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HI-TECH TALK Newsletter: January 2005 Newsletter Index Now you can order
checks, envelopes, and forms for your HI-TECH User Forum—Sign up today! Click here for more information.
RentPlus 2005 User Forum Be sure to sign up
for the 2005 HI-TECH User Forum, February 21-22, 2005 at the incomparable
Caesar's The User Forum includes both standard and advanced user tracks on a wide variety of RentPlus topics (see a detailed schedule on-line). Get the most from your HI-TECH RentPlus software by taking advantage of this fantastic opportunity to learn more. With thousands of features and capabilities, the complexity of running and maintaining Windows-based software, ever changing technology, and the incredible opportunity the Internet represents, you cannot afford to miss this exciting seminar. The User Forum provides a complete track of classes for advanced users and system administrators as well as a track for beginning and intermediate users. Over six hours of open computer lab time will give you the chance to review specific questions with the HI-TECH technical staff. The User Forum will provide time to meet and socialize with the HI-TECH staff, other HI-TECH customers, as well as one or more guest lecturers on topics from security to Internet opportunities. We hope you will join us. If you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-551-8324 or send e-mail to admin@hitechsoftware.com. Use the enclosed registration form to sign up today or call 800-551-8324 or visit our web site (www.hitechsoftware.com). Please register by February 11, 2005. Special Offer for Mini-StoragePlus Customers: Upgrade to RentPlus prior to January 15th and receive free attendance for up to two people! HI-TECH To Offer New RentPlus Add-Ins and Services NEW for 2005 A number of new products and services will be made available for RentPlus in 2005, HI-TECH announced. “These products provide users with a number of benefits—most of which take advantage of ‘always connected’ computers. If the computer with your RentPlus data is always connected to the Internet, then RentPlus can interact with other systems as never before,” stated company president Michael Richards. One such product adds a link to your web site that allows your customers to look up their account information or make a payment—and have that payment automatically posted to your data. Another puts RentPlus completely on-line. The new products and services include: Ø HI-TECH Auto-Pay Processing Ø Customer Web Services Ø RentPlus OnLine Edition Ø Multi-Site Reports Web Edition HI-TECH Auto-Pay Processing (HTAAP) integrates RentPlus credit and debit processing with HI-Tech’s own transaction approval server. This option allows you to process credit cards (and debit entries such as ACH and E-Checks) directly from within RentPlus, allows you to charge accounts automatically and allows you to select from one of over 40 different processors. There is no charge for this option and it is available as a free upgrade, however, applicable merchant fees and transaction fees do apply. Customer Web Services allow you to add links to your web pages that will let your customers pay their rent, look up their account information, and even rent units online, working in real-time with your RentPlus data. RentPlus OnLine Edition is a new Edition of RentPlus that will be hosted on our servers, and accessed via the Internet. No discs to send or install, just go online, setup your information, and go to work.
