This panel maintains a series of fields that are used by some of the analysis
reports. These fields include, the name field - the name to appear at the
beginning of the analysis report, and the cost fields. The cost fields provide
the labour cost/hour and travel cost per distance figures.
User Panel
This panel contains the information (Login ID, Password, Name, Location)
about the users, the users who are authorized to use ServiceMANAGER.
Entry to this panel is restricted. To gain entry, the supervisor password must
be entered. See your ServiceMANAGER registration card for the Supervisor
password.
Initially there is only one entry, Quick Entry, in this panel. Quick Entry
allows initial access to ServiceMANAGER, before passwords are created for
the users. AFTER the user's information has been created, delete the Quick
Entry record. AT NO TIME, delete the Quick Entry without setting up
additional passwords - subsequent access to ServiceMANAGER may be
impossible.
While the use of Login ID's and passwords is highly recommended, this
feature can be disabled if desired.
To disable user password checking:
■ From the Main Menu, use command 99 to select the Panel
List. Enter the definer password when prompted, to gain
access to the Panel List.
■ With the Panel List displayed, select System Operations
press [SHIFT-F9].
■ Enter the definer password, see the registration card.
■ Select option [B], User ID panel.
■ The currently selected User ID panel name will be
highlighted, press [F1] to cancel, then press [F7] to save. REPORTS
The report functions in ServiceMANAGER are both powerful and versatile.
Using reports, the user can print data (to the screen, printer, or file). There
are 29 different pre-defined reports in ServiceMANAGER, more can be
added.
Select a Report
To select a report to print, the user first chooses Report Menu on the Main
Menu, then selects a report type (Analysis, List, or Other) on the Report
Menu, then selects the desired report. The Report Screen is then displayed.
The Report Screen, shows the user the default settings for the selected report,
where the report is to be printed (screen/printer/file), any search conditions,
sort directions, ......... . For most instances the default settings will be correct.
If desired however, the settings can be temporarily changed by the user. When
the information displayed is satisfactory, the user, would press [SHIFT-F7] to
begin the report.
When the report begins, the Report Selected OK screen is displayed. This
screen shows the user which report will be printed, and gives the user a
chance to cancel if desired. For some reports, the user is also presented with a
ID range to select (to narrow down the amount of data to print).
The starting ID should always be less than the ending ID. For example: a
valid ID range would be, 1 to 100, A to Z, 10 to 10, C to D .......
but 12 to 10 would be an invalid range. If an invalid range is selected, the
report will print (just the report header), but without any data.
The ID range request has built in logic.
■ If nothing is entered for starting and ending ID's:
For numeric ID's a range of 1 to 999999999 is assumed.
For text ID's a range of A to Z is assumed. For example, the
Problem ID is a text ID. Pressing [ENTER] for both the starting
and ending ID's in Fig 10b, got the range shown in Fig 10c. If
however, an ID had been created with a leading number
(ie: 1NOISE), then it would not be picked up by the range A to
Z. DataPerfect sorts numbers before letters. If you have text
ID's which start with a number, use the starting range of 1
(ie: 1 to Z).
■ If an entry is made for either the starting or ending ID, but not both:
It is assumed that the user wants the starting and ID's to be the
same, ie: select only one record for printing. For example, in the
report shown in Fig 10a-c, if the user wished to select only
those records which contained the problem, NOISE. Then
typing NOISE in either the starting or ending ID fields, and
pressing just the [ENTER] key for the other field, will select
the range, from NOISE to NOISE. Or, in other words, select
only the records that contained the problem NOISE.
■ Of course, the user can also manually enter the starting and ending
ID range as well.
Once the ID range is entered, the user is presented with the ID Range OK
screen. This shows the user the ID range selected, and gives the user the
opportunity to stop or accept the report. The report will then print.
