tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44836605448388042472024-02-07T06:33:22.619+00:00Picture Frame Pricing ProgramsThis blog is about developing the "Wessex Pricing Programs", with in-depth consideration of why features work as they do, as well as the history & future development.
Mostly the blog will be about "Wessex Professional" (WPP4) the most sophisticated of the four programs.
I am by profession a bespoke picture framer (for the last 30 + years). But I have been interested in programming since Sinclair Spectrum days and have become a passable programmer in Visual Basic.Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-66775449374988333622023-10-02T15:52:00.000+01:002023-10-02T15:52:12.908+01:00New for 2023<p> It's been nearly a year since the last update to the Wessex Pricing Program, there haven't been any embarrassing glitches revealed (phew!) so this new update sorts out some features that were fine originally but now feel rather "clunky". </p><p>The new update is version 4.4.15 (you can check your version by going to "Help" > "About" on the main program screen).</p><p>The first change is - instead of the measurement system (Mm. Cm. or Inches) being shown as three separate selections below the dimension boxes, it is now in one box next to them. Simply click the box to change.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Q25E3AgjVfGLXOTeVIhFpfTpeDMVixgzytxAIJWHiRe2lWPMMCiIG6MJhOwIF3jnnUZki_pAsoLTUnw-MnCpZVDa6KJLrw0go6fKAyVBnTZvbt3YX3hl0ujqnTTwvMW1KWXmYEQpwswtdIcv9oQYeX_DwrfbDjBTm4feacExZmIdG5AoZYKejQud-Yc/s496/NewMm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="496" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Q25E3AgjVfGLXOTeVIhFpfTpeDMVixgzytxAIJWHiRe2lWPMMCiIG6MJhOwIF3jnnUZki_pAsoLTUnw-MnCpZVDa6KJLrw0go6fKAyVBnTZvbt3YX3hl0ujqnTTwvMW1KWXmYEQpwswtdIcv9oQYeX_DwrfbDjBTm4feacExZmIdG5AoZYKejQud-Yc/w393-h178/NewMm.jpg" width="393" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>The next change is to the collection dates. The collection date is derived from the turnaround time (in days) set in "Setup" > "Options" and selecting the "Turnaround" tab. <div>Previously if the collection date worked out to be a Sunday then that date would be moved on to a Monday. Now you can set the days of the week that you are closed and any collections for those days are moved on.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqf5qMEAmzDwyHkiEnXInhr-Q7NHuHwx9diCxx5p6PbzuvlL6ybQXlUbxAyoecYBP504iefGcUDIj8piEjQt0QBnO3J4LDn0E4mK8Dd6HsHzVIdjJwJYDIKx1Xhu9_PITx-Ei4VQeAzooe7hqPnXLIjn5VnTdSE1IAcX9xUSQe8zrmpwxdYdV4-5vMSE/s492/Closed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="492" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqf5qMEAmzDwyHkiEnXInhr-Q7NHuHwx9diCxx5p6PbzuvlL6ybQXlUbxAyoecYBP504iefGcUDIj8piEjQt0QBnO3J4LDn0E4mK8Dd6HsHzVIdjJwJYDIKx1Xhu9_PITx-Ei4VQeAzooe7hqPnXLIjn5VnTdSE1IAcX9xUSQe8zrmpwxdYdV4-5vMSE/w384-h272/Closed.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The messages printed at the bottom of the invoice have been made easier to change. Go to "Setup" > "Options" and select the "Print" tab.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can choose to hide the collection date, just show the date, or show the date and a short message. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In addition you can set a footer message of up to 115 characters. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45mheyXk-Xu4fiEb-YouIdpIDyjzwr682FWstwNrmnaxgtAEtHOMXZSyLiNYuYI_8_B-dioXZiUvrk880WH8YFiwOhDJdLYifqODcSslMG4Qq-qRvaFCPac0VaIgYM6JwIyzKIMht-R9d3nJhlycIhn_NhCrW9QwP6b6BXuZn76lbdGS0KBhQdbQhjPg/s768/FooterOpt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="768" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45mheyXk-Xu4fiEb-YouIdpIDyjzwr682FWstwNrmnaxgtAEtHOMXZSyLiNYuYI_8_B-dioXZiUvrk880WH8YFiwOhDJdLYifqODcSslMG4Qq-qRvaFCPac0VaIgYM6JwIyzKIMht-R9d3nJhlycIhn_NhCrW9QwP6b6BXuZn76lbdGS0KBhQdbQhjPg/w438-h270/FooterOpt.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>The final new feature is when you view an individual work ticket, by holding the mouse over the moulding Id you can see some information about that moulding, this now includes the current amount in stock. (This assumes you keep your moulding stock up to date.) Also this stock amount is printed on the work ticket.</div><div>Hope you find the updates useful. 😊<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-11431803094984935492022-11-02T16:11:00.001+00:002022-11-02T16:11:52.402+00:00Version 4.4.14 - a bit of housekeeping<p> You've probably seen that a new version of the Wessex Pricing Program is now released (ver. 4.4.14). </p><p>So, what's new?</p><p>Really, it's a bit of tidying up, sorting out some things I've been meaning to get around to.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Making sure that apostrophes are now displayed and printed correctly. Previously they were shown as double apostrophes (ie. O'Brian was O''Brian).</li><li>Correcting as error in Extra Cost where multiple Extra Costs, some including VAT and some not, were incorrectly totalled. </li><li>The "Moulding Needed" function now takes account of inner mouldings. It also gives better user-feedback while the records are being processed.</li><li>When a supplier's mouldings are being updated the program now checks to see if the supplier's update file is already open and prompts to close it. (Previously an unhandled error.)</li><li>If there is an error on opening the supplier's update .xls file - program suggests checking that the worksheet is correctly titled "gen".</li><li>The Mouldings Needed list and the Jobs list now prints item line in colour (as the list on the screen) not all black text as previously.</li></ul>Didn't know you could have multiple Extra Costs? Yes, you can, just be sure to rename the Extra Costs to something else (ie. "3 apertures" or "Special Mount") and don't repeat that name. When you select "Extra Cost" the program looks to see if the same name has already been entered in the Sundries list. You are not allowed to select the same item twice, as this would be a definite cause for confusion.<p></p><div>If you haven't already done it - head over to <a href="https://www.wessexpictures.com/wessex_pricing_programs.html" target="_blank">Pricing Program | Wessex Pictures | Picture Framing Wholesaler </a>and download the "Free 30 day Trial" and (having backed up your database and labels/values files) and install this latest version (don't worry, the program will know that you are an existing user).</div><div>Enjoy.</div>Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-86835220114154443602022-09-17T11:05:00.000+01:002022-09-17T11:05:49.548+01:00What's in a name?<p> Managed to get another Shakespeare quote in the blog title! </p><p>Wessex Professional has a very useful facility to rename a moulding supplier. Why might you need to do this?</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>If the supplier has changed their trading name - Arqadia to Larson Juhl for instance.</li><li>If one supplier has taken over another's mouldings - Wessex now sell what were Frinton mouldings.</li><li>You have called the same supplier different names - The records for Rose & Hollis could also be listed under R&H for example.</li></ol>If you leave things alone the program will still issue prices quite happily, the problem comes when you try to update that supplier's mouldings from a (.xls) file. <p></p><p>Using the "Wessex /Frinton scenario, what will happen is that all the mouldings in the program listed under Wessex will be updated, but when it comes to those records that were Frinton's, they will not be added in with Wessex because their reference number is still listed under Frinton and the database won't allow duplicate reference numbers. So, the final report will say that xxx number of mouldings have failed to be added.</p><p>This is where the ability to easily change the supplier's name comes in. While it would be possible to do it the hard way and manually edit each moulding record the change the supplier's name, much better to let the program do the hard work, so -</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Click "Setup", then "Options"</li><li>Select the "Database" tab.</li><li>Top left is "Database Utilities". Click "OK".</li><li>You'll be urged to make a copy of your database just-in-case.</li><li>On the 3rd panel down select "Change Supplier name" and click "Go".</li><li>Select the supplier you want to change from the drop-down menu. Click "OK"</li><li>Enter the new name for that supplier. Click "OK".</li><li>Done!</li></ul><br /><p></p>Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-13934946231830687392022-02-19T10:53:00.005+00:002022-02-20T15:57:00.751+00:00Pricing App - Importing a moulding file<p> Just recently I've had to update the Pricing App to take account of the new Android versions - the old code for importing a mouldings file no longer worked on the newer versions (11 and beyond). So, you will notice that the import mouldings screen looks a bit different (App version 2.2.5 and beyond).</p><p>A bit of background to start with. The App can price frames using two different ways of getting the data it needs for the moulding part of the cost. </p><p>The simplest is a price code - this begins with "<b>#</b>" and contains numbers and a letter, eg. <b>#56G </b>(the cost per metre/foot, and the width) This is fine for working out the cost, but it doesn't identify the individual moulding (mouldings with the same width and cost have the same code).</p><p>The second method is to use a csv file to list individual mouldings and their data. "csv" stands for comma separated values. It is a very simple file which you could open with Excel (or other spreadsheet program) and edit yourself. The file can list a particular supplier's mouldings or (if you use the Wessex Pricing Program for pc all the mouldings in your database). The good thing about this way of pricing is that it identifies an individual moulding and use a code that you will be familiar with.</p><p>But either of these methods needs to be kept upto date. With the csv file it means importing a new file periodically. First of all you need the download the file onto your device, either go the the supplier's website a download the file from there (if they have one) or email yourself with the file attached and download the attachment.