Late-Breaking Changes

Click the buttons below to view important information about MYOB Premier that may not included in your MYOB Premier documentation.

What’s new in MYOB Accounting:

 	Read this to learn about MYOB Premier’s newest features

Important information:

 	If you're planning to take advantage of MYOB Premier's multi-user capability

 	If you plan to use MYOB Premier’s Multicurrency feature

Other topics of interest:

 	MYOB Premier is Year 2000-compliant

 	Routine backups are vitally important

 	If an error occurs while you're using MYOB Premier

 	Copyright information


If you're converting from a single-user version of MYOB

Before you begin using MYOB Premier in a multi-user environment, there are a number of issues you need to understand, particularly if you're new to computer networks. Read the topics below to get an overview of these issues. For additional information, refer to the Networking with MYOB Premier help guide and to Part 29, Running MYOB on a network, in your Online Procedures Guide.

 	Differences between earlier versions of MYOB and MYOB Premier Version 3

 	Optimise and check your data file for errors after you convert

 	Your computer must be mapped to the network drive where the MYOB Premier data file is located

 	Network support for Windows users

 	If you're unable to start MYOB Premier


What's new in MYOB Premier Version 3

Many new features have been added to MYOB Premier. Please read the following topics to gain an overview of these new features and what they mean to you and your business.

  MYOB Premier now handles GST calculations

  MYOB Premier now handles multiple currencies

  Cards, accounts and items can be inactivated

  Advanced search options have been introduced in the Inquiry Register

  Improved bank account reconciliation

  The Group Certificate Assistant has been enhanced

  MYOB Premier now includes support for the TCP/IP network protocol

  MYOB Accounting, MYOB Accounting Plus and MYOB Premier data files now are compatible

  Other features included in MYOB Premier Version 3

  Other differences between single-user versions of MYOB and MYOB Premier Version 3


MYOB Premier now handles GST calculations

In preparation for the implementation of the Goods & Services Tax on the 1st July 2000, we've redesigned the way taxes are set up and managed in MYOB Premier Version 3. Most other areas of MYOB Premier function exactly as they did in previous versions of MYOB Premier, so your transition to GST should be a smooth one.

For a detailed explanation of the changes made to MYOB Premier to accommodate GST, see Part 29, GST, in the Online Procedures Guide or the GST chapter in the MYOB Premier User Guide. For a more brief overview of the changes we've made, read the following paragraphs.

The Tax Codes window has been replaced by a new Tax Code List window and Tax Code Information window, and you now can create tax codes for a variety of tax types: Sales Tax, GST, Input Taxed, Import Duty and Consolidated (tax codes that are made up of a combination of other tax codes). In addition, with MYOB Premier Version 3 you can create an unlimited number of tax codes; in previous versions, you were limited to 10 tax codes.

The Tax Code List window, shown below, displays all the tax codes you've created, along with the tax rate for each code. To display the Tax Code List window, choose Tax Code List from the Setup menu.

To create a new tax code, click the New button in the Tax Code List window to open the Tax Code Information window. Regardless of the type of tax code you're creating, you'll need to enter an identifying code using up to three characters and a description, and you'll need to select the tax type that's appropriate for the code. When you choose a tax type, additional fields will appear allowing you to enter information appropriate for the tax type you've selected. Here's an illustration of the Tax Code Information window in which the GST tax type has been selected:

Once your tax codes have been set up, simply select the codes you want when you enter sales, purchases and other types of transactions. As with previous versions of MYOB Premier, you can assign tax codes to individual line items on the invoices and purchase orders you create using the Sales window and the Purchases window; in addition, you now can assign tax codes to the freight amount you specify in these windows. In MYOB Premier Version 3, you also can assign tax codes to line items in the Write Cheques window and the Make a Deposit window. This can be useful for one-time sales and purchase, for example. If you don't need detailed information about transaction that's being paid for with cash, you can enter a transaction for it in the Make a Deposit window and assign the proper tax code to it to ensure that the appropriate amount of tax is calculated and recorded.


MYOB Premier now handles multiple currencies

MYOB Premier now has the capability of tracking transactions in an unlimited number of currencies. With MYOB Premier Version 3, you can track foreign currency asset, liability and equity accounts, sales and purchases in foreign currencies, payments in other currencies and the like.

MYOB Premier’s multicurrency function is optional. A new option, I Deal in Multiple Currencies, has been added to the System tab in the Preferences window. You must mark this preference in order to use MYOB Premier’s multicurrency capabilities.

If you choose to use multicurrency, eight currencies will be set up for you automatically; you can track as many currencies as you like, however, using the new Currency List window. Exchange rates for your currencies are entered in the Currency List window. These rates will appear on the transactions you enter, but you can change the transaction rate for individual transactions if you like. You also can update the exchange rate in the Currency List window whenever exchange rates fluctuate significantly, and any new transactions you enter will be assigned the new exchange rate.

MYOB Premier provides reports that show you both unrealised and realised gains and losses that have occurred as a result in changing exchange rates.

Note: Once you begin using MYOB Premier’s Multicurrency feature, you can’t unmark the I Deal in Multiple Currencies option. Please be sure that you want to use Multicurrency before you begin recording multicurrency transactions.

You can learn more about multicurrency in MYOB Premier by reading Part 30, Multicurrency, in your MYOB Premier Online Procedures Guide. Additional information is available in your User Guide.


Cards, accounts and items can be inactivated

Cards, accounts and other permanent records now can be marked as inactive if you no longer use them, and you want to remove them from selection lists. If you have cards that you create for a one-time sale or purchase, for example, inactivating them after their one-time use will remove them from selection windows. Your list of cards will be shorter, and selecting the card you need will be easier.

Here's a list of permanent records that can be inactivated:

Permanent records:	Window in which they can be inactivated:
Accounts (detail accounts only)	Edit Accounts
items	Item Information (Item Profile tab)
Jobs (detail jobs only)	Edit Job
Customer cards	Card File Entry
Vendor cards	Card File Entry
Employee cards	Card File Entry
Personal cards	Card File Entry
Time Billing activities	Activity Information
If a permanent record is marked inactive, however, you still can use the record in transactions by manually entering the record's name or number. You also can  return the status of the record to active so that it will appear again in the selection windows.

