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Christmas wishes from the AM-Win Team
around Australia and New Zealand
This will be our last newsletter before Christmas so
from our Team to yours we'd like to wish you a safe and happy Christmas and a
profitable stress free new year.
Christmas Closures
Support Arrangements and holiday
closures State by State
National Support Centre
Closed 21rst December to 7th January 2008
Support Notes
Maryanne will be fielding emergency support calls over the break on 0412 128883.
Please be considerate as she will be on holidays and has volunteered to assist
clients who cannot operate their businesses due to computer failure.
ICS Queensland
Our office will be closing for Christmas on Friday 21st December and
re-opening on Monday 7th January 2008.
Support Notes
Maryanne will be fielding emergency support calls over the break on 0412
128883. Please be considerate as she will be on holidays and has volunteered to
assist clients who cannot operate their businesses due to computer failure.
For current SUA holders, don’t forget to avail yourself of
online help on our website. Open the support menu on our website and click
search libraries. Login using your user name and password and you'll have
over 400 searchable "how to do it" documents at your fingertips
New South Wales - Southern Cross Business Technology.
Closing Friday at end of business Friday 21st December 07, returning
Monday 7th Jan 08. If you will be requiring support during this
period please contact the office on 02 422-65760 ASAP.
For current SUA
holders, don’t forget to avail yourself of online help on our website. Open
the support menu on our website and click search libraries. Login using
your user name and password and you'll have over 400 searchable "how to do
it" documents at your fingertips
Eddy, Sue & Neil at Southern Cross Business Technology wish
all our valued customers a very merry Christmas and a prosperous & happy new
year.
New South Wales - ASIMS.
Closed from 1pm on Friday 21st December 2007 and re-open on Monday 7th January 2008.
South Australia - Calibre One
Over Christmas we will be officially Closed as follows…..
Open all days up to Christmas - closed on the 25th and 26th Dec 2007 and the 1st Jan 2008 ( just the public holidays).
Our official normal business hours for standard onsite and support service is 09:00 – 17:00 Mon to Fri
(Please note that we also provide service and support after hours under the
appropriate support contracts for many of our clients who trade 24/7.
Our retail store is also open on Saturday 09:00 – 17:00 and late night
Thursday until 19:00 also ( Note that this is retail only].
Some services here may be a little limited as we try to get staff away on holidays but if anyone calls we will assist in any way we can as usual.
Tasmania - Willodene
Ross, Judy, Grant & Steve wish all our clients the very best for Christmas and a prosperous 2008.
Thanks to everyone for your continued support.
Our Tasmanian and Victorian offices will close at 6pm Friday 21st December 2007 Reopening Monday 7th January 2008
Usual phone numbers will be available for support calls. Emergency staff will be available for urgent on-site calls.
Victoria - AM-Systems
David Rayward and his team wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a
prosperous New Year. His office will be closed from 14th December 2007 reopening Monday 7th January 2008
AM-Win
Support Solutions
The following solutions provide answers to the most
commonly asked questions asked this month.
Merging Customer Codes
Have you got two customer codes for the same company or
person. Worse still do both codes have transactions and histories attached.
So let's look at how we can combine both sets of transactions and historys so
that we merge both of them and get rid of the code that's no longer required.
To merge Customer codes, open AMWtools. This program may possibly only
be available on the main computer, under start>programs>amwin>AMWtools.
Once the AMWtools program is open go to the heading of Customers, then Change
Customer Code. The following screen will appear:
Tick the box to Clip and Merge (Concatenate) from existing Customer code.
In the From Customer code field, click on the search button and select the
Customer code which needs to be merged.
In the To Customer Code field, click on the search button and select the
Customer code to which the data needs to be merged into.
Click on the OK button. The data will then be merged and the From Customer
code will then no longer exist.
Please note that Job Items will have the customer code changed automatically.
Note: Merging codes is irreversible - have a good
think about your requirements before you proceed.
Buy In Button
Have you ever needed to buy in a part for a job
in progress that you would never stock in a million years and that you never
expect to need or see again.
Enter the buy in button.
The Buy In button can be found in the job invoicing screen and is designed to
enable you to enter a non stocked item [buy-in] from the supplier invoice [which
is automatically processed on finalisation of the invoice] while at the
same time allocating the purchased item onto the Job.
