September 2009

Getting Ready for Windows 7 and QuickBooks 2010

As part of the Microsoft Partners Program, we were given an advance copy of the soon-to-be-released Windows 7 operating system.   All of us have taken turns testing DentaLab for QuickBooks under Windows 7 and all are pleased with the results.

We no longer had to do the special installation steps that were required with Vista.  Both the DQB Standard and Starter systems launched and ran visably faster and smoother.  We think you're going to like it.  

The official release date for Windows 7 is October 22, 2009.   We will release DQB version 1.20 on the same date and recommend those updating to Windows 7 also update DQB.  Those who licensed Vista recently will be granted free upgrades to Windows 7.   You can check with Microsoft or your supplier to determine if you qualify.

As part of the Intuit Developers Network, we have been told that we will receive our advance information for QuickBooks 2010 on September 25 and will need to change our website banners on September 28, the date this new version becomes available to the general public.    We will keep you posted on the significant enhancements.  

Fall Training

We have scheduled a DentaLab for QuickBooks group training class for Monday, November 2, here at our offices in the Village at Lederach in Pennsylvania.   We will include an introduction to Windows 7.   This class will be limited to eight persons.   The fee is $150 for those with a support agreement; $220 for those without.   Let us know as soon as possible if you would like to have a spot.  

Spreading the News

This newsletter was created and distributed with our newest software called Spreading the News.  Included are customer/contact lists, assignment to one or multiple email lists, article templates, easy creation of newsletters and other promotional pieces, sending by selected list, selected individual or specific email address, activity reports with counts.  For those who would like to give it a try, there is a free beta version available for download from our website www.mainstreet-systems.com.   Give us a call or send an email if you would like some guidance.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does DQB have remake analysis?

A:  Yes.   In the Reports Center, there are three areas where remakes are reported.  One can be found in Cases by Status and Date.  Check the box for Remake Cases to generate a detailed report of cases marked as Remake for the date and status you specify.  Next, for analysis to compare remakes vs. standard cases and give remake percentages, go to the Analysis tab.  Here you can choose to report by Product Group, Customer Group or Work Center.    This set of reports includes cases in production and invoiced.   For a similar analysis on only those cases invoiced, go to the Sales Review tab.   These reports can give you remake figures by item, by customer, by work center, as well as by the group you specify.

Q: As a small lab, how should we handle a case item with more units than our daily limit?

A:  Instead of one line for the case item, create at least two so that some units can be scheduled on one date and the rest on another date.   It is OK to have the same item appear on more than one line in a case.   The work ticket and case reports will reflect multiple dates for the case item, keeping your schedule finely tuned.

Q: We have loved the Jet Scan feature in your older DentaLab systems.  Do you have something comparable in DentaLab for QuickBooks?

A:  Not exactly.  The Jet Scan was a forerunner of what are known today as CRM - Customer Relationship Management systems.   It provided a way on one screen to quickly access a variety of information on one customer.   Now, in DQB from the Home Page you can quickly review case-related information on a customer such as alerts, activity logs, individual price levels, preferences, office hours, contact information, as well as case histories and cases in the lab, on hold, out for tryin and invoiced.   If you have security authorization in QuickBooks, you can view sales and accounts receivable transactions and balances, open invoices, billing and shipping addresses, finance charges, payment methods and credit card authorizations.  The QuickBooks Customer Manager can be used to track communications regarding accounting and financial management.   

In the Clouds or Down-to-Earth?

There will be an increasing number of choices in the future that will provide what has become known as "cloud" computing.  The services that provide software in this way make use of shared servers for a number of users communicating via the Internet from remote desktops.  They offer the advantages of shared resources for hardware and software, typically for an upfront fee followed by ongoing monthly fees.  

In the cloud, there can also be disadvantages such as the possibility of interrupted communications by hackers, foul play, weather and other disruptions.   While someone else takes the responsibility for resources and performances, they also take control.   If something goes wrong, you can not go into action but must simply wait for resolution.   

"Down-to-earth" means the resources are at your facility and the responsibility is on your shoulders to buy and maintain the equipment and software, but then you also retain control on decisons, actions and costs.   This is the more traditional method for obtaining computer power.  Information sharing with those at a distance can still be handled through the Internet or private communications through media such as email or virtual private networks (VPN).

There are some applications where cloud computing would be the logical choice such as those with users in many locatons who need to share information.  Some with a smaller number of users, mostly in the same location, would work best in the down-to-earth traditional mode.  Other applications could go either way, depending on the preferences of the decision-makers.  

On Error Messages

We find that some users are in error in their thoughts about error messages.   They tend to jump to the conclusion that these messages represent a flaw in the software. This is not true, error messages are an indication that the software is doing its job of reporting whenever there are errors in data input, conflicts between various computer resources or versions, inadequate resources, hardware flaws such as loose cables or bad spots on the disk.

If you are issued an error message, first look at the top left band to see which software system is issuing the message.   Examples of this when using DQB could be Microsoft Windows, the .NET framework, SQL Server, the IBIZ connector, QuickBooks, DentaLab for QuickBooks. Next read the text to see if it is something you can understand.  Some easily understood messages could be "QuickBooks connection lost" or "Patient field must be entered" or "Field must be numeric".

For messages that are more complicated and require you to call upon us for support, use the Copy and Paste features of the Windows clipboard to send the message to us via email.   First you focus the mouse at the beginning or end of the message and then while continuing to hold the mouse down, slide it across the entire message to highlight it.   Then press CTRL plus C keys to copy into the clipboard.   Navigate to your email service to create a new message.   At the beginning of the text area, focus your mouse and then press CTRL plus V keys to paste the message into the email.  Proceed to enter or select our email address (support@mainstreet-systems) and fill in the subject line including your lab name. Then click Send.

Do not ignore error messages.  Learn to handle them quickly and efficiently to keep your system running smoothly.

If you wish to be removed, reply to this email with the subject "unsubscribe".