O/PUS 3Q2009 Ready to Load
Dear O/PUS Customers:
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 below.
1st Read the Latest News on Your Quarterly Update
2nd Do Pre-Load Steps 24 Hours Ahead
3rd Get OPUSInstall Via Portal, Update Software
4th Download Data Files Via PSNControl
5th Use SIMPLE to Execute MultiVendor Update
ECi DDMS Offers Saturday Support June 27th
1st Read the Latest News
O/PUS has published the new quarterly newsletter "For Your Immediate Information - OPdb MultiVendor Update", also known as FYI² Notes (pdf). In it, you will find vendor notes, the names of the vendor price files available on the O/PUS OPdb update, and other news for this quarter.
In this issue:
- Download O/PUS Software Updates via ECi Support Portal
- Free O/PUS Web Training Friday, June 26 & Tuesday, July 7
- SIMPLE Exception Reports, Buying Group Enhancements
- Wholesaler NSN Items Reference AbilityOne 13-Digit NSN
- United Stationers UpdateUNI MultiLoader Software Enhanced
- Detailed Instructions on Monthly File Updates
- ECi Offers Saturday Support June 27th
- Report Errors in UPC Codes to Wholesalers
- Contract Wizard Enhanced To Run Without Excel
- DDMS 8.16+? Stop EBS Scheduler During O/PUS Load
For loading instructions on each vendor's pricing programs or catalogs, see Vendor Price File Loading Instructions.
Another helpful resource is our O/PUS PSN Pricing File Advice page. It includes information on Determining Which Pricing Plans to Load, When to Process O/PUS Pricing Files, How To Load the Price Files for Each Vendor, and using the O/PUS PSN to download files.
The O/PUS Update Notes page has also been updated with general tips to note before you begin your OPdb Catalog update, as well as news for this quarter.
2nd Do Pre-Load Steps 24 Hours Ahead
Prior to beginning the update, certain preparatory steps are very important. One week to 24 hours before your catalog load, be sure to obtain vendor unit changes, passwords, plan names, and consumer price and dealer cost levels. Optional pre-load procedures include cleaning up contracts with csICE, determining how to handle Vendor unit of measure (UOM) changes, removing a vendor if necessary, switching primary vendors, and compressing DDMS inventory and CONTRACTS files.
For a checklist of pre-load steps, see your O/PUS Quick Reference
(www.DDMS.com/Resources/Support/faq/opus/opusquickref.pdf)
.
Also see the O/PUS Quarter-End Procedure FAQs and Docs, for a special set of frequently asked questions on pre-load procedures.
You can also see these instructions on the OPUSInstall page beginning by clicking "2nd Step: Complete Pre-Load Steps 24 Hours Ahead".
3rd Get OPUSInstall Via Portal, Update Software
Each quarter, you need to download and run OPUSInstall. The quarterly release of OPUSInstall includes any enhancements or new vendor parameters (as described in FYI² Notes) or other software changes that may be necessary. The OPUSInstall software update wizard will install the PSNControl, SIMPLE, and related software (csICE, Super Store Data Update) versions required to process data for this quarter.
* OPUSInstall software updates were previously available on the DDMS public site (www.DDMS.com/support/download/opusinstall.htm); it is now being moved to our Portal.
 To download and run O/PUS Install:
- Go to support.ECiSolutions.com
- Enter your unique Email Address.
- Enter your password (For a temporary password, check the I forgot my password checkbox.)
- Click Submit.
-
If this is your first time, don't miss Andrew's 10-minute video Guided Tour on portal features and his 2-minute video on downloading the latest software. These are available on the login page above the sign-in box.
- If you requested a temporary password via email, click the link in your email to log in. At the prompts, change the password to one you can easily remember.
- Click Software Downloads on the button bar at the top.
- Select OPUS from the Product Line drop-down box, or scroll down to the OPUS heading.
- Click OPUSInstall heading, and follow the instructions there.
Also see the O/PUS Quarter-End Procedure FAQs and Docs, for a special set of frequently asked questions on loading procedures.
O/PUS plans to release software updates every quarter for SIMPLE, PSNControl, and related applications. It is required to download and run the OPUSInstall from the ECi Support Portal before downloading the OPdb files from the PSN and performing your update each quarter.
