News

Readysell 8.35: Going for gold*

We’re pleased to announce that Readysell 8.35 is now rolling out to all of our Readysell 8 customers. This release addresses some common customer requests and kicks off a series of releases that will be focused on making it easier for you to use Readysell and putting valuable business insights at your fingertips.

Readysell 8.35: Benchmark warehouse efficiency with improved DIFOT reportsBenchmark warehouse efficiency with improved DIFOT reports

Delivered In-Full, On-Time (DIFOT) reporting is a great way to measure how effectively you are fulfilling your customer’s orders. This this latest release we’ve created 2 new DIFOT reports, one that only measures catalogue products and another that looks only at lines that were contracted to the customer. This allows you to get an accurate picture of how you perform on products you typically expect to have in stock in your warehouse (rather than the extended range, which you may often have to back order or drop ship). For customers opted into Office Brands BI, we’re also uploading this data to allow reporting and analysis across dealers. This is one report you should be using. Please give us a call if you need some help on how to run it. Remember, support calls to Readysell that take less than 15 minutes are free.

Maintain a professional image with statement and invoice improvements

We’ve incorporated a range of customer feedback into our customer statement and tax invoice layouts to enable you to hide redundant details, change colours, show site-specific contact details to specific customers and use a wider range of logo graphics. If you’re using our standard layouts and would like to make customisations, please get in touch with us and we can discuss what’s now possible within the standard layouts. Otherwise, a support team member will be calling all our customers that are not currently using the standard reports or statements and will be helping you make the change to those best practice reports.

Readysell 8.35: Get to what you need quicker with user interface tweaksGet to what you need quicker with user interface tweaks

Starting with Readysell 8.35 and continuing over the next few versions we will be working on improving the user interface in some key areas. In this release we’ve made it easier to access relevant back orders from the sales and purchasing screens, added a centralised view of service calls and improved the usability of Readysell when using keyboard only on drop downs. Take the time to look at those changes. Just the improved back order access could save your team time every day.

Tidy up clutter with product category archiving

Because Readysell uses product categories across the product for many purposes (including reporting, contracts and GL interface), it’s not always possible to simply delete a category after it has already been used. That said, customers have mentioned that sometimes they have categories that they don’t want to use anymore. We’ve added an “Archive” flag to categories that will allow you to block such categories from being used on any products to address this.

Questions or comments?

Our documentation has been updated to reflect the latest changes, but we know that it can be tough to wrap your head around what’s new and how it affects you. Please open a ticket through our Support Centre and we’ll be happy to help you out.

Please sir, I want some more…

We’ve also made a number of other improvements and under-the-hood changes. Here’s a full list. If you’d like more details about any of the below items, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through our Support Centre .

  • 11246 Add an optional popup to show customer back orders
  • 11274 Add support for recording coverage and average on machines from FMAudit
  • 11323 Allow for product categories to be archived
  • 11357 Allow any arbitrary field from the source object to be added to Action Items
  • 11580 Show Source Record from outstanding Sales Orders within Purchase Run
  • 11666 Framework improvement – Drop-down boxes
  • 11807 Improve handling of ABA files for multiple sites
  • 11838 Improve DIFOT reporting
  • 11878 Service Calls Filter or List view
  • 12159 Allow site details to change on statement
  • 12202 Allow for splitting up of card and contacts for BI by site
  • 12302 Improve tax invoice/adjustment note layouts
  • 12304 Improve customer statement of account layouts

* Totally nothing to with the international sporting event that is currently occurring in the South American geographical region.

Readysell training video library updated

Screenshot of Readysell training video library on YouTubeEarlier this year we launched the Readysell training video library. Since then, we’ve received some great feedback from customers about the effectiveness of the training videos for both bringing on new staff and improving the skills of existing staff members.

