Windows RT - eh?

I've often boasted that Wessex Professional will run on any variety of Windows (XPsp2 or better). Now someone has checked with me to see if it will run on Windows RT?
After a bit of head scratching and some Googling I found out that (to quote the Microsoft website) -

Windows RT 8.1 is a Windows-based operating system that's optimised for thin and light PCs that have extended battery life and are designed for life on the go. Windows RT 8.1 only runs built-in applications or apps that you download from the Windows Store.

Note that last sentence. It would seem that Microsoft have crippled functionality for battery life.
So, if someone offers you a nice Surface Pro 3 (tablet/laptop) - just say "No thank you"!

Business as usual

After 2 or 3 frustrating days of trying to get the program download link to work correctly on the new Wessex Pictures website, things are now back as they should be (thanks to Martin).
It does focus on the question I'm often asked - "Whereabouts do I download the latest version of the program?"
The answer is to go to the "30 Day Trial" and download that.
When you run the install the program will recognize if you have enabled the program and will simply apply the updated files (but make sure you have made a copy of the database and user files, just-in-case!).
On the other hand if you are trying out the program then you'll be allowed to use it for 30 days from the time you run it. After that the program is disabled, BUT any the database and values/labels files are still there ready to be used when the program is enabled.
So now you know.

Another New Year - More new features

I've been working on some new features in the program (WPP4) for the latest version which is about to be released (4.3.2).

There are two major new features -

The first is the ability to work with a picture size, rather than a rebate size. (But don't worry, you can still go on using the program in exactly the same way if you are happy with the way things were.)

The way it works is like this. If there is no mount then we are using rebate size anyway, so nothing changes. If there is a mount then we can enter the picture size (the size of the mount opening), make a mount selection and then enter a margin. 

(Note that the dimension label has changed from "Rebate Size" to "Picture Size")
This is useful if the customer is unsure about the margin they want.
The program can work out what the actual rebate will be (it assumes even margins all round) and so still tell the amount of moulding needed etc.

The other feature is the ability to print the staff member issuing the invoice on the paperwork.

Very useful if there is a query on a workticket.
The staff names can be entered in "Setup" > "Customise Labels". If there are no names, then the program doesn't show a list. (Note - this is only available on the Full version)

I have also taken the opportunity to improve some of the error messages, as well as getting the program to behave more nicely if it is transferred to a new computer.

So, keep an eye on www.wessexpictures.com for the update (4.3.2) which should be posted in the next couple of weeks (13/01/15).

The only way is App!

At the beginning of the year with the support of Wessex Pictures it was decided to make the Wessex Pictures App more international and put it on Google Play. After all why should the UK get all the good things!
The original App needed a bit of modification, for instance it was obvious that a choice between Metric & Imperial units would be needed. This proved to be quite intricate, but I got there in the end, together with some other changes (I love the logo).

The result means that framers around the world can have a pricing system on a phone or a tablet and take their business out of their premises and into the wide world.
So, have a look at the App's very own website (www.theframerspricingapp.com) or even go straight to the Google Play page (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pricing.app).

Is this going to be a game-changer for framers and accurate pricing?
What do you think?

Updating Mouldings - Do it right!

I'll let you all into a secret - I get more questions and problems concerning updating Mouldings than anything else. So, this post is about doing things the right way.

First a few definitions -

• Database - this is where the data is stored. It consists of (in our case) 4 interlinked "tables" These "tables" all contain "records". The "Customers", "MountBoard" and "Mouldings" tables all feed into the WorkTickets table. For instance, if a customer changes their address then you only need change it in the "Customers" table and all the associated WorkTicket records use that new address. Clever eh?                                                                                                               NB. The Basic version of Wessex Professional has the same database file, it just only uses the "Mouldings" table.
• Database file - because our database is relatively small everything is stored in a single file ("v3.mdb"). The file is a Microsoft Access database file and can also be opened by Word or Excel.
• Update file, contains data for the records in the Mouldings table - this is an Excel file (.xls) and is used to update a supplier in the Mouldings table.

The idea is to update the Mouldings table with the update file, bearing in mind that the mouldings table may have other data in that you want to preserve. So, it's not as simple as wiping the old data and replacing it with new data.

The program has always had in "File" -  "Import Database" and "Export Database" this is to allow the complete database to be copied & backed up, and to allow a backed up database to be re-installed. Unless you are doing either of those actions do not choose those options! If you do and don't heed the warning messages - you're on your own!

The up to date versions of the program also have under "File" - "Update Mouldings...". If you want to update your Wessex or Frinton records this is the option to go for.
(note - in older versions the same screen can be reached by going to "Setup" > "Options" choosing the database tab and clicking on "Bulk update from file".)

