CUS Notes September 2013
CUS Version 10.0 Coming Soon
We’re already hard at work on the next CUS version for 2014. Version 10.0 will include important new features for the desktop and online systems, including new credit memo invoices and more seller payment options. The CUS Online Auction will have new bid execution and monitoring features, automatic refreshing and a BUY IT NOW option. Watch for more news in the next CUS Notes issue.
CUS’n for 30 Years!
We’re celebrating our 30th anniversary this year and we’re very proud of that achievement. Software providers come and go, while mergers and franchises pop up and disappear all the time. CUS is still independent and privately owned to serve you best. We appreciate the clients who’ve been with CUS so many years and the close relationships we have. CUS may be 30, but we’re still the one you can trust!
CUS Client Workshop in Atlanta
The next CUS client workshop is set for Tuesday, Oct. 29 in Atlanta, GA. It’s an opportunity to get a full day of comprehensive training in the entire CUS system at a very low cost. The workshop will take place at the office of a CUS client in the area. Please contact Ellen at sales@cus.com or 954.680.6545 for location and schedule details.
We’re also hoping to arrange a workshop in early November, in either Denver or another western location. If you’re interested in a session in any of these locations, contact Ellen for more information at 954.680.6545 or sales@cus.com.
New ZIPDATA File Available
We’ve just updated the ZIPFIRST feature with a new zipcode database, effective Sept. 2013. It’s now available for download from the CUS Version 9.0 Support Center. You’ll need your Version 9.0 Username and Password to access this page. If you need assistance, contact Steve at techsupport@cus.com or at 954.680.6545.
Try the CUS Online Auction or Catalogue
You can see a sample of the CUS Online Auction here:
http://cus3.cusauctions.com/?auction=sample12&toa=splash&splashpage=splash3.htm
It’s your own privately branded auction blending in with the rest of your company’s image, using your color scheme and logo. You select the layout of the opening “Welcome” page with pictures of featured lots. There’s a photo slideshow display, a “Watch this lot” feature and bidding from the individual lot page or the catalogue screen.
The CUS Online Auction is a seamless extension of your regular CUS Auction System, with one-click uploads and photo size management built right in. There’s no need to import or export data because it’s all in one system. Add a new lot or a few pictures at any time, adjust your opening bid amounts, or change the closing date. See who is looking at your auction at any time and watch your bids streaming live. After closing, instantly execute all of the high bids as sales; there’s no data entry needed! Email the invoices to your bidders and display post-auction sales results in an instant. Everything is in CUS and it’s all under your control.
It’s easy to publish a searchable catalogue with dozens of pictures too, allowing pre-registration and absentee bidding in advance if you like. Why send your visitors to another company’s site to see YOUR catalogue? The clutter and advertising take attention away from your important event, and you know how easily visitors can get lost or distracted. Contact Ellen at 954.680.6545 or sales@cus.com for more information and a private demo of the new CUS Online Auction.
From the Technical Support Team
WIN2PDF for Windows 8 Operating Systems
A few clients have had conflicts between Windows 8 computers and WIN2PDF, the PDF printer driver that is used to email buyer invoices automatically from CUS. We have a newer release of WIN2PDF that has resolved the problem in most cases so far. The developers haven’t published it for wide release yet, but we have it available if needed. Contact Steve at techsupport@cus.com for advice.
Using CUS on Windows 7 or 8 Operating Systems
While we’re satisfied that current CUS versions are compatible with Windows 7 and 8 operating systems, there have been some reports of slower network response time. Some IP network configuration changes may be necessary to improve performance. A Windows 7 or 8 network must use classic Workgroup networking for CUS instead of Homegroup. This requires Windows 7 Home Premium or higher for any computer on a network. In Windows 8, this may require Windows 8 Professional. For any CUS network containing Windows 7 or 8 stations, please contact Steve at techsupport@cus.com or 954.680.6545 for guidance.
If you are replacing computers in the near future, we recommend you try to get Windows 7 while you still can, especially for staffers who aren’t comfortable with new computer environments. Windows 7 systems are still available online but may not be easy to find in your local retail store. We continue to test Windows 8 with the current CUS Version 9.0 release and have not seen any other issues yet. The user interface in Windows 8 is very different from Windows 7 or XP. It will require some patience to get used to it. Be prepared for the possibility that some of your older devices (printers, scanners etc.) may not be compatible at all.
To run CUS on Windows 7 or 8 computers, there are also some necessary Windows Registry changes. We install a utility file, smboff.zip, to handle this for you. Please contact Steve at 954.680.6545 or techsupport@cus.com for guidance.
In general, Windows 7 is compatible with CUS Versions 8.0 and higher, but not older CUS versions. As we described above, Windows 8 seems to be satisfactory thus far, but we are only testing it on CUS Versions 9 and higher. Contact us at 954.680.6545 or techsupport@cus.com for further information before buying any new computers, especially if you aren’t licensed for CUS Version 8.0 or higher.
Note: DOS versions of CUS are NOT compatible with any Windows 7, Windows 8 or Vista computers at all. If you are still licensed for an older DOS-only CUS version, you have to stay with Windows XP until you update to CUS for Windows.
Advantage Database Server for CUS
Many of our larger network installations use the more robust “client/server” edition of CUS that has the Advantage Database Server engine as its foundation. This enables networked CUS applications to run more securely in wireless or remote access environments. If you have a large network with a Windows Server or are planning to expand, you may be a candidate for the CUS ADS Server edition. It’s very important to contact CUS before upgrading any server or installing a new one, to be sure CUS can support that server operating system. If you have an older ADS Server release version, you may need an ADS update before installing a newer Windows Server.
Contacting Technical and Web Support
Please send emails to techsupport@cus.com instead of an individual email address. This will let other CUS consultants see the question and be able to help you if the person you tried to reach is not available. The same is true for websites managed by CUS. Send them to websupport@cus.com instead of any one person. If you don’t get an answer to your emailed question in a day or two, follow up with a phone call to our office at 954.680.6545. Your email might have been trapped by a spam or junk filter and blocked. Of course, if you have an emergency, don’t rely on email at all. Call us right away at 954.680.6545 (daytime) or 954.483.6778 (night/weekend).
Technical Support via Remote Access
If you need technical support but aren’t comfortable on a computer, we can help. You only need an internet connection to let us log in remotely and get the job done. You control when we can get in and when to disconnect from us. We can troubleshoot most network issues, install CUS on your computer or do program updates from older CUS versions.
There’s a link to our live remote support from the CUS Version 8 and 9 Support Centers. Version 8 or 9 CUS Systems also have direct links to the Support Center from the Help Menu. For older CUS versions, contact Steve to help you connect to CUS remote support. This is live real-time support, so you must make arrangements with us before connecting to have a consultant available for you.
Ellen Weintraub, Sales Manager
Contacting CUS
sales@cus.com for price quotes or other sales related questions
techsupport@cus.com for any support or training questions
websupport@cus.com for website content or maintenance
Day: 954.680.6545 Night/Weekend Emergency: 954.483.6778 Fax: 954.680.6018
Note our new mailing address:
CUS Business Systems
5722 S. Flamingo Rd. PMB #3130
Cooper City FL 33330