Announcing DDMS 8.20.0 Major Release

This message covers the following timely topics:

What’s New In This Release?
Find Out What's Coming Soon And More

What’s New In This Release?

Oct. 20, 2009 — The ECi DDMS Version 8.20.0 major release is available now for software download via the ECi Customer Support Portal (https://support.ecisolutions.com). This release includes enhancements designed to make it easier for you to take full advantage of new technology, work more efficiently, and grow your business:

Supplies | Furniture | Machines | Other Changes in This Release

For Supplies Dealers

Protect Date Limit on Customer Price Plans

Previously, if you set up price plans allowing special prices for customers for a specified period of time, these prices were changed with each quarterly update. Afterward, you had to remember to refigure them. However, some contracts, or even certain items, often fall within the contract range you would use to mass refigure, but on which you do NOT want the refigure process to change their consumer prices.

Or, you may have guaranteed pricing on certain items within a contract, for a specified length of time. Previously, you may have set the figure type as ‘$’ type on these items so that when you refigure the contract, the price would not change. However, unless you go back and change the figure type to a G or D, the price plan will never be re-figured and you may eventually lose money.

Now, with the new Protect Date limit in Customer Price Plans, you simply set up the price plan and select the Protect Date limit for the item. The item cost is set for the specified period of time, and you don’t have to remember to refigure after updates or change the price after the specified time expires.

To learn more, see online help or the updated Customer Price Plans (pdf).

Option to Stop Updating Cost on United Stationers Pre-Receive

DDMS has always updated the P/O with your United Stationers cost when you use Pre-Receive. A new field has been added to the (L6F) United Communications screen, Update Cost, which allows a dealer to stop updating your cost, for unique applications.

• To update the cost on the P/O when pre-receiving the merchandise, leave Update Cost blank or set it to Y. (Recommended).
• To stop updating the cost on the P/O, set this field to N. This setting was developed for unique application. Contact your support team for assistance before setting Update Cost to N.

For detailed instructions, see the updated Setting Up & Using the United Stationers PSN (pdf) or online help on communications parameters in DDMS 8.20 and higher.

For Furniture Dealers

Version 8.20.0 includes dozens of improvements to the usability and flow of graphical order entry, quotes, Knoll PSN, HMI Communications, HNI communications, Job Costing Analysis, delivery tickets, and more. For the full list, see the extended announcement on our Web site (www.DDMS.com/support/release/whatsnew/dd820.htm#furn)

• Corrected Order Entry for hold orders, to check customer alias item numbers. (55280)
• Corrected so when creating a P/O in Knoll Communications, the system uses the proper address for the order. The system flow is to use the installation address first, then the shipto address, and finally, the billing address.(55445)
• Corrected so the HMI Communications Fix output file properly sends the correct End Customer data. Previously the PO Shipto information was being sent as the End Customer address information. (55808)
• Corrected so the system does not allow a user to place an order in Furniture Order Entry when the user is only allowed to place quotes. (55746)
• Corrected so the system does not repeat project information when viewing Job Costing Analysis reports. (55602)
• Corrected so when a Furniture .SIF file contains special characters such as + or ", the system does not view them as exceptions when receiving the acknowledgment from Herman Miller. The system now ignores the option description so as not to have exeptions in the acknowledgment. (55648).
• Corrected so when printing a delivery ticket, the system properly updates the PJ_DELIVER date field in the P-PROJECT file. (55814)
• Corrected so when searching for an order in the Job Costing Post Hours query dialog box, the system displays the proper order entered. (55297)
• Corrected so when using Furniture Project Management to limit information, the system displays all the information by which to limit when clicking the drop down arrow. Previously the system was not showing all the values by which the user could limit. (55601)
• Corrected the title for HNI Communications in the P/O Communications Vendor Options tab. Previously the title was Dealer PO. It is now correctly labeled End Customer PO. (55199)
• Corrected graphical order entry pay code of Quote so that if you change account number in the middle of a quote, it won't reset the paycode to "new" customer's default, non-quote paycode. (55685)

