AUTOSOFT DATA UTILITIES

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Roger Wilson
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61 Executive Court West Middlesex, PA 16159 (800) 473-4630 www.autosoft-asi.

You must install the software on a computer that is left on during the night.

1 61 Executive Court West Middlesex, PA (800) AUTOSOFT DATA UTILITIES The information in this document walks you through installing the AutoSoft Data Utilities program. You must install the software on a computer that is left on during the night. In addition, the document walks you through setting up your AutoSoft Data Utilities program and explains how to force file transfers. Finally, you will learn how to review your status log to ensure the program is running correctly. Someone needs to check the status log every morning to ensure all of the files were transferred successfully. INSTALLING THE AUTOSOFT DATA UTILITIES PROGRAM Use the following instructions to install the AutoSoft Data Utilities program. If you receive an error during the installation, call support at (800) Open the AutoSoft DMS program. 2. Click Utilities on the ASI DMS main menu. 3. Click Support on the Utilities and Settings menu. 4. Click Support Downloads. 5. The right side of the menu displays the available downloads. Under Data Utilities, click the Data Utilities link. Revised 04/18/05 1

2 6. Click Open or Run when prompted to select to open/run or save the file. If you click Run, you will be prompted with a Due to publishers unknown" prompt. Accept it. 7. The system will begin transferring information. 8. When prompted, click Next on the Welcome screen. 2

9. On the Contact Information screen, type your name in the Name box, and type the location of the computer where you are installing the software in the Computer Location box.

3 9. On the Contact Information screen, type your name in the Name box, and type the location of the computer where you are installing the software in the Computer Location box. AutoSoft International requires this information for support purposes. When you are finished, click Next. 10. On the Select Drive screen, verify that the drive in the Drive box is correct, and click Next. If necessary, select another drive from the list. 3

4 11. Click Install on the Ready to Install screen. 12. The setup will install the software. When the installation is complete, it will display the Installation Complete screen. Click Finish to end the setup. 4

5 CHECKING THE AUTOSOFT DATA UTILITIES PROGRAM The installation for the program automatically adds the program to your Startup menu. You should always see the AutoSoft Data Utilities icon in the Status area of the toolbar (next to the clock). You should periodically check to ensure you see this icon. This verifies the program is running and that your files are being uploaded. If you do not see this icon, the program is not running. You must restart the program using the following instructions. 1. Click Start. 2. Point to Programs. 3. Click AutoSoft Applications. 4. Click AutoSoft Data Utilities Scheduler. The icon should appear. MAINTAINING DIRECT INTEGRATION Select a workstation that has the AutoSoft DMS program installed on it and Internet access. (Dial-up access does not meet requirements). This workstation will need to be logged on at all times. You need to turn off any power and/or screen savers. 1. Right-click inside the desktop (not touching any icons). 2. Click Properties 3. Click the Screen Saver tab. 4. Select (None) in the Screen saver list. 5. Click the Power button. 6. Under Settings for Home/Office Desk power scheme, change the settings for the monitor, hard disks, and standby to Never. 7. Click Apply. 8. Click OK to close the Power Options Properties. 9. Click OK to close the Display Properties. 5

ACCESSING AUTOSOFT DATA UTILITIES PROGRAM You use the AutoSoft Data Utilities icon to open the AutoSoft Data Utilities program to enter setup information and to force file transfers as needed. 1.

6 ACCESSING AUTOSOFT DATA UTILITIES PROGRAM You use the AutoSoft Data Utilities icon to open the AutoSoft Data Utilities program to enter setup information and to force file transfers as needed. 1. Right-click the AutoSoft Data Utilities icon (the clock icon). 2. Click Settings. The AutoSoft Data Utilities menu appears. 3. If this is a new install, you are prompted that you need to complete the setup. Click OK to acknowledge this message. The AutoSoft Data Utilities menu appears. THE MAIN MENU The AutoSoft Data Utilities main menu displays all of the options available in the program. Each button on the left side of the menu allows you to access a specific feature. Initially, only the System Setup and Status Log buttons are available. Other buttons will be available after you enter the setup information. Tip: The main menu identifies the version of AutoSoft Data Utilities you are using. You may be asked to verify this information when you call for support. Note: The Manufacturer Communications button is for General Motors dealers. This button is only available if the DMS path specified in the AutoSoft Data Utilities System Setup includes a GM parts source. 6

7 SYSTEM SETUP The first thing you must do is use the System Setup option to specify information the program uses to retrieve and send your data. You must enter the setup information before the system can transfer any information. Once you enter the setup information, you will send a test file to AutoSoft International. Upon receiving this test file, AutoSoft International will automatically set the parameters for your AutoSoft Data Utilities program, and only the menu options that correspond to the data transfers you participate in with your third-party data recipient will be available on the main menu. 1. Click System Setup. 2. In DMS Path, type the path for your AutoSoft DMS directory. The system verifies the path and will not let you enter an invalid path. 3. The Upload Path contains a preset path. You cannot change this information. This is the URL used to transfer the data files. This information may be useful to you if you need to add the URL to a permissions list for a firewall, etc. 4. The Upload Time indicates the time the upload will run each night. You cannot change this time. You should schedule all other tasks to run around this time. If you need to changes this time, contact AutoSoft International. 5. Click Save to save the information. 6. The system prompts you that the save is complete. Click OK to acknowledge the message. 7. Click Test to send a test file to AutoSoft International. This file allows AutoSoft to verify your settings and ensures you can connect for the upload. 8. You should receive a message indicating the test file was received. Click OK to acknowledge the message. 9. The menu options that correspond to the data transfers you participate in will be available. This is based on the information AutoSoft International has about your contract with your third-party data recipient. 7