No matter what the status of a record - active or inactive - transactions recorded using the record will continue to affect all of your financial records.


The Group Certificate Assistant has been enhanced

Several changes have been made to the Group Certificate Assistant to ensure compliance with the Australian Taxation Office's software specification Version 6 issued March 1999 for Group Certificate reporting for the 1999/2000 financial year.

The Group Certificate Assistant now includes the ability to enter amounts for Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) and Community Development and Employment Project (CDEP) earnings.


Advanced search options have been introduced in the Inquiry Register

The Inquiry Register window’s search capabilities have been greatly expanded with a new advanced search window that is titled Advanced Inquiry Filters. In previous versions of MYOB Premier, you could perform a search for only one account, card, invoice, purchase order, job or payroll category at a time. Now you have the option to search all records, as you do with the filters for Inquiry Reports. Also, search results are now sorted numerically. Earlier versions of MYOB recognised only the first number of the ID number, so that, for example, 10 would appear before 2. Search results now will be listed in numerical order.

The Advanced Inquiry Filters window can be displayed by clicking the new Advanced button that appears on each tab of the Inquiry Register window.

The Source Journal and ID fields have been moved from the Inquiry Register window to the Advanced Inquiry Filters window. Two new search criteria, Amount From/To and Memo, have been added, as well. The Amount From and To fields allow you to search for transactions that fall within a specified dollar amount range. If you recall a particular memo you added to a transactions, you can enter the memo text (or even a word or two from the memo) in the Memo field to find the particular transaction

Here’s what the Advanced Inquiry Filters window looks like:

The new Amount From, To and Memo fields also have been added to report filters for the following reports: Account Inquiry, Job Inquiry, Invoice Inquiry, Purchase Order Inquiry, Payroll Category Inquiry and Card Inquiry. As with the Inquiry Register window, the Report Filters window has a new Advanced button that can be used to open the Advanced Report Filters window, where the new Amount From, To and Memo fields are located.


MYOB Premier now includes support for the TCP/IP network protocol

If you use MYOB Premier’s multi-user capabilities, you now have a choice of network protocols. In previous versions of MYOB Premier, your only choice was NetBIOS/BetBeui for Windows or AppleTalk for Macintosh. Now you can select a new option, TCP/IP, in both the Windows and Macintosh versions of MYOB Premier, as well.

You’ll see a new popup menu in the Sign-on window if you choose the Multi-user Access option when you start MYOB Premier. This menu displays the network protocol you chose the last time you started MYOB Premier, but you can change the protocol at any time simply by choosing the protocol you want to use when you start MYOB Premier. Here’s what the new menu looks like:

To learn more about the network protocols supported by MYOB Premier and how to set them up, read Network support. For more detailed information about these protocols and other aspects of computer networking, see the Networking with MYOB Premier help file.


Other features included in MYOB Premier Version 3

MYOB Premier Version 3 contains many features that are relatively small in scope, but which may be of great use to you. They include:

You can access useful information on the World Wide Web using the new MYOB on the Web help file

We've included a new help file, called MYOB on the Web, that provides links to useful pages on the MYOB Australia website (www.myob.com.au). These pages have information about tax reform, MYOB certified consultants, support options and other resources. From the MYOB Australia site, you can follow links to sites for the ATO, Business Entry Point and other sites of interest to MYOB Premier users. To open the MYOB on the Web help file, choose MYOB on the Web from the MYOB Premier Help menu.

MYOB Premier for Windows now supports long file names

With MYOB Premier for Windows Version 3, you now can name MYOB data files, custom reports and forms and other files using names that are up to 255 characters long, plus a three-character extension. Previously, MYOB file names were required to be no more than eight characters in length, plus the three-character extension.

The Trial Balance now can include account numbers, as well as account descriptions

In previous versions of MYOB Premier, the Trial Balance report displayed accounts using only their descriptions. No you can display the account number along with the account description if you like. To do this, choose Index to Reports from the Reports menu and click on the General Ledger tab. Locate the Trial Balance selection, highlight it and click the Filters button. In the Report Filters window, mark the Include Account Numbers option.


Improved bank account reconciliation

A new window, the Record Service Charges and Interest Earned window, allows you to enter bank charges and interest income while you're reconciling your cheque accounts. To open this new window, click the Bank Entry button in the Reconcile Accounts window while you're reconciling an account. The entries you make in the Record Service Charges and Interest Earned window will appear automatically in the Reconcile Accounts window; if you've entered both a service charge and an interest amount, two separate transactions will appear in the Reconcile Accounts window. These transactions will be marked automatically and the amount in the Calculated Account Balance field in that window will be updated to reflect the charges and interest income amounts you entered in this window.

For more information on the reconciling process, see Reconciling cheque accounts in the Online Procedures Guide.


MYOB Accounting, MYOB Accounting Plus and MYOB Premier data files now are compatible

With this release, MYOB Accounting, MYOB Accounting Plus and MYOB Premier data files are compatible with one another; that is, you can view MYOB Accounting and MYOB Accounting Plus data files using either of those programs or MYOB Premier. In some instances, you can use this version of MYOB Accounting or MYOB Accounting Plus to view MYOB Premier data files, as well. You can view MYOB Premier data files using MYOB Accounting or MYOB Accounting Plus only if the Multicurrency feature in MYOB Premier is turned off. (The I Deal in Multiple Currencies option in the Preferences window isn’t marked.)

WARNING!  If you use MYOB Premier to view an MYOB Accounting or MYOB Accounting Plus data file, you must not select the Multicurrency option in the Preferences window. If you do, you will no longer be able to work with the file using MYOB Plus. For this reason, we recommend that you exercise caution when modifying an MYOB Plus data file using MYOB Premier.


Routine backups are vitally important

Because damaged MYOB Premier data files often cannot be repaired, it is vitally important that you keep a current backup of your data files at all times. These backup copies of your MYOB data file are your only defense if a power failure, hard disk failure or other problem renders the data file unusable. Your only alternative is to create a new data file and reenter all the information that was contained in the old data file - a tedious, error-prone task under the best of circumstances.

(Please read If an error occurs while you're using MYOB Premier to learn more about your options if you suspect that your data file has been damaged.  That topic describes steps you may be able to take to repair minor problems; serious problems will require that you restore a backup, or start over from scratch if you haven't been making backups.)

