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REES SOFTWARE & SYSTEMS LIMITED |
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ReesNews
In This Issue
It is now 12 months since Rees2000 was installed for our internal Accounting system, replacing ReesEasy version 11. Over the last 12 months we have been refining and enhancing the program to the point where it is now even more robust and stable than our DOS programs are. The ultimate test was when it was installed on a client’s Windows 2000 Terminal Server computer running 20 users and supporting branches in Wellington and Christchurch via the Internet using JetStream. Performance and reliability of Rees2000 has proven outstanding. The new method of supplying updates via the Internet has allowed us to provide enhancements and bug fixes to our users very promptly, sometimes within hours of the request being made. The development of ReesFtp, an Internet enabled client program, makes downloading and installing updates a simple matter of selecting the options required and waiting for the update to be retrieved and installed. If you wish to see what has been added or altered to Rees2000 please visit our web site and open the "changes" page. As you will see we have been busy with development. Not documented is a recent change, which allows "BitMap" files to be printed on all output forms including Faxes, Invoices etc… If you would like to take advantage of this feature to put you logo or letterhead on your printed documents (and you have a fast laser printer) please give us a call. Microsoft Windows 2000/ Windows ME In March this year Microsoft released the successor to Windows NT called "Windows 2000". Soon Microsoft will release "Windows ME". This is the successor to Windows 95/98. Microsoft has stated that Windows 2000 should be used by business users and that Windows ME is for the home/consumer/games user. At Rees Software & Systems Ltd we have upgraded our computers to be running Windows 2000 Professional and Windows NT 4.0. We have kept one computer available, which runs Windows 98, to provide compatibility with our clients. This will enable us to restore backups we receive. Rees Software & Systems Ltd will not be installing Windows ME on any of our computers. When purchasing any new computers or upgrading computers to run Rees Software please specify Windows 98 or Windows 2000 Professional to be installed on them. Windows NT and Windows 2000 - Windows NT/2000 can hold locks & files open when Rees software has requested that they be released/closed. This is done by Windows to help improve network performance. However it can cause "Operating System Error"/"Record Lock Failed" and "Corruption Detected" errors within Rees software. To overcome this problem, all Windows NT/2000 computers should have their registry altered. Registry alterations must only be performed by a skilled computer technician. Changing the registry in Windows can cause serious problems if it is not completed correctly. Change or add the following registry entries on the Windows NT/2000 computers. Restart the computers after the changes have been made. Key Name HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters Add (or Edit) Value Name: CachedOpenLimit Data Type: REG_DWORD Data: 0 (Numeric Zero)
Value Name: EnableOplocks Data Type: REG_DWORD Data: 0 (Numeric Zero)
Windows 95 - The first release of Windows 95 had problems that were fixed with the release of service pack 1. This upgraded some of the components to release 950A. Subsequent to this service pack there were more problems with the network component of Windows 95. These were fixed with a file called VREDRUPD.EXE. (Note these patches must be reinstalled if network components are changed in a PC). Windows 95B - Microsoft produced a "B" version of Windows 95. Microsoft released a fix to correct problems with networking. The file is called VREDRUPD.EXE. (Note these patches must be reinstalled if network components are changed in a PC). The above updates for Windows 95 are available from www.microsoft.com and are important to ensure your network is reliable. If you do not know how to check if these updates have already been applied or require applying please contact your computer technition. Improving System Performance We hear from clients regularly that their computers seem to have slowed down. Some ways to improve performance are: Screen Savers – make sure there is no screen saver, except the "Blank screen" saver, running on the main server computer. Screen savers are programs that run like any other program and they use the processing power of the computer they are on. Badly written screen savers and even some well-written ones can use so much processor time that they cause the computer to be slow responding to network requests for files and printing. Virus Scanners – Most new computers are supplied with a virus scanning program. These programs are running all the time in the background. Every time a file is accessed they will check it for viruses. Obviously this takes time and can slow your system down. If you are not using foreign CD’s or floppy disks in your computer you can disable the automatic virus scanning and perform manual scans occasionally (and before opening e-mail attachments). Check with your computer vendor if they recommend this. Ram upgrade – An inexpensive way to upgrade your computer for more speed is to install more RAM. If you have Windows 95 or 98 an upgrade to 64MB Ram will be a significant boost, particularly if the computer is acting as a fileserver. More than 64MB Ram on Windows 95/98 is of no noticeable benefit. For Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000, 128MB Ram is considered a minimum amount but the more the better. Hard Disks – Windows runs best if it has plenty of free disk space. From time to time you should delete any temporary files and clear the "Recycle Bin". Run the "Disk Defragmenter" once every month if you have Windows 95/98 or 2000. If your computer is running low on disk space and you have deleted