how2it27d.htm
Converting to InfoTouch 2000
The migration from InfoTouch for DOS to InfoTouch 2000 for Windows is relatively easy. This is an overview of the main considerations; a more detailed step-by-step explanation comes with the InfoTouch 2000 installation CD.
- Your Data: All of your data can be converted from your DOS system to InfoTouch 2000, except for the actual buttons in the register's departments: these must be redone. Note also that if you are converting from a DOS version of InfoTouch prior to 8.0, send us a copy of your InfoTouch backup as there may be some data files that need slight modification. There is no additional charge for this -- the price is included in the software upgrade. To see what version you have, get to the InfoTouch main menu. The large gray box in the upper part of the screen displays the version number.
- Computers: You may need new computers because InfoTouch 2000 and the either Windows XP or Windows 2000 professional require some powerful hardware and lots of memory. We typically buy Dell computers for new InfoTouch customers and we've been very pleased with their performance. We can purchase them for you or you can purchase them on your own, charge them to a credit card and have them delivered in only a few days. Dell's web site: www.dell.com. Suggestion: If you plan to purchase them on your own, call us beforehand so we can share the necessary computer specs with you!
- Credit card swipers and barcode scanners that work through by connecting to the computer's keyboard port should be perfectly compatible with your new system.
- Serial receipt printers should also be perfectly compatible, but if you want some of the newest and fastest equipment; an upgrade is literally a plug-in item.
- Touch monitors: these should also be fine, although you will need the Windows touch drivers for it. The InfoTouch installation CD includes drivers for both MicroTouch and Elographic touch monitors; if yours is different, consult your monitor's manufacturer for the touch drivers for the version of Windows your new computers will have. If you have a older 14" touch monitor, you'll want to upgrade to at least a 15" or possibly a 15" LCD flat panel display because they will give you a much larger, brighter and more legible screen.
- Networking: when you order your computers, be sure to include 10/100 network capability if you have a multi-user system. You'll also want to replace your old 10mbps network hub with a 10/100 switch because it'll be light years faster. While you're at it, if your computer wiring is the old, thick coax-type wire (10-Base-2) you should have it replaced with wiring that can accommodate high speed networking. Connecting fast computers and high speed network equipment with old wiring is like trying to waterski with the anchor tossed over the side of the boat.
- Training: plan for some training time as well. InfoTouch 2000 has literally hundreds of improvements over the old DOS system, and you'll want to know about them. We can provide on-site training or you can use the more popular method: live distance training via the Internet. It's more convenient and less expensive for you, and you can divide it up into smaller chunks so you'll retain more.
- Store Operations: while InfoTouch 2000 works generally the same as the old system, be ready to revisit and rewrite some of your store operations. Here's one example, closeouts and register reports are no longer a manager menu option; they now reside in their own module, called the Transaction Manager. Another nice change is that you don't have to exit the register to do inventory -- now you can have both running on your computer at the same time and switch back and forth. The bottom line is that you should expect to rewrite many of your procedures to match the new system.
- Report printers: If you have the old dot matrix type that uses the pin-feed paper, you'll want to replace it with a laser or other printer. Windows doesn't work very well with dot matrix printers -- they will work, but you won't like it. They're very, very slow because Windows shifts them into a graphics mode and it may take 3 or 4 minutes just to print one page. There are many inexpensive report printers on the market today. We recently saw an HP Laser 1000 printer for only $150 at a local office supply store. Also popular are ink jet printers, for they can also print color. Before you purchase a seemingly inexpensive ink jet printer, consider the cost of the ink cartidges. One of the reasons ink jet printers are so inexpensive to purchase is because the ink is so expensive and you use so much of it. If you print a lot of reports, buy a laser. It'll be far less expensive in the long run.
- Remote access: this isn't a necessity, but seriously consider installing a DSL or broadband cable Internet connection in your operation. If you install DSL, you can use it as your credit card line as well as your Internet connection -- at the same time! There are some fantastic remote-access tools that are available that allow you to get into your system from home (or with a laptop if you're at the PGA Merchandise show or on a vacation), you can use it for ongoing distance training from our office as well as for downloading software updates and keeping your InfoTouch software up-to-date. Another benefit is that if you run into problems, you can easily open up access to your system for us and we can connect to it as well, fix the problems and get you back up and running more quickly than we could otherwise. These days, a high-speed, always-on Internet connection is almost a "must" for any business. Highly recommended.