Software Updates

Installing our software updates, or installing for the first time, may require some preparation. This page gives you detailed instructions depending on your situation.

Always check Release Notes for issues that may affect you before installing or updating any software!

For a complete list of released software changes, see Program Updates.

Software Update Instructions
General Information
DDMS™ First-Time New System Installation
Ensite™ Silver Plus Installation and Updates
Unix Software Updates

Software Update Instructions

How do I install Version 8 DDMS in Windows?

Updated! Installing Version 8 DDMS (pdf) This document explains how to install Version 8, including information about the new EnsiteEBS Utility, as well as file conversion and journal parameter setup. It also includes important information about sharing a new folder on the server before installing the client software update. It also notes how to adjust your backup scripts to properly back up new SQL database files.

How do I import my data into SQL for use in EnsiteEBS applications?

Using the EnsiteEBS Utility Program (pdf) Beginning with Version 8.11, several DDMS applications work primarily with data in a SQL database. Before you can use Customer Price Plans, Price Modeling, and so on, your DDMS data must be initially validated, corrected as needed, and imported into the SQL database. After this initial processing, your data will be automatically synchronized thereafter. Use the EnsiteEBS Utility program to confirm SQL connectivity to the server, ensure your data is valid before attempting to import it, and then import the data required to use the new applications.

New! Troubleshooting Ensite EBS Validation Errors (pdf) In the EnsiteEBS Utility, the Validate DBF Data tool checks each record in the files you mark to import. If data is missing or invalid, you will see a specific error. Common errors include: Split Volumes, File Not Found, File Not Compressed, Duplicate Key, Invalid Date, Invalid Number, and no purchasing vendor. Sometimes the software can logically make up for invalid data. Sometimes it’s actually OK to import a blank record. In many cases, however, it means manually correcting or deleting specific records. See this document for details on how to read the Validation error log, how to address each error, and a table that describes the best application to view and change individual records per file.

11 Tips on Validating DBF Data With EnsiteEBS Utility (pdf) DBF data validation is the most important step in implementing the new SQL applications such as Customer Price Plans and Price Modeling. The new Microsoft SQL architecture has very rigid rules for database fields (or data types). By comparison, DDMS’s DBF flat-file database structure has been much more lenient. Before importing, you must make adjustments as needed to address validation exceptions, and test validation again until no more exceptions are found. Your ECi Technical Support teams offer several tech tips to help with this process.

How do I make sure my SQL data is always backed up?

Backing Up SQL Data, Version 7.11 and above (PDF) 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. Follow these instructions to verify that the SQL data is included in your daily and other period-end backups.

How do I verify if a third-party's invalid records are in my Parameters file?

Identifying Invalid Records in Your Parameters File (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 from working properly, and an invalid data error message may display. Follow these instructions to verify if invalid records exist in your Parameters file.

How do I make sure our network user login credentials are set up properly?

New! Network Considerations (pdf) Even if your network worked well with text-based DDMS software, it may need to be modified for DDMS, which interacts more with the network. The text-based software uses Telnet to run applications from a PC without checking for the PC’s user information. However, since DDMS works with Microsoft Transaction Server, it checks the network user name and password to see if a particular user has permission to access this software. Before you can use DDMS, each user must be properly set up on your network.

How do I make set up my journal parameters for the Version 8 file conversions?

Version 8 contains many journal file conversions. For journal files to be converted they must be listed in the proper parameter screens. For example:

G/L files from previous years should be listed in the (LJ1) General Ledger Archive Parameters screen
A/R journal files must be set up in the (LA4) A/R Journals Parameters screen
A/P journal files must be set up in the (LC1) A/P Journals Parameters screen
P/O Entry journal files must be set up in the (LF2) P/O Journals Parameters screen.

Before installing version 8, make sure any journal files that you want accessed are set up in Accounts Receivable (A/R), Accounts Payable (A/P), and Purchase Order Entry (P/O). If you do not set up these journal files, they are not converted and are no longer accessible after the installation.

General Information

New! Cool Things in Graphical (pdf) This handout covers some of the new and cool features in DDMS Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Order Entry. Topics include disputed invoices, pay by groups, quick pay posting, A/R query, deposits, posting P/Os, multiple vendors, order entry, O/E history, builting item usage, order changes, requiring a salesperson on every order, using print groups in order entry, and catalog explorer.

I Didn't Know It Could Do That! (pdf) Is DDMS doing everything it could be doing for you? Has it been more than a few years since you implemented your system? This overview session handout will help you identify capabilities in your current software that you may not even be aware of.

Go Go Graphical (pdf) Want to get your employees started on graphical, but don’t know where to begin? See this handout for a guided tour of the graphical software as we take a look at each module. This handout explores the benefits of order entry, databases, accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger, customer price plans (aka ET screen), etc. The graphical user interface will help your employees be more productive.

What to Expect When You Report a Software Issue 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. This page describes how to report a software issue, and what happens afterward.

The Evolution to Ensite EBS (pdf) This handout explains the mechanics of the new .NET technology initiative, Ensite EBS (Enterprise Business System). Discover the details on new development tools, databases, architecture, user experience, enterprise scaling and more. Find out how we are evolving from today’s DDMS to an enterprise-class business system that will adapt to your growing business needs.

New and Cool (pdf) With the latest offerings from ECi and its partners, you can: analyze account profitability and perform complex price modeling maneuvers; fax & print using appealing modern professional formats; manage price plans (customer contracts) with greater ease and exactitude than ever before; create targeted sales campaigns; attach multiple campaign material to your fax and email orders and invoices; and equip your warehouse personnel with mobile units that streamline receiving, pulling, and counting!

User Perspectives: Maximizing Your Network Learn how to manage your DDMS business system in a Microsoft Windows 2000 network environment. This document, from a User Perspectives session at one of our national conferences, covers common setup and maintenance procedures such as setting up a printer, adding client workstations, loading software updates, and setting system parameters in a network environment.

Restoring program libraries from a tape replace program libraries that may have been corrupted; use this procedure after diagnostics show that files are clean (file: rest-lib.pdf)

DDMS First-Time New System Installation

If you are setting up a new DDMS system for the first time, please follow these instructions.

Setting up a new DDMS System: Hardware and Software how to set up a new DDMS system with a server running Windows 2000. This document is intended for customers who purchase both hardware and software from DDMS. (file:ensiteproSetupHwSw.pdf)

Setting Up a New System with DDMS: Software Only how to set up a new DDMS system with a server running Windows 2000. This document is intended for customers who purchase only software from DDMS, but provide their own hardware. (file:eNsiteSetupSWonly.pdf)

Ensite Silver Plus Installation and Updates

If you are setting up a new eNsite Pro system for the first time, please follow these instructions.

Installing eNsite™ Software How to install eNsite Silver Plus graphical software for the first time. (file:sp-ensiteinstall.pdf)

Updating eNsite™ Software How to update ensite Silver Plus graphical software on systems where it has already been installed. (file:sp-ensiteupdating.pdf)

UNIX Software Updates

Installing DDMS on UNIX Systems for the first time (file: ensiteprounixinstall.pdf)

Updating DDMS on UNIX Systems on systems where DDMS is already installed (file: ensiteprounixupdate.pdf)