HAPPY NEW YEARS!

DataWedge in 2007

In preparing for the start of a new year, we figured that now would be the perfect time to introduce 2 powerful modules built into the DSM software. They are the  Order Journal and the Customer Journal.

But before we go into detail regarding Order Journal and Customer Journal solutions, let's take a minute or two and review what DataWedge has done in 2007.

After the monumental process of writing new software from the ground up, some 15 months and 250,000 lines of source code later, we have taken total advantage of technology's newest methods of communication and have included several new features that can be beneficial to any RDS who utilizes it, we were finally able to introduce a new generation of software compatible with Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista.

Our newest "Flagship" software coined "DMS 700" was Inaugurated shortly after it's introduction in May 2007.  Since our launch, our technical department is endlessly tweaking, fixing and changing things to accommodate our customers, and adding updates often.

In resent months we have been switching eager customers from "DMS 2000"  (or builds 660 and below) to our newest DMS, and we are spending the necessary time with each RDS to introduce them to all the changes that have been made.

Let us take this opportunity to inform you that this is not a "5 minute process". Typically, the steps involved to switch from "DMS 2000" to the new version of DMS can take between one and several hours, depending upon how many workstations you have, and what type of server you are using.  There are no additional costs involved to make the switch, if you are current on your lease arrangement or your support contract, there are no additional software upgrade costs.

However, there are a few  requirements the DMS server (one of your computers) must meet, which we'll explain when you call.  The best thing to do is contact DataWedge for more information about switching to DMS 700. Just call 208-874-4185 and select option #2. 

REMINDER: DataWedge Offices will be closed during the Holiday Season starting end of business Friday December 21st, 2007 and will remain closed until Wednesday January 3rd, 2008. There will be someone taking emergency calls only at 208 -874-4185, option #1, then option #1 again.

Thank you for being a part of DataWedge in 2007 and have a joyous and profitable Holiday Season.

Newsletter continues below

DMS 700 Screen Shots

The Order Journal

What is an ORDER JOURNAL?

Put in the simplest terms: The order journal is where data entries are written in chronological order (first to last) and commonly displayed in reverse chronological order (last to first) as shown in the second photo (photo#2) below.

The DMS Software (builds 660) and above  including DMS 700 contains a full ORDER JOURNAL for every order placed in the system. This journal contains a log of every action taken on the order, including the time it was started, the items that were added to or deleted from, and any custom notes you want to add along the way.

In order to view the Order Journal, simply RIGHT-CLICK on any order in the dispatch screen, and select "VIEW ORDER JOURNAL" as shown below in photo #1.

Originally the order journal was a part of the DMS back-office used to track problems our customers were having when taking orders. When a customers had a problem taking orders, all we had to do was view the order journal to help duplicate the events that lead to a particular snarl. This journal was also used to verify items place in an order. If a restaurant disputed an order, this journal would resolve any dispute.

Through conversations with our customers, we soon realized, the power within this journal would be a great asset to any RDS willing to take advantage of it, so  we decided to make it a regular tool for the DMS user. 

Some other nifty features in the DMS program are the "Order Journal Entry", "Customer Journal" and "Customer Journal Entry", which we will address later on in this newsletter. First a little more about the order journal.

As shown in photo #2 here's what the "Order Journal Grid" looks like once opened. The Order Journal is the place where all the data pertaining to an order is stored. Above we mentioned "this journal contains a log of every action taken on the order, including the time it was started, the items that were added to or deleted from, and any custom notes you want to add along the way". Any time something is added, removed or changed in an order it is written and placed in the comments column, That same data is pushed to a grid report for easier viewing and printing.

Notice photo #3 above the reverse chronological order was reset by the viewer to a  chronological order and the comments column was expanded right, making it easier to read. To do this simply click on the title word "TIME", this changes the written order back and fourth. Grab the right side of the "COMMENTS" title box with your mouse and drag it to your right to expand the comments column as needed.

DMS tracks and logs the date and time of each entry, the person who is entering the information, and what commands are given to the order, which is displayed in the comments column.

The data saved in the journal represents a log of actions, so no matter how many alterations are made to an order, the journal is simply appended.  Any changes made are entered in as new data.

Take note that in order to keep your database "trim and tidy", the Order Journal entries are stored in the database for 90 DAYS, then removed. This should allow sufficient time to reference the order journals to resolve any restaurant payment disputes, while still paying attention to the amount of database space that is taken up.  The Order Journal is trimmed up every night during the DMS Nightly Maintenance routine.