</p><p>Now, on the App tap "Settings", then "Misc. Values". Tap "Import Mouldings File" and you will see a screen like this -</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgS4oRLlRugXxN-10OfkbN4Iyka9CHTXh8hxAPA4T4AmpG5-hbNJZlyEp2rurNiu3eptxWUFSdlYjI5tmMi-e4EnUcxMfwd-tu2tO7gc170E8ijsqzhNyX8wIcgdcQzp1397xxY6X1ASetBx0jEJUuw7EMl-OPgY-Uis0u5q8btwWz6bDoOCXtXbDVB=s933" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="420" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgS4oRLlRugXxN-10OfkbN4Iyka9CHTXh8hxAPA4T4AmpG5-hbNJZlyEp2rurNiu3eptxWUFSdlYjI5tmMi-e4EnUcxMfwd-tu2tO7gc170E8ijsqzhNyX8wIcgdcQzp1397xxY6X1ASetBx0jEJUuw7EMl-OPgY-Uis0u5q8btwWz6bDoOCXtXbDVB=s320" width="144" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Select the "Download" folder (where the arrow is pointing) and you will then be shown all the text type files in that folder. (Nb. It may take a few seconds for the file to appear.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjA6rG2RjvjDzZmx6azDpuvJY5hGbIFkrhcgnlCSu7jTifoSuiNEj2cJFfW1rctUj2TrNWs0AXZehNKfRCtJlXkBh5L3MpLlEgqD71e7QXF2JIB9MQ9oJjVdXQrYlVy69Vn4oXUYoKftTF5OIxAoadF4nGAItPHeQblv9O2zwAnFT8BE-uNk779CyaC=s933" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="420" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjA6rG2RjvjDzZmx6azDpuvJY5hGbIFkrhcgnlCSu7jTifoSuiNEj2cJFfW1rctUj2TrNWs0AXZehNKfRCtJlXkBh5L3MpLlEgqD71e7QXF2JIB9MQ9oJjVdXQrYlVy69Vn4oXUYoKftTF5OIxAoadF4nGAItPHeQblv9O2zwAnFT8BE-uNk779CyaC=s320" width="144" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All the downloaded csv files will be listed there. Tap the one you want to use and it will be imported into the App. If you make a mistake simply go back and import the correct one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Easy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOyriQHEtgIzsB6V39S_k4TP1RhqOyAIWlDZ8mmklkufTFEzqGozRSpGj4PTMwj-Ix4kzbdJEnSoV3euxC8MPDTixDCp-3_RW-_eQFp6JdyNNVsxfoBkTIy0Hkg9orkBfQFFjuQugtyyhtPZKgyfL-oQgxAk8rS252bt1pVmGbv3EmU0-oAI29O2Ck=s933" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="420" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOyriQHEtgIzsB6V39S_k4TP1RhqOyAIWlDZ8mmklkufTFEzqGozRSpGj4PTMwj-Ix4kzbdJEnSoV3euxC8MPDTixDCp-3_RW-_eQFp6JdyNNVsxfoBkTIy0Hkg9orkBfQFFjuQugtyyhtPZKgyfL-oQgxAk8rS252bt1pVmGbv3EmU0-oAI29O2Ck=s320" width="144" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Note - <div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The csv file can be called anything (it used to have to be called "mouldings", no longer). </li><li>If you download a file with the same name several times it will be titled <i>name</i>, <i>name</i>(1), <i>name</i>(2) etc. in the Download folder.</li><li>The list of files has the date by them to help identify the one you want.</li></ul><div><div><br /></div><div>For further reading see -</div><div><a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2016/11/top-tips-for-using-mouldingscsv-file-in.html">Picture Frame Pricing Programs: Top Tips for Using the Mouldings.csv file in the App (stevetheframe.blogspot.com)</a></div><div>and</div><div><a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2016/05/tips-for-updating-app-mouldings-file.html">Picture Frame Pricing Programs: Tips for Updating App mouldings file (stevetheframe.blogspot.com)</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-7925192592825144352022-01-06T09:36:00.000+00:002022-01-06T09:36:18.406+00:00Download woes<p> Computer security has improved vastly in the last few years. Systems really don't want us to do anything that might cause trouble. For instance if your browser sees you are trying to download a file it doesn't recognize and which has the potential for unwanted consequences it will try and stop you.</p><p>I noticed this when I was checking that the correct file for the latest Wessex Pricing Program had been put on the Wessex website.</p><p>I'm using Microsoft Edge (so other browsers may be different) when I downloaded the Free Trial (SetupWPP4_4_12.msi) I noticed that there was a yellow triangle against that file in the downloads list.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgruyZ6k2J8CHw3X_utqfMqgsmiViQxnMKozW-VN0yA64omYzFMqfTzrYlCIWEzU-9IouGbpB0ZwEWZdUjO2w3wfWT_MpXG0LOm13z3qk9IJIc3KWcIVAyKosDsQql2WyUbfnAfX54jJwcKJOio346WETBz2dQVIRqmW5VYyw2Qdk3rgEAfIdk3hHZs=s603" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="603" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgruyZ6k2J8CHw3X_utqfMqgsmiViQxnMKozW-VN0yA64omYzFMqfTzrYlCIWEzU-9IouGbpB0ZwEWZdUjO2w3wfWT_MpXG0LOm13z3qk9IJIc3KWcIVAyKosDsQql2WyUbfnAfX54jJwcKJOio346WETBz2dQVIRqmW5VYyw2Qdk3rgEAfIdk3hHZs=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> Looking directly in the Downloads folder in File Explorer it was labelled as "Unconfirmed download".</p><p>So, back to Edge. At the right side of the toolbar is the download list. Select "SetupWPP4_4.msi" and you will notice 3 small dots to the right. Click on those and select "Keep". </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNGfMKHzOW4xUXaVyodZQWSJ9xlwZ4sPrTZ4KjoL0kG6HcOqIidRBnKgWdTmVBL8ZBJ6KvyXP40uKwiFI8DU1gweWfsL18RFrkDXNsaLC3fpEQWDPchuiQ7l6EbvcL0DtZvHGeLjvAdJxTo3rEQ9xoK5p3rqKkvFaYk5XDPiqF6-2kvAwVKQCt-Rwo=s601" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="601" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNGfMKHzOW4xUXaVyodZQWSJ9xlwZ4sPrTZ4KjoL0kG6HcOqIidRBnKgWdTmVBL8ZBJ6KvyXP40uKwiFI8DU1gweWfsL18RFrkDXNsaLC3fpEQWDPchuiQ7l6EbvcL0DtZvHGeLjvAdJxTo3rEQ9xoK5p3rqKkvFaYk5XDPiqF6-2kvAwVKQCt-Rwo=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Then yet another warning message appears. This time above the Delete button select "Show more" and then click on "Keep anyway".</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRwZXLWrTqsxNrekzIyDug6w48lnESlZQfWSi5HXX194i9emN2wIgxj0NFs23kWjP7jsaXwIK3U8aJpszF3rCq2BRMR9i8g1pu5HV91KEQqKJ7YfV1Qnh11B4bIBEOAAZpEqybXIC9vFaOM24M7bB-K05MBokYk7-v8ARUaLhLfHTJhGbpBUTp1vfN=s648" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="609" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRwZXLWrTqsxNrekzIyDug6w48lnESlZQfWSi5HXX194i9emN2wIgxj0NFs23kWjP7jsaXwIK3U8aJpszF3rCq2BRMR9i8g1pu5HV91KEQqKJ7YfV1Qnh11B4bIBEOAAZpEqybXIC9vFaOM24M7bB-K05MBokYk7-v8ARUaLhLfHTJhGbpBUTp1vfN=s320" width="301" /></a></div><p>You are now treated as an adult and can run the file!</p><p><br /></p>Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-59035219812574484062022-01-05T11:33:00.000+00:002022-01-05T11:33:05.660+00:00Size Matters<p> I'm sure that you have noticed that the size of the Wessex Pricing Program is fixed. There is a reason for that (skip the following paragraph if the brain is feeling a bit tired).</p><p>Computer screens are not only measured by size (usually diagonally across the screen) but also by "resolution" stated in "pixels". The more pixels the better detail that the screen can show. The computer I'm writing this on has a resolution of 1920 x 1080. Not too many years ago a resolution of (say) 1200 x 800 more would have been considered good. When you set a size for a form in a program it is set in pixels, not inches or Cm. So it will look smaller on a higher resolution screen, and larger on a lower resolution screen. </p><p>Wessex Professional has stayed the same size ever since it was released. This way it would be good for older monitors. However, the difference between old and new monitor resolution is becoming quite pronounced and although there are things you can do to show the program at a larger size, what is really needed is the ability to resize the program to suit your screen. This is easier said than done. There are at least 27 "controls" (buttons, textboxes and so on) in the main screen and each one needs to be resized in proportion to its neighbour.</p><p>The problem is finally solved in the latest version (4.4.12). You can now resize <u>and</u> reposition the main form to suit your screen and the program will remember that for the next time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIszLWrnsNBr1OfGUW8tsN0bfN7Dfjkx5Nox7qMawwhd-VaWOsQTy4NbJsIQw6KYAsCIRfWWRw26KhlFEvPWvsPwjibNIRBjjhCs5185wStkxP68lQ-JWecCZ0K05sXfdcHSe9DaipaPo/s1920/2021-12-03+13_35_21-Greenshot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIszLWrnsNBr1OfGUW8tsN0bfN7Dfjkx5Nox7qMawwhd-VaWOsQTy4NbJsIQw6KYAsCIRfWWRw26KhlFEvPWvsPwjibNIRBjjhCs5185wStkxP68lQ-JWecCZ0K05sXfdcHSe9DaipaPo/s320/2021-12-03+13_35_21-Greenshot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The above screenshot shows the standard size, with the program always starting centre-screen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD89QBsZLXTjSiewhf5bz5xl5zlP6goXxXJEBL8sh36m9QvEzwgjjIpLAb8vIcVCj9rCakfzVkdJJUvSWtLOVVUbP6Z0oO1_rwjYIRzQxCCaJMe03qNrfJPIfzMyOTZsNlnVgBuozmtcY/s1920/2021-12-03+13_36_28-Greenshot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD89QBsZLXTjSiewhf5bz5xl5zlP6goXxXJEBL8sh36m9QvEzwgjjIpLAb8vIcVCj9rCakfzVkdJJUvSWtLOVVUbP6Z0oO1_rwjYIRzQxCCaJMe03qNrfJPIfzMyOTZsNlnVgBuozmtcY/s320/2021-12-03+13_36_28-Greenshot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This screenshot shows the program enlarged and repositioned. It will remember the size and position for next time it starts.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>By the way, the computer these screenshots were taken from is running Windows 11. Wessex Professional is perfectly happy running on that.<div><br /><p>Also in the new version is an improved "Moulding Needed" section ("Tools" > "Mange Database" > "Mouldings", click "Views" and choose "Moulding Needed" to show the moulding you'll need for your current jobs, and which you're likely to have to order).</p><p>The "Save invoice as PDF" in the Print section has had some potential errors corrected and should be more consistent. </p><p>All that remains is to wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-7187487744713595262021-10-08T13:53:00.000+01:002021-10-08T13:53:05.617+01:00Coping with the "new normal".<p>Over the last few months we have seen increasing shortages and, more recently, galloping price increases.</p><p>Wessex Professional and The Framers Pricing App can help you to keep abreast of these changes and keep your business afloat and profitable.