October  / 2008

 Do you need an easy-to-use, fast and powerful reporting solution that includes the necessary tools for creating and delivering reports? Jonas user-defined Report Generator accommodates a broad scope of reporting needs – from a simple application to sophisticated enterprise solutions. We invite you this month, to contribute and share your Report Generator Report solutions with Jonas Clients. Once a quarter, the Jonas Insider will feature a client's report and the best submission will be rewarded with a free eTraining session of their choice.

October is just around the corner and so are our 2008 User Groups. Join us in Ottawa, Ontario on October 2nd; Atlantic City, New Jersey on October 9th or in Frisco, Texas on October 23rd. Look inside to hear what our clients have to say about this year's User Groups. "Informative, well organized, relaxed" as Raquel Limon from Van Horne Construction puts it. Don't miss your opportunity to network and learn how to use your system more efficiently.

You have been asking for it and finally it's here!! Change Order Management & Job Costing Management. Our course presenter is Gary Nowack, an experienced Jonas trainer and former project manager with industry knowledge. Register now!

Are you a Jonas Expert? Test your knowledge using our frequently asked questions. We have new features to share with you on our manual QUIK cheques, bank reconciliation and user event log.

This month the Product Enhancements section features our talked about module known as Jonas DMS (Document Management System). You will be amazed by it's ability to save you time and paper. Imagine having the ability to retrieve your documents instantly!!

Did you miss last month's edition of the Jonas Insider? Click here to quickly access important information about Jonas Software.

Your opinion matters!! We’d like to know what you think of our newsletter and how we can improve it to make it the best information tool possible. Please forward your suggestions to us via email.

Feature Article -
Important Reminders-
News & Events -
FAQ’s
Helpful Hints  
Product Enhancements
Product Updates
Comic Relief
 

   


 
 
 

Our annual one-day Conference is just around the corner. This October we will be in Ottawa - Ontario, Atlantic City - New Jersey and Frisco - Texas. Don't miss your opportunity to learn how to use your system more efficiently.

The curriculum for our 2008 User Groups focuses heavily on process-oriented content and high-level reporting which will help you streamline workflow and integrate every area of your business. Our industry-specific breakout session will give you the opportunity to provide valuable input on future Jonas Software enhancements and address any areas of concern. 

Regardless of your Jonas Software knowledge or experience, you will come away with new tools and contacts to help you take full advantage of Jonas Software. 

Please click here for the information package.   
"I've used the Jonas for many years and often felt intimidated. It was a great review as well as new tips along the way. I would recommend Jonas User Group Sessions to the Ontario General Contractors Association's Annual Symposium in Collingwood and to the Canadian Construction Association Conference this year in Arizona. You have so much to offer!"

-Helen Postma from TRP Construction
 

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CLICK HERE TO MAKE A SUGGESTION FOR AN UPCOMING WEBINAR

JONAS is offering Webinar sessions led by well-known and experienced team members of Jonas. The upcoming Webinars are designed to help your business learn more about the Jonas modules, focusing on trouble-shooting procedures,  common questions and tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Jonas software. Your specific questions about features and functionality are welcomed and always answered as part of the presentation. These courses offer valuable insight for experienced Jonas users as well as those who are new to Jonas.  Be sure to check back often, as new courses and dates are constantly being added. 

HELPING YOU GET
EVERYTHING YOU CAN
 OUT OF ALL YOU HAVE


Year-End Housekeeping
Date & Location:  Thursday Nov. 20th, 2008 
Session Length:  2 to 2 1/2 hours
Session Time:  1:00pm EST
Location: Webex
Fee: $200 per connection
Trainer: George Jackson
Course Description: As we rapidly approach the end of another year, it is important to ensure that your your-end procedure are clearly defined and implemented. This course will review housekeeping procedures such as archiving, completing work orders and purchase orders, closing out jobs, resolving receivables that will never get paid, checking suspense accounts, reviewing outstanding deposits, physical inventory counts and adjustments. Balancing accounts and ensuring financial reports are in balance will be key.  Spots are limited so register now. Learn quick tips & tricks on how you can use the system more effectively.

 
Canadian Payroll - Year End Procedures & What's New!
Date & Location:  Wednesday Dec. 3rd, 2008 & Thursday Dec 11th, 2008 
Session Length:  3  hours
Session Time:  1:00pm EST
Location: Webex
Fee: $200 per connection
Trainer: Mike Lasanowski
Course Description: There are a number of tasks to consider when wrapping up your business activities at year-end especially in payroll.  This course will review Important numbers (E.I, CPP,WCB) and federal and provincial tax changes, key reports for employees, year-end reports and PIER reports. Reconciliation, payroll setup, T4 Summary and federal remittances will be covered. The session will end with printing T4's, key forms and online reporting. Spots are limited so register now. Learn quick tips & tricks on how you can use the system more effectively.

 

U.S Payroll - Year End Procedures & What's New!
Date & Location:  Thursday Dec 4 th, 2008 & Wednesday Dec 10th, 2008 
Session Length:  3  hours
Session Time:  1:00pm EST
Location: Webex
Fee: $200 per connection
Trainer: Mike Lasanowski
Course Description: There are a number of tasks to consider when wrapping up your business activities at year-end, especially in Payroll. This course will review Important numbers (Social Security Rate and Max, Medicare Rate, Tax Changes (Federal), 401 K Limits). We will take a look at reports for employees, year-end and W2 summaries. Reconciling, payroll set-up and 941, W2 and 1099's will be covered. Spots are limited so register now.  Learn quick tips & tricks on how you can use the system more effectively.

