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GENERAL INVOICE SALES TRACKER - PLUS " G I S T - P L U S " Program Author: Robert F. Keber Jr. Produced By: The TypeRight Company 336 SWAIN BOULEVARD LAKE WORTH, FL 33463-3342 (407) 969-3643 COPYRIGHT (C) - All Rights Reserved DISCLAIMER Use This Software At Your Own Risk The author of this software makes or offers no warranty, either expressed or implied, regarding any of the software programs included with this package. There is no warranty for this software's usefulness, or for it's fitness for any particular purpose. The author will not be liable for any damages arising from the use of (or from the inability to use) this software. The author will not be liable for lost profits, lost savings, lost income, lost time, claims by other parties, or for other incidental or consequential damages arising from the use of (or from the inability to use) this software. Use of this software is entirely at the user's own risk. WHAT IS "GIST" ? DICTIONARY DEFINITION: GIST (jist) n. The essence of a matter, as in "Getting the gist of a situation". GIST PLUS ("GP") is a "Customer Billing" program. It is designed for firms who have a need to produce and print Invoices which contain "Descriptions" about service (or anything else), "Names and Numbers" for parts or products, "Instructions", "Expiration Dates" or just about anything else, in addition to all the all important "Numbers" which say "How Much". "GP" is NOT an accounting program, but it is a "GROSS INCOME" program. It provides all of the "Income" information that most Accountants or Bookkeepers require from a small business. In most cases, they will only need some "GP" Printouts, and the Bank Statements and Check Stubs to maintain a firm's books. But, in addition to organizing and preparing your Income Data for your Accountant, "GP" will provide "You" (as a Manager) with a great deal of other very useful business information. It will also automate some tedious monthly chores such as sending out "Customer Statements" or making up many "Repetitious Invoices" to the same customers every month. And it does all of this without most of the usual "Mistakes", "Short-Cuts" and "Oversights" that occur when these same tasks are done by an employee with a typewriter. BRIEF LISTING OF PROGRAM's FEATURES Customers: - Shows "Last Sale Date" & "Total Amount Spent" for every customer. - Prints a Customer Telephone Directory (2 phones with extension #s). - Prints Two Customer Address Directories (Long & Short Versions). - Prints Customer Mailing Labels (by Name/City/State/Zip/Area/Etc.). - Large "Comment Field" for Special Terms, Ship/Bill To Address, Etc. - Prints a Customer Statement or Customer Invoice for any account. - Data fields are designed to allow INTERNATIONAL address entries. - Prints Labels/Phone/Address Lists by Territories or Service Routes. Invoices: - Use "Hand Written" invoices or let "GP" Produce & Print your Invoices. - Allows Custom Listings of Descriptions, Part#'s and Work Performed. - Sales Tax can be configured to comply with most Laws & Regulations. - Can Print Multiple copies of Invoices (Customer & File Copies). - Generates Invoice & Customer Numbers Automatically (No Duplicates) - Prints Accounts Receivable Statements with matching Mailing Labels. - Prints a Ledger of Invoices for any "Time Period/Customer/Employee". - Prints a Ledger of invoices with totals for Accounts Receivable. - Provides 12 "ReNameable" Sales Categories plus ReNameable Sales Tax. - Provides 10 "ReNameable" Sets of "Terms & Conditions". - Handles "Partial" or "Installment" payments. - Packing List - List & Print up to 675 different Sale items. - Inventory List - Pop-Up Scroll Bar Window with Sorted Inventory List. - Double checks "Calculations" on hand-written employee invoices. - Allows a Six Line "Heading" for your Name, Address & Telephone. - Allows a Six Line Invoice Footer for custom messages, disclaimers, etc.. - Extensive use of "Pop Up Windows" for easy use & simplicity. - Converts Invoice Values to hundreds of different currency values. - "Re-Bill" Feature Produces New Copies Of Previous Invoices. Income: - Prints/Displays Accounts Receivable Ledger & Customer Statements. - Prints Gross Income "Breakdown" by Sales Category for any time period. - Prints "Income Totals" from any Employee/Customer for any time period. - Prints ledger of "Accounts Paid" for any time period. - Shows Sales Tax Charged, Sales Tax Collected & Sales Tax UnCollected. - Displays or Prints Many Reports & Ledgers and shows averages. Inventory: - Support program: Provides ability to Create/Edit an Inventory Data File which holds up to 735 items. Automatic "% MarkUp" and "Retail Price" calculations. Entries appear in the "Invoice" and "Packing List" screens in a "Pop-Up" Scroll-Bar-Window for automatic data entry. Eliminates much of the work involved with constantly looking up prices for sold items or parts in printed supplier's price list catalogs. Packing Lists: - Support program: Provides ability to Create/Edit large "Packing Lists" (up to 675 items each) for inclusion with each customer's invoice. Multiple packing lists can be produced for each invoice. Program will create, edit, sort & print many different "Pre-Prepared" Packing Lists packing lists, or can produce custom (use once) lists. Accessed directly from the "GP" Invoice Menu. "Pop-Up" Scroll-Bar "Inventory" Window helps speed Packing List creation. General: - Holds about 725,000 Customer Records & 725,000 Invoice Records. - Word Processing style commands for the majority of field entries. - Use "NAMES or NUMBERS" for retrieving records. - Find "Strong & Weak" categories of employee's performance. - Find "Strong & Weak" categories of Product & Service performance. - Unique "BROWSE" mode for viewing Customer & Invoice records. - Shows System "DATE & TIME" on "Main Menu". INTERNATIONAL FEATURES: - International Date Settings: MM/DD/YY DD/MM/YY or YY/MM/DD. - Time Settings: 12 or 24 Hour Clocks. - Changeable International Currency Symbols: Dollars, Pounds, Yen, Etc. - Two International Currency Formats: 1,234.56 or 1.234,56 Currency Conversion: - Support program: Program will provide "On Screen" currency conversions of an invoice's values, to any of several hundred different currencies. Select the Country to convert your invoice values to from a "Pop-Up" Scroll-Bar window. The top portion of the Invoice Screen will then show the converted values of the amounts displayed on the lower half of the Invoice Screen. Also offers a routine to "Print the Conversions". System Requirements: - Computer - PC/XT/AT/286/386/486 or Close Compatible - DOS or MS/DOS Version 3.3 or higher - Ram Memory - 640k (Use of ALL features requires about 400k of FREE Ram) - Hard Drive Recommended - Monitor - Mono or Color - 80 column - Printer - 80 Column Dot Matrix - IBM ProPrinter or Epson FX compatible. - CONFIG.SYS: Set To "FILES = 25" (Or More - Very Important!) REGISTRATION GENERAL INVOICE SALES TRACKER - PLUS ("GP") is a "Shareware" software package. The term "Shareware" means that we provide you with a copy of the program for you to "try out" for a short evaluation time. After a few weeks of use, you are required to either dispose of the program or send us the purchase price for registration. Extended use without proper registration is a violation of our rights under International Copyright Laws. WARNING: The "Shareware" versions of any of our programs are, and will remain, fully functional. But any of several safeguards "may" exist to encourage User Registration and to help detect and expose unauthorized retailing of any version which may have been "Doctored" or "Altered". User Support (both Telephone & Written) is available for anyone who needs help or information with any of our products (Registered or Not). Because we produce and support MANY different software packages, and each package usually has several updated releases and revisions, please have the following information available whenever you contact us for any reason: Program's Full Name, Version Number, and Serial Number (even if NOT a Registered Program). BONUS FOR REGISTERING All Users who register will receive the latest updated, improved and "Debugged" version of this program. They are also kept advised of all of our new programs, and many times, Registered Users are offered special discounts toward (and free Demos of) our new programs. In addition to all of that, they also receive another program called "GP-TOOLS.EXE", which is a "support" program for "GP". "GP-TOOLS.EXE" let's the registered user do four (4) very useful tasks related to manipulating "REC" files (and the list keeps growing). #1- EXTRACT Invoices from your "INVOICE.REC" data file and create assorted "smaller" Invoice files. This allows "Date Specific" Invoice files to be created with "Yearly, Semi-Annual, Quarterly or Monthly" data only. Another benefit of this feature is that it allows the User to keep their "current" Invoice file much smaller in size. Smaller file sizes increase the program's speed during data searches, and allows "GP" to be used on some of the smaller disk drives. #2- MERGE Invoice files. Allows you to merge together two or more "GP" Invoice files into a larger Invoice file which can contain many years worth of invoices (up to about 725,000 separate invoices). #3- CLEAR the "Last Sale Date" & "Total Amount Spent" fields from all the records in "CUSTOMER.REC". Then Recalculate and insert new values for both of those fields, based upon the information contained in the "current" Invoice file. #4- Offers additional ability to fix or repair corrupted data files through a "File Maintenance" routine. This routine will remove all records marked as deleted, and all records it finds to be corrupt. This will usually shorten larger files, and many times this routine will "repair" a corrupted Invoice or Customer file with only a minimal loss of data. This routine is well worth the small cost of having it at your disposal if you ever need it. HOW DO I REGISTER? Print out (and fill out) the enclosed file named "REGISTER.DOC" with the following Command.... "COPY REGISTER.DOC LPT1:" <...and press 'Enter'>. The printed output will be a Registration Form. The program price will be listed on that Form. As all Prices and Features are subject to periodic changes, it is advised that you call or write for the latest prices after July, 1993. When you have filled in the Registration Form, Mail it to us with your Payment. Make checks payable to "R. KEBER JR." in United States Funds. Our normal method of shipping a pre-paid order within the United States is by regular 1st Class Mail. In such cases there is NO SHIPPING CHARGE, and delivery time is usually just a few days. (All Prices & Features Are Subject To Change Without Notice) COPYRIGHT (C) - ROBERT F. KEBER JR. Files included with "GP" BRUN45.EXE - MicroSoft "Run-Time Module" - Allows Smaller EXE Files. CNF-GPnn.EXE - Allows User To "Set-Up" GIST PLUS To Individual Needs. CURRENCY.EXE - Creates/Edits/Sorts "CURRENCY.DAT" Currency Conversion file. CURRENCY.DAT - Data File Containing Hundreds Of Countries & Currencies. GP.DOC - This Instruction Manual GP.EXE - Main Program GP.PIF - Microsoft Windows "Program Information File" INSTALL.EXE - Installs "GP" on Hard Drive & Prints Instruction Manual INVNTORY.EXE - Creates/Edits/Sorts "INVNTORY.DAT" Inventory File PACKLIST.EXE - Creates/Edits/Sorts Assorted Invoice "Packing Lists" 10012-1.PKL - Sample Packing List #1 10012-2.PKL - Sample Packing List #2 REG.DAT - Registration Data - User's Name & Serial Number. REGISTER.DOC - Registration Form - Print & Fill Out When Registering SAMPLE.CUS - Data file of sample Customer records SAMPLE.INV - Data file of sample Invoice records SCREEN.OVL - GIST Display Screens (Compressed) OLDSTYLE.EXE - With Registered Versions Only. Converts "Older" Style "DTA" Data Files (Created with GP Versions older than 3.0) Into "Newer" Style "REC" Data Files. GP-TOOLS.EXE - Shipped ONLY With Registered Versions. Advanced Data File Utilities And "File Maintenance" For Corrupted Files. Files which are created when "GP" is run CUSTOMER.REC - Random Data file for Customer records CUSTNAME.NDX - Index file - Customer Names CUSTNUMB.NDX - Index file - Customer ID Numbers CUSTOMER.BAK - Backup file - Copy of CUSTOMER.REC INVNTORY.DAT - Inventory Data File - Max of 300 Records INVOICE.REC - Random Data file for Invoice records INVNAME.NDX - Index file - Invoice Customer Names INVNUMB.NDX - Index file - Invoice ID Numbers ACCREC.NDX - Index file - Unpaid Invoices INVOICE.BAK - Backup file - Copy of INVOICE.REC GP.CNF - Configuration File For GP's Custom Settings. FILENAME.PKL - Assorted Packing List Files. SETTING UP GIST-PLUS GP.EXE has been written in such a manner as to make it very adaptable to different Tax Laws, User needs, and hardware abilities. As a result there are many features which can be changed (or "Configured"). Most changes can be made by running the "GP" program, and then choosing the "RECONFIGURE" menu selection from the Main Menu. The Reconfigure section of GIST has a lot of "on screen" instructions, explanations and menus. It will create a new disk file called "GP.CNF" which will contain a list of all the custom changes you may have selected. From then on, when GIST-PLUS is run, it will look for GP.CNF and (if found) will use the list of "settings" inside the file. CONFIGURABLE GIST-PLUS SETTINGS --------------------------------- CONFIGURE CATEGORY | DEFAULT SETTING ------------------------------------------------------------- Name Of Invoice TAX Field........: "SALES TAX" Sales Tax On Sale Category #1....: Yes Percentage Rate: 6% Sales Tax On Sale Category #2....: Yes Percentage Rate: 6% Sales Tax On Sale Category #3....: Yes Percentage Rate: 6% Sales Tax On Sale Category #4....: Yes Percentage Rate: 6% Sales Tax On Sale Category #5....: Yes Percentage Rate: 6% Sales Tax On Sale Category #6....: Yes Percentage Rate: 6% Sales Tax On Sale Category #7....: Yes Percentage Rate: 6% Sales Tax On Sale Category #8....: Yes Percentage Rate: 6% Sales Tax On Sale Category #9....: Yes Percentage Rate: 6% Sales Tax On Sale Category #10...: Yes Percentage Rate: 6% Sales Tax On Sale Category #11...: Yes Percentage Rate: 6% Sales Tax On Sale Category #12...: No Percentage Rate: 0% Page Headings (Graphics/Text)....: Use Non-Graphic Characters Use GIST Letterhead..............: Yes Use Pre-Printed Stationery.......: No Use "Window" Mailing Envelopes...: No Center Invoice's 5 COMMENT Lines.: No Last Printed Line Of Invoice.....: "Sales Rep:___ Customer Rep:___" Starting Invoice Number..........: 10,000 Starting Customer Number.........: 3 Copies Of Printed Invoices.......: 1 Sales Category #1 Is Called......: "Sale Cat #1" Sales Category #2 Is Called......: "Sale Cat #2" Sales Category #3 Is Called......: "Sale Cat #3" Sales Category #4 Is Called......: "Sale Cat #4" Sales Category #5 Is Called......: "Sale Cat #5" Sales Category #6 Is Called......: "Sale Cat #6" Sales Category #7 Is Called......: "Sale Cat #7" Sales Category #8 Is Called......: "Sale Cat #8" Sales Category #9 Is Called......: "Sale Cat #9" Sales Category #10 Is Called.....: "Sale Cat 10" Sales Category #11 Is Called.....: "LABOR CHRGS" Sales Category #12 Is Called.....: "SHIPPING" Payment Terms #1 Is Set To.......: "PAID - CASH" Payment Terms #2 Is Set To.......: "PAID - CHECK" Payment Terms #3 Is Set To.......: "PAID - CREDIT CARD" Payment Terms #4 Is Set To.......: "PREPAID ORDER" Payment Terms #5 Is Set To.......: "COLLECT ON DELIVERY" Payment Terms #6 Is Set To.......: "NET CASH - 10 DAYS" Payment Terms #7 Is Set To.......: "NET CASH - 15 DAYS" Payment Terms #8 Is Set To.......: "NET CASH - 30 DAYS" Payment Terms #9 Is Set To.......: "DUE ON RECEIPT" Payment Terms #10 Is Set To......: "SPECIAL PRE-ARRANGEMENT" Heading Text - Line #1...........: "YOUR COMPANY'S NAME & ADDRESS" Heading Text - Line #2...........: "To Insert Your Own Data" Heading Text - Line #3...........: "In These 6 Lines Of Text," Heading Text - Line #4...........: "Use The RECONFIGURE Selection" Heading Text - Line #5...........: "On The Main Menu. Then On Next" Heading Text - Line #6...........: "Menu, Use 'Header Information." Footer Text - Line #1............: "THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS" Footer Text - Line #2............: "To Insert Your Own Data" Footer Text - Line #3............: "In These 6 Lines Of Text," Footer Text - Line #4............: "Use The RECONFIGURE Selection" Footer Text - Line #5............: "On The Main Menu. Then On Next" Footer Text - Line #6............: "Menu, Use 'Footer Information." Currency Conversion Query: "OFF" (NOT Active at end of Invoice Editing) International Dates: Default: MM/DD/YY (DD/MM/YY YY/MM/DD Options) International Times: Default: 12 Hour Clock (24 Hour Option) International Money Symbols: "$" (Options: Pound, Frank, Yen, etc.) International Money Formats: "." ("." = 1,234.56 or "," = 1.234,56) Any (or all) of the above items (and a few "Sub-Items") may be changed as often as you like. You may use "RECONFIGURE" over and over, as it will simply "Read" and then "Re-Write" the "GP.CNF" file. PROGRAM SECURITY We also offer the following suggestion about "GP" Configuration. All of the routines for configuration are contained inside another "EXE" file called "CNF-GPnn.EXE" (the "nn" in the file name will actually be the current program version number). As the file gains more and more features and power, it also gains the ability to do severe damage to your data files (if used carelessly or recklessly). As a precaution against this, we suggest that your management set up the program configuration as "you" want the program to operate. Then make (and keep on file) a printout of the configured settings. Those printouts are VERY helpful the next time you need to use a backup copy, or when you install a newly updated version of "GP". Then, after doing all of that, move, remove (or rename) the "CNF-GPnn.EXE" file to a secure, limited access area for safe-keeping. By doing this, no one else can change any of the program settings without your knowledge. Neither can they "accidentally" delete your Data Files by exploring and experimenting with the program's various features. After "CNF-GPnn.EXE" has been removed and the "RECONFIGURE" Menu Selection is picked, a small "Error" message will appear on the screen saying that "The File Is Missing", and the program will return operation to the Main Menu for another Menu Selection. No Problem! SETTING UP "GP" ON YOUR HARD DRIVE "GP" is NOT copy-protected and has no elaborate schemes to prevent copies from easily being made. Copies can be made by any of the normal DOS/MS-DOS "Copy" or "Disk Copy" commands. All of the "GP" files are "matched" to each other by version number. They MUST ALL BE from THE SAME VERSION or the program will not work properly. The best and easiest method (always) to "Set-Up" or "Update" "GP" is to run the "GP" Program called "INSTALL.EXE". "INSTALL.EXE" will NOT erase or delete any of your existing "GP" data files, but will replace all of the other "GP" files. If installation is on a Hard Drive, "INSTALL" will simply check to see if a Sub Directory called "\GP" already exists on that drive. If it does, it will warn you and then give the option to "Quit" or "Continue" operation. If this is a brand new installation (you have never used this program before) and you get the warning that "\GP" already exists, then QUIT the install program and find out what files are already in the sub-directory called "\GP" on your hard drive. You may then have to make adjustments to avoid confliction problems between "GP" and whatever