Menu Programs:
To install and use TrakMate for WindowsTM you need the following computer configuration:
HOW TO PROCEED
Before you install TrakMate for WindowsTM be sure you are thoroughly familiar with the basic operation of your computer system. Consult the manuals that came with your computer for basic information about turning on and off your system, setting your system's internal clock, using diskettes and the hard disk drive, and other basic operating procedures.
The demo disk will allow you and your sales team to experiment with the software's features, i.e., Contact work plans, word processing, and statistical reports and other options for 30 days. The Demo Version cannot exceed 45 contact files.
TrakMate for WindowsTM installation instructions are for either the NEW software or the Demo Version.
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For NETWORK MULTIUSER installation. It is recommended that a network administrator or someone with expertise on the network perform the network installation as each network has different organization. For new TrakMate users, install all workstations selecting NEW installation and placing program files on the local C: drive and data on the same network drive. 2. Click the Start button on the Task Bar. It will open the Start menu. Select Run.  3. Type D:\SETUP in the Run box (if the disk is in your "D" Drive). After pressing the <OK> button a TrakMate for Windows setup screen should appear and begin giving you step by step instructions for installing TrakMate for Windows.  4. Contact TrakMate to recive password for registration. |
| Note: | If you are using the server of a Peer to Peer network as a workstation, you may notice a decrease in performance. |
The install procedure will check your hardware environment and will make a program group with accompanying window called TrakMate. You may start TrakMate for WindowsTM by clicking the icon in that window.
After the install, management has a few considerations to make before you start entering prospects into your database. The initial information about the dealership's salespeople, managers, and customers must be entered into the system configuration menu. Read "Edit Configuration section" for additional instructions.
For the first time use...
Note that the HINTS box will be displayed until turned off by deselecting
Show HINTS from the help menu item.
STARTING THE PROGRAM
To start TrakMate for WindowsTM for Day-to-Day operation:
2. The TrakMate for WindowsTM copyright notice will come up automatically.
3. You will be prompted to enter your Security Options. You must enter at least one user with a security level 3 (Dlr/Mgr/Admin) to continue working in the program. You do not need to enter all Sales Reps at this time but may do so.
4. Verify the current date when the date screen comes up. If it is incorrect, retype the date correctly.
| Note: |
Be aware that the Date field, RCD "recontact date" field, Delivery Date and Maturity Date fields must have all four
digits entered for the turn of the century i.e. 1/1/2000, 1/1/2001. |
ABOUT THE TRAKMATE for WindowsTM MAIN DESKTOP
With the buttons, pull down menus, and other features found on this screen, your work can be made much easier. A description of the most important features of the TrakMate for WindowsTM environment is included in this section.
The arrows on this picture mark key items on the TrakMate for WindowsTM desktop. Descriptions and explanations of each are included below.
| Menu Bar |
This bar includes access to 5 pull down menus. Click on the word (i.e. File), and a pull down menu will appear
with more options. More information about the options on the Menu bar is found under specific applications such as
compressing files. |
| Button Bar |
This bar has 13 buttons, each with a specific set of functions. If you move the cursor arrow to just over a button, a
yellow box will appear with a brief explanation of the button's purpose. The buttons will be explained more in
the sections of this manual which deals with their individual functions. |
| Hints Box |
This yellow box contains helpful information (hints) about the feature you are currently using. It is an invaluable help for
new users. Be sure to use the arrow bar on the Hint box to scroll back and forward in the text so you can read the
entire message available. The Hint box can be turned off in the Help box by clicking Help and de-selecting
"Show Hints". |
LOGGING OFF THE SYSTEM
Always exit TrakMate for WINDOWSTM by returning to the Menu bar and selecting the "Exit" option on the Button Bar, or select the Control Box.
(Never just turn the power off or re-boot your computer.)
