a new IP address range, from 205.216.10.1 to 205.216.10.254. If your network currently has a firewall with rules to accept Internet traffic from our existing IP range, you must add the new IP range to your firewall's rules by Friday, Aug. 8, 2008.

7/30/2008: ECi Plans Data Center Migration To Texas

Moving our Data Center to a new facility changes our IP address range. If your network currently has a firewall open to our products, this will require you to make firewall updates by Friday, Aug. 8, 2008 so that our migration procedures that weekend do not interrupt your services.

Only your network personnel, Internet service provider (ISP), or outside consultant can verify whether adding the new IP address is necessary and make the required change. ECi Technical Support does not have the resources to access or configure your firewall.

We will be moving all ECi products currently hosted in our Virginia Data Center in phases. The migration tasks will be completed during evening hours on various weekends in August. We will notify you via email when your product's maintenance is scheduled, and provide further instructions.

For details, see the message, ECi Plans Data Center Migration To Texas

7/25/2008: What's New in ECinteractive 7.4.6

Announcing ECinteractive™ and is.D-Force® 2 Version 7.4.6

7/16/2008: What's New in ECi DDMS 8.15.2 Major Release

Announcing ECi DDMS 8.15.2 Major Release The ECi DDMS Version 8.15.20 major release is available now at your request. This release is chock full of enhancements, designed to make it easier for you to take full advantage of new technology, work more efficiently, and grow your business.

7/11/2008: Handling Kimball Office, National Surcharge: ECi DDMS Tech Tip

In response to soaring energy and material costs, furniture manufacturers Kimball Office and National recently announced a surcharge of 1 percent of net purchase effective with orders placed July 7, 2008. The best way to account for the surcharge is to use Change Mode. For detailed instructions, see Handling Kimball Office, National Surcharge: ECi DDMS Tech Tip.

7/3/2008: Software, Catalog Load This Weekend for ECinteractive and is.D-Force2

Maintenance tonight through weekend on ECinteractive and is.D-Force2. ECi is loading a software update, build 1517 of Version 7.4.5, onto your ECinteractive(tm) and is.D-Force® 2 servers tonight between 9 PM and 6 AM Central Time.

We also plan to load ECinteractive wholesaler content this weekend between 9 PM Central Time Saturday night and 6 AM Monday morning, July 5- 7.

6/12/2008: What's New in ECinteractive 7.4.5

Announcing ECinteractive™ and is.D-Force® 2 Version 7.4.5

6/10/2008: KeyOps Dispatch newsletter

Vol. 8, No. 2, June 10, 2008, KeyOps Dispatch

ECi Recognizes Dealers of the Year at Empowerment 2008
ECinteractive Survey Spotlights Misconceptions, Training
Google Analytics, Guided Tour Video Help Site Promotion
Tip: Many Standard DDMS Reports Are Now in SQL
View the ECi Customer Portal Guided Tour Anytime
Using Daily Reports, Going Green and Paperless
Take Advantage of New Office Furniture Tags
Fixing DDMS Fields With Data Dictionary
Tip: Save Money by Fine-Tuning Item Substitutes

5/29/2008: ECi Releases Beta 7.4.5 ECinteractive, is.D-Force 2

ECi Releases Beta 7.4.5 ECinteractive, is.D-Force 2

5/27/2008: WinXP Service Pack 3 Passes DDMS Client Test

Windows XP SP3 Passes ECi DDMS Client Test (on DDMS Windows Platform Notes)

4/11/2008: What's New in ECinteractive 7.4.1

Announcing ECinteractive™ and is.D-Force® 2 Version 7.4.1

4/10/2008: Release Note: ECinteractive 7.4.1 Features Require DDMS 8.14.41 Software Update

Thur 4/10/2008 — See the Contracts and Laundry List Features In ECinteractive and is.D-Force2 Version 7.4.1 Require DDMS 8.14.41 Software Update message.

3/20/2008: What's New in ECinteractive 7.4.0

Announcing ECinteractive™ and is.D-Force® 2 Version 7.4.0

3/7/2008: Release Note: DDMS Discontinues Support for "Slave" Printer Configuration

In version 8.14.0, DDMS made a decision to remove old outdated logic in the software relating to the use of slave printers* connected to dumb terminals*. We feel this change will allow us to provide better support, and help protect the integrity of your software. To identify the presence of slave printers in your DDMS system, see detailed instructions and examples in Release Note: DDMS Removes Support for "Slave" Printer Configuration. If you are still utilizing slave printers, please contact your DDMS support team - before you load Version 8.14 - to discuss your options for changing over to newer printer configurations.