Over the last couple of months we’ve been adding new content, bringing the library to over 140 videos. The new videos are particularly focused around complex topic areas such as:

  • Reporting
  • Contract pricing
  • Stocktaking
  • Data maintenance

Our training videos are closely aligned to the Readysell Training Guide, allowing users to follow along with our written documentation and to easily get more information if and when they require it.

To access the video library, visit our YouTube channel. Videos have been arranged by topic area into playlists. Just search for “Readysell” on YouTube or use the link at the top right of the Readysell home page.

subscribe-to-our-youtube-channel-2

We continue to look forward to your feedback about how useful these videos are and where we can make further improvements or new videos in the future.

Readysell 8.34: More new features than there are arms on a Tentacruel

We’ve been getting some great feedback about our recent launch of Readysell Web Beta, and in Readysell 8.34 we’ve worked to not only move the web client forward, but to bring new improvements to our Windows client as well. Here’s some of the things we’ll be rolling out over the next week.

Readysell 8.34: Stay organised and look professional using document managementStay organised and look professional with document management

Staff can’t find the document they need? Can’t control who gets access to sensitive documents? Because many of our customers spend so much of their day in their Readysell ERP system already, we’re introducing document management features to help. Any record in Readysell can now have a document or file attached to it – just hit the “Attach” button. We’ve also added a centralised view of all attachments within the system so you can find your files easily. Get rid of some of your filing cabinets and allow your staff to quickly and securely find the document they need using Readysell.

Save time and reduce errors with import from GNS Wholesale

While we are continuing to strive to provide electronic integration with a wide variety of suppliers in the office supplies industry, we recognise that some suppliers provide capabilities that we can make use of to help before we get there. You don’t have to type GNS purchase orders into your system any more. GNS Wholesale allows you to export purchase orders generated on their site and you can now click the “Import” button in Readysell to import this right into your system. Some setup may be required, so please get in touch with us if you don’t see the button on your purchase screen.

Readysell 8.34: Streamline your warehouse operations with shipment mergingStreamline your warehouse operations with shipment merging

We’ve had great feedback out the efficiency gains that Readysell automated warehousing can bring to our customers, but one side-effect of automating warehousing is that sometimes you end up with more shipments than you need. Some of our customers have asked for an easy way to combine these multiple shipments, and that’s exactly what the new “Merge” button does. All dealers can now save time by using the new merge shipments button. This is a feature you should be using!

Get what you need faster with Readysell Web Beta performance improvements

We’ve leveraged some of the new technologies supplied by our technology partners and providers to help improve the performance of Readysell Web Beta. We’ve also squished a number of bugs reported by our customers. Thank you! Keep the feedback coming.

Readysell 8.34: Control your inventory and warehouse with label printing improvementsControl your inventory and warehouse with label improvements

We’ve improved label printing from within Readysell so that when you extract labels, you can now choose how many labels we will generate for each extracted product. We’ve also added the capability to generate product label runs right from the Readysell Mobile app. Just scan the products you want to print labels for, submit to Readysell, then review and print as usual. If your business includes some retail, you can will benefit from those new label features and B2B dealers can save some time too with the new mobile label features.

Questions or comments?

Our documentation is in the process of being updated to reflect the latest changes, but we know that it can be tough to wrap your head around what’s new and how it affects you. Please open a ticket through our Support Centre and we’ll be happy to help you out.

Tell me more, tell me more…

TentacruelWe’ve also made a number of other improvements and under-the-hood changes. Here’s a full list. If you’d like more details about any of the below items, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through our Support Centre .