When you select the "Exit" from the "File" menu or click the <Exit> button on the Desktop toolbar, you will be prompted to respond to the following three options if you have a security level 3 (Dlr/Mgr/Admin):
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Back Up Daily: "Files should be Backed Up daily. Do you wish to backup today? Caution: Format disk on your machine before you back up. If you answer "Y" (yes), the screen will ask the remaining two options about compression and drop status, and then it will go automatically to the to the Back Up feature where you will follow screen procedures. If you answer "N" (no), the screen will proceed to the remaining two options about compression and drop status, and then the system exit to the WindowsTM program manager screen. No system is immune to hardware failure or human errors. To protect your files you should always follow this procedure. We recommend that you Back Up your files daily - you should plan to rotate your diskette; one set for each day of the week. |
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File compression: "Files must be compressed once a week. Do you wish to compress now? Y/N." We recommend that you compress your files once a week to save space on your hard drive, and keep TrakMate for WindowsTM running optimally. |
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Drop prospects with DRP status: "Files with DRP Status may now be removed from the disk. Remove them? Y/N". If you answer "Y" (yes), the DRP prospects will be dropped from your file automatically in 60 days. This allows a true floor traffic count for your reports. If you answer "N" (no), the DRP prospects remain in the data file until you drop or delete them. We recommend that you maintain your DRP prospects from 6 to 12 months, and contact them later with promotional materials. |
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Always back up your data base at least on floppy disks. Use the Back-Up option when it comes up. Format is a DOS
command and must be done to new diskettes before you can back up data. |
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Always exit the system by selecting the "Exit" option on the Button Bar or Select the Control Box on the TrakMate
for WindowsTM desktop. NEVER turn off your computer without returning to the
main menu and selecting "Exit" o clicking the <Exit> button. |
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TrakMate for WindowsTM has the ability to test to see if the system has been shut
down abnormally, i.e., turning off the power or rebooting. If, when the system is brought up, it detects that there
has been an abnormal shutdown, it will prompt the user as such and require a file repair to ensure that no damage was
done to the data files. It may also notify the user that the record counts do not match the control records. |
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Restart your system and select "Files" option from the menu bar. |
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Select the "Repair Data" option. See the section on "File Maintenance" for more information. |
IMPORTANT REASONS FOR BACKUP
No system is immune to electric surges and power failures. Your only defense is to always backup your data files onto floppy disks. Some important reasons for backup are:
You don't want to lose a deal.
You don't want to lose any prospects in your database.
You don't want to lose the valuable hours your sales force or administrative staff have invested in data keypunch.
Any time you enter information that TrakMate for WINDOWSTM cannot read or accept, you will hear a beep.
In many cases, a prompt will appear to guide you to correct your entry. Read the information in the Hints Box or click Help <F1> for additional information and a list of permissible values for the field.
SPECIAL PURPOSE KEYS AND CODES
| CURSOR < _ > |
The movable marker that is used to indicate a position on the screen where information will be entered. In TrakMate for
WINDOWSTM the cursor is the rectangular character that blinks. |
| HELP < F1 > |
The <F1> key are used to receive information at various points through TrakMate for
WINDOWSTM |
| ARROW KEYS |
The four arrow keys are located on the right hand side of the keyboard. They are used to move the cursor left and right
in a field or up and down between fields. As the cursor passes over the characters, they will not be erased. The up
and down arrow keys are used to make menu selections. |
| <ENTER> |
Enter is the special key used to send information you have typed at the keyboard into the computer. Some computers
label <Enter> as <Return>; others designate it with a symbol. |
| BACKSPACE <- |
The key used to move the cursor backward to the left. Erases the character to the left of the cursor. |
| DELETE < DEL> |
The key used to erase the character at the cursor position. Moves the remaining characters one character to the left. |
| TAB --> |
In TrakMate for WINDOWSTM the tab key is sometimes referred to as the field advance key.
When working in the programs data entry screens the tab key will advance you to the next field. |
Topic 3a