Another favorite feature within the Order Journal is the ability to enter custom data. We call it "Make Order Journal Entry".

In order to open and enter custom data in the order journal, simply RIGHT-CLICK on any order in the dispatch screen, and select "MAKE ORDER JOURNAL ENTRY" as shown above in photo #4.

Photo #5 above is an image of what the "Make Order Journal Entry" window looks like. A single journal entry can contain up to 500 characters and be pushed to a grid report for easier viewing and printing.  This allows a CUSTOM journal entry to be logged for the order, inserting it into the log for later viewing.  

The Customer Journal

What is a Customer Journal?

Keeping it simple; the "Customer Journal" is a place where personal data entries are kept about a customer. All customer data must be "MANUALLY" written, then logged in chronological order and commonly displayed in reverse chronological order. We emphasize the word "Manually" to make you aware that all customer data must be entered by a person. DMS does not write to the "Customer Journal" like it does to the Order Journal.

Why would I want to keep a Customer Journal?

There are many reasons why a "Restaurant Delivery Service" may want to keep a Customer Journal but from the data we've collected "Customer Loyalty" seems to have topped the chart.

If you have been in the industry for any length of time, you have already learned the importance of Customer Loyalty. Customer loyalty is an increasing challenge for any business in today's market and is an especially topical issue in the "Restaurant Delivery Service" sector. Ten years ago, a company could expect to attract customers, provide them with a service that delivered reasonable value and satisfaction, and have that customer return for every subsequent purchase.

In the Restaurant Delivery industry today it's not enough to provide satisfactory customer service. Customer service must be outstanding as well as highly personalized. Keeping a detailed journal about your customers will help you to better understand what they want and what influences their buying decisions.

In order to view the Customer Journal from the dispatch screen simply RIGHT-CLICK on any order and select "VIEW CUSTOMER JOURNAL" as shown above in photo #6.

The Customer Journal grid above in photo #7 will open. This grid is identical to the Order Journal grid (shown in photo #2) when it comes to the look and feel of the actual grid. The data or information entered is logged and displayed in the same manner and they are, the date and time the entry was made, the person who is entering the information, and a display of the notes that were written in the comments column.

The difference between the "Order Journal" and the "Customer Journal"

Here's where the Customer Journal is different than the Order Journal. Shown in photo #8 you are looking at New Order/Customer Info/Journal in the DMS 700 software. Here you have the ability to view and enter data, just like you can view and enter data in the Order Journal. You can also remove data, which you cannot do in the Order Journal.

Just right of the secret message box is the display area that shows if there is data in the Customer Journal or not. Anyone using  DMS 660 and above including DMS 700 that has the proper security clearance, can access this data.

In the order above, it shows there are 2 entries placed in this customer's journal. Each line indicates a separate entry. There are 2 ways the comments can be read. If you are using "DMS 700 build 7.0.6.11 and above" simply set your mouse over the entry you want to read. A small table will popup displaying that comment, or follow the instructions below. Anyone using either DMS software program can simply grab the right edge of the comments title tab with your mouse and drag it to the right. Depending upon the length of the note will determine how far right to drag the tab.

Photo #9 above is what the "Make Customer Journal Entry" window looks like. When a user clicks the button "Add New Entry" shown above in photo #8 or the user RIGHT-CLICKS on an order in the dispatch screen, and selects "MAKE CUSTOMER JOURNAL ENTRY" this is the window that opens so the user can enter a note. This feature is similar to the way a user would "View Customer Journal" shown above in photo #6, only they would select "Make Customer Journal Entry".  A single customer journal entry can contain up to 100 characters and is pushed to a grid report for easier viewing and printing.

Notes that are entered about a customer are never removed from the database by the DMS system. The only way notes can be removed is to manually remove them. To remove a note simply click the "Delete Journal Entry" button shown above in photo #8. The image shown below in photo #10 will pop-up asking "Are you are sure you want to delete this journal entry".

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Did You Know

When searching for an address in DMS builds 7.0.1.0 and above, the following fields are now indexed and are searchable: Contact Name, Company Name, Contact Phone Number, Street Name, as well as your Custom Fields?

In DMS 700 build 7.0.1.3 and above the City, State, Zip and Zone now show in a BOLDED text for easier reading.

In DMS 700 build 7.0.2.4 and above the "Order Print Format" drop-down list is now displayed when the VIEW ORDER option is selected by RIGHT-CLICKING on the dispatch screen