This is designed for a a Buy In of 1 item only,
with the stock item being specifically bought in for the job. The entire entry
is handled through the ledgers, and the sale and purchase of item are allocated
to 6030 and 7030 in the ledgers.
When you click on the Buy In button the following screen appears:-
Only basic information is required to be entered, such as the Supplier Code,
invoice number, cost and description. The mark-up % will prompt to 150% mark-up,
but this can be overridden if required. If the mark-up % is changed, then the
selling prices will be automatically recalculated on the bottom half of the
screen, which is the price which will be charge to the customer. This
information will be used for the system to process the supplier invoice and
update all required areas of the program.
On the bottom half of the screen, fill in the description of the item as you
wish it to appear on the invoice and a discount rate if applicable
Business Information
Strategic Alliances- thinking outside the square
A strategic alliance is where you develop a win-win situation with another business who targets your same market. Here's an example:
A vehicle repair business owner knows that there is a car wash business down the road - the type where you drive your car in and order anything from a quick hand wash to a complete detail. The owner of the repair business makes himself known to the proprietor of the car wash and puts a proposal to the other. They both decide to work together and offer a package deal for both of their services. Now when a customer pays for a carwash he is given a voucher for a complimentary vehicle check at the service centre and at the other end clients receive a voucher for a discount car wash. Both vouchers are
labeled clearly - thank you for your business - by way of thanks we would like to offer you etc etc.
These services do not cost much to either business yet they receive a powerful 3rd party
recommendation and access to the other businesses clients. In the case of the service centre a vehicle check will more often than not reveal work that has to be done [at full tote odds] to the
vehicle.
Think about how it could work with your business? Then start searching for someone else who targets the same people you do and suggest that they work with you.
A Sparky's view.
We needed some more lights and power points put in at the office and we got
to chatting with the Sparky who runs his own business. He told us
about his business support. “My teenage kids have been trained to sort a few things out when I get home at the end of a long day. My boy sorts the junk out in the front of my vehicle, clearing the rubbish from a day on the run, he gathers the receipts up in a small folder and takes them into my daughter who we have taught to input the info into the accounting software. It frees me up to unwind at the end of the
day. Once a month we have a clean out session of the vehicle and I pay the kids for the duties they perform.”
A great way to get things happening, simple, straight forward, results driven
and a great way to teach the kids that money doesn't grow on trees.
Customer Complaints
Mastering the art of managing customer complaints can seem like a thankless job,
but keep in mind that for every customer that shares their worries, concerns or complaints, there are likely more that did not express their dissatisfaction, and instead simply moved on to a
competitor. Customer complaints can, and should be treated as opportunities.
Customers that are willing to communicate can help provide information on how your product or service is being used in a specific market segment. Complaints give you the opportunity to see how your company is falling short of customer expectations.
No company is perfect. As Dr. Phil often says, "We cannot fix that which we do not acknowledge." Acknowledging an area in need of improvement will get you that much closer to perfection. Customers who complain are indicating where you need improvement; seize the opportunity to improve. Adjust the systems that are deficient. Mistakes happen, learn from them and prevent the same errors or problems from recurring.
Communication is critical to resolving customer complaints. First off, listen to their problem, and empathize this will hopefully help diffuse their anger. Also be sure to remind them you are on their side, and you understand their frustration.
Communicate a plan to address their problem, and provide a timetable for resolution. Unfortunately, not all problems can be immediately rectified, providing a time table will help manage the customer's expectations. Once the problem is resolved, communicate the resolution, thank the customer for bringing the issue to your attention.
Resolving customer complaints builds customer loyalty. Everything was not perfect, and yet you made efforts to correct the issues that customer brought to your attention. It is possible to turn customer complaints into assets. Customers that feel you responded will often become an advocate for your business.
Track consumer complaints and watch for any patterns. After a complaint is resolved, conduct a post-mortem, take a close look at the procedures and systems, implement changes to prevent a similar issue from recurring. Perhaps redundancy is required.
Of course, there is no need to wait for a complaint to improve processes. Look at systems or procedures where items might slip through the cracks. Is there an area that results in customer confusion? Business processes should be constantly evolving; take a close look at any critical systems and consider how you can implement changes to prevent any mishaps or problems from occurring.
When complaints appear in a product or company forum, your initial reaction might be to delete the post altogether, but a public complaint that is dealt with in a professional and timely manner is very telling. This will give other users confidence that if there is an issue they can expect a reasonable resolution.