3/4/2008: KeyOps Dispatch

Vol. 8, No. 1, March 4, 2008, Key Ops Dispatch

Learn New Secrets to Empower Your Company At Our National Meeting
7 Things You Can Do In ECi's Customer Support Web Portal
How to Rank Items First in Search in ECinteractive
How to Set Up S.P. Richards Enhanced Content in Dealer Station
4 New Features in DDMS 8.14
Excluding Items From Cost of Goods Sold
Troubleshooting 7 Pitfalls of Machine Billing
Balancing Act Part 3: Balancing A/R If You Deleted a Customer
RPC Errors In Windows 2003 SP2 May Require SNP-Compatible Hardware

2/20/2008: Announcing DDMS Version 8.14

Announcing DDMS 8.14 The DDMS® 8.14 software update is available on request as of Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. In this major release, you'll find a number of improvements in several areas, including four new features: Furniture Tags (pdf), Quote Release, Warehouse and Manifest Notes, and Machine Billing Exceptions.

1/31/2008: ECi Technical Support Launches Its Customer Support Web Portal

When you need help with your ECi systems and storefronts, take advantage of our technical support system's newly launched customer Web interface at support.eci2.com to request assistance from your friendly ECi Technical Support Team. In this announcement, you'll see:

7 Things You Can Do in ECi's Support Portal
3 Reasons to Use ECi's Support Portal
What Other ECi Portal Users Are Saying
Join Our Guided Tour Webinar to Learn More
Can't Join the Guided Tour? Watch The Video!
Sign In for the First Time Right Away
ECi Support Is Driven To Serve You Better

01/11/2008: ECi Announces SPR Enhanced E-Content for Dealer Station 7.4.1

ECi Announces SPR Enhanced E-Content for Dealer Station 7.4.1 Maintenance Release Jan. 12, 2008

01/02/2008: DDMS Year-End Hints: Update Payroll Withholding Tables Now

Before your first payroll for 2008, you must update your (L4) Federal Payroll Tables screen according to our updated instructions based on the IRS's newly released Circular E for wages paid in 2008. The best time to make this update is after you close Payroll and print all reports and W-2s for 2007. Some reports in the payroll-closing procedures read from the (L4) screen, including the new W-2 formats that are required to print the employee SSN on the IRS's revised form. For details, see Year-End Hints: Preparing Vendor and Payroll Data to Print 1099 and W-2 Tax Forms on our Period-End FAQs page.

12/27/2007: DDMS Year-End Hints: Last Minute Tips for 2007

This is the last in a series of weekly messages with hints to help you prepare for year-end procedures. This message answers frequently asked questions about optional year-end reports, Vendor and Payroll tax preparations, general ledger reminders, backup and shutdown reminders, purging balanced WIP information, and UNIX and ASP procedural differences. For the full message, see Year-End Hints: Last Minute Tips for 2007 on our Period-End FAQs page.

12/21/2007: DDMS Year-End Hints for ASP Customers

It will soon be time to close your books for year-end. In this message, you will find the answers to a few of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) that we get from ASP customers. For the full message, see Year-End Hints for ASP Customers. See also (ASP Edition) Year End 2007 Key Ops newsletter.

12/20/2007: DDMS Year-End Hints: General Ledger and Related Topics

This is the fifth in a series of weekly messages with hints to help you prepare for year-end procedures. This message answers frequently asked questions about general ledger, changing the current period, finance charges, and similar topics. For the full message, see Year-End Hints: General Ledger and Related Topics on our Period-End FAQs page.

12/18/2007: Holiday Closures and Period-End Support at ECi

This message covers the following timely topics:
A. ECi Offices To Close for Holidays
B. ECi Offers Free Period-End Saturday Support Dec. 29

A. ECi Offices Close to Observe Holidays

ECi offices, including the Technical Support department, will be closed to observe the following holidays:
* Christmas on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 24-25, 2007
* New Year's Day on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008.

However, 24/7 Support will be available during the holidays when calling our standard Technical Support number, 800-366-4778.

As always, calling Technical Support during a holiday or outside of business hours (7 AM to 8:30 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday) is billable unless you subscribe to 24/7 Support services.

B. ECi Offers Free Period-End Saturday Support Dec. 29

Of course, quarter-end and year-end is always a busy time as you close out the current period and load new pricing files. To support you more effectively during this time, ECi Technical Support will offer complimentary Period-End Weekend Support via fax and e-mail on the following date:

Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007
9 AM - 4 PM Central Time

During Period-End Saturday Support, you can send questions relating to period-end procedures and quarter-end O/PUS procedures three ways:

* Email: support@eci2.com
* Fax: 682-831-9909
* Online: www.ddms.com/support/supportcall.htm

All phone calls during Period-End Saturday Support will be routed to the 24/7 service and are billable if you do not subscribe to the 24/7 service.