  • 11350 Show balance even on cancelled lay-bys
  • 11367 Add Delivery Date column to purchase orders on POS
  • 11401 Automatically update the status on gift registries
  • 11433 Add a print new label module to the mobile app
  • 11859 Add ability to archive purchase run sets.
  • 11960 Improving Auto Warehouse Task Log
  • 11961 Tighten up periods to disable editing start and end date
  • 11974 Add new filter for GST item list view
  • 12014 ETA Date changes for PO’s in ‘Closed Period’
  • 12027 New “Sales by Period by Site by Product” cube
  • 12070 Make “Buy and sell tax code percentage do not match” validation an optional validation
  • 12072 Meter count collection on standard HTTP(S) ports
  • 12111 Add “Show Card” to product movement related dropdown
  • 12126 Improving Product label extract.
  • 12127 Improving generation of shipments
  • 12132 Add support for secure document management
  • 12133 Support importing of GNS purchase orders
  • 12139 Upgrade to XAF 16.1
  • 12152 Upgrade dependencies
  • 12182 Add customer order to Tax Invoice/Adjustment Note (by Shipment) Portrait layout
  • 12183 Improve built-in tax invoice layouts to better handle service charging
  • 12203 Improve handling of operators

Last chance to take advantage of the Windows 10 Free Upgrade Offer

With less than 2 weeks to go, we’re sending out one final reminder that the Windows 10 Free Upgrade Offer is ending on July 29th.

Upgrade to the best Windows ever

If you have any workstations running Windows 7 or Windows 8 (Home or Pro) we recommend that you perform this upgrade as soon as practical. Before you start though, please keep the following in mind:

  • If you haven’t upgraded any of the PCs in your business yet, please call Readysell so that we can double check your configuration
  • We do NOT recommend doing any OS upgrades on machines used as servers
  • It’s safest to upgrade one PC at a time to minimize the impact of any expected or unexpected downtime
  • The best time to upgrade is after hours or non-working days, as this introduces the least amount of disruption

Windows 10 has now been installed on over 350 million PCs worldwide and is already the most popular PC operating system in use in Australia. We’ve been hearing positive feedback from our customers and recommend that customers upgrade compatible workstations.

Upgrading before July 29th will also ensure you receive the Anniversary Update on August 2nd, which amongst its features includes improved security features.

End of Financial Year Guide for 2015-2016

Now that the end of the financial year is upon us, please follow these instructions of what needs to be done in Readysell.

Readysell 7

Please see the EOFY document on the Readysell Support Centre.

Readysell 8

Please see the End of Year Procedure page on our wiki.

Readysell Payroll

Please see the End of Financial Year 2015/2016 Guide.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our support team – you can find all the details on our web site at readysell.com.au.

Readysell 8.33: Introducing Readysell Web Beta

Readysell Web Beta screenshotWith Readysell 8.33, we’re pleased to announce broader availability of Readysell Web, the web-based version of your Readysell system that you can access from anywhere.

Whether you’re a sales rep who needs to draw up a quote on the road, or a manager who wants to check on the latest sales figures, Readysell Web has you covered.

We’ve compiled some frequently asked questions below, but if you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through our Support Centre.

Why would I use Readysell Web Beta?

We’d love for you to start using Readysell Web Beta to help us gather some early feedback. Getting on early will give any an opportunity to influence the release version of the software. You can use Readysell Web Beta to:

  • Access your Readysell 8 system from anywhere, such as on tablets and home computers
  • Provide sales people on the road, managers, service technicians, bookkeepers and other staff members access a fuller Readysell feature set when they are out of the office
  • Give your accountant or or a remotely-based sales person access to your system without having to set and train them on using RDP or other remote access technologies
  • Quickly check warehouse performance, shipments, account balances or customer movements

What are the downsides?

Readysell Web Beta is not yet a final release (this is what “Beta” means). We don’t expect any major issues when it is used. But there will be some hiccups. We would appreciate your feedback, but if you don’t want to try the Readysell Web Beta experience until the product is fully released, you might want to wait.

How is this different to the Readysell Mobile app?

While the Readysell Mobile app is designed to provide you with convenient access to a core set of common mobile workflows, the Readysell Web Beta more closely resembles the Readysell 8 Windows experience you are used to.

  • Readysell Web Beta has a similar “look and feel” to the Windows client you are used to. The same menus and screens and some of same search and customisation features
  • Customisations made on your Readysell Windows client automatically carry over to the web version
  • The role-based security system on Readysell Web Beta is identical to the security on your Readysell Windows client

How do I start using Readysell Web Beta?