Dpprint Printer Program
All the reports (except mailing labels) in ServiceMANAGER, should be
printed with DPPRINT running. DPPRINT is a memory resident printer
program included with DataPerfect. DPPRINT includes printer definitions
for specific printers, and allows ServiceMANAGER to print with bolding and
underlining. DPPRINT also handles form feeds at the end of a print job. If
DPPRINT is not loaded, when a report is run, the user will have to press
[FORM FEED] at the end of a print job, to advance to the top of the next
page, and on laser printers, to print the remaining information held in the
printer's memory.
See your DataPerfect manual for details on loading DPPRINT.
If ServiceMANAGER is being run on a network, then DPPRINT must be
loaded before starting DataPerfect. As soon as report is begun in
ServiceMANAGER/DataPerfect, a print header is sent to the printer. From
that point, until the job is finished (which can take minutes for large/long
print jobs - or where there is a large amount of data to sort) the printer is tied
up. The printer would be considered IN USE by the network, even though it
might be printing only a small percentage of the time. During this time the
printer will be unavailable to the rest of the network. Not very efficient. To
get around this, DPPRINT acts as a print spooler. Taking the output for a
print job, storing the information, then sending it to the printer when the
report is finished.
If however, you are printing mailing labels on a dot matrix printer, then it
might be advisable not to load DPPRINT. Some dot matrix printers are not
reliable when printing labels, they jam, or the labels can go askew. As
DPPRINT stores the entire print job, then sends it to the printer, any
interruption in the print job, say to un-jam a printer, will cause DPPRINT to
immediately re-send the job, from the beginning, as soon as the printer is
turned back on-line, or if the computer was restarted as soon as DPPRINT is
run again.
Add a New Report/Change an Existing Report
While ServiceMANAGER comes with a selection of reports, there are
instances where the user might wish to create a new report, or change an
existing one. See your DataPerfect Manual for complete details, a outline
follows.
To add a report (or change an existing one). You must use the definer
password shown on your ServiceMANAGER registration card.
To add a report:
■ From the Main Menu, use command 99 to select the Panel
List. Enter the definer password when prompted, to gain
access to the Panel List.
■ With the Panel List displayed, select the panel, you wish to
base the report on.
■ With the selected panel displayed, select Print/Export, press
[SHIFT-F7].
■ Move the cursor to Built-In Reports, press [INSERT].
■ Follow the procedures in your DataPerfect Manual and Work
Book, to create a new report.
■ If you wish the new report to be displayed on a menu, the
menu system must be changed. See your DataPerfect manual
for details.
To change an existing report:
■ From the Main Menu, use command 98 to select the Report
List. Enter the definer password when prompted, to gain
access to the Report List.
■ With the Report List displayed, select the report, you wish to
change.
■ Follow the procedures in your DataPerfect Manual and Work
Book, to change an existing report.
■ The menu system must be changed to recognise any changes
made to a report. See the DataPerfect manual for details.
REPORTS - ANALYSIS
The Analysis Report Menu is one of three third level report menus, through
which the user can select a analytical report. Please see Fig 10.
Contract MCBF & MTBF Report
This report calculates the MCBF & MTBF (Mean Counter Between Failures
and Mean Time Between Failures) for a particular contract.
Requiring no input from the user, once the report is selected from the
Analysis Report Menu the report begins. The report lists each contract in
order, together with each's total number of calls, the change in the machine's
counter, the total of that counter change used in service, the change in dates
since 1st serviced, and the MCBF and MTBF calculations.
The total number of calls, in this case, is all service records for a particular
contract. Including all those that are awaiting, and dispatched, in addition to
those that are finished. By including all calls, (ie: awaiting and dispatched
calls which might include calls that once checked are found not to be of a
valid service nature) will produce a more conservative calculation. Once a
contract has a number of service records, any effect of a few service calls not
finished will be small anyway.
It should be noted, that as this report does not request any information from
the user (to narrow down the data), that this report calculates the data on all
data entered. If the user wishes to narrow down the selection, to a particular
time period, contract ..... then the user must change the search settings. For
instructions on changing the search settings, please see your DataPerfect
manual for details.
