Release Notes for DTE v7.x

With this release, general changes are found throughout Down To Earth applications in the screen layout and data input routines. There were also some new applications added, Job Cost was replaced with Cost Center, and the new name of Order Entry is Sales Order Entry.

Increased "Find" shortcut options: Master ID and most other fields designated the ability to look up a record have several options for locating a record. In addition, wild cards are allowed to narrow the search. There are specific rules for using these new features. Please refer to the General Concepts chapter of the Reference Manual for more detailed information.

If the list displayed is still too long, there is a new filter to search again within the results list. Using Ctrl-F  (Windows) or Ctrl-G  (non-windows) prompts for added filters to find the exact record you're looking for.

Master and transaction access:The master or transaction record displayed on the screen is considered ‘the current’ record -- usually the first record in the file. To display a different record, use any of the available shortcuts such as: Next  (record), Last  (record), Previous  (record), First  (record), or the "Find" shortcut. Once the record is displayed, an action can be performed - Edit , Delete , Update  (after edits are completed), and/or Cancel . If no record is displayed, the data file is empty and the only action allowed is Add .

Centralized Codes management & reporting: All maintenance codes such as Terms, Sales tax, Buyer, and Location codes are defined from any application Maintenance menu column and printed from any application Reports/Inquiry menu column. Select Codes, then choose from the sub-menu: Sales, Item, Purchasing, or Other.

List selection for Transaction entry:  All transaction entry input is divided into a minimum of three screens - the ‘Header’ of the record, the ‘List selection’ summary of the detail, and the ‘Detail’ or ‘Line’ of the transaction. The Header window contains unique information for that transaction often called ‘record key.’  The List selection lists the summary version of each detail part of the transaction, if it is deleted and an accumulated total. The Detail or Line window includes detailed activity such as A/P invoice expense distribution, G/L debit and credit journal amounts, and Customer or Vendor order lines.

Centralized Inquiry ability:  All inquires are available from any application and found as the first selection of the Reports/Inquiry menu column. For example, inquire of a customer transaction history from any application, by selecting Accounts Receivable from the Inquiry sub-menu.

Company and custom options:  New to DTE v7.0 and replacing the Company file, is the DTE Control variables.  Please refer to the specific application documentation for complete details. Custom programs and company maintenance options are now managed with DTE Controls. Application controls are originally created via System Manager. Once created, the respective Controls are defined within the application “Company” selection of the Maintenance menu column.

The standard settings are included with the version 7.0 distribution, however, many existing Company Maintenance and new options require verification. Be sure to review all company options and change as required for each application and each company.

To assure accurate data transfer, a basic, version 3.5 information report is available.  The EXE:printsm.dbr utility (included with the Down To Earth v7.0 distribution) is specifically designed to extract Company information from DTE v3.5, running SynergyDE version 6.x series. For any other version of Down To Earth or SynergyDE, contact Down To Earth support.

Security: Please note that there are many new menu selections that may need restrictive security added for some Operators. For a full list of all applications and the menu selection codes refer to the System Manager User’s Reference manual, Appendix B - Menu Entry codes.

• New applications and menu options:  Security file is not converted when upgrading DTE. It is strongly suggested that you review your security as defined in the previous version and compare the application and menu entry codes to DTE v7. 
  
• Application specific security definition changes:   All application specific security records with a “blank” value for the application code and DTE_ xx  (where xx  is the application) require redefining. The application code must be entered in the Application code field in addition to the DTE_ xx  in the Menu entry field. 
   
• All Company Security: Any application specific security record can now be defined for all companies by entering two asterisks (**) in the Company  field. 
   
• Unique ID values:  The unique ID value of the security master can no longer be completely numeric. The first position can remain numeric for the control of which operator accesses what records but one of the three characters of the unique ID must be an alpha character. This eliminates any confusion with the terminal ID value for temporary work files. 

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