Please read the following paragraphs to gain a better understanding of why backup copies of your data file are needed, and how MYOB will help to remind you that they need to be made.

The risks

Your MYOB Premier data file has two very powerful enemies, the network environment and data file size.

Tools we've provided to help you detect and recover from data damage

With MYOB Premier, we've provided three tools that can aid you in keeping your data file secure. They are:

  The MYOB Premier Data Verification Utility

  The MYOB Premier Data Optimisation Utility

  The MYOB Premier Backup and Restore Utility

Backing up is so critical to MYOB Premier that a series of warning messages will be displayed if you exit from MYOB Premier without making a backup.

If you made a backup less than five days ago, you'll see this friendly reminder:

At five or more days, the reminder becomes much stronger:

If you unmark the "Remind me to back up" option in the Preferences window, the following message will be displayed:


Your network environment

While networks make it easy for coworkers to share information and work together in programs like MYOB Premier, they also increase the risk that data files may become damaged. Files are many times more susceptible to damage (both accidental and intentional) on a network than they are on a single-user workstation. Coworkers working on multiple workstations amplify the possibility of human error. The added complexity of network environments also increase the possibility of technical errors. Many of these errors can render your MYOB Premier data file unusable.


Data file size

Statistics and common sense tell us that the larger the file, the greater the risk of damage due to hard disk failure. We estimate the average MYOB Premier user's data file will range in size from 8 megabytes to 30 megabytes in size. Compared to many other files on your hard disk (word processing documents, spreadsheets, program files and the like), your MYOB Premier data file will be relatively large. Because of its size alone, your MYOB Premier data file is at some risk of becoming damaged.

Because these factors are out of MYOB Premier's control, no matter how many precautions we build into MYOB Premier, your data file is never 100% safe. Even with the safeguards we've provided, the data file can be damaged in a virtually unlimited number of ways. As a result, we cannot guarantee that a damaged data file can be repaired and used again. We have created tools that will help you to determine whether your data file has become damaged, however, along with tools you can use to make regular backs and restore them, should a problem arise.


Data Verification Utility

The MYOB Premier Data Verification Utility can help you to identify a damaged data file before you spend a significant amount of time making entries in it. The Data Verification Utility can be displayed by choosing Verify Data File from the File menu while you're working within MYOB Premier. We suggest that you use the Data Verification Utility often.

Remember, neither the Data Verification Utility nor the Data Optimisation Utility guarantees that your data file will not fail. Additionally, neither of these tools is guaranteed to repair a failed data file. The only real defense you have against data damage is to keep both current and archived backup copies of your data.


Data Optimisation Utility

The MYOB Premier Data Optimisation Utility is a separate software program (it's not a part of MYOB Premier itself); this utility can be found in the directory where MYOB Premier is installed. Over time, your data file may become unnecessarily large as you add and delete transactions. The Data Optimisation Utility removes any blank spaces left in your data file when you deleted transactions from your data file and performs other routine maintenance tasks that are designed to make your MYOB Premier file run faster and take up less space on your hard disk. It also may repair minor problems in your data file.

Remember, neither the Data Verification Utility nor the Data Optimisation utility guarantees that your data file will not fail. Additionally, neither of these tools is guaranteed to repair a failed data file. The only real defense you have against data damage is to keep both current and archived backup copies of your data.


Backup and Restore Utility

The MYOB Backup and Restore Utility is designed to make backing up MYOB Premier data files as easy as possible. Backup and Restore appear as separate selections on the File menu when you're working within MYOB Premier. We expect every MYOB Premier user to have a reasonably current backup of their data file. Additionally, you should have an archive backup; that is, a backup that is made at the end of every week or every month and placed in a secure place for safekeeping. (Many businesses keep their archive backups somewhere other than their business site, as a precaution against fire or similar disasters.) Never copy over archive backups. They must be kept untouched in case your current backup becomes damaged. Always run the MYOB Data Verification Utility before making an archive backup.


Optimise and check your data file for errors after you convert

This note is for users of a previous MYOB product.

If you plan to convert an existing MYOB data file so it can be used by MYOB Premier, we recommend that you check your data file for errors using the Data Verification Utility and optimise your data file using the Data Optimisation Utility IMMEDIATELY AFTER you convert  your data file. This will ensure that your data file is in "healthy" working condition before you begin making your day-to-day accounting entries using MYOB Premier.


If an error occurs while you're using MYOB Premier

If an alert message appears to warn you that your MYOB Premier data file may be damaged, don't panic. While these messages must be taken seriously, in many cases you can continue with your work with a minimal amount of inconvenience.

If a "termination code" message or another message appears that doesn't clearly explain to you the problem that's occurred, be sure to write down the message exactly as it appears on your computer screen. Be sure to write down the complete message, including any numbers that may follow it. This information will be extremely important in determining the nature and severity of the problem, if you aren't able to repair the problem yourself and need to call the MYOB Premier technical support team.

If you're able to open your data file, use the MYOB Premier Data Optimisation Utility to optimise your file. Certain problems can be repaired by taking this step. We recommend that you use the MYOB Premier Data Verification Utility after optimising the file, to determine whether the problem you encountered earlier still exists.

If the Data Verification Utility indicates that the problem wasn't repaired, you may need to restore your most recent backup. (If this is the case, be sure to verify the backup data file, as well, to be sure the problem didn't exist before you made the backup.) Before restoring a backup, however, we suggest that you call MYOB Premier technical support to be sure this step is necessary. Since any transactions or records you entered after you made the backup will have to be reentered, restoring a backup should be done only after other options have been exhausted.

Please read Routine backups are vitally important for more information about making backups for MYOB Premier.


Your computer must be mapped to the network drive where the MYOB Premier data file is located

If you plan to use MYOB Premier in a networked environment, you must connect your computer to the network drive where your MYOB Premier data file is located. That is, you must assign a letter to the drive so that your computer will be able to locate the drive whenever you're connected to the network. This process is usually known as mapping - particularly on Windows computers - and it needs to occur only on the computers that are not storing your MYOB Premier data file.

To learn how to map your computer drives, click the link below that corresponds to the type of computers you're using.