</p><p>Let's deal with price increases first.</p><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">It is important to remember that all suppliers in their terms and conditions reserve the right to change prices without notice. Obviously they try not to, but with prices so volatile it makes sense for us to go by the invoices we receive rather than waiting for a new price list to be issued. </p></blockquote><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">For mouldings this is easily dealt with in Wessex Professional by going through the invoice and Editing the moulding record to give the correct wholesale cost per metre. (If you are not registered for VAT make sure you include VAT in the figure to reflect the price you have paid.) In the App if you use # codes then redo the code for each of the mouldings in the invoice (Settings > Get Moulding Code). If you use a file imported into the App then you will need to open the file on your computer and edit it, save and import again.</p><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">For mountboard and glass there are a couple of ways to deal with price changes.</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">1) The easy way</blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">If (for example) a mountboard increases from £6.00 to £6.60 a sheet (10%), then simply increase the mount cost by 10%.</blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">For instance - I charge a plain (whitecore) mount at 0.32 pence/sq. cm. So I would increase that cost to 0.352 pence/sq. cm.</blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">I would keep the "Start From" charge the same because that really represents the labour cutting the mount (presumably that will need to increase at some point, but it's not directly related to the material cost).</blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div>2) Getting back to basics</div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div>There are 9,930.8 sq. cm. in a Larson Juhl board. (122 x 81.4) divide that by the cost of the board in pence to get how much the board is costing per cm. (£6.00 per board = 600 pence = 0.06 pence/sq. cm. Actually 0.0604180932049785 pence!)</div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div>Multiply that by a markup (between 4 & 7 usually) to get the main cost figure. Nb. markup is quite high because of the amount of wastage in glass and particularly mountboard.</div></blockquote></blockquote><div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;">To make the changes - in Wessex Professional go to Settings > Values and choose the Mount or Glass tab. Select the type of glass or mount you want to change from the dropdown list. Put in the new value and "Save", then go on to the next one.</p></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTL6rvG5iajfLlj8UTOad_y219Cyx0-13VSrzkX67pz5U_4Z5Fz76dwDUeQugk7B_JQZpbUM_-ka5LzlbtdtLzFFAlIjrwJnR89deRTD93goLWEFILNpB09AR2LOIlqW-jud3AANXyzc/s605/Values.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="605" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTL6rvG5iajfLlj8UTOad_y219Cyx0-13VSrzkX67pz5U_4Z5Fz76dwDUeQugk7B_JQZpbUM_-ka5LzlbtdtLzFFAlIjrwJnR89deRTD93goLWEFILNpB09AR2LOIlqW-jud3AANXyzc/s320/Values.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the Pricing App go to Settings and choose Mount Values or Glass Values. Tap the top panel for a list of Labels and their values. Select one, change the figures and Save Item. </div></blockquote></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;">Both the Pricing App and Wessex Professional work out prices in the same way. </p></div></blockquote><p>Now let's look at how to deal with shortages.</p></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><p style="text-align: left;"> Because the Pricing App doesn't keep a record of stock or jobs you are going to have to rely on good old "memory mark 1"! </p></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">But Wessex Professional can help. If you know a moulding is unavailable you can check whether you have taken jobs for it by going to Tools > Manage Database > Worktickets. Then choose Views, List By Item. Select "Moulding" and enter the moulding code in the pop-up box. You will then see a list of all the jobs to be completed which use that moulding.</p></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36LoCEVcYznfe_uaphkbszD4g_gSCHJ6BDeax2ZbHUOozwjG-Gxwn64D4IDrILQBvTJ1PYcXYm-B61dm7hvdqmoF72-mZk1fdfyrE8HuOBeHUynHOTKs6PREAUFz8vJMjEMwwXku0LAY/s493/ListByItem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="493" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36LoCEVcYznfe_uaphkbszD4g_gSCHJ6BDeax2ZbHUOozwjG-Gxwn64D4IDrILQBvTJ1PYcXYm-B61dm7hvdqmoF72-mZk1fdfyrE8HuOBeHUynHOTKs6PREAUFz8vJMjEMwwXku0LAY/s320/ListByItem.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Similarly, you can check glass in the same way. The program won't make the shortages go away, but at least you'll have the information on which to base a decision.</p><p>(At the moment the Mount option only shows the type of mount, not the colour. So, unfortunately, that won't help when a particular colour is not available, though it's usually possible to get a acceptable alternative from a different manufacturer). </p><p>All that is probably a lot to take in, but for some bedtime reading have a look at <a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2011/07/frame-pricing-talk.html">Picture Frame Pricing Programs: Frame Pricing Talk (stevetheframe.blogspot.com)</a> for a overall view of pricing.</p><div><br /><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> </p></blockquote><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> </p></blockquote><p></p></div>Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-88546733723693888672021-06-04T09:06:00.000+01:002021-06-04T09:06:25.655+01:00Yet another new version - what's that all about?<p> It was only a month ago that 4.4.10 was made available to download, and now there is 4.4.11. So what's going on?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGqpJJ3dC4Cw4yWdPsm8dxeHko1HQnU0PJvl6Lv0iKqwW1C9dpz5WwkEL7JHFHF2czLgKYou83B-9yOCoyOUPLgGMkWVW4lDVJ0eOZzqLLoJSMGt78Z-BI_fXY8C-Un57UJqVruHNch4/s369/ScreenHunter_124+Jun.+04+09.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="354" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGqpJJ3dC4Cw4yWdPsm8dxeHko1HQnU0PJvl6Lv0iKqwW1C9dpz5WwkEL7JHFHF2czLgKYou83B-9yOCoyOUPLgGMkWVW4lDVJ0eOZzqLLoJSMGt78Z-BI_fXY8C-Un57UJqVruHNch4/s320/ScreenHunter_124+Jun.+04+09.04.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I'll put my hand up and say that some "issues" had been found in the previous version. This new download sorts them out.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>An issue when the program was networked - it was possible for different computers to issue invoices with the same number.</li><li>Extra Cost - if the Extra Cost "includes vat" box was ticked the full extra cost was shown on the main form, rather than the net amount. However the final price was accurate.</li><li>If the box to record the amount of deposit was left blank, then the program would throw up an error. Now it assumes you meant that customer did not pay a deposit (ie. 0).</li><li>Searching through the Customers - the surnames were displayed in alphabetical order, but not necessarily the initials.</li></ul>Hopefully, now we're back on track to issue updates every 9 -12 months again.<p></p>Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-11738182553733659412021-05-08T11:38:00.001+01:002021-05-08T11:38:24.237+01:00What the # ?!<p> I mentioned in a previous post that I would explain about price codes.</p><p>If you think about it all the program needs to work out a frame price is the cost of the moulding and its width. Once it knows the rebate dimensions it can work how much moulding will be needed (2 * X + 2 * Y, + 8 * moulding width)</p><div style="text-align: left;">This was the principle that the first Wessex Pricing Program (WPP1) used.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The idea was resurrected in the Framers Pricing App. Here the App can work out a cost either by using an Id number from a csv file (for instance "PW112"), or a pricing code which contains the information needed.</div><div style="text-align: left;">How does the App distinguish between the two?</div><div style="text-align: left;">The price code always is always preceded by "<span style="font-size: medium;">#</span>" (eg. <span style="font-size: medium;">#34G</span>). The numbers represent the moulding cost, while the letter represents the width.</div><div style="text-align: left;">In practical terms, there is a utility in the App (and now in the desktop program) whereby you can enter the cost and the width of a moulding and it will issue a code that you can write on the moulding sample.</div><div style="text-align: left;">(App - go to "Settings" and tap "Get Moulding Code". WPP4 - go to "Tools" > "Get Moulding Code") It is now easy to give a price - put in the dimensions, look on the sample for the price code and enter that, together with glass, mount and sundries.</div><div style="text-align: left;">It is good practice to check the code each time you get an invoice for that moulding.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The sharp-witted amongst you will have spotted that the code does not identify an individual moulding, A moulding with the same cost and width will have the same code. So, if you are recording a job, you will need to be able to identify the particular moulding.</div><div style="text-align: left;">In WPP4 you can do this in the "Notes" section when saving the Job. With the App the world is your oyster! You could record the details in a duplicate-book or you could take a screen-shot of the price and a photo of the work and sample(s), being careful to marry up the two images (rename them in file manager), or a mixture of the two.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Also, the width part of the code (the letter) covers a number of Mm. and so is not quite precise. In practice the effect on the final cost is minimal.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So why go with this form of pricing when other more exact ways are available?