Since it relies on the network to get the job done, Accounting Plus needs network hardware and software components to be working as seamlessly as possible. Earlier, we discussed some options you can choose to ensure your network hardware's performance is at a premium quality. In this section, we'll explain a few of the things you can do when you're using Accounting Plus so you can get the most out of your accounting system in the least amount of time.
Use Single-User Access whenever possible. If nobody else is using your company file, be sure to choose Single-User Access in the Sign-On Window when you open the company file. This prevents other users from accessing the file, which can slow down performance. It also prevents excess data from being sent across the network.
Exit Accounting Plus when you're not using the program. Staying out of the company file when you don't need to use it will improve performance for the other users.
Optimise your company file frequently. Tasks such as starting a new financial or payroll year and changing, deleting and purging records leave "holes" in your company file which slow down your normal day-to-day activities. Use the Accounting Plus Data Optimisation Assistant to remove these holes and streamline your company file. (Remember to verify your company file after optimising it.)
Do NOT mark the Automatically Refresh Lists When Information Changes option in the Preferences window. If you don't need the very latest information all the time, you can work faster if you're not forced to update the information on your computer screen whenever someone makes a change.
Do NOT check for duplicate document numbers. In the Preferences window, be sure the boxes next to Warn for Duplicate Cheque Numbers, Warn for Duplicate Invoice Numbers and Warn for Duplicate PO Numbers are unmarked. When Accounting Plus is forced to check your company file for duplicate document numbers, the system must work harder - and take more time to record your transactions.
Use Easy-FillTM when entering card names and account and item numbers. When you're entering a name or number in a transaction entry window, use Accounting Plus's Easy-Fill technology to select the name or number quickly. To use Easy-Fill, simply begin typing the name or number of the card, account or item you want; Accounting Plus will fill in the rest of the text for you. If you use the other method for making a selection - using the search icon to display a list of available cards, accounts or items - it will take you much longer to make the choice you want.
Enter accurate transactions. It takes longer for Accounting Plus to record changes to transactions than to record new transactions. When you're entering a new transaction, be sure to double-check it for accuracy before you record it so you can avoid making changes later.
Avoid leaving list windows open on your computer screen. The Transaction Journal window and Find Transactions window are affected by the transactions that others make. If these windows are open while you're working, you may be forced to wait while the information in these windows is updated.
Make additions and changes to "master records" when you're the only person using the company file. "Master records", such as cards, accounts and items, affect the entire company file. If you add, change or delete any of these records while others are using the company file, the performance that others will experience will be much slower than usual. Try to make these changes when you're the only person using the company file.
Use only a few linked accounts for stock items. The more accounts you use to link to your stock items, the longer it takes to record transactions that include items. If it's possible, try to limit the number of accounts you assign to your items to a few specific accounts.
Combine line item quantities on sales and purchases. If you're including the same stock item on more than one line item of a transaction, try to combine the line items instead. Accounting Plus can calculate costs and stock counts much more quickly when a stock item appears on only one line item in a transaction.
Mark the Prevent Data Changes During Report Generation selection in the Preferences window. When others are using the company file, they could be making changes to the information you're trying to print. When this happens, Accounting Plus must recalculate and reorganise the information you're attempting to print while the report is being generated; this can cause the report-printing process to slow down considerably. When you enable this option, other users won't be allowed to make changes to the data you're trying to print until the report is generated.
Generate large reports when you're the only person using the company file. Even when the Prevent Data Changes During Report Generation option in the Preferences window is selected, large reports may take more time to be created when other users are using the company file. For best results, wait until other users are not using the company file to print large reports.
Print reports by a specific month instead of by a date range. Some reports allow you to select a month or range of months to print. These reports can be generated more quickly if you select a month to print instead of a specific range of dates.
If you've attempted to start Accounting Plus but weren't successful, please try again. Oftentimes, a coworker will have displayed a window within Accounting Plus that's used to perform a sensitive task; a number of these windows require that no one else be using Accounting Plus while the window's being used. (This is done to protect your accounting information from possible damage while tasks like backing up or importing information are being performed.) If you try to start Accounting Plus again, you'll often find that your coworker has finished his or her task and you'll be able to access the program again.
As you may have discovered by now, there's plenty of help available in Accounting Plus -- the Learning Centre and the Getting Started manual. You can also get face-to-face help tailored specifically to your needs by partnering with an MYOB Certified Consultant. To learn more about all these avenues of support, see http://www.myob.co.uk.
If you've exhausted all the resources available to you, you may need to call MYOB Technical Support. To get your questions answered quickly, be sure you're ready for the call in the following ways:
Note: For some problems, you may need to employ help from somewhere else
We suggest that you keep a current list of the following items. You might want to consider printing this list and storing it in a safe place that's easy to remember.
List these items for each computer on your network:
List these items for your network hardware and software:
Keep in mind that many of the problems that occur with computers and networks may go beyond the realm of Accounting Plus support. Although Accounting Plus is a network software product, the scope of the network hardware and software problems that may occur can be extensive. We strongly recommend that you keep detailed documentation about your computers, your network and your software. It may become necessary for you to contact the manufacturer of these items to resolve any problems you may have.
Don't forget: A number of specially trained MYOB Certified Consultants are available to assist you. All MYOB Certified Consultants are knowledgeable about MYOB products, and many have specific expertise in computer hardware and network issues. If you feel like there's nowhere else to turn, call an MYOB Certified Consultant! To find an MYOB Certified Consultant in your area, visit MYOB's Web site: http://www.myob.co.uk/service/consultants/index.htm.