UDS Green Industry Software, Inc. Newsletter
June 17, 2002
Topics in this newsletter:
Have you applied your fix today?
Automatic Emailing of Program Changes
TAGmaker Deluxe soon to be available
Upcoming Industry Trade Shows and Travel schedule
Planning for the distant future-Consider AA SQL
Version 6.5 Development Process Begins
AA Version 6 how do you like it?
The User Conference
Improving your service level is a goal of UDS Support Services. We wanted a way to make it easier for you to keep ActiveApplications at the latest release. Last year we added the Updates and Add Ons option to your Program menu. You will now use this menu option to apply program changes and corrections.
Updating your UDS software involves two different processes. The first process updates the main UDS.EXE. It is updated only from our www.activeapplications.com web site. The UDS.EXE is too large to email to most companies and system install functions can be completed through the web. The second process updates all of the other programs that are part of the Reports menu. The Updates and Add-Ons menu option applies those changes.
This option searches for and applies program updates to your UDS system. If you save all the updates to the same Windows folder the update program will remember where it found them last and look there the next time.
It is still very important for you to apply all updates as they are released. The process is now much easier to execute.
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Automatic Email for Program Changes
We have made the process of applying updates easier! Now we are making them easier to get. Automatically you will be sent by email, updates to the Reports menu option if you are under warranty or on a support program. You will also be sent a notification email every time the main UDS.EXE is updated. There will be a reference to our www.activeapplications.com support web site on the email. You will need your user name and password to be able to get the update.
Make certain that the correct person is getting the support emails at your company. We can keep several email addresses for your company if needed.
TAGmaker Deluxe
Under Development
TAGmaker Deluxe for ActiveApplications will soon be available in Version 6.5 development.
Nearly completed and ready to test is another version of TAGmaker that is designed to be easy to use yet limitless in its capabilities.
There are several features in TAGmaker D that make it a desirable addition to your existing tag and sign printing capabilities.
Create tags or signs of virtually any size from any part of your information.
Review and/or change tag information before printing.
Create and print tags without using the Database.
Left, Right and Center Justification of text on the tag.
Tag Queue creation and saving are available.
Data boxes can be defined to limit the printed size of Extended Description fields.
Added editing capability on print formats.
Much, Much easier to use design and print formats.
Automatic printing of monitored folders and tag queues.
XML tag formats.
XML file compatibility.
Any Access Database print capability.
Tag information data table updating while printing tags.
Design, edit and print tags from the same Window.
Single window for all program functions.
.tag file compatibility with existing tag designs.
Stand alone or ActiveApplications compatibility.
Companies that sign up for the version 6.5 development system will gain immediate access to the new program. Standard AA versions will receive the new program at the release of Version 7 some time this fall or winter.
This program marks a significant departure from the usual AA design criteria. This program is designed to perform its functions in the easiest way possible and display a minimum of information. Try it when it becomes available to your company.
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We are developing and planning for the future needs of your company’s Information Technology. Microsoft has plans to phase out the use of Access as a database. In a few years SQL will be the only database format available from Microsoft. Many of you have already started experiencing difficulty when using Access in high volume situations. We already know that Microsoft does not recommend using Access with more than twenty users. It will become unstable.
You should be thinking about the possibility of converting to the SQL version of ActiveApplications. AA SQL is designed for high volume usage. It has many of the familiar features found in AA Standard but it removes some of the limits. It now has increased field sizes for item numbers, customer numbers, and vendor numbers and expanded inventory location tables. This lets you become more creative in labeling your information.
As we continue to develop applications in both versions, new features will appear in the SQL version first. Version 7 could be the last release of AA Standard.
Currently SQL does require a few more management skills that Access but the reliability benefits can outweigh the headache.
Contact brian@udsgis.com to learn more.
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Premier Partner Program Version 6.5 of ActiveApplications
Soon to be Available
As updates and program corrections to Version 6.1 of ActiveApplications have dropped to almost nothing and the User Requests continue to pile up, it is time to start another ActiveApplications development cycle. We call this the Premier Partner Version.
All requests and enhancements to AA will be first issued in version 6.5 before release in the fall or winter as version 7. If you signed up for the Version 5.5 development system you will receive an invitation for the 6.5 version. If you are not currently a member and would like to consider becoming a Premier Member contact jeff@udsgis.com to get the cost.
Already TAGmaker Deluxe makes the cost worth it. Many more things will be added this time. Among the considerations are Loads of Job Costing, Maintenance Routing and Scheduling, Equipment Maintenance, Point of Sale Enhancements, Production Planning revision and much more.
You can have a big influence over the directions ActiveApplicatons takes by joining the Partner Program. Historically Partner Program Members see most if not all of their requests implemented before the next release.
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UDS Upcoming Travel and Trade Show Schedule
June 18 to 20 Maryland training
July 15 -17 Ohio Florist Association Trade Show (with East Sales Booth) Columbus OH
August 2 - 4 Southern Nursery Association Trade Show Atlanta Georgia
August 14 - 16 (maybe) National Christmas Tree Association Meeting Grand Rapids MI
August 22 - 24 Farwest Oregon Nursery Association Trade Show Portland Oregon
The above schedule is down significantly from previous years. If we are going to be in your area and would like to schedule time contact brian@udsgis.com