</div><div style="text-align: left;">Simply because it is so straightforward and easy to understand. There are no databases to maintain, no csv files to wrestle with. The costing is slightly less exact (by pence not pounds), but if your margins are that tight then use a different system. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Another reason to include these codes in WPP4 is to better integrate the program with the Pricing App. Already you can export a file of mouldings from the desktop program to the App, now you can go the other way and use the App's pricing codes in the main program.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-31408081712503918922021-05-05T09:32:00.001+01:002021-05-05T09:32:57.601+01:00User Requests and a New Version<p><b> Version 4.4.10 </b> </p><p>Most of the features in this update are based on ideas and requests from framers who use the program.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>You can now save a first name to the customer record, not just an initial. Upto 15 characters.</li></ul><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6Z5CjTJzLwc_fuT381wUrDPGjqieM-3cjitenLtevNjsyOCZuaLwYQ6KKkgClFuS8gVX6e-jlyMNrkceCNtV3hyOvKbxKeC2BlmDj9gFDqd8BZ9wIEwtGTXwhIOk3IwaHjRYQx9JJUU/s739/ScreenHunter_109+Mar.+21+15.07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="599" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6Z5CjTJzLwc_fuT381wUrDPGjqieM-3cjitenLtevNjsyOCZuaLwYQ6KKkgClFuS8gVX6e-jlyMNrkceCNtV3hyOvKbxKeC2BlmDj9gFDqd8BZ9wIEwtGTXwhIOk3IwaHjRYQx9JJUU/s320/ScreenHunter_109+Mar.+21+15.07.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>You can search the customers by their telephone number as well as their name. Useful if someone rings or texts and doesn't leave their name.</li></ul><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJN1p9Yck2iawdCvzOWUyiR6Up_CsksKAzU1nu0-WW-fk8LIDaocYYN06fgVGBRFbMiah_GkClNrnilY1UqGRNOg3sdEbiZ5wSMSC275BH5dI6oxJufj6JoezrqjicMJLayjj8k3aMNw/s333/ScreenHunter_110+Mar.+21+15.22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="333" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJN1p9Yck2iawdCvzOWUyiR6Up_CsksKAzU1nu0-WW-fk8LIDaocYYN06fgVGBRFbMiah_GkClNrnilY1UqGRNOg3sdEbiZ5wSMSC275BH5dI6oxJufj6JoezrqjicMJLayjj8k3aMNw/w276-h196/ScreenHunter_110+Mar.+21+15.22.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>While I was at it, I took the opportunity to improve the name search itself. Previously the search was just on the surname. So search for "SMITH" and all the Smiths would come up and you'd need to scroll through until you'd found the right initial and phone number. Now now you can type "SMITH" then "space", then the initial/first name - much more efficient. It is also the same when searching names to save with the invoice and when searching through the work tickets to find a customer's past jobs.</li><li>This next one is for users who also have <a href="http://www.theframerspricingapp.com/cgi-bin/showpage.fcgi" target="_blank">The Famers Pricing App</a> on their phone. You have for a few years now been able to create a file of your mouldings and their prices which can be imported into the App ("File" > "Create Mouldings.csv"). So that the App and Wessex Professional are working with the same data (they work out the prices in the same way). The App can also work out prices using a moulding code (beginning with "#"). But Wessex Professional would not recognize these codes - until now! It is quite a big subject and I plan to write a post about these codes, but for now, if you use # codes with the App you can use them with Wessex Professional too.</li></ul><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_rzuzGbrjryQBGaOwkuT7dmo5KHuINtJIRVKlgob83T2LKm7GVl30sPv2SNKbkHOrM1bVmWTwHly5rxIYSrHBH3UA0lyINFuYj5XpRDbFR5WnAEV8ctl0FdBL03Dh8VhUT9-qF6Avyo/s706/ScreenHunter_112+Mar.+21+15.47.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="438" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_rzuzGbrjryQBGaOwkuT7dmo5KHuINtJIRVKlgob83T2LKm7GVl30sPv2SNKbkHOrM1bVmWTwHly5rxIYSrHBH3UA0lyINFuYj5XpRDbFR5WnAEV8ctl0FdBL03Dh8VhUT9-qF6Avyo/s320/ScreenHunter_112+Mar.+21+15.47.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I have also corrected a problem that could occur when editing a job on the Jobs list (before it is saved to an invoice). This is a useful feature if the customer changes their mind about an earlier job (say, they want to change the type of glass). Click on the job you want to change - you'll have choice to Edit, Delete or Cancel.</li></ul><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0TExbgFJVrcEgdQKlVBg2YASbe-2okISavZi8-ZSEbqu_lKWRS-v3QP4ThUEpzeOppzW3fnTi66gYhLzJ0mzpoAUN55usq-hq3ObHLTTq57Q0ImqycYTghVNjtj_I5v7dpctkf-FY7I/s699/ScreenHunter_118+Apr.+18+14.45.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="460" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0TExbgFJVrcEgdQKlVBg2YASbe-2okISavZi8-ZSEbqu_lKWRS-v3QP4ThUEpzeOppzW3fnTi66gYhLzJ0mzpoAUN55usq-hq3ObHLTTq57Q0ImqycYTghVNjtj_I5v7dpctkf-FY7I/s320/ScreenHunter_118+Apr.+18+14.45.jpg" /></a></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;">If you choose Edit You'll be taken back to the pricing tab with all the details in place for you to change. You'll notice the "Add to Invoice" button has changed to "Update Invoice". Previously, if you had used an "Extra Cost" in that job this wasn't included in the price data (even though it was shown). This has now been sorted out, even if you have called Extra Cost something else.</p></div></blockquote><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Wessex no longer sell the "Basic" version of the program (WPP4B), which has really been overtaken by the Framers Pricing App. However this causes a problem if someone has that version and wants to put it on a new computer. Upto now it hasn't been possible, but now, if your computer dies and you need to put the Basic version onto a new machine, you can do so (contact Wessex for a new enabling code)..</li></ul><p></p>So, a big thank you to those framers who made the suggestions.<div><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">One thing to note however, is that once you have run the update you will not be able to import the database into an earlier version of the program (though why would you want to? - The updates are free and there is no advantage in using an out-of-date version).</div></blockquote><div><br /><p></p></div></div>Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-5076026864152338222021-03-23T16:20:00.001+00:002021-03-23T16:20:35.918+00:00Mainly about Mac<p> Let's be quite clear - it is <u>NOT</u> possible to install <a href="http://www.theframerspricingapp.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Framers Pricing App</span></a> on an iPhone or an iPad. </p><p>The operating system for these devices is IOS, which uses a different code to that of Android. Also Apple is very careful (controlling?) about what you are allowed to install on your device. This means from a developer's point-of-view (ie. me) it is not worthwhile to jump through the hoops that Apple set, as well as maintaining 2 sets of code unless the App is for the mass market. (Sorry all you Framers, there just aren't enough of you!)</p><p>The solution I recommend is to buy a cheap Android phone or tablet (have a look on Ebay). It does not need to be connected to a phone network, so no sim card, just connect to the wifi at home so you can download the App from Google Play. You don't need to do anything else, just know how to turn the device on and tap The Framers Pricing app icon. Everything else phone-related, you continue to do on your Apple device. </p><p><a href="https://www.wessexpictures.com/Wessex_Pricing.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wessex Professional</span></a> is designed for Windows and will not directly run on an Apple Mac, or MacBook (which use the OSX operating system). It is however possible to to install and run the program on a Mac with some other software. </p><p>In previous <a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2016/06/more-mac.html" target="_blank">posts</a> I have mentioned <a href="https://www.codeweavers.com/crossover#mac" target="_blank">CrossOverMac</a> as worth looking at. </p><p>There are other alternatives</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.winehq.org/" target="_blank">Wine</a>. This is a free alternative to CrossOverMac, but rather more fiddly to set up.</li><li><a href="https://support.apple.com/en-gb/boot-camp" target="_blank">Boot Camp</a>. This utility comes built into your Mac. Each time you start the computer you are able to choose between Windows or Mac. The problem is that in order to switch between to two systems you need to restart the computer. Also, you need a copy of Windows 10.</li><li>The first (restart) problem is solved by using <a href="https://www.parallels.com/uk/products/desktop/" target="_blank">Parallels</a>. You can switch between Mac and Windows without having to reboot the computer. I have seen it working and because Wessex Professional is running under Windows (albeit on a Mac) the program looks exactly as it should. (Wine and Crossover use a different system and the appearance is slightly different). However, you still need a copy of Windows 10 - expensive right? Wrong - have a look at <a href="https://theunitysoft.com/product-category/microsoft-windows/" target="_blank">UnitySoft</a> for bargain basement software prices. </li></ul>All of these solutions cost less than £100 at the time of writing. <div>So, if you like Apple products and you want to use the best framers pricing software, you don't have to choose between the two.<br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-65577166356948635862020-12-24T13:45:00.001+00:002020-12-24T13:51:15.793+00:00Networking - using the Pricing Program on 2 (or more) computers<p>Everyone is different. Many framers just need their pricing system on one computer, but others perhaps have a large shop, or a separate workshop, or even more than one premises. All of these scenarios (and I'm sure there are many others) need the pricing and job information system on more than one computer.