Contract Cost by Problem
This report calculates the number of service calls, parts cost, labour cost,
travel labour cost, travel distance cost, and the total cost (sum of the costs
mentioned) for each problem code in the contract range entered by the user.
To calculate costs, cost information must be entered for Labour and Travel
Cost (Other panel - Misc Panels menu), and Part Cost (Parts panel - Misc
Panels menu). The report requests the user to enter the starting and ending
Contract ID, so the user should have those IDs handy when the report is run.
See Fig 11a.
Contract Service History Report
This report prints the entire service history, including service records of all
statuses, in order by date, with dates, serviceperson, and problem code for a
particular contract. The report requests the user to enter the Contract ID, so
the user should have that ID handy when the report is run. This report does
not print the work performed, the Service Detail Report would need to be
printed to see that. See Fig 12.
Contract #Records by Problem per Month Report
This report prints the number of service records for each problem code by
month for a contract range. This report uses the Called In date for month
calculations. The report requests the user to enter the starting and ending
Contract ID, so the user should have those IDs handy when the report is run.
This report, see Fig 13, prints the number of service records in columns, by
month. The report prints the quantity of records, for the current month, and
previous months in specific columns (ie: June's service records would be
under the heading JUN, the current month's records would be under
CURRENT). The current month is always printed in the right most column,
with the preceding months to the left, in descending order.
If you have more than one year of service records entered, and want only the
current year printed, then you must change the search conditions, so the
report will look only for a specific range of Called In dates. For instructions
on changing the search settings, please see your DataPerfect manual for
details.
#Service Records by Product per Month Report
This report prints the number of service records for a range of machines
(product serviced) by month. This report uses the Called In date for month
calculations. See the report Contract #Records by Problem Code per Month,
for details on how the data is formatted and caution for databases over one
year in length. The report requests the user to enter the starting and ending
Product ID, so the user should have those IDs handy when the report is run.
#Service Records by Problem per Month Report
This report prints the number of service records for each problem by month.
This report uses the Called In date for month calculations.
calculations. See the report Contract #Records by Problem per Month, for
details on how the data is formatted and caution for databases over one year
in length. The report requests the user to enter the starting and ending
Problem ID, so the user should have those IDs handy when the report is run.
#Service Records by Problem and Contract Report
This report, summarizes the number of service records by contracts per month
for the range of problem codes that the user enters. This report uses the
Called In date for month calculations. The report requests the user to enter
the starting and ending Problem ID, so the user should have those IDs handy
when the report is run. See the report Contract #Records by Problem per
Month, for details on how the data is formatted and caution for databases
over one year in length.
#Service Records by Problem and Product Report
This report, the last of five analysis reports that summarizes the number of
service records by month, prints the number of records by problem. The
report requests the user to enter a Problem ID range, so the user should have
those IDs handy when the report is run.
This report uses the Called In date for month calculations. See the report
Contract #Records by Problem per Month, for details on how the data is
formatted and caution for databases over one year in length.
Service Record Status Report
This report prints out service records, in order, for the status range that the
user enters. The report requests the user to enter the starting and ending
Status ID, so the user should have those IDs handy when the report is run. For
example, if the user wished to know what service records were still
outstanding (ie: not finished, but awaiting or dispatched), the user would
enter A for the starting Status ID, and D for the ending Status ID. The report
would then print out all those records whose status was between A or D. To
further narrow down the selection, say to pick only those records whose
Called In Date matched a particular date, the user would change the search
conditions. For instructions on changing the search settings, please see your
DataPerfect manual for details.
Serviceperson Hourly Reconciliation Report
This report allows the user to compare the serviceperson's reported hours
versus some known outside information, ie:payroll time card. The Total Hours
reported - work and travel from this report should equal the hours requested
to be paid on a time card, an easy comparison, any discrepancies could then
be reconciled. The report is also an easy accuracy check - that the data
reported or entered into ServiceMANAGER is correct. The report requests the
user to enter the starting and ending Finished Date, so the user should have
those dates handy when the report is run.
