Multiple Stock Categories and Stock Groups...

From version 219 onwards, you can now select (and search upon) multiple stock categories and stock groups for each stock record.

Within a stock record, click on the “…” (three dots) icon just to the right of either Stock Category, Stock Group #1, or Stock Group #2 fields. A new panel will open which will allow you to select any combination of stock categories and groups. You can then search for any of the multiple categories selected within ‘List Stock Items’ screen.

If you want to make use of this new feature, please update your software, or contact me to schedule an update for you.

Client Notes tab within Client Details screen

If you currently use the ‘Client Notes’ editor (tab) within the Client Details record for either Mercury Service Manager or Mercury Stock Manager, please let me know by replying to this email.

Currently, this field uses an HTML editor to record and display information.  I am planning to cease using the HTML editor in favour of using a ‘rich-text’ editor.  If I go ahead with this change, it may mean the contents of this field will no longer be displayed.

If you do not reply, I will assume you are not using this field.

N.E.S.N Jobs Import...

On Monday I advised you all that Mercury Systems is now capable of importing jobs from Servast.

Well, I have now added an additional routine to facilitate the import of jobs from N.E.S.N. So if you carry out service jobs on behalf of N.E.S.N, you can now import those jobs directly into Mercury Systems from your account page on the N.E.S.N website.

Please contact me if this is of interest.

Servast Jobs Import...

If you carry out service jobs on behalf of Servast, you can now import those jobs directly into Mercury Systems from your account page on the Servast website.

Please contact me if this is of interest.

SMS Texting from Mercury Systems...

In addition to kapow.co.uk and bulksms.co.uk, you can now choose to use textmarketer.co.uk when sending SMS messages through Mercury Systems (you must be on version 205 or higher).

A new customer has reported they are currently cheaper than the other two providers – approx. 3.7p compared to 5.54p from BulkSMS and 6.25p from Kapow, so if you send a lot of SMS messages using Mercury Systems, it may be worth checking them out. Their website: www.textmarketer.co.uk.

In addition, a current promotion is offering to double your purchased credits (so if you buy 1,000 credits, you get 2,000 etc…). Credit packs do not expire.

If you sign up, don’t forget to Google “textmarketer promotion code” first to see if there are free credits to be had. Recently, you could get up to 250 free credits by keying in the promotion code of “GOOGL1” (give this a try), but the offers are changing all the time.

(P.S: If you have credits still to use up with Kapow or BulkSMS, set up the new account with TextMarketer and we can switch Mercury Systems to use the new provider at any time)

Vacation…

I am away on vacation from Tuesday 13^th May until Wednesday 28^th May inclusive.

During this time I should be able to respond to emails and occasionally hold a voice conversation using Skype, as I am taking a spare laptop with me.  I should also be able to connect to your pc’s / server’s in the event of an emergency (only).

As most of you know, it is my policy to not issue program updates for a few weeks before going away, so updates are going to cease in the next few days.

Therefore, if you have any issues that cannot wait, please phone or email me now.

** If you are currently using software on trial, or you are renting software, I will check your system a few days beforehand to ensure you have a sufficient number of trial days remaining until I return **

DO YOU TRUST YOUR DATA BACKUPS...?

I am sure you will agree that the data within your service management and stock control system is an extremely important part of your business.

Although I set up and monitor the internal backup of your SQL databases (which are then stored on your main pc / server), the archiving of this data to an external, off-site location has always been down to you. There is a saying in the IT industry that data isn’t considered backed up unless it is stored in at least 3 separate locations. And if you keep your external USB drive or flash key next to your pc / server, this is NOT CONSIDERED SAFE, as a fire or theft will likely claim this as well. You must either use a cloud-based backup location, or take your USB drive / flash key home (rotating them on a daily or weekly basis).

Therefore…

If you haven’t yet subscribed to an in-the-cloud storage solution for your Mercury Systems databases, or if you’re not confident that the external backups to your USB drives or flash keys are being performed correctly, OR IF YOU DON’T HAVE ANY BACKUPS AT ALL, then why not consider using my new fully automatic utility to backup of all your databases, customized reports and system files each night to a private location on my secure web server.

As I am able to check the status of the external backup, I can take the appropriate action in case of any problems meaning you don’t need to worry.

I am deliberately keeping the cost for this new service as low as possible to ensure you can all benefit …only £4.50 per month (just £54 per year).

If this is of interest, please contact Hatchgate Software today.