Ollie/7 New Features Mean More Flexible Ordering!
There's a lot that's new in the standard version of Ollie. And we mean a lot. Here's just a sample of the new features...

Sorts/Filters
All browse windows can now be sorted by any column, just as they can be in SAFE. Additionally, for browse screens with many records, the total record count is displayed as well as links which allow you to instantly jump to specific page numbers.

Aliased Users Part I
You can assign certain users at each customer as Alias Users. These are users who are permitted to order for other users as if they were those users. For example, User 'Janice' can log into Ollie and then begin making orders on behalf of Linda, Steve and Ken. Each order will be subject to the Aliased User's limits ( maximum dollar amount, approvals required, allowed sites to ship to, etc.) and all reporting will also indicate the aliased user as if they had entered each order themselves. That said, you will still be able to track each order back to the person who really entered the order (Janice, in this case.)

Aliased Users Part II: Templated Items
Recognizing that Business Cards are inherently different from other types of orders, an Aliased User can place Templated Orders and select a separate User for each Line Item. The only limitation being that each User on the order must be a member of the same Cost Center (makes sense, right?).

Templated Orders Part I: Auto Populate
Templated Orders can be set to auto-populate. That is, after selecting a Product, every member of a Cost Center can be automatically added to the order. For Cost Centers which frequently re-order business cards and letterhead for multiple users, this can be a real time saver.

Templated Orders Part II: Unlimited Document Uploads
Users can now upload multiple documents within each order line item. (You can set quotas for each company if you like to prevent overloading your server, though.) When documents are uploaded, they are automatically linked to the relevant Sales Order so SAFE users are immediately aware of what they need to produce the job.

Private Messaging
A great way to communicate with your Users! Messages that Users send to you from Ollie are now saved in their Contact Activity History. Additionally, SAFE users can send back messages you want them to see from either a Sales Order or their Contact Master! When the User Logs in they are informed of any new messages.

Skype 'Live Chat' Interface
Users can now request a Live Chat session with a CSR using the Skype Voice Over IP Interface. The User clicks a button which pages a machine on your network requesting a Live Chat. Your CSR can then talk with the user computer to computer. If the User does not have Skype already installed, the Interface automatically walks them through the process and then connects them to you!

Pricing And Availability?
Ollie/7 is available now, Now, NOW!

• Current users of Ollie/6 Standard can upgrade for a modest $199 installation charge.
   

• Users of the previous AppBroker based version of Ollie can upgrade for $2,495. This includes full installation. Ollie/7 provides 100% backward compatibility.
   

• User with highly customised Ollie web sites should contact us for a specific quote.

Til Next Time!

SAFE/7 New Feature: E-Mail
Ed. Note: In previous issues, we've spent a lot of time talking about the big new features in SAFE/7. But what about the hundreds of little things? Users often either rejoice or curse when they find out about a particularly useful doodad of which they were previously unaware. So for the next few issues we're going to cover some of these new, but small features.

One tiny (but powerful) feature in SAFE/7 that can really add a lot to your marketing and customer support efforts is the new uses for multiple e-mail addresses per contact. In it's simplest form, every place you could previously send one e-mail, you can now specify as many cc: addresses as you like. As an example, if you send an Activity E-mail to a Customer regarding a Sales Order and their Sales Contact has multiple e-mail addresses, then each of these linked e-mail addresses will receive the message.

Likewise, if you e-mail a Report to a particular Contact, each linked e-mail address will receive a copy of the report.

And, since every Contact supports multiple e-mail addresses, that means that every Ollie or WebSAFE User now supports multiple e-mail addresses. So, for example, when a User places an order, every e-mail linked with this Contact in SAFE will receive a confirmation message (or a Preview if you have PDF-Xtensions).

Til Next Time!

Ciaran's Corner: Internet Security
It's high time for all of our customers to get with the program and implement a comprehensive network security program. What we are noticing is that the piece-meal approach many of you are taking is not really working.

To review, the main components you need installed on all clients and servers in order to have, as Brian Livingston says,  a baseline of security, are:

These are in addition to a hardware firewall at the 'socket'.

The Combo Meal Approach
There are many separate programs out there and they all work well (to one degree or another). They are all constantly leap-frogging one another with features, but that healthy competition means that you can feel relatively good with any of the major players. The problem, as I see it, is that it's simply too hard for most of you to cherry pick the 'best of' from each of these categories. Plus, it turns out that there are often incompatibilities between, for example, the Anti-Spyware of one company and the Anti-Virus of another. So, although I wish I could, in good conscience, recommend the 'best of' in each of these categories, I'm going to come out and suggest that you simply sign on for a yearly contract with either:

Either of these programs will do what you want, and all include the first three categories. The important thing is that you get licences for the servers and the clients---do not simply get licences for your server or for most of your work stations. It's all or nothing, in terms of protection, I'm afraid. By going with a single vendor, you're relatively safe knowing that all your machines will be automatically be updated with the latest versions of the relevant programs. This is important because all three of these categories get new versions now almost daily. That's right; every day. So being out of date for even a week could spell trouble.

The Offensive Linemen Of Security
The last three categories are the unsung heroes, they don't get as much press as the first, but they are just as important (and in some ways even more so).

Patch Management used to be a type of software only used by big companies, but now that Windows is also updated almost weekly, it becomes extremely important to make certain that you have the latest version---or if a bug is found in one of these updates, be able to roll back to a prior version on all your PCs. For most of you this will, however still mean using Windows Update. It would be a good idea to make sure that you have this active on all your PCs. (Yes, I know, some of you may cringe at this thought but for most PCs this is the way to go.) You should also make sure that you are manually checking the Windows Update Site weekly. Why? Because as it turns out, on several critical updates, the automatic update system has not properly informed users.

Imaging Backup programs have been dominated by two players: DriveImage and Norton Ghost. Since Symantec (Norton) recently purchased DriveImage, your choice just got easier.

I could spend an hour on File Backups. Come to think of it, I have spent hours blathering about this here. I can't go into details now, but here are some basics. A File Backup program probably came with your server. If it didn't, you're dealing with the wrong vendor. Do you know how it works? (No, seriously, has anyone ever tested it?) My bet is the last 'test' was done right before the vendor asked for a check on his way out the door. Or maybe it was when you did the last company fire drill. Test it. Do it today. Now, what about your desktops? Are you backing up your clients? Why not? Do you really think your users are saving all the stuff they're supposed to directly to your server? Not!!! Ask your vendor about bundling client licences and if they offer an option for your server which can backup the desktops onto your server's tape drive. All the big tape backup companies have this option available.

Til Next Time!

Ciarān Marron
Technical Support Manager
cm@suntowersystems.com

THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The information contained in this document represents the current view of Suntower Systems on the issues discussed as of the date of publication. Because Suntower Systems must respond to change in market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Suntower Systems and Suntower Systems cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented after the date of publication. INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND FREEDOM FROM INFRINGEMENT. The user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and the use of this document. This document may be copied and distributed subject to the following conditions:
1. All text must be copied without modification and all pages must be included.
2. All copies must contain Suntower Systems' copyright notice and any other notices
    provided therein
3. This document may not be distributed for profit.

End of E-News From The Suntower, Volume VII #4