files are already present in that sub-directory. In the case of an "Update" installation, "\GP" WILL already exist from the previous installation, and you will "Be Warned". Enter a "C" to "Continue" Installation. INSTALL.EXE will then "peek" into the target Drive & Directory, and then do whatever is necessary to avoid "over-writing" your existing CUSTOMER.REC, INVOICE.REC, INVNTORY.DAT, CURRENCY.DAT or PACKLIST.PKL files. It will also create another file called "GP.BAT", which it will store in the ROOT Directory. This file is created for those Users who may not know their way around a Hard Drive too well. Simply typing "GP" in the ROOT Directory will automatically switch to the "\GP" sub directory and then run "GP.EXE" for the operator. INSTALL will also check to see if there is a "Boot-Up" file called "CONFIG.SYS" on the target drive. If CONFIG.SYS does NOT already exist, then INSTALL will create such a file for the operator. The "CONFIG.SYS" file will only contain one very important command... "FILES=25" If there already is a "CONFIG.SYS" file, then "INSTALL.EXE" will examine it's contents. If a "FILES=" command to does NOT exist, it will be inserted into the file. If the "FILES=" command DOES EXIST, it will be examined and reset (if necessary) to a minimum of "25" files. This command is what determines the maximum number of disk files that your computer may "Open" (access) at one time. On most systems, the default setting is only for "8" files. It is "VERY IMPORTANT", for the "FILES=25" command to be set to at least 25 or more files or "GP" will run into a "Brick Wall" as it tries to create and open "one" file too many. The same is true for many (lots & lots) of other programs as well. So it's not a bad idea to set this to "25" files, and never change it again (unless another program tells you to increase it to an even higher number). The "FILES=" command is one where "Too much won't hurt, but too little will" (within reason). GETTING STARTED Once you have gotten all the "GP" files installed, all that is necessary to RUN "GP" is to BOOTUP and.... .... Enter the command.........: GP <enter> "GP" will then load into memory. If this is a brand new installation, there will be no Customer or Invoice data files for the program to access. So you will be asked if you wish to use the "SAMPLE" data files to try out the program. If you answer "Y" (for yes) then "GP" will create copies of the two "SAMPLE" files and re-name then as "CUSTOMER.REC & INVOICE.REC". The program will then create several disk "index" files, and then present you with the "Main Menu" screen. The sample data files have been included to make things a bit easier for you, if you just want to "try out" this program. They will save you the trouble of entering your own data before you are able to try out "GP". Feel free to play around with these sample files, and "get the hang" of how the program works. That's the easiest and fastest way to learn (most fun way too). Run through all the different Menus and features, and try everything. Find records, add new records, edit records, delete records. Print out some labels, directories, statements, reports and invoices. Make all of your mistakes with the sample data files and learn while using "them" instead of your "Real" data. Try "Re-Naming" the "Sales Categories" and "Terms & Conditions" to settings which will apply best to your individual type of business. Selecting Sales Category Names is perhaps the most important step in setting up GP for your own use. A LOT of thought should be given to the Names BEFORE you begin to enter your own "for real" data. NEGATIVE ENTRIES To enter a "Discount" (or any other kind of number which is meant to be subtracted), the value must be entered as a NEGATIVE NUMBER (eg: -26.54 ...dash + the number). PARTIAL PAYMENTS Partial Payments (or Credits) can be applied to invoices during Invoice Editing when the "Paid In Full" field is left without an entered date. If the "Paid In Full" field is left without an entered date (left UnPaid), you will be offered a chance to enter a "Partial Payment" toward the end of the Invoice Editing process. Partial Payments should be entered as normal (positive) numbers (NOT Negative numbers) as the program will automatically perform all required mathematics. If a "Partial Payment" entry is made, some new figures will be displayed "On Screen" which will show the "Last Payment Amount", The "Total Amount Of Payments Received" (Credits), and the "UnPaid Balance" due on that invoice. These same "Partial Payment" figures will then appear at many other places throughout the program as this same invoice is accessed by other routines. "Accounts Receivable" screens and printed reports, "Invoice" screens and printouts, printed "Customer Statements", and "Sales Income" screens and reports will all reflect the amounts and the changes made by any and all of the partial payments. If you use the "RE-BILL" routine, then all "Partial Payments" and "UnPaid Balances" will be IGNORED and set to zero as newer invoices are created. In other words, the OLD "Invoice Total" will be the NEW "Balance Due" in the newly created invoices. When the final "Payment" is entered and the "Balance Due" becomes zero (or less than zero - no "Credit Balance"), a window will appear asking if you wish to "Mark This Invoice As Paid In Full". If "YES", then ALL "Partial Payment" and "Balance Due" fields will be reset to zero, and the invoice will be marked as "Paid In Full" using "Today's Date". If you manually enter a date into the "Paid In Full" field when there is still a "Partial Balance Due", another window will appear asking if you wish to "clear" all partial payment entries. If "YES", then ALL "Partial Payment" and "Balance Due" fields will be reset to zero, and the invoice will be marked as "Paid In Full" using the date which you entered. At the current time, "GP" will NOT keep track of multiple payments and payment dates. It simply keeps track of "How Much Has Been Paid", and "How Much Is Left UnPaid". Extensive tracking of Multiple Payments (Payment Dates, Payment Amounts and Check Numbers) can be performed manually in a "Hard Copy" (printed on paper) Accounts Receivable File. *************** IMPORTANT READING ************** IMPORTANT: When you are ready to erase the "SAMPLE" data files and begin entering "Real" data... DO NOT just "Delete" every sample record inside of each file. Doing this will only "Mark" those records as deleted. They will still exist in the old file until some new records are entered, at which time they will be "over-written". But until then, they will sit there taking up space, and messing up your "Total Records In File" count. To COMPLETELY ERASE THE "REC" FILES, select the "RECONFIGURE" selection on the Main Menu. Once "Reconfigure" is loaded, there is a menu selection for ERASING DATA files on the Configuration Menu which make this task simple and fast. Once you have ERASED the sample data files, when GP.EXE is run again, it will (once again) ask if you want to use the "SAMPLE" data files. Answer "N" (for NO) to both the "Customer" and "Invoice" sample files. By doing this, "GP" will create brand new (and empty) "REC" files for you to begin entering your own "For Real" Invoice & Customer records. PRINTING TROUBLES If you find you are having trouble with "printing" any of the various "print" items, look farther into this text for a heading of "TROUBLE" and "PROBLEMS" for suggestions on what to check for. DATA ENTRY & CURSOR CONTROLS FIELD EDITING -- CURSOR MOVEMENT The following page or so describes the methods used in "GP" to enter data into "Fields". "Field" is just another word for a "Blank Space" to be filled in with information. Example: "NAME:____(field)_______". We suggest that you take the time to at least glance through this information, as most of it has been put there to make life (and "GP") easier for you. Some of it will describe "Short-Cut" methods of entering data, while some of the others will answer some questions before you even think to ask them. INSERT KEY: Toggles between "Insert" & "Overwrite" of characters. Cursor changes shape for each mode. DELETE KEY: Deletes character at cursor position. BACKSPACE.: Deletes character to left of cursor position. LEFT ARROW.: Move cursor left one space. RIGHT ARROW: Move cursor right one space. UP ARROW...: Jump to previous field. DOWN ARROW.: Jump to next field. CTRL LEFT..: Move cursor left one word. CTRL RIGHT.: Move cursor right one word. HOME KEY...: Move cursor to beginning of field. END KEY....: Move cursor to end of field entry. CTRL END...: Delete field entry from cursor position to end. PAGE UP....: Jump to top field. PAGE DOWN..: Jump to bottom field. F-1 KEY....: Exit "Current Routine" and return to the previous menu. F-5 KEY....: Varied purposes. Watch Bottom Center of Display Screens. F-10 KEY...: Exit from the "GP" program. YES/NO QUESTIONS: In the majority of cases, when "GP" asks a question to be answered by a "Y" or "N", pressing the "Enter" key is the same as entering a "Y" (for Yes). But there are a few places where the reverse is true (Enter = "N"), and still a few other places where you MUST press a "Y" or "N", and the "Enter" key won't be accepted. It sounds confusing, but (believe it or not) it works well and makes good sense in practice. However, when in doubt, just press the "Y or N" keys. DATE & TIME FIELDS: If you find that the "TIME & DATE" displays are NOT accurate, then the problem is NOT with "GP". The problem is that "YOUR" Computer System's "Clock & Calendar" are not properly set. The "Reconfigure" program has a menu selection to reset your System time and date to current settings. TIMES: The Reconfigure Program offers either "12" or "24" Hour Clocks. DATES: The Default Date format is: MM/DD/YY. Other International Date Formats of DD/MM/YY or YY/MM/DD may