Windows 95/98

Windows NT 4.0

Macintosh


Mapping network drives in Windows 95/98

Follow the steps below on all of your network's Windows 95/98 computers that are not storing your MYOB Premier data file.

1.	From the Start menu, choose Programs, then choose Windows Explorer. When the Explorer window appears, choose Map Network Drive from the Tools menu. The Map Network Drive window appears.

2.	From the Drive list, choose the drive letter you want to assign to the folder on the computer that's storing your MYOB Premier data file. The drive letter that appears automatically in the list is the first available letter.

Note: Each computer doesn't need to be assigned the same network drive letter

3.	In the Path field, enter the pathname for the computer and the MYOB Premier folder to which you want to map. To do this, enter two backward slashes (\\) followed by the computer name, another backward slash, and the name of the folder. For example, if the MYOB Premier data file is stored in a folder called PREMIER3 on a computer named COMPUTER, you'd enter \\COMPUTER\PREMIER3 in the Path field.

4.	Mark the box labeled Reconnect at Logon to ensure that this computer is always mapped to the MYOB Premier folder.

5.	Click OK to close the Map Network Drive window. If you've set up a password for the folder, a message will appear, asking you to enter the password. Make your entry and click OK.

That's it! This computer is now mapped to the folder containing your MYOB Premier data file. Look at the left pane of the Windows Explorer window; you'll notice that the new drive letter has been mapped to the MYOB Premier folder. Remember to perform these steps for each of the Windows 95/98 computers that need to access the data file.


Note: Each computer doesn't need to be assigned the same network drive letter

If each computer on your network uses a different drive letter to map to the computer on which your MYOB Premier data file is stored, that's OK. The drive letter is used only for identification purposes on each computer.


Mapping network drives in Windows NT 4.0

Follow the steps below on all of your network's Windows NT computers that are not storing your MYOB Premier data file.

1.	From the Start menu, choose Programs, then choose Windows NT Explorer. When the Explorer window appears, choose Map Network Drive from the Tools menu. The Map Network Drive window appears.

2.	From the Drive list, choose the drive letter you want to assign to the folder on the computer that's storing your MYOB Premier data file. The drive letter that appears automatically in the list is the first available letter.

Note: Each computer doesn't need to be assigned the same network drive letter

3.	In the Path field, enter the pathname for the computer and the MYOB Premier folder to which you want to map. To do this, enter two backward slashes (\\) followed by the computer name, another backward slash, and the name of the folder. For example, if the MYOB Premier data file is stored in a folder called PREMIER3 on a computer named COMPUTER, you'd enter \\COMPUTER\PREMIER3 in the Path field.

4.	Mark the box labeled Reconnect at Logon to ensure that this computer is always mapped to the MYOB Premier folder.

5.	Click OK to close the Map Network Drive window. If you've set up a password for the folder, a message will appear, asking you to enter the password. Make your entry and click OK.

That's it! This computer is now mapped to the folder containing your MYOB Premier data file. Look at the left pane of the Windows NT Explorer window; you'll notice that the new drive letter has been mapped to the MYOB Premier folder. Remember to perform these steps for each of the Windows NT computers that need to access the data file.


Mapping network drives on a Macintosh

To map to a shared folder on a computer on your network, follow the steps below. You'll need to perform this procedure for all of the Macintosh computers on your network that are not storing your MYOB Premier data file.

1.	From the Apple menu, select Chooser. The Chooser window appears.

2.	In the list of icons on the left side of the window, choose AppleShare.

3.	If a list of zones appears at the bottom left side of the window, choose the zone in which the computer you want to map to resides.

4.	All available shared computers and file servers appear in the list on the right side of the window. Choose the name of the computer that contains the MYOB Premier data file folder and click OK.

5.	The Connect to the File Server window appears. Choose Registered User if you've been set up with a user name and password for the computer with the data file, or choose Guest if you have guest access to the computer. Click OK.

6.	In the AppleShare dialog box, choose the name of the folder that contains the MYOB Premier data from the Select the items you want to use list. Mark the box labeled Checked items will be opened at system startup time, and then click OK.

That's it! This computer is now mapped to the folder containing your MYOB Premier data file. Look on your desktop; you'll notice that the folder now appears as a shared volume. Remember to perform these steps for each of the Macintosh computers that need to access the data file.


If you're unable to start MYOB Premier

If you've attempted to start MYOB Premier but weren't successful, please try again. Oftentimes, a coworker will have displayed a window within MYOB Premier that's used to perform a sensitive task; a number of these windows require that no one else be using MYOB Premier while the window's being used. (This is done to protect your accounting information from possible damage while tasks like backing up or importing information are being performed.) If you try to start MYOB Premier again, you'll often find that your coworker has finished his or her task and you'll be able to access the program again.


Network support

Protocols are the languages computers use to talk over a network. With MYOB Premier Version 3, you have a choice of protocols. If MYOB Premier cannot find a protocol on your workstation, it will not function properly.

If you use MYOB Premier for Windows, you can choose from the NetBIOS/NetBEUI and TCP/IP protocols, of which one must be active on your system to run MYOB Premier for Windows. NetBIOS and its smaller brother NetBEUI are installed as default protocols when Windows is installed on your workstation. If for whatever reason they were removed from your workstation, they need to be reinstalled before you can use MYOB Premier.

If you use MYOB Premier for MacOS, peer-to-peer networking can't get much simpler than this: the Macintosh operating system is network ready. Its standard network protocol, AppleTalk, can be used to run MYOB Premier for Macintosh. Alternatively, if you don't want to use AppleTalk on your Macintosh network, you can choose to use the TCP/IP protocol to run MYOB Premier instead.

When you create a data file in MYOB Premier and when you begin each session in MYOB Premier, you'll have the opportunity to specify which protocol you wish to use in multi-user mode -- depending, of course, upon whether you have more than one protocol installed on your computer.

The first step in setting up your network software is to check to be sure that these protocols are installed and ready on your computers. If they're not, you'll need to install them. To check your protocols, click the link below that corresponds to the operating systems in use on the computers you have on your network.

Although we recommend that the task of installing network protocols be handled by the designated system administrator in your office or one of our MYOB Certified Consultants, you can attempt to install these network protocols yourself. Keep in mind, however, that we strongly recommend that a qualified network specialist perform these tasks.