everything you can , perhaps you should upgrade the hard disk to a larger one. Printers – Upgrade your printers from DeskJet/Inkjet to Laser printers. Laser printers have built in processing power and RAM and they can take a load off the computer when a lot of printing is being performed. Network – Consider upgrading to 100 megabit networking. Ask your computer supplier about this. Most users are on 10 megabit Ethernet networks so an upgrade to 100 is like changing the connections between your computers from a 2-lane highway to 20 lanes. Important information for Payroll Users We have now completed the conversion of our existing ReesEasy Payroll system to a 32-bit Windows environment. This will be installed at a few Beta sites within the next month and will be available for general release in March 2001 for the next PAYE year. The new program will be known as ReesPay version 2000. In line with our upgrade philosophy ReesPay version 2000 is literally a translation of the DOS program. The operation, menus and function keys remain identical to the existing ReesEasy Payroll so no retraining or relearning is necessary. Users of our current payroll system need to be aware that the existing DOS version (ReesEasy Payroll) will be REPLACED by ReesPay version 2000 for the next PAYE year commencing in April 2001. As a Windows 32bit operating system is required to run ReesPay version 2000 the computer hardware to run it must be running either Windows 95, 98, 2000 or NT4. Our minimum recommended hardware specification for acceptable speed is a Pentium 133 with 32MB of ram. In the past years we have sent out our new version of EasyPay on a floppy disk in March 2001. This will no longer happen. To streamline the dissemination of payroll upgrades and new versions, ReesPay version 2000 will only be available for downloading from our web site . This means that you must have an Internet connection. The procedure for upgrading to ReesPay version 20000 in March/April 2001 will be as follows:
Dot matrix printers – Tested and proven printers for printing invoices and other forms that require continuous paper are Oki ML520 or ML590 series and Panasonic KXP3200. Receipt Printers – Tested and proven printers are the Epson TML60 and Citizen 253. The Citizen is a copy of the Epson printer and there are copies available from other manufacturers. Most Star brand 40 column (e.g. Star SP300 ) printers will work as receipt printers. Bar Code Printers – The above Epson compatible receipt printers can double as bar code label printers. The best option if you only want to print bar code labels is the Sato CX200 label printer. This is a wax ribbon printer that prints very durable labels. Laser/Inkjet Printers - Our recommendation is to buy laser printers, not inkjets. While inkjet printers are "cheap" to purchase, over time they are "expensive" as the ink cartridge costs soon outweigh the saving on the initial purchase price. Also inkjet printers are very slow compared to lasers. Laser printers have the ability to take the load off the computer by accepting printing into its internal RAM buffer before printing. This then releases the computer to get on with other work. With inkjet printers the computer has to continually wait for the printer which dramatically slows down the computer. If the computer is sharing the printer with other computers then it can have a significant impact on the speed of the whole network. It is also relatively inexpensive the upgrade the RAM on laser printers to improve performance even more. When looking at laser printers, carefully assess the warranty and go for a 3-year warranty. Make sure that you purchase a brand that is well known. Some brands can be difficult to obtain replacement toner cartridges for and can be difficult to find a service agent for. The larger office product suppliers carry toner cartridges for the common brands. Well known brands include Hewlett Packard, Epson, Oki and Kyocera. We receive many requests regarding what computer to purchase. Any new computer you purchase will have enough power to more than adequately run Rees Software. The computer should have at lease 64MB Ram for Windows 98 and 128MB for Windows 2000. The most important consideration is that the person you are purchasing the computer from is able to provide service and support, preferably on you premises. If you are running a network of computers the supplier must be competent and qualified to maintain your system in this environment. While the "promotional" deals being offered by various companies look attractive in isolation, for a business relying on their system to be up and running every day it is much more economical in the long term to deal with specialist computer companies. More obsolete software As of 30 September 2000 all custom DOS programs, which have not been updated or are in the process of being updated to Windows, will be deleted from our computers and will no longer be supported. Anyone using these programs has already been advised directly by letter. If you are using a program from Rees Software & Systems Ltd and are not sure if it is still being supported, or if an upgrade is available, please contact us. Auckland office closed In March this year our Auckand office was closed. As we ceased to supply and install computer equipment 12 month previously it was no longer necessary to keep the office open. Please ensure that your records are update to address all mail to our Nelson address. DB Systems / David Bosselman David Bosselman trading as DB Systems ceased selling and supporting Rees Software & Systems Ltd products in April of this year. He has taken up full time employment in Auckland. David started selling Rees Software in 1989 and was a very successful dealer for us. We were sad to lose his services and wish him well in his employment. Sales and support of Rees Software products are now only available direct from this company. We no longer supply any services or products through 3rd parties. .
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