For Machine Dealers

Renewing Contracts in Graphical Serialized Order Entry

In addition to the text-based (EZU) screen, you now have the ability to renew contracts in Graphical Serialized Order Entry. This is considered the "AutoRenew = No" method, where an individual contract is renewed through (EZ01) Serialized Order Entry. (55184)

• In the Serialized Order Entry window after retrieving the customer, click the Item Detail tab. Right-click the Item Number box and select the new Renewal option in the context menu. The Contract Profile Renewal dialog box opens, displaying machines for the customer you selected. You can then select the Contract Type for the renewal, and enter the renewal dates.
• An additional option, Renewal Reasons, lets you choose the reason for this renewal. You can choose from Date, Click, Time, Date/Time, Date/Click, Click/Time, and Date/Time/Click. This option defaults to Date.

For detailed instructions, see your online help in DDMS 8.20 and higher.

Other Changes for Machine & Equipment Dealers:

Version 8.20.0 includes dozens of improvements to the usability and flow of graphical serialized work orders, accessories management, order entry, toner yield analysis, call monitor, and machine detail. For the full list, see the full announcement on our Web site (www.DDMS.com/support/release/whatsnew/dd820.htm#mach)

• Enhanced Service Trak Version 2.0.6 to enable a tech to see all calls, dispatch and update calls remotely as needed. Previously, any calls a tech could work had to be assigned on the backend prior to synching with the call monitor, or an Invalid Tech message would appear. (55747)
• Enhanced graphical Work Orders so that when logging a call, the cursor moves from System Number to Who Called in the Call Detail tab when you press Enter. (55397)
• Corrected Accessories Management when removing an accessory item so that when the Use Disposition parameter is set to No, the Disposition and Bin fields are disabled. This prevents an object variable error. (55262)
• Corrected to allow the user to reset summaries for the previous year in the General Ledger Chartfile. (55101)
• Corrected Accessories Management so that removing non-serial accessory items works and no longer displays the removed items. Also modified to make the Reuse option unavailable when there is no reference system number. (55261)
• Corrected Serialized Work Orders so that if you have an end date of 99/99/99, the system no longer treats it as expired. (55259)
• Corrected so when using the (EZU) screen to perform contract renewal billings, the system sets the proper contract dates. (55230)
• Corrected the Toner Yield Analysis to update the Z-parts meter number when consummables are put on a service workorder invoice. This results in display the proper yield on the Toner Yield Analysis.(55308)
• Corrected Serialized Order Entry so that when selling an umbrella contract, the third party account number is written not only to individual machines but also to the umbrella. (55395)
• Corrected serialized Monitor so that when dispatching or undispatching a call, it prompts to print the call according to the (EZ1L) Serial Log In Parameters "Print call Y/N/O/B/X" parameter, and have the check the "Print" box as appropriate. (55413)
• Corrected graphical Serialized Order Entry so that when selling an umbrella contract and browsing the database, the cursor changes to normal, instead of appearing to continue waiting in hourglass form. (55451)
• Corrected Machine Work Orders so that critical parts consummables no longer erroneously attach to the invoice when the Replaced field is set to No in the record shown in their Consummables Confirmation dialog box. (55468)
• Corrected Machine Detail so that if you assign a machine that has an expired contract to an existing umbrella, DDMS updates the settings on the Contract Detail. Previously, when logging a call, the system would say the contract is expired, and when you complete and bill the call it also billed for LABOR & TRAVEL even though they are covered under the umbrella. This has been fixed. (55856)
• Corrected graphical Machine Work Orders so that Notepad displays automatically when logging a call, and prompts you do clear the notepad or add as text lines, just as the text-based (EZ0) screen operates. (55714)
• Corrected the Machine Work Orders Recap window so that you can tab through the date fields after completing and billing a call. Also changed to allow tabbing through the meter grid in the date/times window. (55703)
• Corrected the EZU-Update process to update contract & meter history correctly for machines on umbrella contracts when history is moved to EZK from EZJ. Previously the EZU Update was not moving history on records under umbrella machines, even though the EZ1B "Move EZJ History to EZK When Renewal Updated Through EZU" is set to Yes. (55679)
• Corrected Serialized Credits so that it no longer gets caught in a nonresponsiveloop due to lack of AAAA specials, and so that it no longer fails to bring over the Who Called special. (55660)
• Enhanced Machine Detail so that if you delete an UMBRELLA item, the system checks for any other machines linked back to it in the Z-U-INDEX, then prompts the user to remove the UMBRELLA system number from those machines or Cancel the deletion process. (55607)
• Corrected Machine Detail and (EZG) so that when updating a machine, the system disables the Other tab umbrella system information and will thus not allow you to assign one umbrellas system to another. Previously, this was allowed, and the EZY-B process created an invoice but nothing posted to the A/R batch as a result. (55605)
• Corrected the (EZYB) Consolidate function to see if the machine exists on an umbrella contract. If not found, the system does not process that machine but writes out an exception, "UMBRELLA SYSTEM NOT ON FILE", for the machine that is actually tied to the umbrella contract. Dealer should then look up the machine tied to that umbrella contract to see what umbrella system is missing from Z-MASTER.
  (55598)
• Corrected the (TR-V) Batch Verify function to comply with the (LG6) parameter "Skip NO PRICE Check for Serialized Lines When All Correct Y/N ?" for serialized tickets, checking any item with a P_TYPE other than a space. This fixes the Batch Verify for Service Trak tickets stuck at status 6 after the invoice is completed and billed from within the handheld unit. (55538)
• Corrected graphical Serialized Work Orders so that when you log your second and following calls and print SWORKO format, the system number, sub number, and meter number are written properly to Z-A-KEYS and the work order includes the proper meter details. (55493)