Windows 95/98

Windows NT 4.0

Macintosh


Checking and installing network protocols in Windows 95/98

Follow these steps to check to see which network protocols are installed on computers running Windows 95/98.

1.	From the Start menu, choose Settings, then choose Control Panel. When the Control Panel is displayed, double-click Network to open the Network control panel.

Note: If your company uses a Novell network

2.	Under the Configuration tab, check to see whether NetBIOS, NetBEUI or TCP/IP (or LANBIOS, if you use a LANtastic network) are listed in the box labeled The following network components are installed.

If NetBIOS or NetBEUI are listed and you wish to use one of these protocols, this computer should be able to run MYOB Premier without following these instructions; remember, however, that you should perform this check all the computers on your network.

If TCP/IP is listed and you wish to use it, you'll need to assign an IP address to the computer before it's ready to run MYOB Premier in multi-user mode on your network. Click here to learn more about this process.

Note: If your company uses a LANtastic network

On the other hand, if none of the protocols are listed, or if the protocol you wish to use isn't listed, continue to the next step.

3.	Check to see whether Client for Microsoft Networks appears in the The following network components are installed box. If it is, skip to step 8. If it's not, continue to the next step.

4.	Click the Add button. The Select Network Component Type window will appear. In the list, double-click Client to open the Select Network Client window.

5.	In the list in the left side of the Select Network Client window, click Microsoft. A list of protocols appears in the list in the right side of the window.

6.	Choose Client for Microsoft Networks, then click OK. The Network Control Panel appears again, with Client for Microsoft Networks listed in the The following network components are installed box.

7.	Next, check again to see whether NetBIOS, NetBEUI or TCP/IP are listed in the The following network components are installed box.

If NetBIOS or NetBEUI are listed and you wish to use one of these protocols, this computer should now be able to run MYOB Premier; remember, however, that you should perform this check all the computers on your network.

If TCP/IP is listed and you wish to use it, you'll need to assign an IP address to the computer before it's ready to run MYOB Premier in multi-user mode on your network. Click here to learn more about this process.

Note: If your company uses a LANtastic network

On the other hand, if none of the protocols are listed, or if the protocol you wish to use isn't listed, continue to the next step.

8.	Click the Add button. The Select Network Component Type window will appear. In the list, double-click Protocol to open the Select Network Protocol window.

9.	In the list in the left side of the Select Network Protocol window, click Microsoft. A list of protocols appears in the list in the right side of the window.

10.	If NetBIOS, NetBEUI or TCP/IP appears in the list, choose the protocol you want, and then click OK. If none of the protocols are displayed in this list, you'll need to install the protocols using your Windows CD or diskettes. (Refer to your Windows documentation to learn more about installing Windows system software.)

If you plan to use the NetBIOS or NetBEUI protocols, skip to the next step; if you plan to use the TCP/IP protocol, click here to learn about assigning an IP address to this computer.

11.	That's it! This computer is ready to run MYOB Premier on a network! Close the control panel windows that are open, and don't forget to check all the computers on your network using these steps.


Note: If your company uses a Novell network

If you have a Novell network that consists of computers running Windows 95/98, you may need to perform a few extra steps to ensure that the proper protocols are being used. Before you check your network protocols, follow these steps.

Under the Configuration tab, check to see whether the term "Client32" (or any combination of words that include "Client32") is listed in the box labeled The following network components are installed.

If "Client32" does appear in the list, it's possible that the protocols installed on your computer will not work properly on a peer-to-peer network with Windows 95/98 computers. In most cases, you'll need to uninstall the Client32 software and install software that does work properly with Windows 95/98. These steps require the assistance of a trained Novell representative; we recommend that you contact Novell or an MYOB Quality Consultant for help.

On the other hand, if "Client32" does not appear in the list, you should be able to continue with the Checking and installing network protocols instructions without any problems.


If you're using TCP/IP, you need to assign an IP address to each computer

If you wish to use the TCP/IP protocol, each computer on the network that will run MYOB Premier in multi-user mode must be assigned an IP address. An IP address is a set of numbers that identifies each computer on a network that uses the TCP/IP protocol. These numbers can be assigned manually or by using a server.

This procedure will help you set up TCP/IP to a certain extent; however, the choices you make for configuring your TCP/IP connection to your network depend upon how your network is set up. If someone else set up your network connection, you probably will need to consult that person for assistance here. You might also want to consider speaking with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to learn how you can receive permanent IP addresses for each of your computers. (Keep in mind that if your computers are assigned IP addresses only when they have an active dial-up connection to the Internet, you will not be able to run MYOB Premier properly -- unless those computers are always connected to the Internet while MYOB Premier is in use.)

1.	In the Network control panel, highlight the TCP/IP selection in the The following network components are installed box and click Properties to open the TCP/IP Properties window.

2.	In this window, set up the IP address, subnet mask and other identifying features of your computer.

3.	After you've made all the necessary entries in the TCP/IP Properties window, click OK to save your changes and close the window.


Note: If your company uses a LANtastic network

If you use a LANtastic network, your network will use the LANBIOS protocol instead of NetBIOS or NetBEUI. Please note, however, that the LANBIOS protocol also requires that the Client for LANtastic Network is also displayed in the The following network components are installed list. (Client for Microsoft Network is not sufficient.) To install the Client for LANtastic Network, follow these steps:

1.	Click the Add button. The Select Network Component Type window will appear. In the list, double-click Client to open the Select Network Protocol window.

2.	In the list in the left side of the Select Network Protocol window, click LANtastic. A list of clients appears in the list in the right side of the window.

3.	If Client for LANtastic Networks appears in the list, select it and click OK. If it isn't displayed in the list, you'll need to install the client using your LANtastic CD or diskettes. (Refer to your LANtastic documentation to learn more about installing LANtastic client software.)

4.	That's it! You can now return to the Checking and installing network protocols instructions.


Checking and installing network protocols in Windows NT 4.0

Follow these steps to check to see which network protocols are installed on computers running Windows NT 4.0.

1.	From the Start menu, choose Settings, then choose Control Panel. When the Control Panel is displayed, double-click Network to open the Network control panel.

2.	Under the Protocols tab, check to see whether NetBIOS, NetBEUI or TCP/IP (or LANBIOS, if you use a LANtastic network) are listed.

