Blue Ridge POS recently signed up with Microsoft’s Empower Program for Independent Software Vendors in order to accelerate the completion of our Windows version of POS Linker. Through access to additional tools and forums, we believe this will speed up porting POS Linker software to run on Microsoft Windows 2003 and 2008 Server Platforms, as well as current single user operating systems such as Windows XP and the soon-to-be-released Windows 7. To date, we have the initial Windows interface working with existing data structure. Demos of the upcoming Windows version will begin late fall, 2009.

An update has been made to the POS Linker User’s Manual that includes a step-by-step guide to creating work orders. This information has been added to the bottom of Chapter 7 Service Labor (pgs 13-16).

Additionally, we do encourage all of our valued clients to let us know if there is anything not included in our manual that you feel could be of use. You may contact us via our Suggestions Page or by calling us directly at (703)665-4206.

We now have a fix for the problem created by the Microsoft security patch, (KB943460)issued November 13, 2007. This will involve having one of our techs log on to your system to modify some files in order to eliminate the problem. For those of you who have selected “Do Not Show This Update Again”, once the files have been modified, the patch can then be downloaded and installed. The Microsoft update only affected Windows XP or 2003 servers. Windows 2000 was not affected.

Our standard procedure for Microsoft Updates is to set your system to automatically download all updates, but allow the customer to choose when to install them. The reason for this should be obvious, as there are patches from Microsoft that have caused problems in the past, and most recently, this one.

If you haven’t already done so, please contact the support desk, 703-665-4206 X105, to schedule this important modification to help prevent future problems.

The latest release of the POS Linker User’s Manual is now available. You can access the manual on-line or download it directly to your desktop for easy access. The manual is located in the User Manual section.

Changes include:

With the ability to capture screen shots (which was used for this first draft update on the manual), as well as capturing keystrokes and full motion interactive processes, we will be announcing additional training videos for POS Linker soon.

One of the problems our customers face is that of training new employees. Soon, a new employee will be able to go to our web site and watch a short training video on how to perform tasks like parts invoicing, service order creation/update, time clock punch on/off, whole goods invoicing, and a long list of other functions. The videos will be accessible anytime, day or night. This process is also good for refresher training for existing users as well, since some steps may change over time as the software is updated and new features are added.

We will send out an email announcement letting everyone know upon completion of this project. This process will be accessible only to our existing users who are on a software support agreement, and will require both a user name and password to log into the training area.

Blue Ridge POS is pleased to announce that Jason Brown has joined our technical support team as a Field Service Engineer. Jason comes to us most recently from Virginia Broadband, a local wireless Internet Service Provider with headquarters in Culpeper, Virginia. Jason grew up with POS Linker, as his parents own and operate Brown’s Garage, also located in Culpeper. With a strong computer technical background, and an understanding of POS Linker, Jason will be up to speed in no time at all assisting customers with problems.

Please join with us in welcoming Jason to our company. He will be visiting customers as service calls require him to be in the field on an “as-needed” basis.