For All Dealers

Bank Reconciliation Corrected

Two significant corrections have been released for the Bank Reconciliation application:

• Corrected the book balance calculation in the G/L Bank Reconciliation application, allowing the user to choose when to start the Bank Reconciliation process as well as set the beginning dates and amounts. (55751)
• Corrected so when attempting to reconcile a bank account that has not been finalized in the G/L Bank Reconciliation window, the system does not display an error message when retrieving the data. (55895)

Other Changes in This Release

Version 8.20.0 includes dozens of improvements to the usability and flow of the installation program, EBS imports, CCH Taxing. order entry credits, short-buy and low-stock purchase orders, P/O Vendor Listings, P/O Receiving, AutoComm II, third party billing, SQL A/R Trial Balance, and more. For the full list, see the full announcement on our Web site (www.DDMS.com/support/release/whatsnew/dd820.htm#other)

• Corrected so the View Next Price Plan Detail option in the Customer Price Plan window only processes through selected price plans. (55411)
• Streamlined ECINCR so that downloading electronic invoices from S.P. Richards via PSN no longer results in erroring out. Unused segments IS1, IS2, IS3, IF1, IF2, IF3, IM1, and OT1 have been removed. (55689)
• Enhanced graphical parameters, (L6C) Sparco Communications Parameters, Item database, Vendor Information, Commercial Order Entry, Advanced Shipping Notice, and GOA gateway packets to accommodate a new Shipping Table with a 2-character shipping code and a 20-character text description. This is in preparation to allow dealers to sell special-order products through S.P. Richards that take longer than usual to ship. (55745)
• Enhanced the logging process for stock and price checks to prevent lockups on the PSN. Modified the naming convention method for the file used in stock price checks. If an order taker (OT) number is provided that will be used in naming the send and receive files. If no OT number is present, then the current Minute and Second will be used instead. Also specified the max number of temp files in use to get out of a loop. (55460)
• Corrected so the Purchasing P/Os by Vendor Listing report properly subtotals by vendor and displays the correct grand totals. (55192)
• Corrected Low Stock so that dealers can specify a filename to use from a workstation, as well as from the server, and check the existence of the file. (55099)
• Corrected graphical Order Entry so that credits show the contract number that originated the pricing, and will show a standard discount if granted at the time of the order. Previously, changes in the restocking fee logic for credits was inadvertently clearing the P-MASTER contract field. (55431)
• Corrected Order Entry so that deleting items that are part of an assembly (such as fees normally attached to a particular item) no longer causes graphical to shut down. (55443)
• Corrected so the client software properly installs on computers running Windows Vista Business Edition. Previously this error message appeared: "DDMS Client Failed to Install" (55497)
• Enhanced the AutoComm II working folder path textbox to be read/write so that the user can manually change the path, for example, to use a network share folder by specifying its Universal Naming Convention (UNC), including the server name and folder path. Note: mapped drive letters will not work. (55542)
• Corrected the handling of Third Party Billing when reopening the order in change mode and adding additional items. By design you first remove 3PB billing, then add items, then re-add 3PB if they want those items included. The reason is so that a dealer who wants to add an install later, for example, but does not want to pass that cost on to a 3PB customer, they can simply add after setting 3PB. When that is the case, then no items added after 3PB is set should write to p-line2, and the cost should write from then on on the order. (55741)
• Corrected Order Entry Credits to eliminate the "Invalid property array index" error when the Customer & Item box are checked, and Assign Invoice # in the Global Credit Data Box is checked. (55573)
• Corrected errors when importing information using Delta Importer. Previously the system was not properly importing P/O Journals and User information. This issue was resolved by running a full import. (55688)
• Corrected so if you specify a future date for an item in the Global Settings O/E tab, the system does not allow the item to be shipped. (55322)
• Corrected so the CCH SQL Reports properly sort by City and County information. (55550)