If NetBIOS or NetBEUI are listed and you wish to use one of these protocols, this computer should be able to run MYOB Premier without following these instructions; remember, however, that you should perform this check all the computers on your network.

If TCP/IP is listed and you wish to use it, you'll need to assign an IP address to the computer before it's ready to run MYOB Premier on your network. Click here to learn more about this process.

On the other hand, if none of the protocols are listed, or if the protocol you wish to use isn't listed, continue to the next step.

3.	Click the Add button. A list of available protocols will be displayed. If NetBIOS, NetBEUI or TCP/IP appears in the list, choose the protocol you want, and then click OK. If none of these protocols are displayed in the list, you'll need to install the protocols using your Windows NT CD or diskettes. (We recommend that you refer to your Windows NT documentation to learn more about installing network protocols.)

If you plan to use the NetBIOS or NetBEUI protocols, skip to the next step; if you plan to use the TCP/IP protocol, click here to learn about assigning an IP address to this computer.

4.	That's it! This computer is ready to run MYOB Premier on a network! Close the control panel windows that are open, and don't forget to check all the computers on your network using these steps.


Checking and activating network protocols on a Macintosh

All Macintosh computers are equipped with the AppleTalk protocol, and most new Macintosh systems include the TCP/IP protocol. However, it's possible that neither protocol is active on your Macintosh. Choose a topic below to check to see whether the protocol of your choice is active on your Macintosh. In these procedures, we'll also check to be sure that Ethernet is selected as your LAN technology.

If you wish to use the AppleTalk protocol

If you wish to use the TCP/IP protocol


Checking and activating the AppleTalk protocol on a Macintosh

Please note: Because Macintosh System versions differ, the names of windows and fields may be slightly different than what's presented in these instructions.

1.	From the Apple menu, choose Control Panels, then open the TCP/IP Control Panel.

2.	Depending upon the System version you're using, you may see a field labeled Connect via. If you do, be sure that Ethernet is selected for this field. If you don't see a Connect via field, you may need to open the Network Control Panel to select Ethernet.

3.	This step also depends upon the System version you're using. If the AppleTalk Control Panel shows only two fields - Connect via and Current zone - choose User Mode from the Edit menu. Then, from the Select user mode list, mark the Advanced selection and click OK. The AppleTalk Control Panel will then expand to display additional fields and buttons.

4.	If the AppleTalk Control Panel has a Make AppleTalk field, be sure the Active selection is marked. (On some AppleTalk Control Panels, you may need to click a button - usually labeled "Options" - to locate the Make AppleTalk field.)

5.	That's it! This computer is ready to run MYOB Premier on a network! Close the AppleTalk Control Panel windows that are open, and don't forget to check all the computers on your network using these steps.


Checking and activating the TCP/IP protocol on a Macintosh

If you wish to use the TCP/IP protocol, each Macintosh on the network that will run MYOB Premier must be assigned an IP address. This procedure will help you set up TCP/IP to a certain extent; however, the choices you make for configuring your TCP/IP connection to your network depend upon how your network is set up. If someone else set up your network connection, you probably will need to consult that person for assistance here. You might also want to consider speaking with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to learn how you can receive permanent IP addresses for each of your computers. (Keep in mind that if your computers are assigned IP addresses only when they have an active dial-up connection to the Internet, you will not be able to run MYOB Premier properly -- unless those computers are always connected to the Internet while MYOB Premier is in use.)

Please note: Because Macintosh System versions differ, the names of windows and fields may be slightly different than what's presented in these instructions.

1.	From the Apple menu, choose Control Panels, then open the TCP/IP Control Panel.

2.	Depending upon the System version you're using, you may see a field labeled Connect via. If you do, be sure that Ethernet is selected for this field. (You may need to choose an Ethernet icon to make this selection.) If you don't see a Connect via field, you may need to open the Network Control Panel to select Ethernet.

3.	This step also depends upon the System version you're using. If the TCP/IP Control Panel shows only one or two fields along the right side of the window (such as Additional search domains), choose User Mode from the Edit menu. Then, from the Select user mode list, mark the Advanced selection and click OK. The right side of the TCP/IP Control Panel will then display additional fields and buttons.

4.	If the AppleTalk Control Panel has a Make TCP/IP field, be sure the Active selection is marked. (On some TCP/IP Control Panels, you may need to click a button - usually labeled "Options" - to locate the Make TCP/IP field.) Feel free to choose the Load only when needed box if you want.

5.	Next, set up the IP address, subnet mask and other identifying features of your Macintosh in the TCP/IP Control Panel. Keep in mind that each computer on your network must have an IP address assigned to it when MYOB Premier is running in multi-user mode. If you haven't been assigned a set of permanent IP addresses for the computers on your network, contact your Internet Service Provider or the person who set up your network.

6.	That's it! This computer is ready to run MYOB Premier on a network! Close the TCP/IP Control Panel windows that are open, and don't forget to check all the computers on your network using these steps.


IP address

A set of numbers that identifies each computer on a network that uses the TCP/IP protocol. These numbers can be assigned manually or by using a server.


Differences between MYOB Premier Version 3 and earlier versions of MYOB

If you've used an earlier version of MYOB Accounting or MYOB Accounting with Payroll in the past, thanks for switching to MYOB Premier Version 3! We hope MYOB Premier's added functionality brings the power you need to manage your growing business.

For the most part, MYOB Premier Version 3 works exactly the same as the MYOB product you've used in the past; you'll still enter transactions, create cards, enter budgets and analyse your business's activity just like you did before. However, we did make a few additions to the MYOB product to enhance its network functionality, and other enhancements, as well. This topic describes the changes we've made. (By the way, you'll find a complete description of all MYOB Premier features in your Online Procedures Guide.)

New features in MYOB Premier

Unlimited number of transactions:  There is no longer any limit on the number of transactions you enter in an individual MYOB Premier data file.

Auto-numbering:  If your company wishes to be careful about tracking transaction numbers, you can use MYOB Premier's auto-numbering feature to keep your financial records in the proper order. See Assigning numbers to transactions in a multi-user environment in your Online Procedures Guide for more information.