When emailing or faxing a Period-End Saturday Support request, please include the following information to help us reach you and resolve the issue quickly:

A detailed problem description.
Your company name and account number.
Your first and last name.
Your e-mail address, if you prefer this response.
Your phone number (and extension), if you prefer this response.
The best time to reach you.
Any relevant log files you can attach.

There will be no charge for fax or email O/PUS or Period-End Saturday Support during the scheduled hours. However, it is available only for questions about your period-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.

Meanwhile, we wish you safe and happy holidays!

Sincerely,
ECi Technical Support

12/17/2007: What's New in DDMS 8.13.40

What's New in DDMS 8.13.40 The DDMS® 8.13.40 maintenance release addresses a number of design changes, minor enhancements, and software issues.

12/14/2007: DDMS Year-End Hints on Your 2007 Roadmap and Backup Procedures

This is the fourth in a series of weekly messages with hints to help you prepare for year-end procedures. The focus of this message is the recommended way to read our revised Year-End KeyOp newsletter, choose a road map that fits your business, and properly back up your files. For the full message, see Year-End Hints: Preparing Vendor and Payroll Data to Print 1099 and W-2 Tax Forms on our Period-End FAQs page.

12/7/2007: Year-End Hints: Preparing Vendor and Payroll Data to Print 1099 and W-2 Tax Forms for 2007

This is the third in a series of weekly messages with hints to help you prepare for year-end 2007 procedures. This message answers frequently asked questions about payroll, tax tables, the vendor year-end function, and printing W-2 and 1099 forms. For the full message, see Year-End Hints: Preparing Vendor and Payroll Data to Print 1099 and W-2 Tax Forms on our Period-End FAQs page.

11/28/2007: Year-End Hints: Renaming and Merging Journals for Year-End 2007

This is the second in a series of weekly messages to help you prepare for year-end. This message answers frequently asked questions about renaming your journals. For the full message, see Year-End Hints: Renaming and Merging Journals for Year-End 2007 on our Period-End FAQs page.

11/21/2007: Year-End Hints: What's New and How to Prepare for Year-End 2007

We are looking ahead to a whirlwind holiday season, especially with year-end procedures in the mix! This is the first in a series of weekly messages to help you prepare for year-end. The focus of this message is the Year-End KeyOps newsletter, along with the checklists, training, and resources to help you prepare to close this year's business. For the full message, see Year-End Hints: What's New and How to Prepare for Year-End 2007 on our Period-End FAQs page.

11/19/2007: Announcing DDMS 8.13

Announcing DDMS 8.13 The DDMS® 8.13 software update is available on request as of Friday, Nov. 16, 2007. In this major release, you'll find useful new features in general ledger, SQL sales reports, customer price plans, purchase order entry, order entry, and accounts payable.

10/30/2007: Schedule Site Maintenance to Avoid Unwanted User Notification Emails in ECinteractive and is.D-Force 2

See the Schedule Site Maintenance to Avoid Unwanted Notification Emails in ECinteractive message in Release Notes.

8/16/2007: Announcing S.P. Richards Enhanced Content for ECinteractive™

What's New in ECinteractive™: S.P. Richards Enhanced Content for ECinteractive For customers who purchase items that are in the S.P. Richards catalogs, you can set up accounts to use enhanced search filters, cross-sell and up-sell opportunities, additional item images, and (in Version 7.3 and higher) product comparison and rich media content. For detailed instructions and an important clarification on the exclusion of items from custom dealer catalogs and other vendor catalogs, please see Setting Up SPR Enhanced Content in ECinteractive (pdf).

8/7/2007: Announcing DDMS version 8.12.32

The DDMS® 8.12.32 maintenance release addresses a number of design changes, minor enhancements, and software issues. For highlights and software update instructions, see What's New in DDMS 8.12.32.

7/27/2007: What's New in ECinteractive 7.2

Announcing ECinteractive™ and is.D-Force® 2 Version 7.2

This page does not include the email newsletter, which is available under Publications on the KeyOps: The newsletter for key operators of DDMS Systems page.

To unsubscribe, change your e-mail address, or add additional recipients to this subscription, please e-mail your request to emailchg@eci2.com. Please include your correct e-mail address, company name, account number and phone number for validation purposes.