Electronic Program Updates

As a user of our software you are probably entitled to update it to the latest version at any time, the only proviso being that the software is covered by current software maintenance. To have current maintenance, the software should be within it’s original cover period from sale (usually a year), under maintenance contract or under a rental agreement.

  • We are continually refining and developing our software. Updates can be done on as much as a daily basis. We don't 'hold back' software for specific release dates - our software is released as and when it has been written and tested.

Click here for instructions on how to install your program update.

  • Keep up to date with the latest software changes with our news.

Automatically Allocate Vehicle Stock Numbers

A new system parameter allows you to set the system to automatically use the next system stock number when creating a vehicle record.

  • This setting may be found in :

    • "Vehicle Sales" -> "Maintenance Options" -> "Parameters" -> "Vehicle Defaults".
    • "Workshop Management" -> "Maintenance Options" -> "Parameters" -> "General Job Parameters (2)".

Tab Reordering

As with columns in lists it is now possible to move a tab to a new location in various property and other screens containing data tabs by dragging the heading for the tab to the new position - this new position will be remembered from one Platinum session to another.

To reset back to it's default position as with lists just right click on the tab headings and select 'Reset'.

Logistics Vehicle Cost Amendments

The cost entry and amendments have been given the windows look and feel.

  • A facility to automate regular costs has been added in order to minimise ongoing data entry.
  • Audit information has been added providing on information on creation, amendment and viewing of individual costs.
  • As this part of Platinum has been given the Windows look-and-feel the Home (on-line help) and End (functions) keys now work the way Windows uses them (i.e. Home goes to the beginning of whatever you are accepting and End goes to the end) so you should use the alternative help keys listed below:
    • The F11 key should be used for the on-line help.
    • The F12 key or the "Functions" menu should be used to access the function keys available.
    • Buttons have been given a shortcut key (F?) for use in Macros and anyone not wanting to use the mouse.
    • Windows may be repositioned and changed in size - these changes will be remembered from one Platinum session to another.
    • The columns in lists can be moved or resized by dragging the heading for the column you wish to configure - these changes will be remembered from one Platinum session to another.
    • Any tabs can be moved by dragging the heading for the tab to the new position - this new position will be remembered from one Platinum session to another.

Goods Received by Barcode

A new "Goods Received" option has been added to your "Purchase Order Processing" menu, allowing you to receive purchase order items into stock without having to first hunt down the order the items were on, then find the item concerned on that order.

Adding items to the list of stock to book in can be done entirely by barcode scanner, or you can scan one item then enter the quantity received manually, or you can run the whole thing by keyboard and mouse, the choice is yours.

Once you have built up the list of items you want to receive, a click of a button will book the order(s) in, producing labels and/or goods received notes as in "Add/Edit/Process/Purchase Orders".

Stock Amendments

The depots, prices, suppliers and barcodes pop-up screens have now been given the Windows "look-and-feel" and are available as tabs on the main window.

As in many other new areas of Platinum we have also taken advantage of wider screens when available to allow more information to be shown and amended.

  • As this part of Platinum has been given the Windows look-and-feel the Home (on-line help) and End (functions) keys now work the way Windows uses them (i.e. Home goes to the beginning of whatever you are accepting and End goes to the end) so you should use the alternative help keys listed below:
    • The F11 key should be used for the on-line help.
    • The F12 key or the "Functions" menu should be used to access the function keys available.
    • Buttons have been given a shortcut key (F?) for use in Macros and anyone not wanting to use the mouse.
    • Windows may be repositioned and changed in size - these changes will be remembered from one Platinum session to another.
    • The columns in lists can be moved or resized by dragging the heading for the column you wish to configure - these changes will be remembered from one Platinum session to another.
    • Any tabs can be moved by dragging the heading for the tab to the new position - this new position will be remembered from one Platinum session to another.

One of the advantages of this update is it will give you the ability to make large scale changes to a single stock code's depots, suppliers, prices and barcodes only prompting you to accept the changes once at the end, saving you time.

The most commonly edited information from these popups are now available on the "details" tab.

Order Item Entry

Order Item Description entry has been updated to ensure a description of exactly 30 characters is not lost when you Esc from the detailed edit popup; and to restore text wrapping functionality.

Platinum Terminal Activation

When replacing an existing terminal that you want to access Platinum, the licence activation process can now be performed from within the software without Catalyst intervention.

You can access the list of licensed terminals and configure some settings not available elsewhere in Platinum by using the new "Reports & Parameters" -> "Maintenance Options" -> "Terminal Configuration" option.

Retention Centre

There was a problem with the check for existing workshop jobs for MOT or service based on detection of the words "MOT" or "Service". This has been fixed.

Chart Enhancement

Charts have now been give the ability to output the data behind the chart.

  • Under the chart you will see "[+] Chart Data", once clicked the chart will collapse and you will be presented with a table of the data that was used to create the chart. It order to see the chart again click on the "[+] Chart Name".

This chart data is available from any chart created by the Report Generator as well as charts presented throughout Platinum.

  • As before printing the chart is available to users with Internet Explorer 9 or above, the chart data can only be printed by users with Internet Explorer 10 and above. See How do I Print a Chart? for further details.

Workshop History Report

As individual vehicles can be stocked under differing vehicle codes as they are re-encountered over time, this report now has an added option for a deep search.

If deep search is used then information for vehicles with matching chassis, vin or registration is also listed along with that for the current vehicle code.

Report Generator Functions

Some report generator functions have been enhanced.

  • $ENV{} can now set the value of an environment variable to allow values to be passed to other reports.
  • $FORENAME{} can now return the initials of forenames.

A new function has been added that allows a string to be capitalised.

Functions

CAPSTR
  • Will capitalise the first letter of each word.

Prospect Vehicle Interests

It is now possible to assign an outcome code to vehicle interests. This is mostly of use for reporting purposes in order to produce statistics about the sales success level.

  • It is now possible to view vehicle stock and select a specific vehicle from within prospect vehicle interests.
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