Many companies that understand the value of customer feedback solicit comments from customers, often offering incentives for polite, honest feedback. If you wish to be proactive send follow up emails to all customers who have queried your company. This is quality assurance and a great way to solicit customer feedback.
Few people enjoy dealing with customer complaints. The trick is to use the feedback in a constructive way and turn criticism into
compliments.
The "Send To" Menu Command
The [Send To] menu seems to be one of those features that isn't
very well known. Many is the time our consultants have watched a user go through
any number of steps to get a file or folder sent from Point A to Point B when
the quickest and simplest way would be "Send To", available via a
right click of the mouse while pointing to the file or folder. It's worth
pointing out right here at the beginning that Send To is not a substitute for
the move command. The item is copied to the new location, not moved. The item
used to initiate the Send To command remains in its original location without
modification.
Right click on a file and click Send To and you'll see the
default locations that ship in Windows XP. By default, Send To comes with the
following commands available:
- Compressed (zipped) Folder
- Desktop (create shortcut)
- Mail Recipient - note that this will allow you to select a file, right
click/select send to mail recipient and the file will be automatically
attached to a new e-mail as your mail program is automatically opened.
- My Documents
- 3 1/2 Floppy (A:)
- CD Drive
According to Microsoft, the "Send To" menu may include disk drives,
printers, fax printers, Windows-based programs, compressed folders, the desktop,
mail recipients, and the My Documents folder. Those choices cover a lot of
territory. The simplest advice is, if you have a location that's not listed
where you send files, try and add it to the "Send To" menu. The worst
that can happen is it won't be added. If it does work, you're that much better
off than with an undocumented location.
This isn't a bad assortment of locations, but by adding other locations you
use on a regular basis it can be made far more useful. Adding new locations is a
simple process that I'll explain below. However, before you go through the first
process to add more Send To commands, read the tip at the end of this article to
save yourself a lot of time.
Adding Locations to the Send To Menu
There are different ways to add locations to Send To, but in all cases what
you are really doing is adding shortcuts. Use whatever method you are most
comfortable with. In my opinion, the easiest method is via Windows Explorer as
explained below.
Adding Send To Locations via Windows Explorer
-
Click [Start] [All Programs] [Windows Explorer].
-
Navigate to the drive where Windows XP is installed.
-
Expand the Documents and Settings folder.
-
Expand the folder of the User whose Send To menu will be
modified.
-
Expand the Send To folder. - (If the Send To folder isn't
visible, click [Tools] [Folder Options] [View] tab and check [Show Hidden
Files and Folders])
-
Right click any item you want to add, drag and drop it on
the Send To folder and click [Create Shortcuts Here].
Remember; all you are doing is creating shortcuts to be added to
the Send To folder. If a shortcut already exists, rather than create a new one
simply copy the existing shortcut to the Send To folder. Once you've set up all
the shortcuts you want, you can copy them from the Send To folder and paste them
into a different users Send To folder. It saves a lot of time.
The Final Tip for Adding Send To Locations
Earlier in this article I mentioned that you might want to read
this section before you added a lot of Send To shortcuts. I had a good idea of
what I wanted added to Send To before I started digging around to do the
additions, but as you might expect I missed a few. No problem. I added a Send To
shortcut to Send To using the method described above. That's right, a shortcut
to Send To. Now, whenever I run across an item that would be convenient to have
on the Send To menu, it's a simple matter to right click and get it on its way
to the Send To folder. Give it a try. I think you'll agree it's a real
convenience.
Keep Your Favourite Programs Near the Top of the Start Menu
Do you have a favourite application that you frequently use? If so, you
can elevate its priority on the Start menu by putting it at the top of the list.
This ensures that the program will remain on the Start menu and cannot be bumped
by other programs, even if you use the others more frequently.
Right-click the link to your favourite program on the Start menu and select Pin
to Start Menu.
Your program will be moved permanently to the top part of the list, just below
your browser and e-mail programs.
Whoops
The Little Red Ship
Passengers aboard the Antarctic cruise vessel Lindblad Explorer had more of an adventure than
they expected when their ship hit a submerged object on November 22nd.
More than 150 passengers and crew escaped unhurt after the Explorer
was thought to struck an iceberg in the Antarctic Ocean and started to sink.