Now we just need to make a few decisions

1. Which supplier we want to update, ie. Wessex or Frinton (or A N Other). Click the appropriate logo.
2. Whether we just want to update the existing moulding records in the table or add all of the suppliers records to our own. (in my database I have all the Wessex records, because I can order any unstocked mouldings with my weekly delivery, but I only keep records of the Frinton mouldings I have in stock).
3. Whether to add VAT to the wholesale cost of each moulding record (for those who are not VAT registered).

Click "OK" and you'll be asked to locate the update file (you did remember where you downloaded it to, didn't you?).
Once you've selected the correct file the bar at the bottom of the form will show you the progress. This is relatively sedate because the program first of all selects the existing mouldings and updates them individually. Then (if you've selected that option) it adds any new records that are in the fie but are not in your records. Finally, it looks to see if your records contain any mouldings that are not in the update file (if there are then they are marked, in the Notes section, "discontinued" with the date).

Note - any new records added are not marked as "Current". If you do stock them then you'll need to edit the individual record.
For some extra reading - have a look at this link , enjoy!

"You will be upgraded!"

It's the New Year and Spring Fair time again, and in keeping with previous years a new version of Wessex Professional will be released (ver. 4.3.0). As usual, it will be free for existing users to download from the Wessex website and for prospective users to try out.
Of course there are improvements and additions to the program, and I'll go through these in another posting. This time I thought it would be useful to do through the upgrade procedure.

The scenario is - you've already got a previous version of Wessex Professional (WPP4) on your computer and you've either downloaded the latest version or have it on CD. Before you click that "Install" button there are a couple of things to do, just to be safe.

Firstly - to check that you will actually upgrade your program. Go to "Help" > "About" to see the existing version that you have and to make sure you're going to install a newer version.

Secondly - there are 2 important files which store your data and settings/values - "V3.mdb" (the database file) and "User.xml" (the settings/values file). These are not over-written when you install the upgrade, but they are just too important not to have a backup of.
So, run your existing program and click "File" > ""Export Database". A standard Windows dialog box prompts you to specify where the database file should be copied to (I'd go for a USB stick for preference). That's "V3.mdb" taken care of. Now go to "Setup" > "Values" and click the "Backup" button. You'll again be asked where the file should go. That was "User.xml" copied. Now, even if the unthinkable happened and the installation of the new version goes t**s up your important data is safe (my database contain work ticket records back to 2008).

Now, shut down your existing version and install the new version of the program. After installation check that all your records and labels/values are there. If they aren't, but everything else seems ok "Import" the copy you made of the database or "Restore" the copy of the settings/values.

The only problem that I have actually come across after an upgrade is that, at work I have the program start automatically when I start the computer. Sometimes the shortcut in the Windows Startup folder needs renewing. (A bit of Googling comes in handy here, as I always forget how to set it up).

Easy really?!

Not in the UK? - No Problem!

I had a new question asked today - Can you use Wessex Professional abroad? Well, it's been so long since I'd talked about that subject that I momentarily forgot how the program was set up! So, I thought it might be a good idea to set down what happens if you are using the program outside of the UK.

The obvious one is the currency symbol. This is taken from whichever country you have the computer set to (in Control Panel > Clock, Language & Region). If, for instance, you have the computer country set to United States, then the currency symbol will automatically be "$". If the computer is set to Germany then the symbol is "€". (It may be obvious, but you don't actually have to be in that country to have the computer set to it!)
Easy so far?
From a programming point of view I thought I'd cracked it, that is until someone told me that in France the symbol comes after the amount (ie. 25.67€)! So I had to design a sub-routine that tested the resulting string of characters to see if the symbol was before or after the amount. Then the rest of the program could get to grips with just the figures (adding up an invoice for instance).

The next point is the tax abbreviation. In many European countries it is "VAT", while in France it is "TVA". Whichever abbreviation is used in your country you can set that in the program by going to "Setup > Values" and choosing the "% + VAT tab". You can use up to 10 characters/spaces, so there is room for "Sales Tax".

As most countries have a decimal system there is no problem with working out the price - you just need to adjust the program values to give the prices you want. In Europe the values will be something like 20% higher than the sterling equivalent (Nov. 2013), but there may be local variation to allow for (glass may be more expensive for instance).
There is a potential problem if you use the update files issued in the UK (Wessex & Frinton), as the moulding is priced in sterling. You can get round this by opening the file (in Excel) and changing the Price/mtr column values and then importing it as usual. On the other hand you are unlikely to be using a UK supplier directly, so the problem is unlikely to arise.

That only leaves the language itself - everything is in English. All I can say is that if sufficient framers want a different language I'll do my best to sort it out.