User IDs:  User IDs track the activities performed by the people, or users, who use your MYOB Premier system. They also allow each user to customise their own MYOB Premier workstations to the way they work. Each time you open a data file in MYOB Premier, you'll need to enter your own user ID. After a day's work, you can even print a report that lists the activity performed by your user ID.

File locking (also known as Smart Conflict Resolution):  An important component to MYOB Premier's network functionality is file locking, which safeguards your company's data file from damage. A number of tasks, including adding new payroll categories to your Items List, can be performed only when one person is using your data file. See Protecting your accounting data using file locking in your Online Procedures Guide for more information.

Data file optimisation: Over time, your MYOB Premier data file will grow considerably in size. As you enter transactions, then remove or purge them, the file will have unused areas that once contained the transactions you've gotten rid of. These unused areas can affect the efficiency with which MYOB Premier works with the data file, and they consume space on your hard disk that can be used for other purposes. The MYOB Premier Data Optimisation Utility can be used to remove the unused areas in the data file and keep your accounting software running in top form. See Optimising data files in your Online Procedures Guide for more information.

User-specific and system-wide preferences:  As mentioned above, individual users can customise their own MYOB Premier workstations to conform to the way they work. Many of MYOB Premier's preferences can be configured on a user-by-user basis so each person can get the most out of their MYOB Premier work style. Preferences that affect the entire MYOB Premier system are now referred to as system-wide preferences. See How preferences work in a network environment in your Online Procedures Guide for more information.

More new features are in Version 3:  We've added some new features in this latest version of MYOB Premier. See What's new in MYOB Premier Version 3 to learn about these new features.

Other differences between MYOB Premier Version 3 and single-user versions of MYOB

No Save command in the File menu:  Your entries are automatically saved when you make them in MYOB Premier, so MYOB's traditional Save command doesn't exist in MYOB Premier. The Revert to Saved command doesn't exist in MYOB Premier, either.

Size of MYOB Premier data files:  After you convert your company's existing data file, you'll notice that the file has grown considerably in size. Don't worry; that's normal. We recommend, however, that you ensure your company follows a strict regime of backup procedures. See Routine backups are vitally important for more information.

Speed by which MYOB Premier tasks are performed:  If you've never shared computer software on a network with other people before, you might be surprised to learn that it takes a little more time to perform tasks in MYOB Premier than it did in your previous MYOB product. For example, when you click the Record button in a transaction-entry window in MYOB Premier, you'll notice that MYOB Premier takes a few moments to actually record the transaction into your data file. The actual speed at which MYOB Premier operates depends a great deal upon the processing speed of your computer and the configuration of your company's network. This performance is normal for multi-user software on a network.


Important information for users of Corel WordPerfect Version 8

There are several issues you should be aware of if you plan to use Corel WordPerfect 8 with MYOB OfficeLink. Please read the following topics to learn more about these issues:

  Users of the Windows NT operating system will experience reduced performance when using WordPerfect 8 with OfficeLink

  Users of Corel WordPerfect Version 3 may need to follow additional steps in order to use OfficeLink


Users of the Windows NT operating system will experience reduced performance when using WordPerfect 8 with OfficeLink

If you're using the Windows NT operating system on this computer, you can use MYOB OfficeLink and Corel WordPerfect 8 together to create mail-merge letters, but you will experience reduced performance. If you have WordPerfect Version 7 or an OfficeLink-compatible version of Microsoft Word (Version 6.0., 7.0, 8.0 or 2000), you may wish to use that program instead to create your mail-merge letters.

Note: This issue affects only those using Windows NT. If you're using Windows 95 or Windows 98, your system will perform satisfactorily with OfficeLink and WordPerfect Version 8.


Users of Corel WordPerfect Version 8 may need to follow additional steps in order to use OfficeLink

If you wish to use Corel WordPerfect Version 8 with MYOB OfficeLink to create personalised letters for customers and others:

You must have the Converter component of Corel WordPerfect Suite 8 installed on your computer. If you’re not sure whether the Converter component is installed on your computer, reinstall the Converter component.

It also may be necessary to remove all Desktop Application Director (DAD) icons from the desktop.

Please note that these steps are necessary only for people using WordPerfect Suite 8. If you're using an earlier version of WordPerfect, these steps don't apply to you, and you should skip them.

Reinstalling the Converter component in Corel WordPerfect Suite 8

Please refer to your Corel WordPerfect Suite 8 documentation for instructions on reinstalling the Converter component.

Removing Desktop Application Director (DAD) icons from the desktop

The Desktop Application Director (DAD) is a collection of icons that appear on the Windows 95 taskbar and give you quick access to WordPerfect Suite 8 applications. In isolated instances, the DAD icons may be incompatible with MYOB OfficeLink, however; if this is the case, the icons cannot be displayed while you are using OfficeLink. If problems arise while you're using WordPerfect 8 with OfficeLink, we recommend that you disable the DAD icons as a possible solution to the problems you're experiencing.

If you use DAD icons to launch WordPerfect, Quattro Pro and other Corel applications, you can temporarily remove the DAD icons. If you never use these icons, you may wish to remove them permanently. Choose one of the following topics to learn more about disabling DAD icons.

  To remove DAD icons temporarily

  To remove DAD icons permanently


To remove DAD icons temporarily

If you haven't changed the settings in Corel's DAD Properties window, Corel's DAD icons will be displayed automatically when you start your computer. The DAD icons appear in the notification area of the Windows 95 taskbar, as shown in the illustration below. (Note: Depending upon the programs you've installed, additional icons may be displayed.)

To remove Corel's DAD icons from the notification area of the Windows 95 taskbar temporarily, complete the following steps:

1.	Place your mouse pointer over any of the DAD icons and click the right mouse button. The following menu will appear:

2.	Choose Exit DAD. The DAD icons will be removed, but will reappear the next time you restart your computer.

When you've completed these steps, your taskbar should look similar to this one:

Again, depending upon the other programs you've installed, some icons may be displayed here.

For more information about making changes to DAD, refer to the Corel WordPerfect Suite 8 User's Guide.


To remove DAD icons permanently

If you haven't changed the settings in Corel's DAD Properties window, Corel's DAD icons will be displayed automatically when you start your computer. The DAD icons appear in the notification area of the Windows 95 taskbar, as shown in the illustration below. (Note: Depending upon the programs you've installed, additional icons may be displayed.)