Serviceperson Cost by Problem Report
This report provides a cost comparison for each problem code a serviceperson
has handled. Uses the hourly labour cost and travel cost figures entered in the
Other panel (pg 23)., and the part cost from the Part panel. Using these costs,
the service calls are costed and extended. The report requests the user to enter
the Serviceperson ID range, so the user should have the IDs handy when the
report is run.
This report allows the user to compare the cost of service from one problem to
another (ie: is one problem more expensive to repair than any other), and to
compare one serviceperson's costs vs other servicepeople. For example, if one
person does may more service calls than other servicepeople, but uses very
few parts - his cost will be very low. But is it realistic. Perhaps fewer parts
used, is the underlying reason so many service calls must be completed. The
effect of many service calls (unhappy clients) might cost you many times
more in lost business later, than the low parts cost now.
REPORTS - LIST/DETAIL
The List/Detail Report Menu is the second of three third level report menus,
through which the user can select a list or detail report. Unlike the Analysis
Report Menu, the list/detail reports provide no analysis function, but act as a
means of printing selected data. Please see Fig 19.
To narrow down the data (to search through and print), these reports prompt
the user for an ID range. For example, when printing the Client List report,
the report prompts the user for the starting and ending Client ID's to print.
As the report requests the user to enter an ID range, the user should have
those IDs handy when the report is run.
Of course, as in the Analysis reports, the user may further narrow the data by
changing the search conditions. For example, if the user wished to print the
Client List report but only wanted the clients printed who resided in a
particular Prov/State, let's say British Columbia (which has a code of BC) .
Then the user would change the search conditions, to look only for a range
starting from BC and ending with BC. For further details on changing the
search conditions, please see the DataPerfect manual.
As all of these reports have the same basic format, perhaps the easiest/best
way to describe (what ID the reports request?, what is the result of running
each of the List/Detail reports?) is to present this information in a tabular
format, then go into more depth on a few of these reports. Please see the
table, on the next page.
REPORT ID
REQUESTED RESULT Client Client Lists clients Client by Type Type Lists clients by type Client Account Status Acc Status Lists acc status codes Client Prov/Sate Prov/State Lists prov/state codes Client Type Type Lists client type codes Contract Contract Lists contracts Part Part Lists part codes Problem Problem Lists problem codes Product Product Lists product codes Service Service Lists service records Service Detail Service Lists serv rec w/detail Service Source Source Lists source codes Service Type Type Lists type codes Serviceperson S.Person Lists s.person codes Time/Counter Service Lists time/counterTable 1:List/Detail Reports
As seen above, these reports cover both the main data files (Client, Client by
Type, Contract, Service, Service Detail, and Time/Counter) and the smaller
data checking data files (Client Account Status, Client Prov/State, Client
Type, Part, Problem, Product, Service Source, Service Detail, Service Type,
and Serviceperson).
Client List Report
The Client List Report shows the client's name, address, account status, and
date entered/effective. Please see Fig 20.
This report requests the user to enter the starting and ending Client ID, so the
user should have those IDs handy when the report is run. Of course, as in the
analysis reports, the user may further narrow the data by changing the search
conditions. For example, if the user wished to print the Client List report but
only wanted the clients printed who resided in a particular prov/state, let's
say British Columbia (which has a code of BC) . Then the user would change
the search conditions, to look only for a range starting from BC and ending
with BC. For further details on changing the search conditions, please see the
DataPerfect manual.
Contract List Report
The Contract List Report shows the client's name, address, product to
be serviced, and the dates created/effective or cancelled. This report requests
the user to enter the starting and ending Contract ID, so the user should have
those IDs handy when the report is run.