be set from the Reconfigure Menu. If you use any Date Format other than the default (USA) setting, GP will expect you to already have your Computer System's "COUNTRY" setting set to the appropriate country for the Date Format which you selected. For example: If you select the United Kingdom's date format of "DD/MM/YY", then "GP" expects that you already have a command line of "COUNTRY=044" in your CONFIG.SYS file. See your MS/DOS Manual for more information on setting "COUNTRY" settings. If you DO NOT have the "Country" set correctly, you will either produce a System Error when "GP" tries to reset your System Date with a date format which is different from the one which was set when you Booted Up your machine, or your computer system will simply ask you to re-enter the date again. In either case, there is no harm done to your System or to "GP". Anywhere in "GP" where you enter a date, it will always be checked for validity. If the date is invalid, a "Warning Window" will appear on screen, and the date will not be accepted. INVOICE DATE FIELD: To enter "Today's Date" (System Date) in this field, just "exit" from this field by ANY method WITHOUT entering any kind of date entry (Depress ENTER, UpDn, PgUp, PgDn, F5 Key, etc.). PAID DATE: To mark an Invoice "Unpaid", don't enter anything in this field. You accomplish this by just pressing the "Enter" (or cursor) keys. When marked as "Unpaid", the field should show MM/DD/YY, DD/MM/YY or YY/MM/DD. To mark the "Paid Field" as "Paid" using "Today's Date", just press the "F5 Key" (watch bottom, center of screen). The OLDEST date "GP" can handle is 01/02/50 (Year = 1950) The NEWEST date "GP" can handle is 12/31/49 (Year = 2049) This range effectively gives "GP" a 100 year date range. SEARCH KEYS: When "GP" asks you to enter some information to search for a particular record..... If asking for an ID Number, for the best results try to enter the entire number (not just part of it). If asking for a Customer's Name, for the best results only enter the first three or four characters of the last name. First names are ignored. Never enter more than 18 characters of any last name for a search key. If GP is unable to find a record which matches the "Search Key" information which you provided, an "on screen" message may appear saying so. You then have the option of trying again. But in some cases, if an "Exact Match" is not found, "GP" will present the "Next Closest Match" for your inspection, and it will then ask if that record is correct (as in the "Browse" mode). "CUSTOMER DATA ENTRY" SCREEN =============================== "LAST SALE DATE" & "TOTAL AMOUNT SPENT" FIELDS These two fields are located on the "Customer Data Entry Screen". They are "calculated", "filled in" and "maintained" automatically by "GP". They cannot be changed or edited by an operator. As you enter "New" invoices, these fields will be updated with the new data automatically. The "GP" "Support Program" called "GP-TOOL.EXE" offers the capability of "Clearing & Recalculating" the "Last Sale Date" & "Total Amount Spent" fields in each customer record. The new data placed into these fields will be based upon the Data in the Invoice file in use at that time (with "Registered" versions only). TWO "NAME" FIELDS "GP" provides two "Name" fields for entries. The Last/Business name field contains 30 characters, and the First name field contains 20 characters. Combined together, the two fields total a maximum of 50 characters for names. For reasons of spacing on paper and labels, only the first 30 characters of the combined two name fields will be printed on any "GP" printout. For this reason, we suggest that you keep all "First Name" field entries as reasonably short as possible. NAMES & ID NUMBERS AS "KEYS" After a "Customer" or an "Invoice" have been assigned an "ID number", and the record is saved to a disk file, you will no longer be able to change the Names or ID Numbers through any of the "GP" "Editing" routines. Once assigned, the "ID Numbers" are "Keyed" to the "Names", and "Vice Versa". They are permanently "MATCHED" to each other. The only way to change those "Names & Numbers" is to "Delete" the entire record, and then re-enter it all over again. A quick way to know which fields can be edited is to look at the color of the print in the fields. Yellow text CAN be edited, while White can NOT. The "ATTN OF:" field can be used for "Attention Of" information, or it can be used as part of a two line street address. If this field is left empty, it will NOT be printed as a "blank" line in your printed addresses, as the fields normally printed below this line will move up to fill it's place. For International Users there is a special invisible feature combined into the "City" and "State" fields. If your equivalent abbreviation for "STATE" is MORE than 2 characters then do the following. Try to fit your "STATE" abbreviation into the same field as your City, and enter NOTHING into the "State" field. Example: "City Or Town: KANGAROO TOWN, NSW". If this is done (and nothing is put into the "State" field), the program will NOT put a Comma (",") after the "City/Town" line, will ignore the "State" field, and will simply attach your Zip Code to the end of the printed line. Your printed output will look like "KANGAROO TOWN, NSW 1234". TERRITORY & SERVICE ROUTES If you have a type of business which assigns specific areas of a County, State or Country to different employees, this field will allow you to print Customer Address Lists, Telephone Lists, and sets of Mailing Labels by the territory number. This feature can help speed up the time it takes the employee to locate customer information. The lists will ONLY CONTAIN information pertinent to His/Her work area, and will NOT contain the customer information for your entire office. This can also be an added "Security" measure, as these printed lists can be of great value to employees thinking of beginning their own business, or to your competitors if they should obtain a copy. If you DO NOT use Routes or Territories, then you can either ignore the "Territory" field (and leave it empty). ....or use it for some other type of "Coding System" for printing "Special" lists which contain only specific groups of customers. Perhaps "WholeSale" verses "Retail" customers, or Large, Medium and Small customers, each of whom may require a different kind of advertising by mail. There are many possibilities, and you may set up anything that suits your needs. These possibilities are even farther enhanced if you use the SAME "Code Number" in your "Employee Number" field. THE "TELEPHONE NUMBER" FIELDS The Telephone Number fields have a special feature in that the entries may be made as "123-4567" or as "1234567". For our international Users, 1 to 6 or 8 digit numbers may be used and the dash ("-") will NOT be auto-inserted. Phone numbers which begin with a zero will have leading zero(s) eliminated when saved in the disk file (sorry). Area Codes beginning with one or more zeros (0) will have the first leading zero preserved (2nd & 3ed leading zeros will be eliminated). "INVOICE DATA ENTRY" SCREEN ================================ CATEGORY OF SALES "GP" breaks your sales down into 13 different categories of "Income", ALL of which can be renamed by the User by using "RECONFIGURE". Sale Category #1 Sale Category #6 Labor Charges Sale Category #2 Sale Category #7 Shipping Charges Sale Category #3 Sale Category #8 Sales Tax Charges Sale Category #4 Sale Category #9 Sale Category #5 Misc. CASH REGISTER SALES If you use a Cash Register for sales (as well as employee invoices), reserve one of the "Sales Categories" for "Cash Reg", and make an entry in that "Sales Category" at the end of each day's business. The easiest way to do this is to create a "Customer Record" for your own office by entering your firm's name and address in the customer file, or by creating a customer record with a "Name" of "CASH REGISTER SALES" (or something similar). Then, at the end of each day, create an Invoice for "CASH REGISTER SALES" (or whatever) and enter the amount from the Cash Register. If you have several Cash Registers, issue each Cashier an Employee ID Number, and use the "Employee Number" field on each invoice to keep track of "Who" turned in "How Much" on "Which Day, Week, Month, etc.". INVENTORY ITEMS When you get to the "Quantity/Description/Price" section of each invoice, you may note that at the bottom, center of the screen a message appears when the curser enters any of the "Description" fields ("F5=INVENTORY"). If you hit the F5 Key, a "Window" will appear inside of which can be up to 735 different sales items. Each item will have a "Description", a "Retail Price", and a "Sales Category" number. The items "can" also be in "Sorted" order if you wish. To select an Inventory Item, use a combination of your Up/Down Arrow Keys, and your PageUp/PageDn Keys. There are 49 pages of 15 items each. When the "Highlighted Bar" covers the item you want, just press the "Enter" Key, and all of that information will be automatically inserted into the proper Invoice fields. To "Exit" without selecting an entry, just press the "ESC" key. To create (or change) your own Inventory List, use Main Menu Selection "R" (Reconfigure). Then, when the Reconfigure Menu appears, select the "Inventory" Menu selection. When creating or editing Inventory Lists, all numeric entries MUST be made using the USA numeric format (1,234.56 - NOT 1.234,56). However, if you Reconfigure "GP" to use a comma (",") as a symbol of your numeric fractions, then the various inventory items will appear as you wish in the "GP" program itself, and on "GP" printouts. But the Inventory List (and Currency Conversion List) must be prepared using the USA ("1,234.56") format. All entered Inventory Data is saved in a disk file named "INVNTORY.DAT". If you have a large