Release Notes

Always check here for important information you may need to know prior to loading a software update.

We constantly strive to improve the software; input from you and dealers like you help us make our products better for you and for all the other dealers who use them. What to Expect When You Report a Software Issue describes how to report a software issue, and what happens afterward.

Release Notes highlight important information; they do not list every change. For a complete list of every software change that has been released, see Program Updates.

New! Preparing for DDMS® EBS Applications

O/PUS Update Notes
Windows Platform Notes
Third-Party Software

ECinteractive™ and is.D-Force® 2

Version 8.15.2
Version 8.14.0
Version 8.13.45
Version 8.12.32
Version 8.12
Version 8.11
Version 8.10 General Release
Version 7.12.20
Version 7.12
Version 7.11
Versions 7.10.2 — 7.10.33
Versions 7.10.10 and 8.7.10
Versions 7.10.2
Version 7.9.0
Version 7.8
Version 7.7
Versions 7.3.9 and 7.4.0 (Version 7 General Release)

ECinteractive and is.D-Force 2

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.

Tue 10/30/2007 —See the Schedule Site Maintenance to Avoid Unwanted Notification Emails in ECinteractive message.

Version 8.15.2

Order Entry Notes Issue (QC#54513)

Thurs 7/24/2008 — We are issuing an emergency release to correct issues in graphical Order Entry with Start Notes, End Notes, and line item Notes (QC# 54513). Rest assured, Order Entry specials work as they always have in text-based (G) screens. We will automatically ship a new software update CD for 8.15.3 or higher to customers who received version 8.15.0 or 8.15.2. For details, see the Release Note: Order Entry Notes Issue in 8.15.0, 8.15.2.

Thurs 8/21/2008 — The software correcting this issue has been released in DDMS 8.15.9. Please see Announcing ECi DDMS Version 8.15.9 (www.ddms.com/support/release/whatsnew/dd8159.htm).

General Installation Guidelines for 8.15.0 and higher

UPDATED Thurs 8/21/2008 — Version 8.15.2 and higher includes many changes including an exciting new look and feel to the software installation. For complete instructions on installation, please see the Installing Version 8 DDMS handout included with this package. Please read the following BEFORE installing version 8.15.2 and higher.

  1. You must be on version 8.13.0 through 8.14.46 in order to install version 8.15.2 and higher. If you are not on version 8.13.0 through 8.14.46, and do not have one of those software update CDs to install, contact ECi DDMS Support and ask for version 8.14.46. If you had already requested a newer version and just haven’t installed yet, install the software then install 8.15.2 or higher.
  2. When installing 8.15.2 and higher, your system takes two snapshots of your SQL database. Your system must have enough space to hold these two snapshots until the install is complete. If it does not have enough space, an error message appears, as shown below. If you see this error message, simply click OK and continue business as usual. The software install had not yet begun. For assistance in creating space on your hard drive, contact ECi DDMS Support.
    3. Disc space error when installing 8.15
  3. One of the exciting new features of this release is Vista Business edition compatibility. If you had previously installed DDMS software on a Vista system, you must manually uninstall that previous version before installing version 8.15.2 or higher.
  4. If you previously disabled SQL server, you must enable it by setting the Startup Type box to Automatic or Manual prior to installing 8.15.2 or higher. To do so, complete the following steps. If you have not ever disabled SQL server, skip these steps.
    1. Right-click My Computer on the desktop of your DDMS server.
    2. Select Manage.
    3. The Computer Management window opens. In the left pane of the window, expand Services and Applications by clicking the + sign.
    4. Click Services. All the services display in the right pane of the window. There are two services for which you must modify the properties: Ensite.DataPortal and SQL Server (ECI2). You must highlight each of these services then complete the following steps for each one.
    5. Highlight either Ensite.DataPortal or SQL Server (ECI2) in the right pane of the window.
    6. After highlighting the service, right-click and select Properties.
    7. Use the drop down arrow to set the Startup Type box to Automatic or Manual.
    8. Click OK.
    9. Repeat these steps for each of the above named services.
  5. After installing 8.15.2 or higher, it may appear as if you have multiple sessions of TBL Server running on your system (see below). This appears only if you have the console set up to display for TBL NetComm or UtilExt. You can disable the consoles in TBL Config, if needed. For instructions, see Disabling TblNetCom Console and UtilExt Console in DDMS 8.15.
Start bar displaying what appears to be multiple instances of TBLServer

Version 8.14.0

DDMS Purged Prorated A/R Deposits Issue

Update Monday, March 31, 2008: Version 8.14.41 is available upon request to resolve this issue.

