WHAT'S NEW!

This area contains a full time-line of system features and "bug" fixes to the program since our first full release - version 1.5. You may also wish to view the readme.txt file (usually located at C:\flatrate) for other information. You can check your version number by exiting this Help system, clicking Help (in Flat Rate Plus, from the menu at the top of the screen) and About. Click the Version Tab.

If you are a Premium Support recipient, you are getting all updates and improvements for free. If you are not, you should consider making the investment. We are making improvements every day and you won't want to miss out on any of them.

ENHANCEMENTS TO VERSION 2.5D

We removed the Database Compact and Repair routine and made this routine automatic upon starting the progam. A backup is also made of the database.

ENHANCEMENTS TO VERSION 2.5C

You may now open and close an unlimited number of database files during a single session. Previously, you were required to close FRP and re-open, if you wished to open a second, alternative database.

The Quick Price Changer now has the ability to update the "Item Last Revised" field. This allows you to track changes made by the Price Quick Changer. Option added 7/14/98.

Batch Inventory Updates were added on 7/14/98, to allow users to make significant database updates upon closing the Inventory form as well as after each item is modified. Search keyword "Batch" for more information.

We have added a find feature (search button) to the Add Inventory Item form on 7/10/98.

Trane XL1200 Heat Pumps and XL1400 air conditioning units were added 7/10/98.

A new feature that allows you to quickly add an item to ALL tasks. Example: Add a diagnostic fee to all tasks.

A Find feature has been added to the Task Category form. This allows you to quickly search by a task group's three letter code.

A notes box has been added to the Task Category form. This will allow you to further define what is in each group of tasks. This field will be used in later versions for features such as a Table of Contents.

The Inventory form, we have added a data box which displays the date and time the last modification, to that item, was made.

We have updated Trane, American Standard, and other equipment pricing. However, we HIGHLY suggest that you update these prices for yourself. National pricing varies a great deal.

Carrier (residential equipment) has been added to our database.

A basic plumbing department has been added to the database. This department was designed for HVAC companies who do a limited amount of plumbing in the course of their HVAC work. It may also serve as a "good start" for your own custom designed plumbing department.

Per the request of a few accounting system vendors, we have added Overtime Sales Tax to the Callahan\Roach compatible export file.

You no longer have to associate an item with a task in order to have it included (print) in its respective reports. In previous versions, you were required to include a zero sum item with the task. If you did not, the task would not appear in a printed report. This is very helpful when you are setting up "tasks" such as diagnostic fees.

ENHANCEMENTS TO VERSION 2.5B

PRINT PREVIEW FORM

We have totally redesigned the Print Preview form to better serve you. We have added the following new features to this form:

Now you can view all departments and task categories with our new and powerful Group Tree and Navigation feature.

An alphanumeric Search feature. Enter text or numbers and search the entire report.

Print Setup form has been added. This will allow you to change printers and access all of the features found within your applicable printer Driver software from the Print Preview form.

The View Magnification has been improved.

We have modified the reports to produce fewer pages (nine on the average Technician's report), without changing the layout.

OTHER NEW FEATURES IN 2.5B

You will find a great new feature titled Database Maintenance under the File menu. This form allows you to compact, reindex, and maintain your Flat Rate Plus database. Often times this option increases disk space, improves access time, and increases data reliability. You may also be able to use this utility to help you backup your database by allowing the hvac.mdb file to fit on just one diskette.

We have added a very powerful Data Export utility that is compatible with the CAP (Customer Assurance Pricing) system offered by Callahan\Roach (r). This utility will allow you to import files from Flat Rate Plus into your accounting software that already has a "bridge" setup for the CAP system.

If you are making a complete upgrade, you will notice that we have made substantial improvements to the database. We now represent major manufacturers with hundreds of installation tasks.

We have added hundreds of new repair tasks and improved many of the existing ones. Labor allocations have been researched and updated with the latest information available.

Our Help system has been improved and updated. We have added more topics and Keywords (for searches).

You will find a great new feature titled Database Maintenance under the File menu. This form allows you to compact, backup, reindex, and maintain your Flat Rate Plus database. Often times, this option increases disk space, improves access time, and increases data reliability. You may also be able to use this utility to help you backup your database by allowing the hvac.mdb file to fit on just one diskette. Run this utility once each month!

We have added a feature called "Auto Text Select". When you tab to a field, this field highlites automatically. This allows for easy deletion, copy, paste, and other formatting functions. You also have the ability to turn this feature off in the Preferences form.

We have added several new manufactures to our database of installation tasks such as Lennox, Ruud/Reem, Janitrol/Goodman, Tempstar/Heil, etc.

We have added a Find (search) feature to the Inventory and Create\Edit Task forms. This allows you to search for specific item or task numbers and avoid scrolling through the entire list.

ENHANCEMENTS TO VERSION 2.5A

We have enhanced all of the reports. Color has been added to the technician's report. New easy to read fonts have been used on all of the reports. We have improved the layout of the technician's report. The manager's report layout has been upgraded and condensed. It now requires fewer pages.

A utility has been added to the tools menu. This fast handy utility will remove all retail price overrides made within your Create/Edit Task form.

The Create/Edit Task form has a new feature. We have added a drop down menu button to the inventory item field in the center of the form. You may use this drop down menu to quickly and easily change the item number of any existing item within a task. Previously you were required to add a new item and then remove the existing item you wished to change.

More space has been added to the Inventory and Repair Description fields. You now have more room to describe items and tasks.

You now have fifteen places to list item numbers. This should handle all known major manufacturer part numbers and requirements.

All previous field input data is preserved when you click the ADD or Update button in the Inventory and Task forms. In other words; now when you enter information into a field it remains there after you click Add or Update. This will prevent you from entering common data, words, phrases, etc., each and every time you create a new item or task. This will speed up your data input a great deal!

Cut/Paste/Select All/Delete/Copy has been added for Windows 95 users. A pop up menu will appear when you press the right mouse button in applicable forms. This new feature will make your data entry much faster and easier.

By popular demand, the repair/item category footer that prints at the bottom of the last page of each category now prints on the bottom of each and every page.

We have added a feature that will allow you to increase all of your direct costs by simply typing in the percentage increase and clicking a button. You no longer have to go through each and every inventory item to increase the direct cost. You may also increase direct costs by individual department of "ALL".

We have added an inventory label report that will help you identify each of your repair items with a standard Avery mailing label. You may include the part number, retail price, even include a bar code!

Flat Rate Plus now allows you to print inventory reports by category. You may select one or all. You no longer have to print all items at once. Of course, as before, you may print a select group of pages (Example: Print page 4 through 23)

We have improved the help system. It now includes more information and is easier to use and understand. You may press F1 while in any screen for context sensitive help.

Through greater data compression, we have reduced the number of required installation diskettes.

We have added various inventory items and repair tasks to the database.

We have added a number of installation scenarios including: Air Conditioning condensers, heat pumps, gas furnaces, evaporator coils, humidifiers, air cleaners, water heaters, and much more.

Direct costs (wholesale prices) have been updated to reflect current industry averages.