Inventory list, it would be a good idea to make a Backup of that file, and to keep a "Hard Copy Printout" of the as well. As "INVNTORY.EXE" is a "support" program for "GP", and is NOT necessary for the "full use" of "GP" (descriptions, price & category can always be manually entered), only the first 25 Inventory Items will function in "UnRegistered" versions. However, this limitation ONLY applies in the "GP" program itself. In both the Registered and UnRegistered versions Users may enter all (or up to) 735 Inventory Items if they wish. All the Inventory data will be properly saved in "INVNTORY.DAT" and displayed in "GP". But only the first 25 items will be accessed by "GP" in the UnRegistered Versions. PACKING LISTS "PACKLIST.EXE" may be accessed from within the "GP" Invoice Menu Screen by simply pressing a "P" as your menu selection. Most businesses will seldom need to use a large packing list to display sold items, as the invoice itself usually provides enough space for this information on the large majority of sales. But this feature is included for firms (such as building contractors) who need to itemize larger orders, containing scores of different items, parts, parts "Kits", or "Bill Of Materials". It gives you the ability to list hundreds (or even thousands) of different items on a single invoice. The Packing List routine allows you to create and save large, complicated, sorted, packing lists which you can use over & over for different customers as needed. Or you can simply create unique (use it once) Packing Lists for special orders, and then "Clear" (Erase) your entries when finished. The printed Packing List will show up to 50 sale items per printed page, and will handle up to 675 different entries per packing list. The Packing List allows multiple line descriptions of sales products, and it will automatically adjust the number of printed pages to the number of "Line Item" entries which you make. Multiple copies may be printed. You can create MORE than one Packing List for each invoice, one for each Sales Category if you need to. By doing that, you could list more than 6,750 different sale items per invoice. Each Packing List you create has a numbered ID (Pack List #1, 2, 3, etc.,) which appears in the page headings. When you use a Packing List, enter something like "PACKING LIST ENCLOSED", or "SEE ENCLOSED PACKING LIST #3", in your "Invoice Description" field. Then enter the Total Amount from the printed Packing list in the "Invoice Price" field, and a quantity of "1" in the "Invoice Quantity" field. If you send a packing list with the invoice, it is a good idea to print extra copies of both, and store them in a "Paper Hard Copy" file for future reference. By doing this, you will not need to keep countless packing list files on your hard drive, thereby saving disk space. If you wish to use "Multiple Line Descriptions" for some of your Packing List's items, we suggest the following method be used. #1- Enter ALL of your sale items as "Single Line" entries first. In other words, Enter The "Quantity, Description & Price" for each item, but don't enter the extra line descriptions right now. #2- When finished making all the "Single Line" entries, press the "ESC" key to return to the menu. Then "SORT" your entries. Then choose the "EDIT" menu choice to return to your listings. #3- Move your cursor to where you wish to insert "blank" lines, or to where you want to insert the "Multiple Line Descriptions", and then press your "ALT + I" keys. A blank line will be inserted just above your cursor position. You can then use those blank lines to either "Set Apart" different groups of sale items, or to enter your multi line descriptions. Once all this has been done, DO NOT SORT this Packing List file again. #4- If you wish to enter a Customer's Name and Address (or "Ship To" address) on the Packing List, "Now" would be the best time to do this. Move the "high-lighted" bar into line #1. Then use the ALT+I keys to insert as many blank lines as you need for this address information. Then enter the Name and Address into the first few "Description" fields (as shown on the sample packing lists). The above method avoids having any multiple line descriptions (or addresses) "scrambled" by the sorting routine, as all records are sorted by the data entered in the "Description" fields. Sorting will also eliminate any blank lines you may have inserted to separate different groups of items. INVOICE SCREEN - AUTOMATIC "QUANTITY" PRICING In the Invoice "LABOR CHGS" & "SHIPPING" fields, you have the ability to calculate "Quantity" math problems such as..... 12.4 Hours at $14.37 each = ? 33.7 Square Yards at $29.39 each = ? As soon as you move the cursor into the LABOR field, at the bottom, center of the screen a message saying "F-5 = Quantity" will appear. That simply means that if you have a problem like one of the above, just hit the "F-5" key. When you do, an "On Screen Window" will appear to take your "Quantity" and "Price Each" information. "GP" will then automatically insert the correct total into the field, and the "Window" will disappear. THE "SALES TAX" FIELD Sales Tax Rates and Laws vary greatly all over the world. As a result, we had to program this field with this in mind. At the request of our International Users, effective with GP Version 3.0 and newer, you can now rename the invoice tax field to "GST" (for our Canadian friends), or most anything else up to 11 characters in length. This also makes it possible to name the tax field "nothing" (by erasing any existing tax name and leaving it blank) for those few of us who operate where there is NO Sales Tax (like maybe..., the North Pole?). Effective with Version 3.75, the "Reconfigure Sales Tax" routine has been changed and improved to be more adaptable toward a wider variety of Sales Tax Laws. Some country's laws require different Sales Tax Percentage Rates for different categories of Sale Items (such as in Australia). Version 3.5 (and newer versions) now provides the ability for you to set a specific Sales Tax Rate for EACH individual sales category. The default settings for the Sales Tax Values are ".06" (6%) for Sales Categories 1 through 11, and NO TAX on Sales Category 12 (Shipping). But any (or all) of those values can be changed from ".0000" through ".9999" (from NO tax to 99.99% tax). To change the Sales Tax rates, run "RECONFIGURE". Then choose the "SALES TAX" selection from the Configuration Menu. As you Enter "New", or Edit "Old" Invoices, when you reach the Sales Tax field, a small window will appear saying "Tax? (Y/N)". If you type a "Y" (or hit Enter) for "Yes", Sales Tax WILL be calculated and charged to the Invoice, based upon the Sales Tax Percentage Rates which you set. In situations where you have set Sales Tax rates, but are now entering a "Tax Exempt" invoice (such as for a church), then just type "N" (for NO), and Sales Tax will NOT be applied to ANY Sales Category in the invoice. TWO SALES TAXES "GP" is designed for use where there is only one Sales Tax. If you live where you have a City or County or National Sales Tax in addition to a State Sales Tax, then you may want to combine the two tax rates into one figure. Example: 6% State Tax + 4% City Tax = 10% Combined Sales Tax rate. If that's not acceptable, then rename either the "LABOR" or "SHIPPING" Sales Categories as one of your tax fields. By doing this, you can then use your F5 Key to activate the "Quantity Window", which is like a small "on screen" calculator. Use this window to calculate the first tax by entering the tax rate times the amount shown in the "Sub Total" Field. But this will only work if you have 1 (or none) "Tax Exempt" Categories. If you only have one tax exempt category, then rename "Labor" as your 1st Tax name, and rename "Shipping" as your only "Tax Exempt" Sales Category. This will avoid having the tax exempt value in "Shipping" appear in the "Sub Total" when you use "Quantity" to calculate your 1st sales tax. If you have more than one Sales Tax, and more than one "Tax Exempt" Sales Category, then the only way you can use "GP" is to use a calculator and enter one of the two tax amounts manually (sorry, but we're working on it). CLEARING THE DECKS FOR ACTION ***** GETTING RID OF THE SAMPLE DATA RECORDS ***** Go to the Main "GP" Menu. Choose the selection for "RECONFIGURATION". On the Configuration Menu there is a selection for "Erasing" the Data files. Use it to erase BOTH of the SAMPLE Customer & SAMPLE Invoice Data files. Then, when "GP" is run again, brand new (and empty) data files will automatically be created for you (answer "NO" when asked by "GP" if you wish to use the two SAMPLE data files). CUSTOMER NUMBERS The Configuration Menu also lets you set your "starting" Customer Number and Invoice Number. But this may require a bit of thought first. We designed "GP" in such a manner that the Customer "should" never see or know what their customer number is. The number will never appear on any invoice or statement, and is strictly for YOUR OWN USE. So why go out of your way to make your Customer Numbers large and complicated? Why not just start with a "10" instead? Smaller numbers are usually easier to remember. But if you wish, you can set your starting customer number anywhere from 3 to 899,999. IMPORTANT: Set this number BEFORE entering any records in the Customer file. Once you enter the first customer address record, that record's ID Number becomes the starting point for ALL newer records (that number is incremented by "1" for each new customer record). You CAN NOT set a lower range of Customer ID#s once the 1st customer record has been saved. INVOICE NUMBERS "GP" will never allow any duplicate Invoice or Customer Numbers to exist in the same file at the same time. The default starting "Invoice Number" is "10,000", but you can change that (by using Reconfigure) to