March 11, 2008 — We are issuing a DDMS maintenance release version 8.14.40 in late March 2008 to resolve an issue with purging A/R Deposits. See DDMS Purged Prorated A/R Deposits Issue. If you have loaded Version 8.13.44 - 8.14.0, we recommend that you do not run the (OR-E) function to purge deposits until you have loaded 8.14.40 or higher.

DDMS Discontinues Support for “Slave” Printer Configurations

March 7, 2008 — To identify the presence of slave printers in your DDMS system, see detailed instructions and examples in "DDMS Discontinues Support for “Slave” Printer Configurations ". 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.

Version 8.13.45

Jan. 24, 2008 — ECi is releasing a software update to resolve an issue with a custom (LGF) parameter, "Allow Held Commercial Prepays to flow to Status 8 instead of 6." If this parameter is set to Y, the (TR-P) Credit Card Service Capture and Invoicing of Prepay Orders function fails to move tickets with backordered items to a status B. This issue is related to QC52246, released in Version 8.11.40. If you use this parameter and have commercial backorder tickets lingering at status 8 or 9, please email support@eci2.com for the DDMS Version 8.13.45 software update, in reference to QC#53575.

Version 8.12.32

Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007 — We have discovered an issue with the DDMS 8.12.32 maintenance release, and will automatically ship corrected software to the few dealers who have already received it once it is released.

If you do NOT use Automated Short Buy (ASB) to purchase from United Stationers, this issue does not affect you.

If you DO use ASB to transmit to United Stationers, DO NOT load the 8.12.32 software update. In DDMS 8.12.32, transmitting to United Stationers may cause a loop the acknowledgement process, generating erroneous temporary files, failing to print the acknowledgment, and subsequently slowing performance on your DDMS server. If you loaded 8.12.32 and this issue affects you, contact Support regarding QC# 53061. As always, you can contact support four ways:

Rest assured, this issue does not affect manual (SR) transmissions to United Stationers, and does not affect ASB transmissions with any other vendors.

We apologize for any inconvenience this issue may be causing.

Version 8.12

  • RELEASE NOTE: ECinteractive 7.1 Requires DDMS 8.12 ACTION REQUIRED: If you are actively using ECinteractive and is.D-Force 2, and have not already installed DDMS 8.12, please send a software update request in reference to QC #51948 to ECi Technical Support.
  • If you receive electronic invoices from S.P. Richards, you must set the new (L6C) ASN parameter to Y. Then, when you use the (SR-I) screen to receive Sparco electronic invoices, you will be prompted, “Requesting Advanced Shipping Notices or Invoices?” Just type I to select invoices. When the ASN parameter is blank or set to N, DDMS 8.12.0 does not process electronic invoices. An emergency release 8.12.1 will separate the logic of processing invoices and ASNs. If this issue affects you, please use the workaround above, and email support@eci2.com to request the new software update in reference to QC#52706.
  • If you use third party billing, do not load version 8.12.0. In Order Entry Change mode in Version 8.12.0, changing an order to third party billing will zero out the cost and sell price. Note: this does not affect orders where you select third party billing when you originally create it. We are preparing an emergency release 8.12.1 to resolve this issue. If this issue affects you, please email support@eci2.com to request the new software update in reference to QC#52708.
  • Page 10 of the Price Modeling (pdf) documentation refers to a sample Excel spreadsheet that is missing from the first installation CDs that were shipped. This issue will be resolved with subsequent installation CDs (QC#52473). However, if your installation CD is missing the file, you can download the Sample Price Modeling Spreadsheet (xls) here. 

