e.News
Comsense Inc. Volume 1, Number 3	February 15, 2003
The Virtual Distributor Anticipating how a person will use a software application in the real world is difficult. Testing in the lab environment is somewhat sterile. Comsense runs thousands of tests on our software tools, but can not capture every potential combination of mouse clicks and keyboard commands nor can the lab environment predict a user’s imagination and ingenuity. To improve testing Comsense has started a new division called the “Virtual Distributor.” To set up and head this new division Comsense Inc. welcomes Milt Allred, AHC. Milt has been in the door hardware industry for 20 years and has experience at all levels of distribution from shipping and receiving to branch manager, regional manager, and operations manager. Milt has been a member of DHI since 1985 and is currently treasurer in the DHI Ontario chapter. He has also been a user and administrator of AHM Plus by Comsense Inc. for over 12 years. Milt and his wife, Judy, have been married for 25 years and they have two children, Susan and Kimberly. We had a chance to ask Milt some questions about the virtual distributor and his thoughts on how it will enhance the best software tools in the world for estimating, detailing, drawing, costing, purchasing, and receiving. Following is an excerpt from an interview with Milt: Q: How will the “Virtual Distributor” help Comsense Inc. Software tools? A: In computer software it is very difficult to anticipate every users’ action. In other words a user may try a combination of commands that our developers never could have predicted and our testing could not capture. The virtual distributor will help us simulate a distributor’s day to day environment and test for a broader range of potential problems. Q: How will the virtual distributor simulate a distributors day to day tasks? A: Unlike other software companies in our industry Comsense has over 100 years combined experience in the door, frame, and hardware distribution industry. I am an AHC and we have two additional AHCs on staff that have worked at all levels of distribution. This experience is what will allow us to simulate a distributor’s environment and test the software. Q: Will the virtual distributor be a real distributor? A: The virtual distributor will operate for the purpose of testing and developing a best practice model for the use of our software. The intent is to put as much or more pressure on the system as our customers currently do. Q: What are some of the other responsibilities of the virtual distributor department? A: The department will be commissioned with documenting processes and making those processes available to our customers. Also this department will be responsible for researching enhancements and working with customers to make the software tools more effective. Q: What other responsibilities will you have at Comsense Inc.? A: Because the virtual distributor department will have real time testing experience, I will be helping with customer support and product integrity in our e.Catalog offerings. However, My first objective is to master all of the new software tools that Comsense Inc. has recently released. Milt makes a tremendous addition to a powerful team of AHCs on the Comsense Inc. staff. e.Catalog Update by Neil Teas – Director of Catalog Development Hardware price book updates were complete in record time this year and we will continue to stay ahead of the price book update game. The e.Catalog department now has its sights set on giving you more e.Catalog Cut images to further reduce your time at the copier. Cross referencing images with product numbers is careful, time-consuming work and Comsense has added new staff to add more catalog cuts. Jim Butler and his team have been doing an excellent job with Hollow Metal databases. Before the next release of e.News we should be announcing at least 3 new manufacturers. Jim has a lot of experience with Hollow Metal and has found manufacturers to be very receptive to his ideas and suggestions. This makes database input easier and will definitely make things easier for the user.	“…nor can the lab environment predict a user’s imagination and ingenuity.” “The intent is to put as much or more pressure on the system as our customers currently do.” To see what catalog changes have been made in e.Catalogs in Advantage do the following: 1. Click on Tools > System Administration > Catalog Status 2. Use the filter row to filter to the e.Catalog information you want to see.
Program Updates SpecWriter, Advantage, and Elevations have been undergoing continuous improvement and Comsense Inc. developers are continually crushing the bugs. The most current version of the Opening Suite by Comsense Inc. is 1.01.0150. Listed below are recent enhancements: 1. Users can now see the entire hardware set when copying from a current project or a previous project rather than just the description of the opening. Also users can filter in the copy window to find the closest hardware set. 2. Door and Frame quick take off windows have expanded drop down menus so the user can see all information for a detail item. 3. Door and Frame Submittal report can include preps. 4. Labels are available to print using Microsoft Word 5. Door Take off Window will allow input of lite kit header only no need for additional information 6. In the costing window you can do lump sum costing. So when you are quoted $10,000 for 20 wood doors you can spread the lump sum evenly over the 20 doors with the click of the Allocate Lump Sum button on the toolbar at the top of the Pricing and Costing window. Each month the Program Updates section of the e.News letter will contain information on the most current version of the software and enhancements. SQL Server Service Pack 3 The Comsense Opening Suite for Windows runs on the solid foundation of Microsoft SQL Server 2000. At the end of January Microsoft released the latest service pack for SQL Server called Service Pack 3. Comsense has tested our software with this service pack, and will be updating all of our Opening Suite sites accordingly. The update of a complex server product such as Microsoft SQL Server should be done with care. In light of this, Comsense will be contacting each of our Opening Suite customers over the coming weeks to perform the Service Pack 3 update for you. Your View! Comsense Inc. would like to know what information you would like to see in the monthly e.News letter. Please e.Mail your comments, suggestions, or opinions to e.News@comsenseinc.com.	Comsense Inc. 120 Traders Blvd. Suite 209 Mississauga, ON L4Z 2H7 Phone: (905) 568-4627 Fax: (905) 568-1465 E-mail: sales@comsenseinc.com We’re on the Web! www.comsenseinc.com