</p><p>It doesn't cost you any more to put Wessex Professional on all your devices (you just need an enabling code for each one from Wessex). But merely installing the program on each device will mean that they will each use their own (internal) database. Ideally we need the group of programs to use the same database, and of course, we can configure Wessex Professional to do just that.</p><p>Before we continue I need to point out that this solution is only suitable for a small scale system. Larger systems with many database transactions per second would need the database held on a server which would handle the transaction requests.</p><p>So, down to the nitty-gritty. </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Having installed the program on our devices we need to put the database file that we want to use ("V3.mdb") somewhere that all the devices can "see". If you have created your own private network it could be in a folder somewhere on that (Look at the Networking section in the "Help" file, press "F1"). </li><li>The easiest way, however, is to use a cloud storage location such as "Dropbox" or "OneDrive". Make a folder there and copy your database file into it.</li><li>In the program go to "Setup" . "Options" and select the "NetWk/BkUp" tab.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-zjHZStz6QhuHPoX_ZGkb86b9LfaOF1MfS6i_J0wgeExCEJr2aYrcZuNGsVodYSMPD-3JLke78xouqwoE1Dax4In0-KEOv1sLRVyXzjoaEEzC9E8niMQ_OrQlfWG-cO_mFsJB4d0S3M/s687/ScreenHunter_88+Dec.+24+12.06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="687" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-zjHZStz6QhuHPoX_ZGkb86b9LfaOF1MfS6i_J0wgeExCEJr2aYrcZuNGsVodYSMPD-3JLke78xouqwoE1Dax4In0-KEOv1sLRVyXzjoaEEzC9E8niMQ_OrQlfWG-cO_mFsJB4d0S3M/s320/ScreenHunter_88+Dec.+24+12.06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><ul><li style="text-align: left;">At the top tick "Use networked database", and then click the box below that to bring up a dialog to select the location of the database you are going to use.</li></ul><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpvV-ljWy8YmppuNsEtNSKkTn5_gxGnQ4h4bb9rIimC_ITwlz5J8WeqUIXyz84MJrXatPoVItoCYLsSHo2OsDI-_fZgLvV-Xb-z-V6B6BkNIEizqyYN0wOOiHmzTZWhMcnKuPTDHFw14/s1048/ScreenHunter_89+Dec.+24+12.29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="1048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpvV-ljWy8YmppuNsEtNSKkTn5_gxGnQ4h4bb9rIimC_ITwlz5J8WeqUIXyz84MJrXatPoVItoCYLsSHo2OsDI-_fZgLvV-Xb-z-V6B6BkNIEizqyYN0wOOiHmzTZWhMcnKuPTDHFw14/s320/ScreenHunter_89+Dec.+24+12.29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Select the file (click "Open") and the network box should look something like this - </li></ul><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUpsmKP5qD4AbGmPUD1wJUcQjEhry5Ymzr8g49G5G6ESjgSQH6A6lrT_laa0l9JB6mO-DT2M_fA75mp9cxsvhWtzUJlMfbFra451bu0gZ_w534EFltq6aUIxB_ejElkPjhlFlez4NV5k/s538/ScreenHunter_90+Dec.+24+12.34.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUpsmKP5qD4AbGmPUD1wJUcQjEhry5Ymzr8g49G5G6ESjgSQH6A6lrT_laa0l9JB6mO-DT2M_fA75mp9cxsvhWtzUJlMfbFra451bu0gZ_w534EFltq6aUIxB_ejElkPjhlFlez4NV5k/s320/ScreenHunter_90+Dec.+24+12.34.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Remember to click "Save".</li><li>Repeat this for each computer.</li></ul>Now all the devices will use the same database. (For instance, if the workshop marks a job as "Complete" then the shop can immediately see that.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The database file contains all the information for Customers, Mouldings and WorkTickets. There is one other file that contains information for prices and labels ("User.xml"), this is not networked and needs to be put on each device individually ("Setup" > "Values" and then click "Export" or "Import").</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, why not be able to network this file as well?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two reasons</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>The file is only modified occasionally, unlike the database file. So it's not too much of a chore to copy it to each device when it's changed.</li><li>It could be that you need the device to issue different prices. For instance one device issues trade prices, while another issues retail. Or one branch of the business only deals with simple jobs, while another deals with more complex framing.</li></ol>NB. One point to remember is that you will need to make sure that the database file is regularly backed up, as the program's automatic backup feature does not work with a networked database.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />All in all setting up Wessex Professional to use a network is not too difficult to do, but I suggest you choose a quiet time (a lockdown project?)</div><br /><br /><br />Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-21603298093433960032020-12-10T14:40:00.002+00:002020-12-10T14:40:53.265+00:00Good to Know<p>The scenario - You are new to the Wessex Pricing Program. You want to get the best out of it. You need it to work for your business.</p><p>There are a number of key blog posts that will help you hit the ground running.</p><p>The first is the transcript of a talk about frame pricing made to a Fine Art Trade Guild meeting. </p><p><a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2011/07/frame-pricing-talk.html">Picture Frame Pricing Programs: Frame Pricing Talk (stevetheframe.blogspot.com)</a></p><p>The second link is about the general operation of the program.</p><p><a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2015/10/3-steps-to-heaven-well-actually-8.html">Picture Frame Pricing Programs: 3 Steps to Heaven (well actually 8) (stevetheframe.blogspot.com)</a></p><p>The next 2 links are about performing a bulk update on the Mouldings records from an Excel file.</p><p><a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2014/02/updating-mouldings-do-it-right.html">Picture Frame Pricing Programs: Updating Mouldings - Do it right! (stevetheframe.blogspot.com)</a></p><p><a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2011/06/creating-bulk-update-file.html">Picture Frame Pricing Programs: Creating a bulk update file (stevetheframe.blogspot.com)</a></p><p>Updating from a supplier's file is the area I get the most questions about. The above two posts are pretty comprehensive. The only recent point to add is -</p><p>If you are adding a supplier's mouldings for the first time then you will need to create one (dummy) record manually (Tools > Manage Database > Mouldings, then Select File > New Record). The supplier will then appear in the dropdown menu for you to select.</p><p>This is to stop the problem of a supplier ending up with two different names (ie. Rose&Hollis and R&H) the database will treat these as different suppliers, so giving rise to problems.</p><p>Obviously there are lots of other posts and points to make, but you should be doing things the right way if you've looked at those 4 links.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-73692957826982393222020-09-24T10:18:00.000+01:002020-09-24T10:18:10.862+01:00Why buy Wessex Professional?<p> Of course, I think Wessex Professional is the best pricing and job organization program that picture framers can buy, but then I would, wouldn't I?</p><p>In case that doesn't convince you here are some hard reasons to use Wessex Professional rather than any other system.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">User-friendly interface. </span>Because the program has been designed by a professional framer it is an unobtrusive tool to use while talking with the customer and recording a sale. (Your attention needs to be on your client, not a computer).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5Y6KUFNoKmSmoSIQY9KvQY7Uq4RfwlTEsc2z41CFpt4-gJ8X5KNWWUV2lcLTdUzrLmczglpyPwQr6r-7rnmUK-JtqA4fRzzp_k02FUN9gUeu30hxDAw3U6_rqLpdA6Nk96iBCYpPi14/s728/ScreenHunter_71+Sep.+23+21.44.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5Y6KUFNoKmSmoSIQY9KvQY7Uq4RfwlTEsc2z41CFpt4-gJ8X5KNWWUV2lcLTdUzrLmczglpyPwQr6r-7rnmUK-JtqA4fRzzp_k02FUN9gUeu30hxDAw3U6_rqLpdA6Nk96iBCYpPi14/s320/ScreenHunter_71+Sep.+23+21.44.jpg" /></a></div><br /></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Gives you complete control of your prices.</span> The way Wessex Professional works out a price (the algorithm) is transparent and easy to understand. I believe that it is important for framers to take responsibility and set their own prices, which will reflect the business in their area.</li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Can use any suppliers' mouldings.</span> You can create database records for mouldings from any supplier - not solely Wessex Pictures (in fact you don't have to have any Wessex records at all - but don't tell Wessex that!)</li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Easy set up.</span> I won't deny that you will need to spend some time setting up the program to give the prices you want. But the process is simple and you can start off with some suggested values which can then be adjusted. Be suspicious of any system that claims to work out of the box. </li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Cost.</span> £295 + vat - you own the program, it will very quickly save you money over those systems that are rented or leased.</li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">On as many computers as you like.</span> Wessex Professional can be networked for use with more than one computer. At no extra cost.</li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Free Updates and Support. </span>Updates to the program (once or twice a year) are free. These often include features suggested by other framers. Help and support is also free. If you cannot find the answer in the program's Help files then a call to Wessex will get the problem sorted out.</li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">The Data stays on your system.</span> The program does not need an internet connection, your data files are on your computer system (which you control).</li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Proven System.</span> The pedigree of Wessex Professional goes back to 2004, when we released The Wessex Pricing Program (WPP1). It was a simple price calculator, the precursor of the current sophisticated program. </li></ul>You don't even have to take my word for it - download the <a href="https://www.wessexpictures.com/wessex_pricing_programs.html" target="_blank">free 30 day trial</a> and see for yourself.