ECi Releases DDMS 8.12 DDMS® 8.12 offers new features carefully engineered hone your business' efficiency and competitive edge: AutoComm™ II, Approval Link™ 4.0 for NET1, S.P. Richards PSN Invoice & Advance Shipping Notice Data Handling, PPI and O Henry Electronic Invoicing Via PSN, Furniture Calculated Load Factor, Prorated Deposits, Haworth and Knoll P/Os via PSN, Machine BEI Export, and ServiceTrak™. Also see highlights of previous maintenance releases: Streamlined EnsiteEBS, ECinteractive™ Gateway, Furniture Order Modifications, Machine Graphical Development

Version 8.11

  • Version 8.11.41 corrects an issue discovered in Version 8.11.40 in the Accounts Receivable Payments tab. When it did not properly display debit values that included a comma, it prevented retrieval of affected customers' A/R records. Now, invoices properly display in this application. (52437)
  • Version 8.11.41 corrects an issue discovered in Version 8.11.40 in the Order Entry Totals tab. After an order was placed on hold, the "Don't Print" checkbox continued to stay marked by default on subsequent orders. As a result, shipped and billed orders were not being printed in the warehouse for delivery. The system now defaults to print the next order in the Order Totals tab (52353)

ECi Ships Software to Resolve Department Synchronization Issue

Wednesday, 2/28/2007 — We have resolved an issue that affects some dealers after last weekend’s ECinteractive and is.D-Force2 Version 6.8 release.

Symptoms. When adding a customer account in the Admin control panel, in some cases the Synchronizing Departments function may result in an error that prevents new accounts from being added. The error message is as follows: "No accounts were found for department synchronization."

For dealers who are not yet running DDMS(tm) Version 8.11.20 or higher, the Synchronizing Departments function has trouble synchronizing properly if the Department Name field is blank in your back-end Customer database.

Solution. This issue is resolved in DDMS Version 8.11.20 and higher. We are shipping the latest maintenance release, Version 8.11.40, to all ECinteractive and is.D-Force2 dealer sites today. If this issue affects you, please load the software update when you receive it. For a complete change log of software enhancements, please see our Program Updates page.

Dealers who are getting ready to be trained on their new Web storefront must install Version 8.11.20 or higher in order to schedule training.

Version 8.11 EnsiteEBS Conversion Only Required for New SQL Applications ECi released DDMS® Version 8.11, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006, and began shipping in waves to customers who requested the software update. This message is from your ECi Technical Support team, to provide guidance as you implement groundbreaking new features.

Important Parameter Must Be Set Prior to Importing Data Into SQL We have discovered an important parameter setting was missing from the documentation for the new EnsiteEBS Utility. This parameter affects dealers who plan to use the new SQL applications, such as Customer Price Plans and Price Modeling. Before you import your data into the SQL database with the EnsiteEBS Utility, you must first set the (LØ) Global Master Parameters setting, “Using RoadRunner?” to Y. If you have already imported your data into SQL, all you have to do is set this parameter and then re-import your data and recent sales journals.

ECi Releases DDMS 8.11 Customer Price Plans, Price Modeling, Kimball® and National™ P/Os via PSN, Machine Meter Enhancements, SQL Reporting of Sales Data

Version 8.10 General Release

ActionEmco Communications Issues in DDMS/Ensite Pro Sept. 29, 2006 — ActionEmco has confirmed an issue that affects electronic communications with the DDMS/DDMS® system, whether PSN, modem, or other channel. As Thursday, Sept., 28, 2006, the ActionEmco system uses longer IDs in P/O acknowledgements and electronic invoices. Instead of the seven digits that the DDMS/DDMS system currently accepts, the ID is now eight digits.

As a result, when the ActionEmco system sends an acknowledgement of your purchase order, the last digit will be dropped before it writes to the DDMS system. The discrepancy affects your efficiency in tracking ActionEmco shipments or making returns to them. The greatest impact will be for dealers who receive electronic invoices from ActionEmco, because the discrepancy will cause ActionEmco postings to fail.

ECi programmers and testers are diligently working on a solution. If these issues affect you, please email support@eci2.com to request the software update in reference to QC#51533. Please include your account number and shipping address for confirmation purposes.