To remove Corel's DAD icons from the notification area of the Windows 95 taskbar permanently, complete the following steps:

1.	Place the place your mouse pointer over any of the DAD icons and click the right mouse button. The following menu will appear:

2.	Choose Properties. The DAD Properties window will appear:

3.	Unmark the Include DAD in Startup folder option, then click OK.

4.	Place the right mouse button over any of the DAD icons in the taskbar notification area again and click the right mouse button to redisplay the menu pictured above. This time, choose Exit DAD. The DAD icons will be removed.

When you've completed these steps, your taskbar should look similar to this one:

Again, depending upon the other programs you've installed, some icons may be displayed here.

For more information about making changes to DAD, refer to the Corel WordPerfect Suite 8 User's Guide.


MYOB Premier is Year 2000-compliant

The media has brought attention to the Year 2000 (Y2K) issue which affects many technology, computer and software installations. Most of the problems are with mainframe systems run by large banks and insurance companies rather than personal computers; however, we'd like to assure our customers that all current versions of MYOB Premier and MYOB Premier are fully Year 2000 compliant in accordance with the BSI-DISC PD2000-1 standard.

Test it yourself

You can try out your MYOB product's year 2000 compliance today. Follow the steps below to do this. (Before you begin, you may wish to change the way dates are displayed on your computer, if you're using a two-digit format, rather than a four-digit format, for dates. Consult the documentation that accompanied your computer if you're unsure about how to change the date format.)

1.	Start your MYOB software and open the sample data file, Clearwater Pty Ltd. (We recommend that you use the Clearwater Pty Ltd data file so your own accounting records aren't altered by this test.)

2.	In the Command Centre window, click Sales. When the Sales Command Centre is displayed, click the Sales button in the flowchart. The Sales window is displayed.

3.	Create a service invoice as you normally would, but enter 1/1/2000 in the Date field. When you press the TAB key to exit the Date field, the message "The date you have entered is after the current date, and may be in error" may appear. Click OK to clear the message.

When you're finished creating the invoice, the Sales window should look similar to the following illustration:

4.	Click Record to record the invoice.

5.	Close the Sales window and open the To Do List window by clicking the To Do List button in any command centre. Be sure the A/R tab is selected in the window.

6.	At the bottom of the list of transactions, notice that the transaction you just recorded is displayed. Its summary information should look similar to the illustration below:

You will notice that in the Overdue column it appears as a negative –240 which indicates that it is not due for another 240 days. This is the correct amount of days since this invoice was written on the 6/5/1999 but dated 1/1/2000. This is also the day the invoice will be due based on C.O.D. terms. The date that you perform this test will obviously affect the number of days that appear in the Overdue column.

Note: Even though MYOB products are "Y2K-savvy," some older Windows computers have systems (known as a BIOS) which may not be compatible with the year 2000. (To determine whether your computer is affected, see the official Year 2000 Information Centre Web site at http://www.year2000.com/.)

If your Windows computer isn't Year 2000-compliant and you record a transaction in MYOB on the 1st January 2000, the transaction date might be displayed as 1/1/80. To fix this, you'll need to change your computer's system date to 1/1/00 manually; after you do this, your MYOB transactions should be recorded properly.


MYOB Premier data files are cross-platform compatible

MYOB Premier Version 3 features cross-platform (Windows and Macintosh) binary-compatible data files, so an MYOB Premier data file created using a Macintosh can be used by MYOB Premier Version 3 for Windows, and vice versa. This can be a benefit if your office uses MYOB Premier for Macintosh and you want to make a copy of your data file for your accountant to review using MYOB Premier for Windows, for example.

MYOB Premier for Macintosh uses the StuffIt Engine to create backup files, while the MYOB Windows backup uses the ZIP program; as a result, you'll need to use a third-party utility if you wish to restore backups made on another platform. (You can use StuffIt for Windows to unstuff backups made using a Macintosh, and the current versions of StuffIt for Macintosh can be used to unzip a backup file created on a Windows computer.)

For more information about the StuffIt Expander (for Windows or for Macintosh) and to download their freeware versions, please go to http://www.aladdinsys.com/downloads/index.html.


If you plan to use MYOB Premier's Multicurrency feature

If you plan to use MYOB Premier’s new Multicurrency feature, please be aware of the following changes, which are not reflected elsewhere in the MYOB Premier documentation:

In order to use the Currency Information window, which is used to add new currency records and to modify information about existing currencies, you must have single-user access to MYOB Premier.

In order to delete a currency using the Currency List window, you must have single-user access to MYOB Premier. (You can view information in this window while others are working in MYOB Premier, however.)

If you’ve already recorded transactions for foreign customers and vendors

If you’ve recorded transactions for existing customers or vendors in Australian dollars and you’d like to begin recording transactions for them in a foreign currency, you must create a new card for them and assign the new currency to that card. MYOB Premier requires that you create a new card with the new currency to unsure that historical amounts for these individuals isn’t misstated.


Copyright information

Copyright

MYOB Premier © 1999 MYOB Technology Pty Ltd.

Portions Copyright © 1996 Streetwise Software. All Rights Reserved.

Special Thanks to Affinity Sports.

Some images © PhotoDisc, Inc.

Portions of MYOB online help are reproduced with permission from Understanding MYOB reports, © 1996 Ed F. Mears and H. Marie Onerheim. Portions Copyright © 1991-1994 Blue Sky Software Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

RoboHELP Help ©1998 Blue Sky Software Corporation. All rights reserved.

QuickHelp™ is licensed from Altura Software, Inc. End-User is prohibited from taking any action to derive a source code equivalent of QuickHelp, including reverse assembly or reverse compilation.

Trademarks

MYOB is a trademark and M.Y.O.B.® is a registered trademark of MYOB Limited.

Microsoft® MS-DOS®, Word® and Excel®  are registered trademarks and Windows™ is a trademark of the Microsoft Corporation.

Apple®, AppleTalk® and Macintosh® are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.  QuickTime™ and the QuickTime logo are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. used under license.

Timeslips® is a registered trademark and TAL™ is a trademark of Timeslips Corporation.

Avery is a registered trademark, and Avery codes are trademarks of Avery Dennison Corporation.

Other products mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.