4th Download Data Files Via PSNControl
After you have updated your software, you can download the O/PUS MultiVendor Update database and your vendors' price files and catalogs for this quarter. You can even schedule your PSNControl file download.
You can follow the instructions on the OPUSInstall page beginning by clicking "4th Step: Download Your Update Using PSNControl".
Also see the O/PUS Quarter-End Procedure FAQs and Docs, for a special set of frequently asked questions on loading procedures.
If you are downloading the OPdb file ("OPUS") for the first time via the PSN, see Setting Up & Using the O/PUS PSN
(pdf), beginning with the section titled "Using PSNControl to Download Quarterly Update Files."
IS.GROUP MEMBERS: If you are loading the is.ezTrade Edition of the OPdb update, the PSNControl instructions, filename, and password are available at www.isgroup.org under the DDMS tab, by clicking File Load Instructions.
TRIMEGA MEMBERS: If you are loading the TriMega Edition of the OPdb update, the PSNControl instructions, file name, and the O/PUS User Direct- Buy Information Password are available at www.trimega.org, in the member center, in the "catalogs & flyers" section.
5th Use SIMPLE to Execute MultiVendor update
You'll use SIMPLE, the graphical O/PUS loading program, to load each quarter's catalog updates.
To ensure your catalog update goes smoothly, we have published a checklist of loading steps in O/PUS Quick Reference (pdf). The steps to be completed on the day of your SIMPLE load include dedicating your system, notifying Web storefront customers of system maintenance, deactivating procs, loading your printer with paper, shutting down TBLServer, backing up your DDMS data, rebooting TBLServer, launching SIMPLE, and setting your parameters.
See the O/PUS Quarter-End Procedure FAQs and Docs, for a special set of frequently asked questions on loading, post-load and troubleshooting procedures.
If you are using the graphical SIMPLE program for the first time, see Loading O/PUS Multi-Vendor Quarterly Updates (pdf). It includes the O/PUS Quick Reference, as well as detailed instructions for 1) downloading and running OPUSInstall to update all O/PUS software; 2) Using PSNControl to Download Quarterly Update Files and Vendor Pricing Files; 3) Running the SIMPLE Wizard to process the data; 4) viewing report messages; 5) performing a new database load; 6) loading flyers only; 7) processing price files; and
8) keeping your database clean.
After completing the quarterly update, perform your normal post-load steps. For detailed instructions, see the O/PUS Toolbox (pdf). The O/PUS Toolbox is a collection of text-based (+I) programs for managing your DDMS inventory catalog, costs and pricing, purchasing preferences. Learn how to adjust costs, prices, dates, and profits; build or create vendor contracts; set and modify your purchasing vendor; move, modify, and classify your data; process vendor unit of measure (UOM) changes to recalculate costs, prices, contracts, inventory quantities, shipping weights, and history totals; view various reports; build SuperIndex; process vendor price files; implement page numbers from special catalogs; and more.
ECi DDMS Offers Saturday Support June 27
ECi DDMS Technical Support offers complimentary Period-End Saturday Support via fax and e-mail on the following date:
Saturday, June 27, 2009
9 AM - 4 PM Central Time
During Period-End Saturday Support, you can send questions relating to day-end, month-end and quarter-end O/PUS procedures three ways:
Portal Online: https://support.ECiSolutions.com (fastest)
Email: ddmssupport@ecisolutions.com
Fax: 682-831-9909
There is no charge for period-end support requests submitted via the online ECi Customer Service Portal, fax, email during the scheduled hours.
However, Saturday Support differs from regular support in two ways:
- No Phone Calls. All phone calls will be routed to the 24/7 service and are billable if you do not subscribe to the 24/7 service.
- Period-End Only. Saturday Support is available only for questions about your period-end procedures, including quarter-end O/PUS procedures. All other issues must be referred to our standard Saturday or 24/7 support services, which may be billable.
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.
- Any relevant log files you can attach.
When using our online portal, simply describe the issue and attach log files. Your contact information is automatically part of the system.
We believe this additional support will help us be responsive to your need for support during quarter end.
Sincerely,
ECi DDMS Technical Support |