ECi releases DDMS Version 8.10.40 Software Update
August 28, 2006 — ECi released a software update for DDMS®. Version 8.10.40 includes the following enhancements and corrections:

  • Enhanced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate settings and calculations so that when Canadian dealers must change the current tax rate to comply with government requirements, they can retain historical tax rates and specify their expiration dates. Every DDMS report or historical view that contains sales tax calculations will figure taxes based on the invoice date to determine whether it uses the current rate or a historical GST rate. For detailed instructions on the (LØ) Global Parameters screen and the (LGU) GST Tax Table screen, see your online help or “Chapter 1: Fields in the (LØ) Screen” and “Chapter 75: Fields in the (LGU) Screen” in the DDMS Parameter Manual. This change will NOT require any file conversions. Canadian dealers will be able to implement wiFriday, August 29, 2008 1:45 PMparameters:
    1. When Canada mandates a new GST Tax rate, update the Tax % field in the (LØ) Global Parameters screen.
    2. Use the new [G] action on the (LØ) to add the expired GST% rate and date in the (LGU) GST Tax Table screen.
  • Enabled ECi to provide new Private Supply Network (PSN) services for furniture manufacturer Global Industries. See Setting Up and Using the Global Industries PSN for DDMS (pdf).
  • Enabled selected dealers to beta test PSN services with office products vendors Pens Plus, Inc. (see setup pdf), and O'Henry (see setup pdf).
  • Corrected a number of other issues, as detailed in Program Updates for Version 8.10.40.
  • Contained Program Updates for Version 8.10.22-A

ECi Releases DDMS Version 8.10.22 Software Update August 1, 2006 — ECi released a software update for DDMS®. Version 8.10.22 includes the following corrections:

Version 7.12.20

We have corrected an issue in Version 7.12.20 that prevented retail users from scanning items, if they do not have a valid factor, factor quantity, and unit of measure. Commercial order entry was unaffected. The correction is released in Versions 7.12.20 and 8.9.20 and above. (#50444)

Version 7.12

If you have used third party software programs with DDMS®, please note that they may have written records to the PARAMETERS file at some point. This may create invalid records that are incompatible with the new DDMS® enterprise-class business system (EBS) architecture. As a result, it may prevent EBS applications such as Campaign Manager, Notes Everywhere, or Customer Price Plans, and so on, from working properly, and an invalid data error message may display. To see if this issue applies to you, see Identifying Invalid Records in Your Parameters File (PDF).

Version 7.11

  • Version 7.11.0-A May Uncatalog Custom Report Formats
    When 7.11.0-A is installed, new reports are cataloged in reports screens including the (N) Customer Report Selector and the (S) P/O Report Selector screen. If your system already had another report cataloged in the target slot, it is moved to an empty slot and replaced with new cataloged report. If there are no empty slots, the report will be uncataloged. It still exists in the report format or selector libraries. If the report that was moved or dropped is run in a proc, it will no longer print. If you have a backup tape from before loading Version 7.11.0-A, ECi Technical Support has determined a method to merge old and new parameters files.

    1. First, make a backup copy of the new parameters file, which normally resides in the SR volume.
    2. Then, restore your parameters file from a backup tape made before loading Version 7.11.0-A. Make sure you restore it into a different volume than SR.
    3. Merge the (LN) and (LS) screens from your backup parameters file to the new one.
    If you need assistance, please contact your support team. QC Tracking # 44905.

  • Version 7.11.0 Overwrites Backup Commands
    A backup issue has been found after the releases of DDMS® Version 7.11.0 on Sept. 23, 2005. Dealers who performed the software update are experiencing an error when running the backup on their server. The backup error says, “Invalid command line parameters” and prevents the system from backing up any data.

    We have discovered that the software update inadvertently overwrites the \DDMS\bin\backup.cmd with a generic one. This generic file is intended for initial system installations, and may not match your backup hardware or system configuration.

    It is important to ensure a reliable backup in the event that you need to restore.

    Since the software update saves a copy of the bin folder, the immediate solution is a simple copy-and-paste technique. After performing the software update, follow these steps:
    1. On the DDMS server desktop, double-click My Computer.
    2. Double-click (open) the drive containing the DDMS software (normally the D:\).
    3. Double-click the “DDMS” folder.
    4. Double-click the “bin-save” folder.