Multi-Site Reports Web Edition
is an update to our consolidated reports system that collects
information from the sites in real-time and presents the reports in your web
browser. Thank You! August Newsletter Survey Thanks to all who returned the survey sent with the August 2004 Newsletter. The survey results have been very helpful to us in determining the strengths and the weaknesses of our products and services, and in guiding our efforts to provide the best of both. Thank you for your participation! Overview: RentPlus Security Features T here are a number of security features in RentPlus and it is helpful to understand them in order to make sure that these features are properly setup for your requirements. There are two types of security involved: outside, meaning security from activities outside of the RentPlus program and inside, meaning activities done within the RentPlus program. These security policies are designed to protect your data from both intentional and unintentional acts.If you do not already, you should have a formal security policy (sometimes referred to as a Privacy Policy) in place, informing customers and employees of your responsibility for protecting your customers' information, and their responsibilities to uphold that policy. Outside Security Your information is stored in one or more databases on your computer or server. The data file is protected from outside interference through password protection and encryption. This helps to prevent the database from being either opened for change or even viewed by another program such as Microsoft Access, Word, Excel or Notepad. Unfortunately, it must be noted that this protection and encryption cannot be guaranteed - a determined hacker can penetrate even the most secure databases. However, this protection does prevent many determined accesses and virtually all accidental accesses. Inside Security Inside RentPlus, there is a system in place known as Users, Groups, and Permissions. Each user of RentPlus should be assigned their own login name and password. When this is done, you must specify the group the user belongs to: Guest (useful for training), Operator, Manager, Supervisor, or Owner. Then for each group, you must assign the Permissions - that is, the activities they are allowed to do in RentPlus. These settings can be access through Tools | User and Group Permissions. RentPlus requires that a user be logged in for any transactions to occur, so each transaction knows which user created that transaction, and when. The Audit Wizard (Tools menu), allows you to view transactions on a user by user basis. One of the important things to keep in mind about permissions is that permission for a particular user to perform a particular activity should be based on both a need to do that activity based on their role in the company and that they have been trained to do that activity. The Options (Tools menu) also include a number of items that affect the security of your system, so it is important to be aware of those option settings as well. It is a good idea to review all your security policies (Options, Permissions, Passwords, etc.) from time to time to make sure that they continue to meet your requirements. Important Notice for Mini-StoragePlus Users This year, “MSP” (HI-Tech’s DOS-based program) reaches its 20th anniversary. As incredible as it is, all good things must come to an end and that is something MSP users should be thinking about. There are two critical dates to note. First, technical support for MSP will likely be discontinued in the next 12-24 months. Second, as we advised you in 1999, MSP will not work properly after 2009, due to limitations of the operating environment. Therefore, current MSP customers should strongly consider upgrading to RentPlus (Windows-based system) during 2005, to forestall any difficulties. Your MSP data is easily converted into RentPlus, a substantial discount is offered on RentPlus for MSP customers, your current technical support agreement is converted over, and if you act now, you can also receive free attendance to the 2005 HI-TECH User Forum. Don’t delay. Contact us today at sales@hitechsoftware.com or call 800-551-8324.
Windows
Tip Here
is a fantastic Windows
feature that With Windows XP, Microsoft has created a very affordable and practical way to make your desktop larger - just add another video card and monitor. You must purchase a video card that supports the Windows Multiple Monitor feature. We found the ATI Radeon 9200SE, US$73. We installed the video card into the computer and connected the second monitor to that card. In the Display properties (Windows Control Panel) we found the video cards and monitors all were automatically detected. All we had to do was check the box called 'Extend my Windows Desktop to this monitor'. Now, the Windows Desktop extends across both screens as if it was one large, wide screen. It is wonderful to have so much room for different things to be displayed, instead of constantly minimizing, maximizing, and moving Windows around so they can be seen. And with a $10 adapter, this video card allows you to add yet a third monitor. With such a huge Windows Desktop, you can finally keep all the Windows that you need open and visible.
Capturing Prospective Customer Data
When the phone rings and it’s a new prospect, you want to do all you can to turn that call into a sale. A key step in that process is capturing the prospect information. RentPlus makes this easy with a “Add a New Prospect Wizard”. This form helps you capture the prospect’s name, address, phone, e-mail, etc (or as much as you are able to get), allows you to save key information such as when a unit is needed and the estimated size needed, and helps you schedule a reminder to follow up with the prospect. It also includes a checklist to remind you to mention all of your facility’s assets. It is often difficult, however, to enter this information into RentPlus while you are talking on the phone. To get around this, a button has been added to the form—”Print Data Capture Form”. When clicked, this will print out a document that matches the information on the on screen form. Keep a number of copies of this form handy. When the phone rings, grab a blank form, fill in the information using pen or pencil, and then enter the information into the computer later, after the phone call has ended. Customize the Command Bars The command bars are the buttons that are displayed at the top of the RentPlus screen. These can be customized using Tools | Options | Command Bars. You can set the size of the icons (small or large) and you can specify to have text on the buttons as well as the icons. Use these features to help new users learn the system, and to match your personal preferences. |
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