• Corrected the SQL A/R Trail Balance Report to age as expected like the text-based version of the report. When orders are created and billed using a negative quantity, it gives the ticket a negative balance. Assuming parameters are set to show credits as current, the trial balance report reads this negative balance as a credit, and displays it in the Current column. Previously, the SQL trial balance report read negative balances as aged records because they were in the debit column. (55597)
• Corrected so the system displays the proper voucher and net dates in the A/P History window when changes are made in Accounts Payable. Previously the system was displays the proper dates in the A/P History Summary tab but not in the Detail tab. This has been corrected. (55543)
• Corrected so the system does not automatically populate the city, county, state, and zip boxes when clicking Accept Location in the CCH Taxing application. This issue applied when clicking the Change Address button, leaving all boxes blank and making no additional changes. (55641)
• Corrected so the system does not change an item's description when performing a credit in O/E and changing the item in the Item Detail tab. Previously if you double-clicked the item to change, the system was replacing the item's description with another item. (55218)
• Corrected so the system does not display the Vendor File is Empty error message in the Vendor window. This message appeared when the user clicked the Add New Vendor icon and then clicked the Query icon followed by Cancel to return to the Vendor window. (55666)
• Corrected so the system properly installs the ActiveX controls on the Windows 2008 server when installing the DDMS software. (55949)
• Corrected so the system properly uses the packing slip numbers specified when pre-recieving and final-receiving in the Purchase Order Entry window. Previously if the user entered a packing slip number when pre-receiving, and a different packing slip number when final-receiving, the system was using the original pre-received packing slip number. Now both numbers are retained. (55452)
• Corrected so when clicking the column headers in the CCH Taxing Address Locator dialog box, the information properly sorts. (55640)
• Corrected so when creating a Low Stock in the Purchase Order Entry window and selecting unassigned vendor items to add, the system no longer allows adding the items. (55623)
• Corrected so when opening the G/L Financial reports, the system does not lock if general ledger files do not exist in the G/L volume. (55622)
• Corrected so when performing a contract billing to a third party and the Billing For account is set to Bill Complete, the system allows invoicing the billing. Previously the system did not allow invoicing until the Bill Complete flag was removed on the Billing For account. (53492)
• Corrected so when performing a Quote Release and adding new database items, the system retains the proper number of lines on the order. (55513)
• Corrected so when printing the Customer Sales Analysis report, the system allows the user to limit to a customer or range of customers as well as different dates and date ranges. (55699)
• Corrected so when querying for a customer in Accounts Receivable, the system does not leave the dialog box image on the window if you do not select a customer but instead click X to close the dialog box. (55579)
• Corrected so when sorting by the Item Number column in the Purchasing Short Buy window, the system now sorts the item numbers numerically, from left to right, making it much easier to locate specific items. The system also uses this same sorting logic when using the Low Stock feature. (55768)
• Corrected so when the Prompt to Include Specials option is selected in the Purchasing Short Buy window and the user specifies to add the AAAA special to the order, the system does not also include the AAAA sequence specials. (55772)
• Corrected so when viewing Unassigned items in the Purchasing Short Buy window and assigning them to a vendor, the page refreshes to show not only the newly assigned items but also to display the entire list. (55767)
• Corrected to print the SQL Accounts Receivable Trial Balance Report in name order. Previously it was printing in account number order. (55599)
• Enhanced to change the format for the !RPT 850ACP report. Line 26 was changed to pull the cost with three digits after the decimal instead of just two digits. (55801)
• Corrected the ;SPC:PDCNV conversion program and created a new ;SPCFIXPD program to eliminate decimals in the PR-SA-DAY invoice count field. This prevents data import validation errors so that an Out of Memory error no longer occurs in the Executive Dashboard. (55909)