<p></p>Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-29279408960545600782020-09-17T16:37:00.000+01:002020-09-17T16:37:37.344+01:00What I did in lockdown<p>Part of my lockdown was coding the latest ideas for Wessex Professional. A couple of months testing after we reopened and the result is a new version of the program (ver. 4.4.9). </p><p>So what's new?</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>When an invoice is saved you can now see how many items are scheduled for collection on that date (and so you can change the date if necessary).</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vBTvRoMya-2P5hOEFX73R2FXQNDLFemEy0HozisDzZUx5RBhpDQQHSZKhkiBtSjVw6IYlFxqMv2S9NspbE0xaJ9ZOd5GB1-z2I9t5AO0ytw9fxn7h0dq8LQ9Qe8M0ePIgVF5kct1JOA/s449/CollectInfo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="137" data-original-width="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vBTvRoMya-2P5hOEFX73R2FXQNDLFemEy0HozisDzZUx5RBhpDQQHSZKhkiBtSjVw6IYlFxqMv2S9NspbE0xaJ9ZOd5GB1-z2I9t5AO0ytw9fxn7h0dq8LQ9Qe8M0ePIgVF5kct1JOA/s320/CollectInfo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Location function has been improved. You can enter a location straightaway and also search the workticket list by Location ("Tools" > "Manage Database" > "Views" > "List by Item"). This is very handy if you send work off-site. It could also be used track work given to individual members of staff. In fact I nearly relabelled it "Anything-Else-You-Want"! (You have upto 20 characters to play with). In effect it is a user-defined searchable parameter added to the job record.</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTGU-Bk77ACe75P_fzu-tTFyIPWNqxVVRer90ogW5uuaOp3ygb_R_GsBspYhv0DSKOqXbsXsOLvso8YxKwi2qd9fh1_9s53a9Me7wHl2XaOi4FTa6AXbUDakCLcx-Cn63Bo1BeFeKt1I/s346/LocationSearch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="143" data-original-width="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTGU-Bk77ACe75P_fzu-tTFyIPWNqxVVRer90ogW5uuaOp3ygb_R_GsBspYhv0DSKOqXbsXsOLvso8YxKwi2qd9fh1_9s53a9Me7wHl2XaOi4FTa6AXbUDakCLcx-Cn63Bo1BeFeKt1I/s320/LocationSearch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span> </span><span> </span><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Because I been a framer for some time I know that there is always something new, or something that only occurs once in a blue moon, so the Wessex Pricing Programs have always had an option to include an "Extra Cost". Now you can directly label that Extra Cost (upto 15 characters). So the reason for the cost is clearer, both for you and the customer.</li></ul><div><p></p></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGaGmjUm9PcgG2n2ZNrqBiBTFlw6CD7PLm7Ds6J1pzH8LDKEf3crXD58H403AIu5Gzue7q8XvImBCCEuq_vLTqvpA_XfaAvf_7LPhTOGlvHhtLWwOK5ZgGOb-QE-VEyIT9dyeGzcmAa0/s445/ExCost.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="337" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGaGmjUm9PcgG2n2ZNrqBiBTFlw6CD7PLm7Ds6J1pzH8LDKEf3crXD58H403AIu5Gzue7q8XvImBCCEuq_vLTqvpA_XfaAvf_7LPhTOGlvHhtLWwOK5ZgGOb-QE-VEyIT9dyeGzcmAa0/s320/ExCost.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As always - before you install the new version take a copy of your database (V3.mdb) and labels/values file (User.xml) just in case!<div>Enjoy.<br /><div><br /></div></div>Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-77654574132607141612020-03-25T16:48:00.001+00:002020-03-25T16:48:30.077+00:00Index of Pricing App postsThere are quite a few posts on this blog now.<br />
I thought it might be helpful to list the ones that just deal with the <a href="http://www.theframerspricingapp.com/" target="_blank">Framers Pricing App</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1YyWX5Vog_UQxHk5kzVpTAT1LUcBqio9nCjd8mqmCqu7vivaRja8ub10iEffdxRh1bjP7KDBKHGcUdV8DQ0bevDKxz-oxoWSdihIAS5750ez9xIDhQhytjYzwkv4i18fWzF4precQRQ/s1600/PricingApp.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1YyWX5Vog_UQxHk5kzVpTAT1LUcBqio9nCjd8mqmCqu7vivaRja8ub10iEffdxRh1bjP7KDBKHGcUdV8DQ0bevDKxz-oxoWSdihIAS5750ez9xIDhQhytjYzwkv4i18fWzF4precQRQ/s1600/PricingApp.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="256" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1YyWX5Vog_UQxHk5kzVpTAT1LUcBqio9nCjd8mqmCqu7vivaRja8ub10iEffdxRh1bjP7KDBKHGcUdV8DQ0bevDKxz-oxoWSdihIAS5750ez9xIDhQhytjYzwkv4i18fWzF4precQRQ/s200/PricingApp.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2020/01/nothing-will-come-of-nothing.html">http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2020/01/nothing-will-come-of-nothing.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2018/12/great-idea.html">http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2018/12/great-idea.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2018/05/updates-updates.html">http:</a><a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2018/05/updates-updates.html">//stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2018/05/updates-updates.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2018/04/major-upgrade-for-pricing-app.html">http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2018/04/major-upgrade-for-pricing-app.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2017/12/where-did-that-file-go-get-to-grips.html">http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2017/12/where-did-that-file-go-get-to-grips.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2016/11/top-tips-for-using-mouldingscsv-file-in.html">http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2016/11/top-tips-for-using-mouldingscsv-file-in.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2016/10/using-app-keep-it-simple.html">http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2016/10/using-app-keep-it-simple.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2016/05/tips-for-updating-app-mouldings-file.html">http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2016/05/tips-for-updating-app-mouldings-file.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-only-way-is-app.html">http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-only-way-is-app.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2013/02/frame-pricing-app-ofr-android.html">http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2013/02/frame-pricing-app-ofr-android.html</a><br />
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<br />Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-63739958170760416872020-01-05T10:07:00.000+00:002020-01-05T10:07:41.909+00:00"Nothing will come of nothing!"I always wanted to use a Shakespeare quote for a title (it's from King Lear, but I'm sure you knew that)!<br />
It is quite relevant to a couple of problems people have had recently.<br />
I had two App users contact me with the same symptom - the moulding element of the price was coming out at zero. You can test this by just putting in the dimensions and a moulding code, then hitting Total Price.<br />
At first I was quite perplexed, but chatting on it seemed they had wanted to know the cost of the frame without any markup (basically, how much would the materials cost?).<br />
So, quite understandably, they had entered "0" as the moulding markup.<br />
There is the explanation straightaway - the App (and the Desktop program) multiply the wholesale moulding cost by the markup to get the frame cost (and then, if the figure is greater than zero, add on a cutting & joining charge). Of course any number multiplied by 0 is 0.<br />
So, if you want to see the bare moulding cost you will need to put 1 as the moulding markup.<br />
<br />Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-24819033212849305022019-11-11T22:19:00.001+00:002019-11-11T22:19:42.857+00:00An Early UpdateNormally I update Wessex Professional once a year, the last update was posted in the spring (2019). But I have another update for the autumn (4.4.8).<br />
<br />
It all came about when one of my largest users asked me if the program could be made to show the progress of a job through the workshop, and also to produce an Excel list of jobs to be done. My first thought was to produce a modified version especially for them, but thinking about it I realised that these features could be a useful for all users.<br />
<br />
So, lets go through the new features.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>If you use the "Staff" option then the staff member is now saved to the database, instead of just being printed on the initial invoice and work ticket.</li>
<li>Likewise the Deposit amount paid is now saved. If you take deposits the program remembers so you don't have to!</li>
<li>Location, location location! On the Work Ticket record you can record the location of the item. Not only its final place waiting for the customer to collect, but whereabouts it is before and during the framing process. So no more wondering "I put that safe somewhere, didn't I?"</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNINWWVZ6nEFPcUVxqR6167qztyuViL6iHlr7SBkZteWZ5XuLdhRijEy4VlmqExP6xxTgSw4eeiKTcXsRtsIw2snygd6bxzrHMJbWbg0IaFjdWHGGZdEcaMbvJf9dpEen59P7sUloqH9g/s1600/ScreenHunter_10+Sep.+27+21.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="746" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNINWWVZ6nEFPcUVxqR6167qztyuViL6iHlr7SBkZteWZ5XuLdhRijEy4VlmqExP6xxTgSw4eeiKTcXsRtsIw2snygd6bxzrHMJbWbg0IaFjdWHGGZdEcaMbvJf9dpEen59P7sUloqH9g/s320/ScreenHunter_10+Sep.+27+21.31.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<ul>
<li>An Excel report showing the work to be done in the order it needs doing, including the customer's name & phone, can be created. Go to "Tools" > "Manage Database" > "WorkTickets" and Click on "File". Select "Excel Report" and a file titled "Job Sheets (+ the date) " will be saved to your Desktop.</li>
<li>Finally - in go to "Setup" > "Options", then the "Database" tab and select "Database Utilities", you will see at the bottom at box titled "Execute SQL". This allows an SQL statement to modify the database. If you don't know what SQL (Structured Query Language) is - ignore it. If you do use it always make sure you have taken a backup of the database beforehand. The reason it's there is to give the facility to make bulk changes to the database where it would otherwise need to be imported into Access.</li>
