Announcing DDMS Version 8.16.2 Major Release
This message covers the following timely topics:
What’s New In This Release?
How do I get this version?
What’s New In This Release?
October 16, 2008 — The ECi DDMS Version 8.16.2 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:
For all dealers: EBS SQL Import Control Panel
With the release of DDMS Version 8.16.2, the previous EBS Utility
program has been replaced with the new EBS SQL Import Panel, shown
below.
This EBS SQL Import Panel not only lets you validate and import your data for
use with the new SQL databases, it also gives you better control over
how your DBF and SQL files are kept in sync.
After initially validating and importing your data in the new EBS SQL Import Panel, you'll set up your schedule of "delta sync" (a process that synchronizes changes only) for the file groups and timetables you specify. Instead of using the W-CHANGES file
to sync your DBF and SQL files in cycles, the new EBS SQL Import Panel allows
you to better control the impact that the sync process has on your system resources.
For example, you can choose to sync a selection of file groups — such your Customer, Item, Customer Price Plan, Furniture Project databases, and so on — as often as needed throughout the day.
The new EBS SQL Import Panel gives you additional benefits:
- A more robust and efficient process for validating, importing, and synchronizing DDMS database files into SQL.
- Designed to interface with the latest SQL databases and applications, including the re-designed Furniture Project Management, Customer Price Plans, Price Modeling, and the growing SQL Reports.
- Better control and feedback when importing or synchronizing on a file level.
- Real-time import monitoring and logging capabilities.
- Detailed views, such as SQL databases, table sizes, and record counts.
Note: Since the W-CHANGES file is no longer used to sync data, you may delete it from your DDMS work unit after installing 8.16.2 or higher.
For detailed instructions, see Using the EBS SQL Import Panel
(www.DDMS.com/Resources/Support/faq/utilities/EBSSQLimport.pdf).
Note: In related news, a new handout provides field definitions for standard sales and customer reports in the DDMS SQL Report Preview window. For each of these reports, we provide a summary of the report, an example of the report, and field definitions. See SQL Reporting Field Definitions
(www.DDMS.com/Resources/Support/faq/utilities/SQLFieldDef.pdf). Experienced SQL query writers can also use this reference when using C1 Report Designer to design custom SQL reports.
For furniture dealers: Modern, EBS SQL Project Management
For contract furniture dealers, "Project Management is about being able to communicate information and status to your staff and your customers," as Steve Miller of Goodman's Office Furniture said recently. "They want to know where their stuff is, when it's going to be there, and whether you foresee any hiccups."
With input from a dedicated dealer task force, DDMS Office Furniture Edition's Project Management application has been newly streamlined with EBS SQL technology. Now you are able to give those answers, quickly and accurately.
New features in EBS SQL Project Management are as follows:
- All the new functionality of the EBS SQL database.
- Project Management tasks display in an easy to use panel.
- The hierarchy of views now falls into project, sales order, order summary (purchase order), and item levels.
- The Order Summary (P/O), formerly Acknowledgement level, now includes total List, Sell, Margin, Gross Profit Percentage (GP%), and Subtotals.
- You now have unparalleled flexibility when limiting, filtering, summarizing, sorting, customizing, and updating your project data.
- You can restrict salespersons to viewing only their customers’ project data.
- You can show or hide both global information and detail information with a single click.
- You can copy selected columns or notes to the clipboard for pasting into other documents, spreadsheets, or email messages.
- You can easily customize the display of columns and header information when you’re ready to save a report, or export to a spreadsheet or PDF file.
- Results are significantly faster, making reporting easier than ever.
WARNING: Before you can begin using this EBS SQL Project Management tool, you must import your data through the new EBS SQL Import Control Panel. You must import your file information and then set a schedule for synchronizing on a regular basis to feed your project reports.
For detailed instructions, see Using the EBS SQL Import Panel
(www.DDMS.com/Resources/Support/faq/utilities/EBSSQLimport.pdf).
For detailed instructions on the redesigned EBS SQL Project Management application, see Furniture Project Management Reporting
(www.DDMS.com/Resources/Support/faq/furn/FurnPM.pdf)
 For equipment dealers: ServiceTrak™ 2.0 for Windows™ Mobile 6
We are releasing ServiceTrak 2.0 in preparation to be certified by an independent agency that we meet the requirements of the Windows Mobile 6 operating system.
In this release, the software has been redesigned with these enhancements:
- Runs on any touchscreen device using Windows Mobile Professional 6 (or PocketPC 5).