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What type of Purchase Orders are available?

I. SINGLE TYPE P.O.


Receiving a Single Type P.O.

When you receive parts against a Single PO the program will only update the quantities received, and NOT post an entry to the G/L. As such, there maybe timing issue when receiving and invoicing the PO fall in 2 different periods.


 

Invoicing a Single P.O.



When you post A/P against a Single P.O., your A/P distribution will update your G/L inventory account, your Job, your Work Order, etc. Normally, you would follow the distribution as set-up on the P.O.

II. MULTI TYPE P.O.

Receiving a Multi Type P.O.

When you set-up a Multiple P.O. the Receive Parts program will post a debit to the account distribution you have set-up on your P.O. The credit will go to the Accrual Account that you have selected on the main screen of the P.O. system profile.

Invoicing a Multi Type P.O.

When you post A/P against a Multiple P.O., the distribution must go to the Accrual Account. If your invoice amount does not match the accrual amount posted you will be required to distribute the difference.




COMMITMENT ADJUSTMENT

When a P.O. is created, a commitment is posted to the Job and Work order to which the P.O. is attached to.

Posting a Commitment Adjustment

If the AP Invoice amount is greater than or less than the PO amount, there would be a commitment remaining (commitment-actual). Completing the P.O. will automatically post a commitment adjustment to the job and for work orders, you would need to turn ON the “Adjust $$ on completed W/O P.O.’s” option in the PO system Profile.
 

 

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Tips for the Day

 

SAVE KEYSTROKES!!

When entering the date in any area of Jonas, you can save keystrokes by only typing in the day. You will notice that the month and year will automatically default to what is current. 

For example:
If you want the date to be October 6th, 2008, you would simply key in the number 6 and press enter.
 


Notice, it will pre-fill the correct date of October 6th, 2008. This tip can be applied in all areas of Jonas where the date field is available.

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Simple, Secure and Reliable Online Backup and Recovery

Your data is an integral part of your daily operations and should be protected as such. From billing to client services, this information is critical and would cause extreme difficulties for both you and your members if compromised or lost. Until recently, many companies have relied upon an antiquated tape backup system which required manual off-site delivery and storage. At Jonas we feel that you should enjoy peace of mind knowing that in the event of localized data loss your valuable business data is 100% safe and secure – Jonas E-Backup Services

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IS IT TIME FOR YOUR NEXT UPDATE???

It is important for Jonas users to perform Product Updates on a regular basis to ensure that you keep your Jonas Software current and problem-free. Check the website weekly as a new download is available every Tuesday.  It is advisable to install it immediately.

CURRENT VERSION
The current version for Jonas Software is 11.8.

HOW TO UPDATE??
There are two procedures to choose from to obtain the latest Release.

  1. Downloading from the Website.
  2. Installing the Product Update from a CD.

Before You Begin:

Determine the version of Jonas that you are currently running. If you are unsure, open Jonas and check the version number located in the bottom right hand corner of the screen. Ex. Version 11.6.034 (the release .034 indicates the release level).

 Downloading the Product Update from the Website

  1. Click on the Product Update that matches the version of Jonas software you are currently running. (Ex. 11.4 or 11.6) You cannot change versions via the website, only by loading a CD. Note that you might have to be above a specific Release level to be able to run a Product Update from the website. Notes at the side of the Product Update will tell you this.
  1. Choose the Save option. You will be presented with the SAVE AS screen display below.  Save the Product Update in the X:\GJCWIN\CUSTOM directory (where the X: is the logical drive letter that contains the Jonas programs - usually J:). Note: This is just a suggested directory, but not a mandatory location to save the Product Update. Then you can open and run it. After successful installation, log off Jonas and log back in order for the changes to take place.

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 Installing the Product Update from a CD

Advanced Release versions do require all users to be out of Jonas for the introduction of new data structures. Loading an update from a CD sent by Jonas will always require all users to be out of the system regardless of the version.

  1. Jonas recommends that if you are installing on a network that the Product Update be installed from a workstation. However, if installing the Jonas Product Update via Citrix or Terminal Server, it must be installed at the server console.

Note: Some operating systems, for example Windows 2000, may require you to log onto the server with full administrator / supervisor privileges.

  1.  Locate the Product Update using any technique (e.g. Windows Explorer or via the Run command on the Start button). Double click on the saved PUxxx.exe file.
  1. Wait 5 – 20 seconds and a window will appear. Step your way through the Welcome screens by clicking on Next.
  1. Choose the Destination Directory.  If the drive is not correct, please select browse and indicate the correct location. When the correct path is shown, click on Next.
  1. The Installation Complete screen will appear upon completion of the installation.
  1. Click on the Jonas for Windows icon. The program will automatically start rebuilding the screens and data files.

Version 11.8

We are currently releasing CD's to our clients for Version 11.8. This general release will help you grow and benefit from greater functionality with your Jonas Software by providing a seamless migration path. We anticipate a dispatch of 11.8 to all clients by the end of June 2008.

Your Jonas Software system update may include modifications, new or revised settings, key features and other items which will change your current system. We encourage you to check the release and enhancement notes from time to time for software updates and to always maintain your system to use the latest release of the software. (Administration>Release Enhancements)


Please visit the “Product Updates” section in the Jonas Insider for detailed instructions on installing a c.d. If you experience any difficulties, please contact customer support immediately.

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