any number you wish (except for numbers lower than "3" which are reserved). But, if you sometimes use external (hand written) invoices which are pre- printed and already contain their own Invoice Numbers, then make sure that you set your "GP" starting Invoice number 10 to 20 thousand HIGHER than any of the numbers on your pre-printed paper invoices (to avoid "Duplicate Invoice" numbering problems at a later date). Remember to leave yourself room for getting "Re-Prints" of those paper invoices with higher ranges of invoice numbers printed on them, when you run out of your current batch. "GP" produces unique Invoice Numbers by starting with the "beginning" Invoice Number which you set, and then finding the next highest unused number in the file. It will "skip over" any "used" numbers. If an Invoice is Erased, Deleted or Removed from the file, it's number will be re-used again. Because of this, Registered Users who use "GP-TOOLS.EXE" to "extract" older records from a large Invoice File, should also RESET their "Starting Invoice Number" to the next NEW Invoice Number generated BEFORE the file extraction routine is used. Otherwise, all the extracted invoices will have their Invoice Numbers made available for re-use on new invoices. You can use your "Backspace" key to erase the automatically generated Invoice Number, and then enter whatever number you wish to use (to use Pre- Printed, Pre-Numbered Invoices for example). But if you try to enter a number which has already been used, a warning window will "Pop-Up" and the Invoice Number will NOT be accepted (NO DUPLICATES ALLOWED). RE-BILL - REPETITIVE INVOICES On the Invoice Menu there is a menu selection called "RE-BILL". This menu selection is intended to make life a little easier for those many firms who send the same Invoices, for the same amounts, to the same customer base, month after month, or year after year (Lawn & Garden, Pest Control, etc.). Instead of having to manually re-enter each of those invoices by hand every time, they can select "RE-BILL", and then enter a range of dates from which "GP" should select invoices for re-billing (like last month for example). "GP" will then display each invoice within the date range (in alphabetical order) and ask a "Yes/No" question about whether or not to "Re-Bill" that customer, that amount, again. If "Yes", then a new invoice will be created that is identical to the older one with the following exceptions; It will have a new invoice number, it will have the Invoice Date set to "Today", and it will be marked as an completely "UnPaid" invoice (any Credits or Partial Balances from the old Invoice will be ignored). You are then offered a "YES/NO" option of EDITING that invoice. If "YES", you will be able to change ANY of the invoice fields from "Invoice Date" to the end of the invoice (Invoice Name, Address, ID Numbers and Employee Numbers may NOT be changed). You will then be offered a "YES/NO" opportunity to "PRINT" the new invoice. If "YES", printing will begin immediately. If "NO", we suggest that you make a note of the Invoice Number if you wish to "Edit" the Invoice, and then print it at a later time. Having a list of the Invoice Numbers for editing/printing will speed up that process, and avoid having to "BROWSE" through the entire Invoice File. NOTE: Many firms find that they seldom have to print an invoice which was generated by the "RE-BILL" process. Instead, they just send out "Customer Statements" which lists all the un-paid Invoices by Invoice Number, and then shows the "Total Amount Due" (when "Statement" is used with the Acc/Rec Printing option). For most customers this is adequate, especially when nothing changes on the invoices except the Invoice Number and Date from invoice to invoice. But if you need to print out individual invoices for your customers, in addition to the Customer Statements, you may do so. Either way, "GP" will get the job done easily for you. REBILL - HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS: Print a "List Of Invoices" for the same "Date Range" BEFORE you use the "RE-BILL" function. Then print another Invoice List AFTER using "RE-BILL" (but have the ending date in the date range equal to TODAY's date for the second list). By comparing the two Invoice Lists, you can usually spot any errors or omissions which may have happened during the "Re-Bill" process. Also, we suggest that the entire "RE-BILL" session be performed in ONE long session instead of two or more shorter sessions. This can greatly reduce confusion caused by different SYSTEM dates and trying to remember just where you left off in the last session. TROUBLES & PROBLEMS - Make sure that the version of DOS or MS/DOS you are using is version 3.0 or higher. Older versions won't work properly. - Make sure CONFIG.SYS is set as described in the previous pages. - Not enough free RAM memory. Remove all other Memory Resident programs from memory BEFORE running GP. This program will require about 400k of free RAM to operate when using all of it's features. - Your Printer is "NOT" ready for action, or may be incompatible, or is NOT set to LPT Port #1. On some computers this problem will simply "Hang Up" the computer UNTIL the printer "IS" ready for action. But on most, a warning "Printer Not Ready" window appears. - Not enough free disk space left. - Incompatibility: As time goes by and manufacturers scramble to find ways to pack more power and features into machines, many changes have been made in the computer's design. Some software "may" have a problem with "some" of these changes. This type of problem usually will show up in places such as "Video" (where video cards have been replaced with video chips), and in other areas where BIG computer design changes have been made. PROBLEM - PROGRAM WON'T LOAD OR RUN: - "GP" needs three different disk files located in the default drive and directory to be able to load & run: GP.EXE, BRUN45.EXE, and SCREENS.OVL. If any of of these files are not present, or are from the wrong version of "GP", then "GP" probably won't load & run. PROBLEM - CAN'T FIND VARIOUS "GP" FILES or SOME RECORDS DISAPPEAR: - If "GP" chokes, and then spits out a "File Not Found" ERROR MESSAGE whenever you try to run it, check for the following. Make sure that ALL of the "GP" files (from the same version) were copied to your hard drive "\GP" sub-directory (use INSTALL.EXE to be positive). All files from different versions are "Matched" to each other, and unless they are all there, and are all from the same version, the program usually won't run properly. "GP" MUST be run from inside of it's own sub directory ("\GP" should be the default sub-directory). This is necessary because the program needs to access lots of it's associated files, and it won't be able to find them unless they are in the current (default) directory. Also, the "Install" program on newer updated versions will be looking for the "\GP" sub-directory when it is run. PROBLEMS WITH PRINTED OUTPUT: - Make sure that you are using a "Dot Matrix IBM/Epson/Compatible" printer. Daisy Wheel, "Serial" or "non-compatible" printers just won't work properly (or some won't work at all) with "GP". - Make sure the printer is plugged into your "Parallel Port #1". Many computers have more than one Printer Port. A Printer designed to be plugged into a "Serial Port" will not work with "GP". - Some brands of Laser Printers have been reported to work well with "GP" if they can be set up to "Emulate" the IBM ProPrinter or the Epson FX or RX printers. Also, setting Lasers to either 60 or 66 lines per page (different settings for different brands) sometimes will fix "formfeed" problems. See your Laser Printer's Instruction manual for these possibilities. - FORMFEEDS: If the "GP" Formfeeds do not stop properly at the top of the next page, then run RECONFIGURE (from the main menu) and then choose the Reconfigure Menu Selection for "Printed Output". On the next menu is a selection for "FORMFEEDS" which will allow you to select either a "Standard" or "Simulated" Formfeed. A "Standard" formfeed is the American Standard Code (ASCII) "012", which is the FormFeed Escape Code used by Epson & IBM Dot Matrix Printers (CHR$(12) in Basic). On compatible printers, sending this code will produce a true formfeed to the top of the next page. The "Simulated" Formfeed is simply a "Repeat Linespace" until the end of the current page is reached. This selection allows you to adjust the number of "Printable" linespaces per page (60 to 66). Hopefully, this adjustable feature will correct most formfeed problems. If you still have a formfeed problem, then make sure that your printer controls are set to a linespace size of six lines per inch (66 lines per 11" page). Also, try adjusting or eliminating any Top & Bottom Page Margins, Automatic Skipping Over Page Perforations, Automatic Page Breaks, etc., which your printer may be set up to insert into each printed page (see your printer instruction manual). - GRAPHICS: Make sure the printer's "SETUP SWITCHES" are properly set to print "EXTENDED IBM/EPSON GRAPHIC" characters. - If you find that on some of the "GP" printouts you are getting printed lines of full "E's, D's" or other characters in place of solid lines or boxes, then one of two things are happening. Either you don't have your printer set up to print "IBM Extended Graphic" characters (see the Instruction Manual for your printer), or your printer is not capable of printing those kind of Graphics. In such cases, run "Reconfigure". Choose the selection for "Printed Output" and set up GP.EXE to produce printouts using only one of the three sets of "TEXT" (non-graphic) characters. Also, set the file to "NO DOUBLE-WIDE CHARACTERS". Then run "GP" and try to print either an Invoice or Statement to test your new settings. IMPORTANCE OF MAKING BACKUP FILES "GP" is a very complex program. It