</ul>
I've been using this version in my framing shop for a few months now and I'm quietly pleased with it. I hope you will be too.Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-75554863098846952972019-09-29T16:47:00.001+01:002019-09-29T16:47:38.945+01:00More on Frinton > WessexA bit extra to the previous <a href="http://stevetheframe.blogspot.com/2019/09/wessex-frinton-moulding-changes.html" target="_blank">post</a> , which describes how to change over Frinton mouldings to Wessex.<br />
<br />
There is an (initially) perplexing problem where it seems that some Frinton mouldings have been marked as "discontinued" incorrectly.<br />
"Oh dear!" I thought (or something close) when this turned up on my work computer.<br />
As always it's wise to be like Corporal Jones and "Don't Panic".<br />
After little sober reflection I realised that the problem lies with mouldings that were sold by both Wessex and Frinton <u>and</u> had a Wessex reference and a (different) Frinton reference.<br />
<br />
So, to clarify - the moulding which showed as "discontinued" for me was (in my moulding records) Frinton M03021. Now Wessex also have this listed, and their reference is "C2105" and this is the reference used in the update file.<br />
<br />
How to sort this out? I have come up with 2 scenarios.<br />
<br />
The first is if you use the supplier's reference as the moulding ID. Simply change the label on your chevron to the Wessex number.<br />
<br />
The second is if you use a different ID from the supplier number (for me that moulding was "117"), then you can edit the record to change the Supplier & Supplier Number.<br />
<br />
The good thing about the second method is that all the job records which have used that moulding are changed too. Whereas in the first method they will still have the original ID, so it's probably best to edit the record and put the Wessex reference in the Notes section.<br />
<br />
The records that start "WF", "PW" & "POL" are not affected, but if you come across an odd "Discontinued" best to give Wessex a ring just to check.Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-15367396391293638422019-09-06T21:52:00.001+01:002019-09-06T21:57:18.152+01:00Wessex & Frinton moulding changesAs you have probably seen Frinton Mouldings are now being merged with Wessex Pictures.<br />
This means that in future the mouldings that used to be listed under Frinton will now be listed under Wessex.<br />
Only one update file will be issued (WessexMouldings.xls).<br />
<br />
So, how can we get the program (WPP4) to sort this out?<br />
Fortunately it is quite simple.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Make sure your version of the program is at least 4.4.7 (To find out which version you have click on "Help", then "About").</li>
<li>Preferably before you run the update mouldings routine you need to change the name of the supplier from "Frinton" to "Wessex". </li>
</ul>
Do this by going to -<br />
<ol>
<li>"Setup" > "Options" and choose the "Database" tab. </li>
<li>The top left frame is Database Utilities - click the "OK...." button.</li>
<li>Take a copy of the Database "just-in-case".</li>
<li>Go to the third frame down and select "Change Supplier Name".</li>
<li>Select "Frinton" from the list of suppliers, and click "OK". You'll will be prompted to enter the new name (in this case it is "Wessex"). Click "OK".</li>
<li>All the Frinton records in your database now have Wessex as the supplier. - Job done!</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Now you can run the update mouldings routine using the latest <a href="https://www.wessexpictures.com/res/WessexMouldings.xls" target="_blank">WessexMouldings </a>update file. </li>
<li>NB. If you have tried to run the update <u>before</u> changing the supplier name, you will find that a lot of mouldings have "failed to be added". This is because the Id (which must be unique) of those mouldings is used under the Frinton supplier name. Simply run the update again <u>after</u> you have changed the supplier name from Frinton to Wessex.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Now you are upto date.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-9599991253797383712019-05-13T14:00:00.000+01:002019-05-13T14:00:07.751+01:004.4.7Just in time for the Roadshows we've released the latest version of Wessex Professional.<br />
The changes and new features are really down to the fantastic response from the users of the program.<br />
<br />
Version 4.4.7, new features<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Error in "Guest" moulding pricing corrected. The price calculation when using the Guest moulding option did not include wastage. So, if you priced a frame with a moulding from the database and then, using the same width & cost figures, with the Guest method, you would get two different prices.</li>
<li>Error in "Moulding needed" ("Tools">"Manage Database">"Mouldings">"Views">"Mouldings Needed"). Now shows correct amount of moulding needed for current jobs</li>
<li>Updating mouldings from an Excel file is now more user friendly.</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The problems mentioned in the previous post are all sorted out.</li>
<li>If a moulding has been discontinued, previously it would just be marked as such. Now, if it has not been used in any work tickets, it is deleted. If it has been used then the record is marked "Discontinued". This avoids "clutter" in the mouldings records.</li>
<li>Visually you can now see the numbers of records updated, added, deleted & discontinued as the update is taking place. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkVIsp_Z0A3BqTs0i24tFomKGrTTjclKge5vStGEXctb8x5pYJOfQjtrPRFm6qGK7m4W8DXK8FETggWlEIFhL186Ck3TR3HtIzPqIqB8SR9CTvB8dGtypn0jBR5w5HOC-lrRcP_TlpzA/s1600/UpdateScreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="710" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkVIsp_Z0A3BqTs0i24tFomKGrTTjclKge5vStGEXctb8x5pYJOfQjtrPRFm6qGK7m4W8DXK8FETggWlEIFhL186Ck3TR3HtIzPqIqB8SR9CTvB8dGtypn0jBR5w5HOC-lrRcP_TlpzA/s320/UpdateScreen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</li>
</ul>
The option to update from a supplier other than Wessex or Frinton is now a dropdown list of the existing suppliers in the database. This is to minimise errors (spelling, or calling the same supplier by two different names).<br />
<u>However</u> this does mean that if you want to add mouldings from a completely new supplier you will have to create one new record manually ("Tools">"Manage Database">"Mouldings", then click "File">"New Record"). This will then add that supplier to the dropdown list.<br />
<br />
4. Two new database utilities have been added. These can be found in "Setup">"Options" and select the database tab, click "Database Utilities" (at the top left of the tab). NB. It is wise to have made a backup of your database before making any changes.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>You can now change the Supplier name in all of that supplier's records.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_f1seB9-Vu3rxBT8f5cxJuYs6vaUh_MVS-kWQwh3hwQWsq-3vWMwegf8sIC1-B7u9dNRWUb3enC10hC3w1FcdD4ok-yaSO26BEttZNmowQSSFfHQvN8MMZP_7GjxHgzNGljqmcgqQkU/s1600/Rename.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="490" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_f1seB9-Vu3rxBT8f5cxJuYs6vaUh_MVS-kWQwh3hwQWsq-3vWMwegf8sIC1-B7u9dNRWUb3enC10hC3w1FcdD4ok-yaSO26BEttZNmowQSSFfHQvN8MMZP_7GjxHgzNGljqmcgqQkU/s320/Rename.jpg" width="312" /></a> this can be useful not only if the supplier has changed their name, but also if you have listed the supplier under different names, ie. R&H and Rose & Hollis, (the program treats these as different suppliers).</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You can now zero the "moulding used" figure in the moulding records. Useful if you want see see the most used mouldings each year. (Previously this was a read only figure).</div>
</li>
</ul>
5. When "Editing" or "Adding" a moulding record you can choose from a list of existing suppliers in the database, or add a new one.<br />
<br />
Hope you feel, as I do, that the changes make the program more productive and user-friendly - enjoy!Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-46210373169288278642019-03-09T13:33:00.000+00:002019-03-09T13:33:11.033+00:00Problems updating other suppliers.A couple of framers have contacted me recently with problems trying to update mouldings from a supplier's list.<br />
At first glance everything looked good.<br />
The file was ".xls".<br />
The headings were all correct.<br />
There were no blanks in the list.<br />
The worksheet was titled "gen"<br />
<br />
Looking more closely I noticed that one of the files contained apostrophes in the description (why?).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZm6_TSdE48riqHPi5hGBol7rlMdyjPIRpJAkL2EJRzv2C8AnIsOhJgRGj33Kb-QT1Lal3oGAOe0sgPgOwtZ5m6wee-OCuUzQa4tRHZ59GQ3RjXZ-mjqBkJiHHPJwC_HRoFitYQXIY_Ls/s1600/ScreenHunter_01+Mar.+09+12.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="455" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZm6_TSdE48riqHPi5hGBol7rlMdyjPIRpJAkL2EJRzv2C8AnIsOhJgRGj33Kb-QT1Lal3oGAOe0sgPgOwtZ5m6wee-OCuUzQa4tRHZ59GQ3RjXZ-mjqBkJiHHPJwC_HRoFitYQXIY_Ls/s320/ScreenHunter_01+Mar.+09+12.53.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
While the other had the width as a decimal. (The last column in the screenshot).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QJAK_-WmGTQqvxyp1rLLPtictB2zWxL7RNrjDoNFr1CbnyqiBe_IB43nXsCHd42nqRlXHzqU03DpsJgH_Y2OGhOwT-jT7kx3iQobMy0ulLV6esBMdRuyu7KLLIyiQjtMphlZiwcLrnE/s1600/ScreenHunter_02+Mar.+09+12.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="862" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QJAK_-WmGTQqvxyp1rLLPtictB2zWxL7RNrjDoNFr1CbnyqiBe_IB43nXsCHd42nqRlXHzqU03DpsJgH_Y2OGhOwT-jT7kx3iQobMy0ulLV6esBMdRuyu7KLLIyiQjtMphlZiwcLrnE/s640/ScreenHunter_02+Mar.+09+12.54.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Both of these things will cause the update to fail.<br />
<br />
The solution?<br />
For now you will need to edit the data from within Excel.<br />