Getting started is simple:

  1. Log into your account at the Readysell Support Centre at support.readysell.com.au
  2. Click the “Readysell Web” button
  3. Visit and bookmark the URL displayed on the screen
  4. Log in using the same username and password you use to log into your Readysell system on your PC

 

Five steps to protect your business from ransomware

This is an important security advisory. We highly suggest you read this and distribute relevant sections to your employees to protect your organization from potential loss of data and revenue.

A recent study from the Australian Cyber Security Centre noted the number of reported ransomware attacks increased by nearly 60 percent between 2013 and 2015 and added that it is the most prevalent type of attack facing businesses in Australia at the moment. With Kaspersky Lab reporting a 30% increase in just the last quarter, it’s more important than ever to take steps to prevent possible irreparable damage to your business.

Locked FilesRansomware works in the following way:

  1. Infect a PC by tricking the user into running the malicious software
  2. Encrypt crucial files (such as documents, emails and your Readysell database) – blocking access to them
  3. Demand payment from the user in exchange for access to your files

Given the prevalence and impact of such malware, we’re sending out this notice to remind you of five important practices you should use to keep yourself safe.

1 – Be Prepared

Sometimes no matter how hard you try, things are out of your control. If you get infected, you need a way to get back on your feet quickly. This means ensuring you have recent and complete backups of your data.

Readysell recommends you always have at least three copies of your data (the 3-2-1 rule). This means that you have a redundant backup (in case one backup fails).

  1. Your original, working copy (e.g. your Documents folder or Readysell production database)
  2. An on-site backup
    • Having one backup on-site means that in most cases you are able to get up and running quicker
    • We recommend that you have at least one on-site backup that is not readily accessible from your server, ensuring if you are infected, your backup files cannot also be encrypted
  3. An off-site backup
    • We recommend using a reputable cloud backup provider (such as Readysell Cloud Backup)
    • Alternatively, you can backup to a portable storage device and take it home with you each day

Also, if you have the option to do so, activate Volume Shadow Copy on your PCs. This feature maintains previous versions of files in a location that is not accessible by current samples of CryptoLocker. Once the malware has been removed from an infected PC, files mirrored by the Volume Shadow Copy service can be recovered by the user.

You should also have a broader business continuity plan to deal with the situation if the worst should happen. Some things to consider are:

  • Who are you going to contact if you’re affected? Will you be able to get assistance in a timely manner?
  • Do you have a spare PC on standby (or do you have a PC earmarked) to take the place of your infected server as an interim replacement?
  • How long will it take you to restore all your data from a local backup and from the cloud?
  • How will your business continue to operate in the mean time?

2  – Be protected

Firstly, you should regularly update and run your anti-malware software. Software such at Microsoft Security Essentials, Windows Defender and Malwarebytes should be set to always download automatic definition updates and full scans should be run on a regular basis. This should be performed on both your server and client PCs. Readysell has a PC maintenance guide available that goes into detail about what you should be doing to ensure you are protected.

We also recommend installing a dedicated third-party malware prevention tool such as CryptoPrevent. CryptoPrevent is a free tool that modifies the existing security settings in Windows to block ransomware from running even if it’s already made it onto your system. We recommend running CryptoPrevent in either “Default” or “Maximum Protection” modes. If you choose “Maximum Protection” though, please read and understand the caveats. Also, please note Readysell will not operate correctly if “Program Filtering” is enabled.

3 – Be suspicious

If you’re receiving an email from an unknown source, or someone you don’t usually communicate with by email (especially if it has an attachment), chances are high that you’re being sent malicious software. Even with up to date anti-malware software, it’s possible to be infected. Don’t download or open email attachments you weren’t expecting. If you want more information about how to spot the signs of a dodgy email, please see this article.