was written using a combination of three different programming languages, and contains many very advanced programming routines (Binary Indexed Trees, etc.). As such, it performs very well, but it doesn't "take kindly" to being mistreated by operators. The worst thing an operator can do to "GP" is to take a "short-cut exit" from the program by simply turning off the computer, or by doing a Warm Boot (Control + Alternate + Delete Keys). During a proper exit (F-10 key) "GP" does quite a large number of tasks related to closing all files properly, restoring the RAM memory to normal, and in general, just tidying up after itself. To intentionally and repeatedly "bypass" those tasks is risking serious damage (or even a complete loss) of the data files. While we have taken every step we could think of to minimize that kind of disaster, on rare occasions it can still happen. This same problem can occur with most programs that access files, and it's not really a problem that's unique "only" to "GP". But because "GP" accesses "Many Files", and those files all "Interact" with each other, we prefer to stress the importance of proper "Exits" and NOT taking "Short Cuts". Because of this possibility of Data loss, we can't stress strongly enough the importance of keeping "Backup" copies of your data files. By "Backup" files we don't mean just the backup files that "GP" gives you the option of creating upon an exit (*.BAK). While those files are usually fine as "Backups", it is very easy to overwrite THEM with a badly scrambled (or "empty") file, leaving you with nothing but useless files on your disk. So by "Backup Files" we mean other "insurance" backup copies of your "*.REC" files kept on separate disks or in different Sub-Directories, or in constantly updated "Archives". The "Reconfigure" program has a menu selection which makes creating, copying or converting "Backup Files" very easy. It is in your own interest to make backups very often. If your data files get too big to fit onto one backup disk, you might consider obtaining one of the many "Archive" programs such as ZIP, ZOO, ARC, PAK, LHARC, ARJ, and many others. These programs will "Compress" your data files to about half their original size for easier storage. They are usually available from most Computer Stores, BBSs, or Software Outlets. In the meantime, you can backup your large files (or whole directories) to "multiple" smaller disks by using the DOS files called "BACKUP" and "RESTORE". See your DOS or MS/DOS instruction manual. BATCH FILE BACKUPS (See your DOS/MS-DOS Manual - "Batch Files") "We" use a simple system for making "our" backups. We create another Sub Directory off of our "GP" directory called "BACKUPS". C:\GP 'Original Directory Set Up C:\GP\BACKUPS 'New Directory & Sub-Directory Set Up Then (while in our normal "GP" sub directory) we create a "BATCH" file which we call "BKUP.BAT". Here's how it's done from a System Screen Prompt. Substitute another drive letter for "C:" if you are not using drive C:. Help Comments Only (Not Commands) ---------------------------------- MD C:\GP\BACKUPS 'Creates BACKUPS Sub Directory COPY CON: BKUP.BAT 'Creates file called "BKUP.BAT" DEL C:\GP\BACKUPS\*.OLD 'Command stored inside "BKUP.BAT" REN C:\GP\BACKUPS\*.REC *.OLD 'Command stored inside "BKUP.BAT" COPY C:\GP\*.REC C:\GP\BACKUPS 'Command stored inside "BKUP.BAT" COPY C:\GP\INVNTORY.DAT C:\GP\BACKUPS 'Command stored inside "BKUP.BAT" COPY C:\GP\CURRENCY.DAT C:\GP\BACKUPS 'Command stored inside "BKUP.BAT" COPY C:\GP\*.PKL C:\GP\BACKUPS 'Command stored inside "BKUP.BAT" ^Z 'Hit F6 Key - Closes "BKUP.BAT" BKUP.BAT will make current backups, as well as keep the "Next Older" set of "REC" files at your fingertips. It also backs up the Inventory List, the Currency List, and all of the Packing List files. You can also add other command lines to the Batch File to "Freshen" any of several types of Archived, Compressed files, which in turn, can then be copied to a removable disk as an "Insurance" backup. And all of this can be done every time you exit "GP" by just entering the command "BKUP". HARD COPY PAPER BACKUPS In addition to "Disk File" Backup copies, we strongly recommend that you also keep a file of "paper" Backups. Print out fresh copies of your Customer Address/Phone list on a regular and frequent basis. Do the same with Invoice Lists, at least on a monthly basis. Also do this with Accounts Receivable. For extra copies of the actual Invoices, there are several methods. Either use a copy machine to make a "File Copy" of every GP Invoice, or use "Two Part Carbonless" computer paper to print an original and one "File Copy" at the same time, or use CNF-GP.EXE to set "GP" to print TWO (or more) copies of every Invoice. In the event of a disaster (fire, flood, computer theft, System or Hard Drive Crash, etc.), the rusty (but tough) old filing cabinet with it's drawers full of "old fashioned" paper Invoices can still "save the day". WHAT FILES DO I NEED TO BACKUP? When you decide to make "Backup" copies of your records, you really only NEED to make copies of "CUSTOMER.REC, INVOICE.REC, INVNTORY.DAT, and also CURRENCY.DAT". Also, if you have created Packing Lists which you want to re-use, you should backup all "*.PKL" (packing list) files. (All this assumes that you are already using a backup of the other "GP" programs). All the other files (NDX, CFG, BAK) can be automatically recreated as needed. But those data files are irreplacable without backup copies. HOW TO KEEP YOUR ACCOUNTANT HAPPY Most small businesses have an Accountant or Bookkeeper who handles the Accounting Needs of the firm on a "Monthly" or "Quarterly" basis. To provide your Bookkeeper with accurate information, and to help assure that the "Balance Sheet" does indeed "Balance", will require some "Common Sense" chores and a lot of business information from you. GIST-PLUS can handle the "Business Information", but "you" get stuck with doing the "Chores". To help you with these "Chores", we are including this list of items which if done properly, will "Simplify" your accountant's task of balancing your books. And "Simplicity" is the "Mother" of all "Low Accounting Rates" ($$$). STEPS TO FOLLOW #1- Make sure that ALL invoice entries and payments for the given month have been entered (and properly dated) BEFORE doing any printouts for your Accountant. #2- BANKING: Make sure that you deposit ALL money received during a month by the "Last Banking Day" of that month. If you miss making the last monthly deposit in time for the bank statement, then include a note to your bookkeeper showing the undeposited amount in your possession (for the same time period). Do not count any money received for sales from the current (new and incomplete) month. #3- GIST-PLUS PRINTOUTS: At the close of the last business day of each month (or after the last monthly Mail Delivery), print out the following reports for your bookkeeper. - "Accounts Receivable" list. - "Accounts Received" list for the same time period. This should equal (or come pretty close to) your total monthly bank deposits. Note: This list WILL NOT include any "Partial Payments" which have been received. - "ALL INVOICES IN TIME PERIOD" Invoice list. Shows Total New Business, invoice by invoice (both Paid & UnPaid). - Print "GROSS SALES INCOME" screen for the same time period (F5 Key). Shows a breakdown of Sales Income by "Sales Categories". #4- OTHER ITEMS: Along with the above printouts, also bring your bookkeeper the following items. - Your Bank Statement complete with your canceled checks. - Your Check Book, or at least the check stubs from your check book, for the given time period. - Any government forms or reports you may have received in the mail during the given time period. - All receipts for purchases of merchandise or services for business use during the given time period. - Automobile "Use" Logs showing business mileage. - A list of all undeposited Cash & Checks in your possession from the associated time period. - Total amounts of CASH left in "Petty Cash" or as a "Draw" for daily cash register operations. All of the above is what "usually" is needed for most bookkeepers. But your particular Bookkeeper or Accountant may require some additional information from you. CURRENCY CONVERSIONS The use of the Currency Conversion program is rather simple. The "SetUp" currency program can be accessed from the "Reconfigure" menu. You may turn the "Currency Conversion QUERY" at the end of each Invoice Edit either ON or OFF from the Reconfigure menu. Use menu selection #7 for this option. The Currency program's data file will already contain a listing of over 200 countries and their respective currencies. While you probably won't want to use ALL of those listed, we advise you to keep a backup copy of the original list before you make many changes. If you do not wish to leave ALL of the countries listed in the file, you may "Line Delete" (ALT key + "D") as many as you wish, leaving only those with whom you might normally do business. The first thing you must do is find out what the latest Currency Exchange Rates are between the countries you wish to use this routine for and your own country. In most places, this information is available through assorted publications, some banks, and stock brokers. Once you have that information, you then must insert the figures into your "CURRENCY.DAT" file in the "Value" field. While making your entries, all numeric entries must be made using a decimal (".") as a numeric fraction designator (1234.56 NOT 1234,56). Currency values can be represented in two different ways. How much of yours equals mine, and how much of mine equals yours. One of these two values will always be a fraction number (less than one), unless both currencies have exactly the same value. As a result, many publications will show currency values by either one or