- Stylus-free one hand operation.
- Compatible with all the screen sizes on the market (240x320, 240x240, 480x640, 320x320) and any future sizes.
- Compatible with all available resolutions (96, 192, 128). Adjusts to any new resolution without any modification.
- Displays portrait, landscape, and square as needed.
- Creates shortcuts in the device's Programs folder on install.
- Supports softkeys, and launch menu from right softkey.
- Vertically stacks dialog box controls.
- Conforms menu items and buttons to new Windows Mobile 6 standards.
- Adapts to user's existing preference settings.
- In Windows Mobile Pro 6, performs two to three times faster than before.
- Conforms to new ECi branding.
As the mobile dispatching solution for DDMS, ServiceTrak™ gives technicians real-time access to service call and customer information while in the field. It also reduces paperwork and eliminates redundant data entry tasks, increasing overall service department efficiency.
For details on setting up and using this mobile solution for DDMS Machine & Equipment dealers, see ServiceTrak™ Mobile Dispatching
(www.DDMS.com/Resources/Support/faq/machine/ServiceTrak.pdf)
For more information about implementing ServiceTrak for your DDMS system, please call DDMS Aftermarket Sales at 866-374-3221, or e-mail our sales department at sales@eci2.com
In phase 2 of this project, we will complete independent certification that ServiceTrak 2.0 meets all the appropriate Windows Mobile 6® requirements, and we will announce when this certification has been completed.
Other changes in DDMS 8.16:
- Delete Partial Backorders: Enhanced graphical Order Entry so that partial backorders may be deleted just as they can be in text-based software. (53749)
- Line Item Comments on United Wrap N Label. We have added the ability to send first line AAAA specials on Interlink orders using the option O under Shipping Inst and Consumer Text in the (L6F) screen.United Stationers dealers can now send line item comments on Wrap-N-Label and drop ship orders using the new Line Comments field in the(L6F) screen. (53676) For additional instructions, see Setting Up and Using the United Stationers PSN
(www.DDMS.com/Resources/Doc/PSN/unitedpsn.pdf)
- Wrap & Label with Supplies Network. Supplies Network, a DMI company, now allows you to send Wrap & Label orders via the ECi Private Supply Network (PSN). You must set this option in the Vendor Private Communications Network dialog box. In the Communication Type box, select Private Communication Network. In the Template box, select DMIPCN Communications. In the Program Group drop down box, select General Communication Information. The Wrap and Label option now appears under General Communication Information and is available for use. (54318) For additional instructions, see
Setting Up and Using the Supplies Network PSN
(www.DDMS.com/Resources/Doc/PSN/suppliesntwkpsn.pdf)
- Continue Invoiced Order: In Furniture Order Entry, you can continue an invoiced order if you set the Allow Continued Invoiced Order Option in the Furniture General Configuration Parameters to Y.You can password-protect this feature by setting a password in Furniture Passwords Parameters. (54506)
- Options to launch Delivery Marking, Billing Items for Partial Delivery, and Job Costing Analysis are not accessible from the newly redesigned EBS SQL Project Management window. For now, you can access them from other DDMS Office Furniture applications as you always have. See instructions on delivery marking and billing items for partial delivery in online help or Furniture Reporting
(www.DDMS.com/Resources/Support/faq/furn/FurnPmReport.pdf).
See also Job Costing
(www.DDMS.com/Resources/Support/faq/furn/furnJobCosting.pdf).
- Remove a Call from On Hold: When you complete a call with a Waiting on Parts status in the Work Orders window, you now have the ability to remove the call from On Hold in the Machine Monitor Calls tab. You can do so for Calls, Responses, and Transfers. (If the call is On Hold, the system assigns the text HELD as the technician’s number.) If the Check Past Due parameter in the (EZ1L) screen is set to H, the system also prompts you for the authorization password before removing the call’s on hold status. (54230)
The list of changes above is not exhaustive. To look up all released corrections and enhancements in this release, see Program Updates for Version 8.16 (www.DDMS.com/updates/searchresult2.asp?swversion=249&search=Search).
For more information about new features in DDMS software, see:
How do I get this version?
If you report an issue, you automatically receive the software update that provides a resolution. If you have not reported an issue but want to take advantage of the software changes in this release, we will be happy to ship it to you via United Parcel Service (UPS) Ground. You can request a software update by email ddmssupport@ecisolutions.com, including your DDMS account number, contact name, company name, shipping address, and phone number. Or log in to submit a ticket for the latest software online at https://support.ECiSolutions.com. |