8 FORCING A PARTS INVENTORY FILE Participating in the parts inventory upload allows your inventory to be added to the parts locator. You use the Parts Inventory option to force a parts inventory file transfer when needed. The program automatically uploads the inventory each day. Generally, you will only force a file transfer if your files were not successfully sent (based on the Status Log) or if an AutoSoft International representative or your data recipient indicates you need to force a file. If you do not participate in the parts inventory uploaded, this option is unavailable. Important: All users must be out of the Parts module in AutoSoft DMS before you attempt to force a parts inventory file. 1. Click Parts Inventory. 2. Checkmarks appear next to the inventory sources that will be included in the file. If these are not the correct inventory sources for the upload, contact AutoSoft International. 3. Click Force. 8

9 FORCING A PARTS SALES FILE Parts sales data can be used to help analyze your parts inventory and parts sales information. It helps you identify how effective your inventory is, who is buying parts, etc. You use the Parts Sales option to force a parts sales file transfer when needed. The program automatically uploads the sales data each day. Generally, you will only force a file transfer if your files were not successfully sent (based on the Status Log) or if an AutoSoft International representative or your data recipient indicates you need to force a file. If you do not participate in the part sales uploaded, this option is unavailable. 1. Click Parts Sales. 2. Type the Start Date and End Date you want to use for the file transfer. You must enter the date in a six or eight-character format including slashes (mm/dd/yy or mm/dd/yyyy). 3. Click Force. 9

FORCING A VEHICLE INVENTORY FILE Participating in the vehicle inventory upload allows your vehicle inventory to be added to vehicle locator sites on the Internet.

10 FORCING A VEHICLE INVENTORY FILE Participating in the vehicle inventory upload allows your vehicle inventory to be added to vehicle locator sites on the Internet. You use the Vehicle Inventory option to force a vehicle inventory file transfer when needed. The program automatically uploads the inventory each day. Generally, you will only force a file transfer if your files were not successfully sent (based on the Status Log) or if an AutoSoft International representative or your data recipient indicates you need to force a file. If you do not participate in the vehicle inventory uploaded, this option is unavailable. Important: All users must be out of the Accounting module in AutoSoft DMS before you attempt to force a vehicle inventory file. 1. Click Vehicle Inventory. 2. Click Force. 10

FORCING A VEHICLE SALES FILE Participating in the upload allows a third-party vendor to use the information to follow up with customers, print thank you letters, etc.

11 FORCING A VEHICLE SALES FILE Participating in the upload allows a third-party vendor to use the information to follow up with customers, print thank you letters, etc. You use the Vehicle Sales option to force a vehicle sales file transfer when needed. The program automatically uploads the sales information each day. Generally, you will only force a file transfer if your files were not successfully sent (based on the Status Log) or if an AutoSoft International representative or your data recipient indicates you need to force a file. If you do not participate in the vehicle sales uploaded, this option is unavailable. 1. Click Vehicle Sales. 2. Enter the Start Date and End Date you want to use for the file transfer. You must enter the date in a six or eight-character format including slashes (mm/dd/yy or mm/dd/yyyy). 3. Click Force. 11

12 FORCING A SERVICE FILE Participating in the service upload allows a third-party vendor to use the information to send service reminders, service coupons, etc. to your service customers. You use the Service option to force a service file transfer when needed. The program automatically uploads the service information each day. Generally, you will only force a file transfer if your files were not successfully sent (based on the Status Log) or if an AutoSoft International representative or your data recipient indicates you need to force a file. If you do not participate in the service information uploaded, this option is unavailable. 1. Click Service. 2. Enter the Start Date and End Date you want to use for the file transfer. You must enter the date in a six or eight-character format including slashes (mm/dd/yy or mm/dd/yyyy). 3. Click Force. 12

13 CHECKING THE STATUS LOG The Status Log allows you to check to ensure your files are being transferred. While you do not have to check the log every day, you should check it frequently to ensure the program is running correctly and that there isn t a problem with your files. 1. Click Status Log. 2. All available information about file transfers is displayed. Use the scrollbars to view the information. You want to ensure that you see a File Transferred Successfully message for each transfer attempt. If a file transfer failed, contact AutoSoft International for assistance. 3. If all of the files have been sent successfully, click Purge Log to clear the records from the log. This ensures that the log does not get too large. 4. The system prompts you that the purge is complete. Click OK to acknowledge the message. 13

Autosoft, Inc. All rights reserved.

Copyright 2003-2013 Autosoft, Inc. All rights reserved. The information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or