the other of the above two methods, and sometimes BOTH ways. For example, let's say that it takes two of my "Dollars" to equal one of your "Dollars". That would give my "Dollar" a value of "2", and your "Dollar" a value of "1" (2 to 1 ratio). The "other" way to express this same value is to change it into "One of my dollars equals 1/2 of one of your dollars", or that my dollar is worth ".50%" of yours (still a 2 to 1 ratio). But which ever method you use doesn't matter, because whenever you enter a fractional currency value between .00000001 and .99999999, the program will convert that value to it's "Inverted" currency value. If you enter the ".50" in the Currency Value field, the program will convert that figure into it's "Inverted" value by dividing it into "1", which will give an answer of "2" (program needs numbers greater than "1" to perform it's calculations). The "2" will then replace the ".50" figure which you entered into the Currency Value field. Once this is done, the chart will show that it will take "2" of my Dollars to equal "1" of your Dollars. If the two currencies have the "SAME" value, then enter a "1" into the "Value" field (1 to 1 ratio). The program then decides which currency is "More Or Less" than the other by looking at what was entered into the "Plus & Minus" ("+/-") field. When the other currency is worth "LESS" than your own, enter a "Negative" sign (-) in the "+/-" field. And when the other currency is worth "MORE" than your own, then enter a "Positive" sign (+) in the "+/-" field. In the case of "Equal Value" Currencies, (or Currencies without any entry in the value field), don't enter anything into the "Plus & Minus" field. Everything else in this routine is easily understood by just reading what is shown on the screens and in the menus. Once you have the Currency File set up as you want it to be, save your changes to the disk file and exit from the program. The Currency Data File can be accessed by two different methods from inside of "GP". The most obvious method is toward the last few steps of editing or adding a new invoice to your file. A query will appear, and ask if you want to use Currency Conversion (Note: This Query may be TURNED ON/OFF from the Reconfigure Program). If you answer "Y" (for Yes), a "Window" will appear over your invoice screen, which contains the list of countries which you SetUp with the main currency program. Select the country to convert the invoice values to by using your Up/Down Arrow keys, and then the "top half" of the invoice screen will show the equivalent values in the other currency. You will also be asked if you wish to print a copy of the currency conversion. If you do print a copy, it is NOT meant to replace the original invoice, but to act only as a supplement to that invoice. The reason that another Invoice is not printed with the converted values has to do with the number of Pre-Set character spaces the program and printer must deal with. For rather modest sums in one currency, "some" currencies require "Billions" for the converted values, and that is beyond the capacity of this program. Another less obvious place where you can access the currency conversion is while you are "Browsing" through the Invoice File. Browse to any Invoice, and then press your "F5" Key. It will display the "Age" of the Invoice first, and then ask if you wish to access "Currency Conversion". If you answer "Y", then all will proceed as described in the above few paragraphs. <<<<<<<<<<**************************************************>>>>>>>>>> |||||||||| ADDITIONAL "KEBER" SOFTWARE PRODUCTS |||||||||| <<<<<<<<<<**************************************************>>>>>>>>>> ADDRESS CONTROLLER: Powerful yet Simple Address & Phone List Manager: Handles Multiple Address Files. Does Multiple Label Outputs. Prints 2 Phone Book Directories & 3 Address Book Directories. Prints Index & Rolodex Cards. Find records by ID# or SEARCH & FIND on ANY field. Address Records have fields for 2 Telephone Numbers & 2 Extension Numbers. Also has a 67 Character COMMENT field and an Address CATEGORY field. BROWSE through Address Lists with Arrow Keys. Pick/Choose "Who" to print Labels for. LOCK-IN repetitious field entries when entering records from "City Directories". Sends ANY "Printed Output" (even Labels) to the printer OR to a "Disk File". Maximum size of address files is 9,350 records, with an unlimited number of files. Can MERGE, EXTRACT & SORT address files. CONVERTS address files To/From RANDOM, SEQUENTIAL & DBASE formats. By: BOB KEBER - Shareware $42 "KEBER's NICE ADDRESS PROGRAM" ("K.N.A.P."): HEAVY DUTY ADDRESS & TELEPHONE program. Has most of the same features as Address Controller, but handles up to 725,000 Records per Address File. NO LIMIT on Files. Files never need Sorting, as new records are sorted as they are entered. Finds records by Partial NAME or ID#. Does International Addresses. Many Other Features. Super Fast & Feature Packed. By: BOB KEBER - Shareware: $42 "R-TRIM": (AN ASCII Text File & Source Code Manipulator & Adjuster) ----------- STANDARD OPERATION: Shortens TEXT Files and ANY ASCII Source Codes by removing ALL "Trailing" Blanks, Spacebars and NULLS from the right end of each line of text and from "Blank" lines. ----------- OPTIONS: - INSERT or REMOVE a 1 To 9 Space wide LEFT MARGIN (Page Offset) - Make room for using Report Covers & for Punching Holes for Binders - Eliminate Excessive "Blank Lines" - MAX of 2 In-a-Row saves paper - Converts Wordstar "High-Bit" Files to Standard ASCII TEXT Files - UN-JUSTIFY: Removes Double & Triple Spacebars from between words. - Run from DOS Command Line or with on-screen HELP & OPTIONS MENUS - Can use Wild Card File Selections when run from the Command Line. ----------- Ideal for Authors & Editors. By: Bob Keber - $10.00 SOFTWARE SALES TRACKER ("S.S.T."): A Sales Tracking program for Software Authors who distribute and sell their own software products. Handles multiple Product Files, changing files quickly through "Pop-Up Windows". Provides "Gross Income" information, displaying a wide variety of totals, sub totals and averages for an entire file, or for any range of dates you select. Issues Program Serial Numbers. File records store Customer Address & Phone, Serial #'s, Program Name & Version, Quantity, Price, Shipping, Sales Tax, Dates Sold & Paid, Purchase Orders & Check #'s (and has a 67 space COMMENT field). Printing routines include Mailing Labels, Customer Address & Phone Books, Invoices, Customer Statements (Acc/Rec), Index & Rolodex Cards, Shipping Labels, "Print To Disk Files", and much more. Software Sales Tracker - PATCH ("SSTPATCH"): A separate program (but part of.., and included with "SST") for easily "Patching" a Customer's Name, Date Of Sale, and Registered Product Serial Number into any of YOUR "EXE" programs. Includes an "Automatic Bulk Disk Preparation" feature. When on "Full Automatic" SSTPATCH will read data from your "SST" product files, patch your "EXE" files with your customer information, and then print a mailing label and a disk contents label. It then follows a list of commands which YOU provide for final disk preparation (FORMAT, REDATE, ARC-IT, COPY, etc.). This "automates" the task of sending out hundreds of disks to Customers and Distributors. The only thing you need to do is keep blank disks in the drives, stick on the labels, and mail the finished product. Both the "SST" & "SSTPATCH" programs are part of the same software package, and are shipped accordingly. By: BOB KEBER - Shareware - $42 "POP-LABEL" ("PL"): A small, fast, "Pop-Up-Window" that will allow you to quickly type up and print a "Label" (or multiple copies of a Label) for most any purpose (contents labels, address labels, report cover labels, etc.). Each Label can hold up to five lines with 32 to 70 characters per line. Printed output is straight ASCII Text, and should work with most parallel printers. Other features: Print Multiple Copies, Set Left Margin, Re-Edit a Label, Automatic or Manual printer Print Settings. Shareware - $18 TAKE ONE OF THE PROGRAMS ABOVE FOR A TEST DRIVE? If you would like to "Try" one or more of the above programs, and are unable to obtain them from your normal software supplier, we will be glad to send "UnRegistered Evaluation" versions directly to you for a small fee to cover Shipping & Handling expenses. ANY 1 PROGRAM = $5 ANY 2 PROGRAMS = $7 ANY 3 PROGRAMS = $9 ANY 4 PROGRAMS = $10 ANY 5 PROGRAMS = $10 (no extra charge) ANY 6 PROGRAMS = $11 Send us a note stating which program(s) you would like to try. Please specify the programs by NAME (not just "Send All Programs"). As time goes by, new programs will be added to this list. That's why we will need Program Names to properly fill your order. Be sure to include your Name, Return Address, Telephone and Check. Orders are are usually shipped within 24 hours of receipt. Make Checks Payable To: "R. KEBER" ROBERT F. KEBER JR. 336 Swain Blvd. Greenacres, Florida 33463-3342 (407) 969-3643 If you wish to purchase a "REGISTERED" version of any of the above programs, send a check for the amount shown at the bottom corner of each program's description. There is NO Shipping & Handling Charge on any Registered Version (USA Only). International orders, add $5.00 (USD) for Shipping & Handling. Florida residents, please ADD Sales Tax. After Dec 1993, we suggest that you call us for an updated price BEFORE you send in your order. All prices and features are subject to periodic changes without notice. <<<<<<<<<<*************************************>>>>>>>>>> Copyright (C) Robert F. Keber Jr. All Rights Reserved The term "IBM" is a registered trademark of the IBM Corp. The term "DOS" is a registered trademark of the IBM Corp. The term "EPSON" is a registered trademark of the Epson Corp. The term "MS-DOS" is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corp.