If you’re looking for specific software, it’s best to start from a trusted source such as the software vendor’s web site or a reputable software repository (we recommend FileHippo). Don’t download from untrusted sources. If you Google (or Bing) what you’re looking for and end up on Joe Blogs’ software emporium, you could be getting more than you bargained for.

4 – Be disciplined

Your server hosts your most critical business data. Not only is it where your Readysell database lives, but often it is a central repository for your company files and emails. As such, you should try to minimize the chance your server gets infected. Only connect to your server when you have to perform specific server-related tasks. Don’t use it as a workstation, and certainly don’t use it to browse the Internet or check your email. Doing so increases the chances your server gets infected.

5 – Be educated

There’s lots of resources online to learn more, some we suggest include:

Once you understand the recommendations and have put them into practice yourself, spread the knowledge to your team to ensure everyone’s files are safe.

Reminder: Updating flyers in Readysell 7

When an update to a flyer is released by Office Brands it has the flyer code and a -UPDATE after it. What this means is, when you’ve loaded the original and then the update, you now have two flyers running in your system for the same flyer.

Examples:

  • ONTT16
  • ONTT16-UPDATE
  • OPDTT16
  • OPDTT16-UPDATE

The correct procedure for handling update flyers is:

  1. From the Readysell Main Menu click on button Products
  2. Click on tab F5 Sales
  3. Click on button Promotions
  4. Find the original flyer code, click on it to select it, click on button Delete
    Screenshot of catalogue screen

This should leave the flyer update left on your screen and will therefore be running the correct version of the flyer. When later updates come out, they will replace the update as it keeps the same flyercode-UPDATE format as before.

Windows 10 Free Upgrade Offer to End Soon

We’d like to take the time to send out this quick reminder that the Windows 10 Free Upgrade Offer is ending on July 29th. If you have any workstations running Windows 7 or Windows 8 (Home or Pro) and wish to upgrade, we advise that you do this as soon as practical.

Before you embark on upgrading though, please keep the following in mind:

  • If you haven’t upgraded any of the PCs in your business yet, please call Readysell so that we can double check your configuration
  • We do NOT recommend doing any OS upgrades on machines used as servers
  • It’s safest to upgrade one PC at a time to minimize the impact of any expected or unexpected downtime
  • The best time to upgrade is after hours or non-working days, as this introduces the least amount of disruption

Since it’s launch less than a year ago, Windows 10 has been installed on an unprecedented 300 million PCs worldwide and has already received it’s first major update. Upgrading now will also ensure you receive the upcoming Anniversary Update, which amongst its features includes improved security features. Based on our experience with the operating system, we believe Windows 10 is a worthwhile upgrade for any workstations in your organization.

If you have any questions about Windows 10, our support staff will be more than happy to help out. Just open a support ticket and we’ll help you out.

Office National Barossa benefits from implementing purchase receipt scanning

Office National Barossa benefits from implementing purchase receipt scanningWe recently wrote about the success of Connelly’s Office National with Readysell Retail Advantage in their business. Today we’d like to share the story of Office National Barossa, who have benefited from implementing purchase receipt scanning in their operation.

Office Brands and Readysell are piloting outer bar code data loads at Office National Barossa. The team at Barossa found instant gains by using the outer bar code data load.

“Office National Barossa significantly reduces purchase receipting time by trialling Readysell’s outer bar code data integration.”

“The outer barcodes were a huge help. I scanned an ACCO order yesterday and all but a couple of products scanned correctly. We have gained efficiencies markedly with incoming goods scanning both in time saved and accuracy in goods receipting – and it was very easy to implement with only taking a few minutes to have it up and running.”

– Anthony Semmler
Business Development Manager

Implementing purchase receipt scanning is a great way to realise immediate efficiency gains in your warehouse and is one of the key components of the Readysell Best Practice Guide.

If you would like to learn more about how to effectively implement purchase receipt scanning in your own business, or how you can benefit from any of the other best practices we have outlined, please contact us by visiting our web site or calling (02) 9792-4439