Two other
cruise ships were on hand within five hours, quickly providing a warm
haven for the 154 passengers and crew. Authorities in Argentina
have registered concern for the environment
as the Explorer now lies on the bottom with over 1000 litres of diesel
oil still in her tanks..
Several of the crew reported that despite the Explorer's double hull
construction seawater poured through a hole the size of a clenched fist
into one of the outer cabins
The Explorer was purpose-built as an expeditionary vessel, designed to literally go where no passenger ship has gone before. She sailed out of builder’s yard in Finland on December 14, 1969, bound for some of the most exotic destinations on earth.
Affectionately called “the Little Red Ship,” by its group of dedicated followers, the M/V Explorer is a historic vessel, and has set many firsts in the adventure travel field.
In 1984, the Explorer became the first passenger ship to cross the Northwest Passage – a trip it repeated in 1988. In 1989, off Anvers Island, Antarctica, the crew helped rescue people from a sinking Argentinean supply vessel that had hit a rock ledge. In 1997, she became the first passenger ship to circumnavigate James Clark Ross Island, Antarctica. In 1998, she was first to sail 80 miles above Iquitos, Peru to the point where the Maranon and Ucayali rivers meet to become the Amazon.
 
 
 
 
Jokes
The clean ones first
How does he putt?
A guy walked into a pro-shop with a gorilla. "Is anyone interested in a little wager?" he said, flashing some large bills around. "I've got $500.00 here that says my gorilla can hit the ball longer and straighter than anybody here at this club. In fact, he hits it 500 yards right down the middle . . . every time!"
Everyone in the pro-shop started laughing. After a moment, the newest pro at the club and the longest hitter in the area spoke up, "I gotta see this!" he said. "You know, what? I'll take you up on that wager! Meet you on the first tee."
When they reached the 585-yard par-5 first tee the trainer led the gorilla to the tee box, put a driver in his hands, set a tee in the ground. The gorilla did the rest.
Sure enough, he smashed his drive right down the middle and clear out of sight. When the ball finally came to rest it was on the green -- 6 inches from the cup.
The pro was astonished. "That's incredible!" he exclaimed. "How did you train him to hit the ball like that!" There's no need for me to tee off. I couldn't beat him with a stick. Here's your money."
As the pro walked off the green, still shaking his head, he turned back to the trainer and said, "Oh, by the way, how does he putt?"
The trainer responded, "Just like he drives: 500 yards. Right down the middle. Every time."
We publish the joke section of the
newsletter by popular demand. Please note that some jokes may contain adult
themes and could be considered by some as offensive. If you are offended
by this type of humour please do not continue reading. We keep the joke
section at the end of the newsletter and you will miss nothing by reading
further.
Give us some wisdom before you die
The wise old Mother Superior was dying. The nuns were gathered around
her bed. She asked for a little warm milk to sip, so a nun went to the
kitchen to warm some milk. Remembering a bottle of whiskey received as a gift the previous Christmas, she opened it and poured a generous
amount into the warm milk.
Mother drank a little, then a little more, then before they knew it, she had drunk the whole glass down to the last drop. “Mother, Mother”
the nuns cried, “Give us some wisdom before you die!”
She raised herself up in bed with a pious look on her face and pointing out the
window she said, “Don’t sell that cow!!!”
What would you say is my best feature
A young man moved into a new apartment of his own and went to the lobby to put his name on his mailbox.
While there, an attractive young lady came out of the apartment next to the mailboxes, wearing a robe.
The boy smiled at the young woman and she started a conversation with him.
As they talked, her robe slipped open, and it was obvious that she had nothing else on. The poor kid broke into a sweat trying to
maintain eye contact After a few minutes, she placed her hand on his arm and said, "Let's go to my apartment,..... I hear someone coming."
He followed her into her apartment; she closed the door and leaned against it, allowing her robe to fall off completely.
Now nude, she purred at him, "What would you say is my best feature?"
Flustered and embarrassed, he finally squeaked, "It's got to be your ears."
Astounded, and a little hurt she asked, "My ears? Look at these breasts; they are full and 100% natural. I work out every day and my
butt is firm and solid. Look at my skin - no blemishes anywhere. How can you think that the best part of my body is my ears?"
Clearing his throat, he stammered .... "Outside, when you said you heard someone coming.... that was me.
Until next month
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