Service List & Service Detail Report
The Service List and Service Detail reports both request that the user to enter
the starting and ending Service ID, and both provide similar information -
however the detail report does provide the detail on the work performed.
(parts used, labour and travel hours and distance travelled).
Time/Counter List Report
The Time/Counter report, prompts the user for the starting and ending
service record number. The report lists travel time and distance, start and
finished date/times and counter information.
The Time/Counter List report is the last report on a main data file, the
remaining reports are on the smaller data checking files. As the format of the
data checking files' reports are the same we will only look at one, the Part
List report.
Part List Report
The Part List report is a simple column report (like all the other data
checking file reports). The report prompts the user for the starting and
ending Part ID, so the user should have those IDs handy when the report is
run. Like all other reports, the data can be further narrowed down by
changing the search conditions. See your DataPerfect manual for details.
ServiceMANAGER keeps tracks of parts used. Any time a part is entered in
the Service Detail panel (part used), the quantity is subtracted from the
running totals kept for each part in the Part panel. The Part List report shows
the running total kept for each part.
Comparing the total kept by ServiceMANAGER against a periodic inventory
is a good check of data accuracy. See the section HOW TO USE for
suggestions on creating entries; for Balance Forwards, Goods Received, and
Adjustments.
REPORTS - OTHER
The Other Report Menu is the final of three third level report menus, through
which the user can select a report. Other reports, are reports that don't quite
fit into the previous two report categories, analysis, or list/detail. Please see
Fig 26.
There are three other reports the user can choose from. They are; covering
letter, mailing labels, and shipping sheet (bill of lading).
Covering Letter
The covering letter allows the user to send to a client, a standard "canned"
letter that details the work done (parts used) on a particular service record.
Before the letter is used the first time, the text of the letter must be edited.
While the covering letter format is complete, the text of the letter is just a
series of x's (ie: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX....). To change
the user will have to enter the Report List from the Main Menu (use selection
98 to do this), enter the definer password, select Covering Letter from the list
of reports, choose option 8 (to edit the report), press the [INSERT] key to turn
on the typeover mode (to type over the text XXXX's that are in the report),
then enter the text that is desired. Press [F7] when complete. Any change
made will not be seen if you try to access the revised report from the Other
Report Menu. To have the Covering Letter selection on the Other Report
Menu select the revised report, the menu item must be edited. For more
information on editing a report and a menu item, see your DataPerfect
manual for details.
The report when run will prompt the user for the starting and ending Service
ID, so the IDs should be handy when the report is run. Like all other reports,
the data may be further narrowed down by changing the search conditions.
Mailing Labels
The mailing label report prints out client information (name, street, city ....)
in a format suitable for continuous form labels (ie:labels printed on a dot
matrix printer). The report has been set up for a label of 4" (or 40 characters)
wide by 1" (or 6 lines) high; (1" height is calculated as: 1" from the top of one
label to the top of the next label). If your labels are different then you will
have to modify the format. Please see your DataPerfect manual, for details on
label report printing. It is best not to have the DPPRINT memory resident
program loaded when mailing labels are printed. Please see the section
REPORTS for a discussion of this.
Shipping Sheet
The final report, the Shipping Sheet allows the user to easily produce a report
suitable for enclosing with a shipment (ie: a bill of lading), or for audit
purposes (a paper trail of the movement of inventory). The report will ask the
user for the Service ID range, so this will need to be handy.
EXPORT
The export reports, selected through the Export Menu, allow for easy
movement of data to other programs.
These reports, will export all of the main data files (Client, Contract, Service,
Service Detail, and Time/Counter), in delimited text format, to the directory
where the data files are located. The user cannot select a range to export, all
data is exported.
Data file to Export Export filename
Client Client.fil
Contract Contract.fil
Service TRX-Info.fil
Service Detail TRX-Det.fil
Time/Counter Time.fil
It should be noted that as the export uses the delimited text format (using
commas to separate the fields), if any of the data contains commas then
problems will result. If you are unsure about your data, you should check it.
