DataWedge brings a new platform to DMS

DMS2000 To Become DMS 700

Get ready for a new generation of software

"We've been quietly working in the shadows for a while, but we are about to spring forward with a new set of options, services, and features..."

Compatible To Changing Times...

Change does not come easy but is necessary. Over a year ago, about the time Microsoft started releasing beta software for Windows Vista (originally called Longhorn), DataWedge started planning to re-write the DMS platform: one that would be compatible to the changing times.  Once we realized DMS2000 and the (then) current Microsoft SQL Server platform would not operate in the new Vista Windows operating system, we knew we had to take action.

In March 2006, we began the monumental process of writing the new software from the ground up. 15 months and 250,000 lines of source code later, taking total advantage of technology's newest methods of communication, we have included several new features that can be beneficial to any RDS that wants to take advantage.

This new software, coined "DMS.NET" or "DMS 7.0" is utilizing the latest technology, and is based on Microsoft's .NET framework.  This new generation of software operates on the SQL Server 2005 Express platform, is Windows-based, and fully compatible with Windows 2000, XP and the new Windows Vista operating systems.  Like it's predecessor, it offers sophisticated operations management, dispatch, and accounting functionality, as well as having the ability of being intuitive and simple to use. The new software package may look very similar to the existing DMS platform, but under the hood, the similarities end there.  Two of the most exciting newly added features are GPS tracking and the drivers ability to swipe credit card at the delivery location. With GPS tracking dispatches can see where drivers are in real time.  With credit card swipe ability at the door, and RDS can potentially save thousands of dollars each year in credit card fees.  In coming newsletters, these features will be the headliner topics.

The Launch...

As with all new technology, we do not have an 'official launch date'.  (This primarily stems from the fact that we don't have a call center that can support all 102 DMS customers through the process of simultaneously installing and running the new build.  Today we have 5 RDS's currently running the new .NET platform, with new folks showing interest every week.   As with each new generation of products or services, the roll-out will be a gradual one while we work with each RDS to introduce them to the new generation of software.

You may contact DataWedge for more information on the release of this new software at 208-874-4185.

(photo #1) To your right is a picture of the dispatch screen. Below (photo #2) you can view the top part of the dispatch screen in a larger view. Notice the new look. The height on the entered orders is now about 12 pixels, allowing dispatchers and operators to view more orders before having to scroll up and down. Look right (photo #1) There are 32 orders showing with room for about 12 more, making it very user friendly for dispatchers and operators.

(photo #2) Annoying sticky notes popping up blocking your working view are gone. Below  you will notice a box in the upper left with two green sticky notes. The one in black font is the senders notice, the one in white font is the receivers notice. This is the new default area for all sticky notes. A notice in green indicates a sticky note from user to user, and a notice in red indicates a sticky note from the system (an error). To read or have it pop up on the screen as in the current software left click on the stick note. (photo #3). To delete a sticky note right click and it will vanish.

Starting a new order is the same as in the current software, simply click on the 'New Order Button' (the pencil shown in photo #2 above).

(Photo #4) Notice the F8 button is gone. The box to the left of the H (hotel) button is now the new search area replacing the F8 and eliminating a step. The box with the blue background is the search box. A blue background indicates where the curser is. Meaning whichever box the cursor is in on the screen that box will turn blue. No more hunting for your cursor! All boxes that show a red background are mandatory fill-in boxes. More on Search below.

(Photo #5) If you enter unfamiliar data (data not in your database) in the search box, a new red button will open just left of the search box that says 'Create New Client'. Click the button to enter new data.

(Photo #6) The new client data-entry window opens. The phone number, or name entered in the search box will be placed in its proper box leaving you to fill in the other information. Navigating from box to box filling in the all mandatory information boxes is the same as is in the current program.

(Photo #7 and #8) Notice the drop down boxes in these photos. In this new software you can bind (assign) multiple phone numbers, street-addresses and/or email-addresses to every customer. ex: You may have a business customer  where 5 or 6 employees order using their phone extension. In this software you can keep them all assigned to the business name. Notice the search box in photo #11 on the right side. If Joe is ordering from the local post office using his extension, all you need to do is type in office and hit enter or tab all those who order from the business with the name office are shown. Scroll to and select Joe, all his info will fill in. Select or go on to the restaurant. This applies to a husband using his cell phone number and wife using hers.

(Photo #9 and #10) This area is one of the most exciting new features added to the software. Not only is there the same order history, there is also an address history.  Let's say you have a client, "Dr. Bob", and 5 or 6 Pharmaceutical Preps order for "Dr. Bob" 3 days a week. Let's say Pharm Rep John calls and wants to send a taco tray to "Dr Bob" today. You can now see the last time someone sent an order to "Dr. Bob" and from which restaurant it was sent.  Joe sent a Taco tray to "Dr. Bob" yesterday, so you now have the ability to inform John someone else sent "Dr. Bob" a taco tray yesterday, and suggest John order from a different restaurant today.