For more information about new features in DDMS software, see:

• What's New in Version 8
  (www.DDMS.com/Resources/Doc/version8/whatsnew_ver8.pdf)
• Other Version 8 Documentation
  (www.DDMS.com/support/doc/ver8doc.htm)

How Do I Get This Version?

Hundreds of ECi customers go to https://support.ecisolutions.com to log tickets, add attachments, add notes to Web Conversations with their support techs, look up their development status, and more!

Now you can securely download your DDMS software at your convenience! We've logged more than 750 downloads, with over 600 just for DDMS software updates. It's the method of choice for a majority of DDMS customers.

IMPORTANT: The ECI Customer Support Portal's page of Software Downloads is the primary method of delivery for all DDMS software. This became effective in June with the release of both DDMS 8.19 and the O/PUS 3rd Quarter Multi-Vendor Catalog Update.

It's easy to register if you haven't already. To log in, download and run the latest DDMS software update:

1. Go to https://support.ecisolutions.com.
2. Just enter your unique email address. If you already have a password, enter it and click Submit. If you don't have your password or have forgotten it, check the box for a temporary password, and click Submit.

   On the login page, you can view a 10-minute video guided tour to introduce you to using the ECi Customer Support Portal. There's also a new 2-minute video on using Software Downloads.

   1. If your email address is associated with a customer account in our system, you'll receive a temporary password. If not, we may contact you to verify your account.
   2. Once you receive your temporary password, you can log in.
   3. Change your password as prompted.
3. Click Software Downloads, click DDMS and follow the on-screen steps.

If you would like a copy of this software update on CD-ROM, we will be happy to ship it to you via United Parcel Service (UPS) Ground. You can request a software update CD by email ddmssupport@ecisolutions.com, including your DDMS account number, contact name, company name, shipping address, and phone number. Effective with DDMS Version 8.20 and higher, a $15 shipping and handling fee will apply for each software update CD requested.

Sincerely,

ECi DDMS Product Management & Technical Support
http://support.ecisolutions.com