      5. Note: In the following step, do not double-click the backup file,
      or you will launch the backup.

    5. Right-click the icon “Backup.cmd” (or “backup” if the list does not show file extensions).
    6. Choose the “Copy” option from the pop-up menu.
    7. Go back to the DDMS folder, by clicking the Up or Back button on the toolbar.
    8. Right-click the “bin” folder.
    9. Choose the “Paste” option from the pop-up menu.
    10. If you are prompted to replace the existing file, click Yes.
    11. Close the My Computer window.
    This issue only affects dealers who installed DDMS Version 7.11.0. It is fixed in Version 7.11.0-A. QC Tracking # 44884.

  • Backing Up SQL Data (Version 7.11 and above) Beginning with Version 7.11 released September 21, 2005, some DDMS® applications use a SQL database engine that stores data in a different folder than the standard volumes. It’s important to ensure a complete backup in the event that you need to restore. Please verify that the SQL data is included in your daily and other period-end backups. For detailed instructions, see the tech note, "Backing Up SQL Data (Version 7.11 and above)."

Version 7.10.2 — 7.10.33

On July 27, 2005, we advised you of an issue with the Customer Deposit Purge in Versions 7.10.2 through 7.10.33. We are pleased to announce that the solution has been programmed, is in testing, will be released in Version 7.11. We anticipate being able to ship the corrected software on request beginning Friday, August 19, 2005, although that date is subject to change.

Scope:

The Customer Deposit Purge issue only affects dealers who use the A/R Deposit feature, usually for furniture and other big purchases. (This is NOT to be confused with Prepays.) Some dealers perform the (OR-E) A/R Deposit Purge function for Customer Deposits at month end to clear previously applied deposits from the Edit/Monitor tab of the A/R Deposit view.

In Versions 7.10.2 through 7.10.33, some dealers have experienced an issue with losing deposits and balancing G/L after performing a Customer Deposit Purge.

Solution:

Do not perform the Customer Deposit Purge until you have loaded corrected software, which is currently in testing, and will be shipped on request as soon as it is released.

Note: Month-End automated procs do not usually include the Customer Deposit Purge, because it requires manually specifying a cutoff date. With a few exceptions, we do not anticipate a need to revise procs.

If you are running Version 7.10.2 through 7.10.33 and have performed a Customer Deposit Purge, you may be able to recover lost deposits from a previous backup of the P-DEPOSIT and P-TOTDEP files, or from the Completed Deposits Report, which lists all records that were purged.

If you would like the corrected software update for this issue, please email a request to support@eci2.com in reference to QC # 44388.

We apologize for any inconvenience this issue may cause. If you need assistance recovering lost deposit records or have additional questions, please contact us.

Versions 7.10.10 and 8.7.10

We have discovered an issue related to taxing by line that affects some dealers.

Scope

This issue affects you ONLY IF ALL THREE of the following conditions apply to you:

  • if you loaded the recent maintenance release, Version 7.10.10, or the beta release
    8.7.10 that we shipped beginning on April 8, 2005, AND
  • if Calculate Tax By Line is set to Y in your (LØ) Global Master Parameters AND
  • if you accept orders through Dealer Station® DDMS Edition or is.D-Force®.

If any one of the above conditions does not apply, you may disregard this release note.

If all three conditions apply to you, please email support@eci2.com to request corrected
Version 7.10.10-A in reference to QC#43836. We will ship the corrected software
overnight. Additional details and instructions are below.

Situation

When all three of the above conditions are met, there are two possible concerns:

  • If a customer pays for a Web order by billing their account, the correct tax amount is
    passed into the DDMS system on the pick ticket and posted correctly to accounts
    receivable, but Dealer Station and is.D-Force will display an inflated tax total. (To
    reiterate: this does NOT affect A/R when the order is charged to a customer account, and
    is simply a display issue in this case.)
  • If a customer pays for a Web order by credit card, the inflated tax total is displayed
    in Dealer Station and is.D-Force, and is also overcharged to the credit card and passed
    into the DDMS system’s pick ticket and A/R.

Solution

Our Development staff has resolved the issue in Version 7.10.10-A, which will be shipped
overnight to those who email support@eci2.com to request it in reference to QC#43836.

