MainBoss Newswire

December 2003

 

Topics:

1. MainBoss 2.9 Update 4 Available
2. Did you know: Working with Archived Records
3. Upcoming Tradeshows
4. What’s new on the MainBoss website: MainBoss CMMS Implementations tips

 

******************************************

1. MainBoss 2.9 Update 4 Available

All MainBoss customers who have a current subscription to the MainBoss updates and upgrades plan can now download the latest updates of MainBoss CMMS.

To download MainBoss 2.9 update 4, click on

http://www.mainboss.com/english/support/login/update-mb294.shtml and follow the instructions on the page.

 

NOTE: You must have valid license keys for MainBoss in order to download it. You can obtain a valid license key by purchasing the software and subscribing to the upgrades and updates plan. To find out more about purchasing MainBoss or to subscribe to any of our support packages, please call 1-800-563-0894 or email info@mainboss.com.

 

 Some of the new features and fixes in MainBoss 2.9 Update 4 include:

• A new "Include Cost Center" option is available when printing purchase orders
• The Work Order Labor History report now includes the Task ID for preventive maintenance jobs
• The window for producing Manpower Schedule reports now has a number of default options
• If a task description doesn't specify a unit, MainBoss will not create work orders from the task
• "My Documents" is the default export directory the first time a user tries to export a file

For a complete list of all new features and bug fixes, please visit this link:

http://www.mainboss.com/english/products/whatsnew/new294.shtml

 

 

******************************************

2. Did you know: Working with Archived Records

Once you archive MainBoss records, you can restore the archive set at any time to view the data and run reports. Even though the archived records appear to look just like the records in your main database, it is important to remember that archives should always be treated as read-only. You can run reports or re-print work orders and purchase orders, but you can’t edit any of the records. Even if you edit records while looking at a restored archive, once you clear the archive, those changes will be undone. To avoid any instances where it would be necessary to edit archived records, please follow these guidelines:

1. Archive for an entire period, i.e. archive all of your 2002 data into one archive set. That way you can still run annual reports and any 2002 related data is be located in one place.
2. Wait to archive until you are sure all work relating to those records has been done. For example in 2004 you can be certain that your work orders and purchase orders for 2002 are all complete and closed off and will not need to be edited. Now would be a safe time to archive the 2002 records.
3. If an instance arises where you would need to alter a record that has been archived, find an alternate solution to dealing with the problem. For example, rather than editing a archived work order, you can create a new work order in your main database and give it a subject line of :

Rework relating to Work Order X.

 

******************************************

3. Upcoming Tradeshows

Thinkage will be attending the following tradeshow to demonstrate MainBoss:

National Facilities Management and Technology Conference in Baltimore, MD from March 9^th to 11^th, 2004. Visit us at booth 1645!

 

******************************************

4. What’s new on the MainBoss website: CMMS Implementations tips

This newest section of the MainBoss website can be found by clicking on:

http://www.mainboss.com/english/resources/implementation/index.shtml

New and existing CMMS users can obtain guidelines to setting up and implementing their CMMS software. The topics presently available are:

·        Getting Started with a CMMS

·        What do you want your CMMS to accomplish

·        Getting buy-in from those involved

·        How much will it really cost?

·        Make a plan

·        Initial data and coding

·        Consistency over multiple sites

Continue to check back to this section as we will be adding new topics. We would also appreciate your comments regarding the contents of this section. If you found anything particularly helpful or have some of your own advice to contribute, please email us at contact@mainboss.com!