Any easy way would be to use the panel search feature (press [F2] when in a
panel), and using the formula option, look for a comma. MERGE
The merge reports, selected through the Merge Menu, allow for an easy
creation of merge files, in WordPerfect's secondary merge format. These files
are used by word processors when performing a mail merge.
Two merge reports can be run, one containing client information, the other
service and service detail information. Either one will create a merge file in
the directory where the data files are located.
Data to merge Merge filename
Client Client.mrg
Transactions (Service & TRX.mrg
Service Detail)
It should be noted, that the user cannot select a range to merge, all data is
merged.
HOW TO USE
1 Determine the codes needed for the data checking files. The
sample data checking data files already have the codes listed on
page 22 entered, these can be changed as required. To access
these data files, select Misc Panel Menu from the Main Menu,
then choose the desired panel from the list provided.
2 Enter any additional data checking codes needed. In most cases
the sample data entered in these files will be all that is
required. However you will probably need to enter part,
serviceperson, and cost (in the Other Panel) information before
you proceed. Any information that is in the Client, Contract,
Service, or Service Detail panels must be deleted. Delete any
sample data ckecking data that you do not want (do this only
after deleting any information in the main data panels).
3 At this point, ServiceMANAGER is ready for operation. Before
requests are entered, make a copy of the data files on your hard
disk. Label the diskette, ServiceMANAGER - ready for
operation.
4 Inventory - Balance Forward
ServiceMANAGER, among other things, can track inventory.
Before client service records are entered for the first time, any
beginning inventories should be entered. Inventory totals are
kept by the Parts Panel. The Parts List (List/Detail Report
Menu) will give a inventory quantity-on-hand balance for each
part. No detail reports have been designed to list all movements
in inventories - however that can be easily done. See your
DataPerfect manual for details. If you do not know if you wish
to track inventories, skip this section. This may be performed
later.
From the Main Menu, choose the client panel. Use lookup ([F8]
or []) to select client ADMINISTRATION, which is already
created and included with the sample data. TAB to the link at
the bottom of the client panel. This is the link to the Contract
panel. As no contracts have been entered for this "client", you
must press [F5] to move to the next panel and create an entry.
You are now in the Contract panel, in CREATE mode (see top
right of screen). TAB to the link at the bottom of the screen.
This is the link to the Service Information panel. We wish to
create a record, as no records have yet to be created for this
contract, press [F5] to move to the next panel and create an
entry.
Now you are in the Service Information panel. Note that the
upper right corner of the screen says CREATE, you are in
create mode, and that the number below it, the Service ID, is
00000000X. Service Type use lookup to choose BALANCE
FORWARD, TAB past Service Source. Today's date has been
entered for the Called In date, press [ENTER] to accept this,
enter the same date for the Shipped date. Note that the service
detail window at the bottom of the screen is empty. We have yet
to create the adjusting lines. Press [F5] to save the information
just entered, and move to the detail panel and create a new
detail record.
You are now in the detail panel and in CREATE mode. Enter
each product and it's quantity. Note when entering the
quantity, enter it as a negative quantity. Any information
entered in the quantity field of the Service Detail panel, is
subtracted from the running total kept in the Parts panel. As
we want a positive effect on the running total we must enter
any number which might increase an inventory as a negative.
(Remember from your high school math that a negative
negative = a positive, while a negative positive = a negative).
Press [F9] between each product to create a new detail record.
When all records have been entered press [F7] to exit back to
the Service Information panel. Note that the window now has
service detail information.