In the first instance (the apostrophes), in Excel, select the column, click on "Find & Select", then "Replace" and follow the prompts.<br />
<br />
For the second (the Width as a decimal number), select the column, click on "Number". It will be shown as "General", change this to "Number". Then click twice on "Decrease Decimal" (see below)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiJOBf5dZKxX5Lac3dMvSKuKKv3p8brqrVZfVicNNRoYSyledw3HcZ6GVWn3diUy2vbEDvElWqI1WOpFSiCt5vhUUQ0AR62Idv0HKgTnU1dPATYXTEfLdh7Co7T2K3bJML52HyKGPepM/s1600/ScreenHunter_03+Mar.+09+13.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="487" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiJOBf5dZKxX5Lac3dMvSKuKKv3p8brqrVZfVicNNRoYSyledw3HcZ6GVWn3diUy2vbEDvElWqI1WOpFSiCt5vhUUQ0AR62Idv0HKgTnU1dPATYXTEfLdh7Co7T2K3bJML52HyKGPepM/s320/ScreenHunter_03+Mar.+09+13.17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The numbers will change to integers (ie. no decimal point).<br />
Save the file, and all should be well.<br />
<br />
The next version of the the program (look out for version 4.4.7 in the next few weeks) will handle all this automatically.<br />
<br />Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-24165389443664292962018-12-16T16:37:00.000+00:002018-12-16T16:37:10.477+00:00Great IdeaOften clients have ideas for new features or behaviour for the Pricing Program (pc) or the Pricing App. Sometimes I've already tried the idea and found that it is not feasible. Other times it's a good idea but would take a lot of time to implement, or it would be too complex.<br />
But sometimes there is an idea that is a "lightbulb" moment and is quite straightforward to code.<br />
<br />
One such was a framer who was taking a screenshot each time he issued a price (very easy to do with Android), but he noticed that the pop-up message with the price was covering the moulding box (see below).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFbnG9N1B-_pmSALMdHMdYTEgItF64_vWuXtekulbhRpLulLOTZmCX3Z9Dljxdyg5GzpA-rBZ_2pmPkyCNX6NQeyH_UGRcijeTEiXmQS1fXryfRU51aoumrY3rt798DWrEs_BirIh4Nw/s1600/Screenshot_2018-12-16-15-13-14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFbnG9N1B-_pmSALMdHMdYTEgItF64_vWuXtekulbhRpLulLOTZmCX3Z9Dljxdyg5GzpA-rBZ_2pmPkyCNX6NQeyH_UGRcijeTEiXmQS1fXryfRU51aoumrY3rt798DWrEs_BirIh4Nw/s320/Screenshot_2018-12-16-15-13-14.png" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
He asked could the pop-up be moved so the Moulding ID could be seen?<br />
The immediate answer was "No", but thinking around the problem I realised that all I needed to do was to add the Moulding ID to the message (as below).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNDYIYljX5JEiOJOeeeGKG4VyCs_lovgv0iGdaMUd7qN4JGVrczddaNgBy4QxKBOsSR4edyn75Kwf69x7lD23HACI9Pc-RyMFMmtMoINYyQYSuS273ZNtUeSPeowjhC4acUSDcx3nHeg/s1600/Screenshot_2018-12-16-15-08-44.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNDYIYljX5JEiOJOeeeGKG4VyCs_lovgv0iGdaMUd7qN4JGVrczddaNgBy4QxKBOsSR4edyn75Kwf69x7lD23HACI9Pc-RyMFMmtMoINYyQYSuS273ZNtUeSPeowjhC4acUSDcx3nHeg/s320/Screenshot_2018-12-16-15-08-44.png" width="192" /></a></div>
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So, App version 2.1.2 was born.<br />
A screenshot is a very simple way of recording a price, and has a title such as -<br />
"<span style="color: orange;">Screenshot_2018_12-16-15-08-44</span>"<br />
This gives you the exact date and time the price was issued.<br />
You can see the size, the price and the moulding (you'd still need to note the mount colour, glass type and so on). Perhaps you could get that info. by taking a photo of the work with the samples in place.<br />
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Who needs databases?!<br />
<br />Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-3948618950855302802018-11-09T20:43:00.001+00:002018-11-09T20:43:08.979+00:00version 4.4.6Wessex Pricing Program version 4.4.6 - so what's new?<br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;">Basic and Full versions</span></i><br />
Well, the first thing corrects an anomaly where if you changed the default moulding markup only the mouldings added subsequently to the database used that new default. You would have to change the existing records individually if you wanted them to use the new markup. Not user friendly!<br />
In the new version any moulding which has the old default as its markup will be automatically updated to the new default.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;">Full version</span></i><br />
The database has room for 50 characters (inc. spaces) in the mount record (made up of the mount type and the colour(s)). It was possible to get all the way to the point where you saved the invoice only to find an error because in one job you had tried to use more than 50 characters in the mount record.<br />
Now, if you try to use more than 50 characters you are warned when you try to add the job to the invoice.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #444444;">Full version</span></i><br />
The other noteworthy change in this version had me thinking "Why didn't I think of that before?"!<br />
The workticket has two dates - the date the work was received and the date that the job needs to be completed by.<br />
Now, when the work is collected and you edit the workticket to tick the "collected" box, the complete-by date is changed to that day's date, thus giving you a record of when the work was taken by the customer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpxz24RV0SbIu92j_s-GnietmwKZtAd0OtVHZD8-D88r6SZzaRUiHcxtMt6qwqIEQZKbVXqn99mwepaS_Yzav7guszXicIPklHfhNhkZye4v8c5XpqKj8JbBvO0fljrqqOixmJ0eVWkc/s1600/Collect+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="410" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpxz24RV0SbIu92j_s-GnietmwKZtAd0OtVHZD8-D88r6SZzaRUiHcxtMt6qwqIEQZKbVXqn99mwepaS_Yzav7guszXicIPklHfhNhkZye4v8c5XpqKj8JbBvO0fljrqqOixmJ0eVWkc/s320/Collect+A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoV95g14sK_n4edBMW4i1W0kmtVVgTrHtfH19N1DRP0HofhmbX7owTSD1MoPTgt4gjwpMUNIbpoCKLftl2ikJof51iymxtPOVlAQxbG9CDDP_QhDR1n4vlmN44hBQbkI44whv3VXdSwL4/s1600/Collect+B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="451" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoV95g14sK_n4edBMW4i1W0kmtVVgTrHtfH19N1DRP0HofhmbX7owTSD1MoPTgt4gjwpMUNIbpoCKLftl2ikJof51iymxtPOVlAQxbG9CDDP_QhDR1n4vlmN44hBQbkI44whv3VXdSwL4/s320/Collect+B.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can view collection records by going to "Tools" > "Manage Database" > "WorkTickets" and then click "Find Record". Initially "Find Records by" and "invoice number" is shown. Click the downward pointing arrow and choose "Collection Date". Then you'll be able to pick a date to see the jobs collected on that day.<br />
The program knows when you installed the update, so only worktickets after this date are changed. (ie. worktickets before that date will still read "Collect on" and the original completion date. Only records after that date will have the actual collection date.)<br />
<br />Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483660544838804247.post-11162668970136570052018-08-27T12:42:00.000+01:002018-08-27T12:42:10.742+01:00Do it NOW!All computers will, at some point, fail.<br />
They won't start, they won't recognize the hard drive, they get infected with a virus to name just three scenarios. Often it's simply age - the components start to fail.<br />
Think of your computer like your car, there comes a time when it's not worthwhile trying to keep the car going and it's time to get a new one. Of course you knew this and planned for it, so the change over is reasonably smooth.<br />
It always surprises me how many people do not plan for their computers failing and leave their data at risk.<br />
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The Wessex Pricing Program has been around long enough for a number of computers that it is installed on to have failed. So, what happens?<br />
In an ideal world you download the program from the Wessex website onto your new computer, get a new enabling code from Wessex Bournemouth branch, and import the 2 data files that you've backed up from your old system. About 10 minutes including the phone call.<br />
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The real problem comes when those 2 data files ("V3.mdb" & "user.xml") have not been backed up.<br />
Is it possible to rescue the situation?<br />
If you can access the old hard drive then you will find the 2 files in C:/ProgramData/WessexPictures/wpp4.<br />
Copy them onto a usb stick and import them into your new set up.<br />
If you can't get into the old hard drive then you are faced with starting all over again with a fresh database and trying to remember all the labels and their associated values you had - not good.<br />
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So how do you plan for your computer failing?<br />
Simply by making sure there is a copy of your data somewhere other than on the computer.<br />
One way of doing this is to keep a portable hard drive plugged into your computer and schedule a backup frequently.<br />
Another way is to use cloud storage such as Dropbox, Onedrive or Google Drive.<br />
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So far as the Pricing Program is concerned I have tried to make it as simple as possible to create copies (backups) those all important two files, "V3.mdb" which contains the database of your mouldings, customers and worktickets, and "user.xml " which contains your labels and the values that go with them.<br />
Ideally you will set an automatic backup, so everytime the program is shut down the two files are copied to your backup location (I have a usb stick always plugged in).<br />
To set this go to "Setup" > "Options" and choose the "Netwk/BkUp" tab. Tick "Use automatic backup" and then set where you want to backup to.<br />
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Alternatively you can manually copy the two files. ("File" > "Export Database", and "Setup" > "Values" and click the "Export" button).<br />
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But whichever way you do it - DO IT NOW!Steve Hible GCF(APF)advhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160321217829962485noreply@blogger.com0