You must manually adjust all credit card Web orders currently affected by this
issue. The corrected software will only prevent future credit card overcharges.

Depending on whether the orders have been invoiced, there are two methods that allow the
system to properly handle all calculations and adjustments to affected files:

  • If the affected ticket is a –Ø Prepay order that is not yet at status B, delete and
    re-enter the order using the text-based (G) Order Entry screen or using the graphical
    Order Entry application.
  • If the affected –Ø Prepay order is already at status B, credit and re-bill the entire
    invoice using the text-based (GX) Credit screen or using the Credit action code in
    graphical Order Entry.

Note: Where available, use the credit card and expiration date listed in the customer
record in the (AF) Credit Card screen or accessible using the Credit Card button in the
graphical Customer database window. If the customer’s credit card is not on record,
contact your customer for this information.

We apologize for any inconvenience this issue may cause. If you need further assistance
with these steps, feel free to call ECi Technical Support at (800) 366-4778.

Version 7.10.2

  1. If you have the Calculate Tax by Line parameter in the (LØ) screen set to Y, the tax does not print on the invoice, and it is not updated in AR-BATCH. If you have the Calculate Tax By Line parameter set to N or left blank, the tax is calculated correctly. Note: This issue was introduced in version 7.10.2: it does not affect previous versions. We will automatically ship a corrected version of the software to all dealers who have received version 7.10.2. DDMS Tracking #43676

Version 7.9.0 – 7.10.10-A Trouble Searching Order Entry History in Text (G) Screen

Background

Text-based (G) Order Entry gives you the ability to pull up the customer’s order history by item manufacturer or description by typing HISTORY in the Item # field. The cursor goes to the Co field and prompts to enter the manufacturer name in the Co field or a short description, such as “tape” or “pen”.

Situation

In version 7.9.0 – 7.10.10-A, when you type HISTORY in the Item # field, entering the manufacturer code will successfully return the relevant customer order history for that manufacturer’s items.

However, entering a search term in the Description field elicits the system prompt, “Display Records for Master Account & All Departments Y/N?N” The cursor returns to the Co field. No matter what you enter for this prompt or for a Description term, the system repeats this prompt.

Solution

Our development staff has resolved the issue in Version 7.10.10-B and higher. If you email a request for this software correction to support@eci2.com in reference to QC# 43460, we will ship it via UPS Ground.

Version 7.8

Revised W-2 Formats Comply With New IRS Withholding Form, Correct Swap Name Settings

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) changed the W-2 Tax Withholding form for the year 2004. It is now 7.5 inches wide, a half-inch narrower than last year. Most of the modifications were to positioning in the State and Local Tax area of the form. On the carbonless, continuous-feed dot-matrix form, the IRS modified the boxes for retirement plan and 401(k). We have updated our W-2 report formats to meet the IRS requirements.

Note: If you do not use the DDMS Payroll applications or if you do not run W-2s at year-end, no action is necessary.

The new report formats were available in DDMS® Version 7.8 and in a Version 7-compatible file previously downloadable from on our Web site, but currently retired and archived.

We subsequently updated the W-2 formats to correct an error with the Swap Name settings. If you must print W-2 forms for your employees, and previously downloaded the W-2 formats before 11:30 a.m. Central Time today (Monday, Dec. 20, 2004), we strongly encourage you to get the latest version before you print W-2s.

Clarifications on Notes Everywhere

Notes Everywhere is a major new enhancement, released in DDMS® Version 7.8.0. We would like to clarify a few misconceptions:

A. What is Notes Everywhere?
B. What packages is Notes Everywhere available in?
C. How can I get Notes Everywhere to work on my client workstations?

Version 7.7

Graphical Machines & Equipment Software Training Requirements In September 2004, DDMS® Version 7.7 began shipping on request to DDMS customers. This release includes the new graphical Machines & Equipment applications (formerly known as the Serialized Module). These service management applications are available to all dealers currently using the text-based serialized module who have completed the required training on the new graphical software. To help ensure that your implementation of the new graphical machines & equipment applications goes smoothly, we want to provide you with answers to several important questions.

