September /
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.
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Information
and reporting is the life blood of any organization. Without access to
accurate, timely and relevant data it is near impossible for managers to
make effective strategic and operational decisions.
Within Jonas there is a wealth of information available through the
Executive Dashboard, standard reports, report generators, and F9 quick
reports that many users may not be familiar with.
Starting this month we will be providing examples of reports that can be
generated from the system and discuss how they are used in practice.
This quarter we will be talking about equipment profitability using the
Equipment Views report in Executive Dashboard.
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| Going forward we want to involve our users in this section of the
newsletter. We are looking for great reports that our users have created
or ideas for reports that users would like to get but are unsure of how
to generate. The best submission each quarter will be rewarded with a
free eTraining session of their choice and the chance to be immortalized
in the Jonas Newsletter! Click
here to submit your report.
Equipment Views:
Are you getting the most out of your equipment? In the current economic
environment this is a very important question. Many contractors across
North America are struggling and freeing up extra cash from
underutilized equipment is one way to become leaner in tough market. For
others, new infrastructure spending or oil exploration has them running
on all cylinders. Given the trouble in other segments maybe now is the
time to expand your equipment stock at bargain prices. Knowing which
items are in most demand in your operation will help you determine where
you can get the most for your money.
Equipment Views is a drill down report available in the Executive
Dashboard which provides cost and revenue data over a given time period
for different classes of equipment and specific units.
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In the example below, we can see that the
profitability on our (equipment type) seems low.
We can now drill down to see if this has to do with a specific unit
which may not be working or if there is a lack of demand across the
business.
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Armed with this information we can now go ask the
(person) questions to get to the bottom of the problem and come up with
a solution.
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Another option would be to dig in to more detailed
data using the report generators but we will save that for a future
article.
One quick aside: If you discover that there is missing data when you run
equipment views it likely means that some aspect of the equipment module
is not being used to its full advantage. If you are in this position or
are just interested in getting to know the equipment module better,
please click
here. |
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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. |
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"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
Date & Location:
Thursday, Sept 25th, 2008
Session Length:
2 - 2 1/2 hours
Session Time:
1:00pm EST
Location: Webex
Fee: $200 per connection
Trainer: Gary Nowack |
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Course Description:
This course will cover
everything there is to know about Change Order management. You will quickly
learn how to set up the change order module and learn how to correctly
process internal and comprehensive change orders. Emphasis will be
placed on daily processing, revisions and key reports. Spots
are limited so register
now. |
Date & Location:
Friday, Sept 26th, 2008
Session Length:
2 1/2 - 3 hours
Session Time:
1:00pm EST
Location: Webex
Fee: $200 per connection
Trainer: George Jackson |
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Course
Description: Here
it is!! Learn everything there is to know about work orders. Take a look to
see if you are using the work order module efficiently. Emphasis will be
placed on the daily processing of work orders - from the creation of quotes,
to the integration of tickets and finally to billing out invoices. We will
take a look at various billing methods used by different clients. Focus will
be placed on many trouble-shooting areas including un-billing work orders
and closing out work orders etc. Charging parts to Jobs and/or W/O's will be
reviewed to help you understand the integration into payroll and prep bill.
Key reports will be reviewed. Learn quick tips & tricks on how you can use
the system more effectively. Spots are limited, so register
now. |
Date & Location:
Thursday Oct. 30th, 2008
Session Length:
3 hours
Session Time:
1:00pm EST
Location: Webex
Fee: $200 per connection
Trainer:
Gary Nowack |
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Course Description: This
course will cover everything there is to know about Job Costing. You will
quickly learn how to trouble-shoot common problems in areas of progress
billing, job scheduling, estimating, take-offs, subcontractors and much
more. We will teach you how to set up a job and understand how key
flags and options control the flow of information. Also, you will quickly
learn how to use and design informative project management reports. Spots
are limited so register
now.
Learn quick tips &
tricks on how you can use the system more effectively.
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Can I add a new supplier in manual QUIK cheques?
Accounts Payable>Processing>Manual Quick Cheques
You can now (provided you have menu access to the Maintain Suppliers
program) add a new Supplier while in the F2 Supplier Lookup within the
Manual Cks/QUIK-Cks screen.
In a QUIK bank reconciliation, can I view my
outstanding direct deposits?
A new flag has been added to the QUIK Bank Reconciliation > Options button
to allow the outstanding Direct Deposits to be viewed and reconciled.
Are there any new Items tracked in the User Event Log?
i) When the option 'Delete Reconciled Cheques' is selected in the
Outstanding Ck List & Bank Rec. program, a record will now be written to
the User Event Log indicating they have been deleted.
ii) Changes made to Page 1, Page 2 and Page 3 of the Supplier Master
File are now logged in the User Event Log. The log shows changes 'From'
and 'To'.
iii) In Administration > Setup Company Profile, if changes are made to
the Tax Screen, it will be logged in the User event Log.
iv) In System Administration > Utilities > Copy Job to Another Job, when
this function is performed, it will be logged in the User Event Log.
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Tips for the Day
What is the first thing you should do
when you get a Product update? |
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Print release notes!! Go to
Administration>Release Notes. You can sort per department by clicking on the
header. To select multiple fields – select the first one at the top of the page
and click “shift” and then select the last one. It should highlight all the ones
in between. You can then click “Print” and Jmail this list to the proper
personnel.
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What is Jonas DMS?
Jonas DMS is a powerful document management system designed for all
your document management needs. It is fully integrated with Jonas
Software and any MS Windows program such as Word, Excel, Access,
Outlook etc., allowing you to import any paper-based or electronic
document into one central location.
Why go with paperless with Jonas DMS?
A paperless office does not mean that you no longer require
printers, file folders or file cabinets; it means the information
used to drive the organization exists primarily in electronic
format.
| Imagine no more stacks
of invoices, receipts, bills and any other paperwork
cluttering desks or overloading your filing cabinets. You
will never look for or lose a single piece of paperwork -
it's available electronically right on your computer
screens. You can easily click on any customer, vendor or job
transaction in Jonas DMS and view the associated paperwork
in seconds. If necessary, you can print a stored document on
demand. Think of the total time savings you will gain when
it is no longer necessary to search for, file or re-file
hard copy paper documents. |
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Anyone can easily locate and access any document no
matter who initially stored it, if given the privileges to do so.
Documents can be made public for shared viewing or private just for
sharing with a select few.
Click
here for a demo.
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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.
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Downloading from the Website.
- 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
- 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.
- Wait 5 – 20 seconds and a window will
appear. Step your way through the Welcome screens by clicking on Next.
- 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.
- The Installation Complete screen will appear upon completion of the
installation.
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Click on the Jonas for Windows icon. The program will automatically start
rebuilding the screens and data files.
Version 11.8
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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)
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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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