Inventory - Adjustments/Goods Received
The same procedure would be performed to enter an adjustment
to inventory (except Service Type = ADJUSTMENT) if for
example after a periodic inventory reconciliation a variance
was found, or to receive parts from a supplier (except Service
Type = RECEIPT). Just remember, that anything that you want
to have a positive effect on an inventory (ie: increase a
inventory balance in ServiceMANAGER from 100 to 150), must
be entered as a negative. ServiceMANAGER subtracts any parts
movement in the Service Detail panel from the Quantity-On-
Hand balance. Because it is already subtracting, a number must
be entered as a negative to increase a balance. To use the above
example: to increase a inventory from 100 to 150, a 50- (a
negative) must be entered in the Service Detail panel.
5 Begin entering client requests.
6 Backup data daily. Use the backup command included with
DataPerfect. See your DataPerfect manual for details. Keep
backup disks in a safe place.
7 Regularly spot check data for accuracy. A good check is to
compare an actual inventory physical count versus the total
kept by the program for a few parts. Do this monthly. A rule of
thumb: if inventory is checked monthly, each part should be
checked twice during the year. Therefore, take the number of
parts that will be tracked by ServiceMANAGER, divide that
number by 6, the result is the number of part inventories that
should be checked (compared to ServiceMANAGER) each
month. Any differences should be reconciled, and
adjustment/corrections made.
If a inventory error is found, but the error can't be attributed
to particular record or client then use the same procedure for
creating a balance forward entry to create an adjusting entry
(see previous page). However, for service type choose
ADJUSTMENT not balance forward.
This regimen ensures a high degree of data accuracy.
8 Analyze the data. APPENDIX
List of Files
Filename Information or Function
Service.001 Client
Service.002 Client Type
Service.003 Product
Service.004 Prov/State
Service.005 Service
Service.006 Service Detail
Service.007 Client Account Status
Service.008 Service Type
Service.009 Service Source
Service.011 Contract
Service.012 Problem
Service.013 Serviceperson
Service.014 Time/Counter
Service.016 Other
Service.017 Part
Service.018 User
Service.IND Indexes for all data files.
Service.STR ServiceMANAGER program structure.
Service.TXX Text from the street and address fields in the
Client and Contract data files.
Indexes
DataPerfect uses a index file to keep track of all of the indexes for all of the
data files. An index is a sorted list of data.
Among other things, a index can help data lookup provide more meaningful
information. For example, while in the Client panel, and positioned on the
city field, the user pressed the lookup key [], to see which clients were
located in the same city - it probably would be helpful if that information
when displayed, was sorted by city. By using indexes it can.
Each of the data files in ServiceMANAGER is provided with only one or two
indexes. A index is not provided for each of the fields, for all 15 data files, as
the disk space required could be very large. (We don't know how large your
hard drive is, or how many records you might have.)
If you find that you use lookup frequently, on a few fields, it probably would
make sense to create a index for those fields. However, be aware that disk
space can be used quickly, if you have a large number of records, and/or
want a number of indexes. Also as file size increases, access time slows down.
An easy calculation of space used by an index is to multiply the number of
records times the number of indexes, times 10 (DataPerfect's number, we have
found 11.5 to be closer). If you are getting short on disk space, or find that
the screen updating is taking a bit too long, then be wary of increasing the
number of indexes.
System Requirements
ServiceMANAGER will run on all IBM/MS-DOS compatible computers, just
as DataPerfect will, however the faster the computer and the bigger and
faster the hard drive the better it will run. In other words,
ServiceMANAGER and DataPerfect will run on a XT or a 286 computer with
a 20Mb hard drive, but you won't like the performance.
System recommendation
IBM or IBM compatible computer
80386 processor or higher, 486 or Pentium recommended.
DataPerfect 2.3 or later
DOS 5.0 or later
2Mb RAM (4Mb+ even better) with expanded memory driver
loaded
fast hard disk; the bigger, the faster, the better
(any of the modern 200Mb+ caching IDE hard drive is fine, a
VLB enhanced IDE or SCSI-2 caching hard drive is ideal).
VGA recommended, colour suggested
internal modem, if you plan to use the program phone dialing
feature.
Epson compatible dot matrix printer for printing mailing