Versions 7.3.9 and 7.4.0 (Version 7 General Release)

New Version 7 Fiscal Year-End Procedure

If you are a dealer who closes your fiscal year before December, please note that Version 7 software requires you to rename the new GLD-MASTER file. This issue has been resolved, so that in DDMS Version 8.11.20 and higher, the General Ledger Chart of Accounts year-end function automatically renames GLD-Master when you rename GL-MASTER.

Split Volumes for Multiple Locations Not Automatically Converted in Versions 7.3.9 and 7.4.0

This issue ONLY affects dealers who use split volumes.

We have discovered an issue with a conversion program in Versions 7.3.9 and 7.4.0. We apologize for any inconvenience this issue may cause.

Background. As you may know, the new graphical General Ledger (G/L) application requires a conversion of your Accounts Receivable (A/R), Accounts Payable (A/P), and Purchase Order Entry (P/O) journal files and archived G/L files from previous years. The Version 7 software update automatically runs this file conversion program.

Issue. The Version 7 file conversion program works fine for Location 1 and multiple locations where the database files all reside in one volume. However, the conversion program does not update A/R, A/P, or P/O database files for other locations if they reside on split volumes. After the software update, these secondary locations’ split volume files remain unconverted.

Consequences. The Version 7 software is designed to write new data using the new file formats. When secondary locations try to perform activities that affect the unconverted A/R, A/P, and P/O split volume files, it can cause significant file issues.

Scope. This issue ONLY affects dealers who have multiple locations using split volume serials for their A/R, A/P, or P/O databases, and install Versions 7.3.9 or 7.4.0. For example, one dealer with multiple locations has Location 1’s databases on the SR volume, but their Location 3 has these databases on the CU volume.

Solution. We will release a corrected file conversion program with a new Version 7.4.1 software update, to be shipped via next-day air on request to affected dealers.

Action Required:

  • If you use split volumes, please do not load Version 7.3.9 or 7.4.0. Please email support@eci2.com, referencing QC#41343 to be sure you will receive the corrected software update.
  • If you use split volumes but you have already loaded Version 7.3.9 or 7.4.0, call Support immediately, referencing QC#41343 for assistance in recovering your secondary location data and obtaining corrected software.
  • If you do NOT use split volumes, no action is required.

Third-Party Software

Resolving Timeouts After Loading POS-Partner 6.1 Approval Link™ dealers who use TSYS® (formerly Vital) POS-Partner 6.1 software for credit card authorization have reported issues with timeouts. There is a consistent pattern of errors such as “timeout on response” and “no reply from merchant” after dealers load POS-Partner’s recently released version 6.1 software update. ECi Technical Support has determined that these timeouts occur after DDMS and Approval Link software has passed the data to POS-Partner 6.1. If you experience timeouts after loading POS-Partner 6.1, please contact the POS-Partner Technical Support Line (1-800-847-2772). Ask for an API technician to run the SQL utility that has been found to resolve timeouts between POS-Partner and the API.

Third-Party Software Parameters Conflicts with EBS Architecture (PDF) . If you have used third party software programs with DDMS®, please note that they may have written records to the PARAMETERS file at some point. This may create invalid records that are incompatible with the new DDMS® enterprise-class business system (EBS) architecture. As a result, it may prevent EBS applications such as Campaign Manager, Notes Everywhere, or Customer Price Plans, and so on, from working properly, and an invalid data error message may display. To see if this issue applies to you, see Identifying Invalid Records in Your Parameters File (PDF).

POS-Partner Security Update May Cause Credit Card Process Failure Vital® POS-Partner® (www.pos-partner.com) has confirmed that they have resolved a known issue with their recent security update CD. This issue affects all dealers currently using POS-Partner to process credit cards. To resolve the issue, you must speak with Vital/POS-Partner Technical Support for assistance in uninstalling certain files from their update.

Third-Party PowerChute Software Issue Interferes with DDMS Operations If you are using an APC UPS unit with your DDMS server, you need to upgrade to APC’s PowerChute 7 software. 7/29/05.

POS-partner Credit Service Requires Browser Upgrade If you use this credit card authorization service, you must upgrade the machine where you installed POS-partner to the latest version of Microsoft(R) Internet Explorer by Monday, November 1, 2004.

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Last modified: Friday, August 29, 2008 1:45 PM