Monthly Fee for Helios - Page 2

Poohberry · 07-03-2002, 02:20 PM

I think it’s not only scary but down right dastardly that Helios would encrypt info the salon owner should have exclusive access too. From what I’ve hear you will need Helios to send our mailing and run our EFT’S, why should they get to tax us even more? What if I want to run special software or reports, I’m not excepting not having the encryption key so I can manipulate my data. I’m looking into Solarsoft (http://www.gosolarsoft.com/) they have an amazing POS system coming out soon. I like them because all they are doing is making tested Microsoft products talk to each other, why remake software Microsoft is using globally. Solarsoft is on the right track and I’m very interested in their future product especially their POS, Helios sucks. How long has 9.4 been out and they still haven’t fixed easy stuff like overwriting the database (come on), not backing up the database before upgrade or reinstall, it wont copy over the DpUtils.dll (so annoying), only a few states drivers license numbers, AHHHH, I could go on for days. V10 WON’T HAPPEN UNDER MY REIGN!!!

Chippp · 07-03-2002, 04:44 PM

Andy your are not right,

"when in force you are to receive updates and upgrades to the Helios Application at no additional charge"
That is not true you will not receive them automatically, you must phone them over and over to find out if any update is out, then you must pay 20 to 25 dollars to get them to send the update to you. Its not free!

"Secondly, when in force you are to receive "FREE" technical support during normal business hours."

Not so,
You have to pay the long distant phone call and you could be on hold a long time.

At one time you did get updates mailed to you free, as well as they did have a 800 number for support. Not now!

Andy how long have you been involved with helios?

Chippp · 07-03-2002, 04:52 PM

I have also received updates in the past with reams of faxed info on how to install the update and conversion. I know alot about computers and the update installation was so convoluted and long you needed to be a rocket scientist to understand and follow the instructions.
That the install didn't go as writen and i had to call support to find out why the instructions didn't work!
They left part out of the instructions!
They didn't even want to tell me what they left out of the instructuions because they could not find that I had a service contract.
I had bought a new version ( back in the pay for software days} and was to receive 30 days free support!
They didn't want to honor it !!

like I said 50.00 is too much for monthly support you don't use.
Only fear of being stranded or cut off keep you paying.

Andy · 07-03-2002, 05:16 PM

First CHIPPP, the easy one - I have been providing support and training independant from Helios for nearly 5 years. For three of those years, I was also involved in selling Helios in Canada, that ended May 31st, 2001.

I have invested hundreds of hours over the last 5 years testing and reporting bugs to Helios ownership and staff. Then ETS purchase controlling interest in Helios and without notice or consultation my ability to earn income from the sale of the product that I spent those hours debugging - GONE!!!

You are entirely correct about the "FREE" support, you do have to pay for the phone call (unless they call you back) and since I am not employed by or associated with Helios (CIT) in any manner can not offer any comment or explanation why you have had to sit on hold for so long - I leave that to Helios to explain.

You referred to a fee of $20 or $25 for an upgrade. I am sure you have experienced this or you would not be referring to it. I know many Users get Upgrade CD's at Trade Show with no associated costs and updates to the program between Releases are available for download over the Internet. So I guess regarding the fee you referred to, either they are picking on you or that is a handling charge associated with mailing you the upgrade - you may wish to confirm with Helios that it is in fact appropriate for you to have been charged that fee.

CHIPPP, I truly try to help Helios Users as best I can. Sometimes for fee for onsite training and/or remote set up service - often here on the boards I provide guidance and answers for no consideration. It may be my misunderstanding your intent or tone but why are you attacking me - enjoy shooting the messenger?

Haole Mark · 07-04-2002, 06:07 AM

ETS/Helios should at least be paying you for doing "their" job on line!!! Especially since they screwed you without even a kiss.
All this info has sure helped me make my software decision!
Mahalo, Mark

Chippp · 07-04-2002, 12:02 PM

What happened to you andy is a shameful example of how they will treat their own clients,{ once trapped into verion 10,} the software users.

I say hold on to version 9, and do not upgrade till all these matters are resolved to the benifit of the software user.

Thanks andy for leting us know about the data tampering!

_________________

Tanning Booths, for people that want only the very best.
Fast, Comfortable, Dark Tanning and Hygienic.
Don't get booth envy, get a booth.[ This Message was edited by: Chippp on 2002-07-04 11:03 ]

TANtalize · 07-05-2002, 07:40 PM

I appreciate all the good information exchange. I run Windows 98 and was not aware of the problems with upgrading to Helios 10.

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07-03-2002, 02:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
Poohberry Join Date: Jun 4 2002 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	I think it’s not only scary but down right dastardly that Helios would encrypt info the salon owner should have exclusive access too. From what I’ve hear you will need Helios to send our mailing and run our EFT’S, why should they get to tax us even more? What if I want to run special software or reports, I’m not excepting not having the encryption key so I can manipulate my data. I’m looking into Solarsoft (http://www.gosolarsoft.com/) they have an amazing POS system coming out soon. I like them because all they are doing is making tested Microsoft products talk to each other, why remake software Microsoft is using globally. Solarsoft is on the right track and I’m very interested in their future product especially their POS, Helios sucks. How long has 9.4 been out and they still haven’t fixed easy stuff like overwriting the database (come on), not backing up the database before upgrade or reinstall, it wont copy over the DpUtils.dll (so annoying), only a few states drivers license numbers, AHHHH, I could go on for days. V10 WON’T HAPPEN UNDER MY REIGN!!!

07-03-2002, 04:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
Chippp Join Date: Apr 19 2001 Posts: 2,556 Rep Power: 8	Andy your are not right, "when in force you are to receive updates and upgrades to the Helios Application at no additional charge" That is not true you will not receive them automatically, you must phone them over and over to find out if any update is out, then you must pay 20 to 25 dollars to get them to send the update to you. Its not free! "Secondly, when in force you are to receive "FREE" technical support during normal business hours." Not so, You have to pay the long distant phone call and you could be on hold a long time. At one time you did get updates mailed to you free, as well as they did have a 800 number for support. Not now! Andy how long have you been involved with helios?

07-03-2002, 04:52 PM	#13 (permalink)
Chippp Join Date: Apr 19 2001 Posts: 2,556 Rep Power: 8	I have also received updates in the past with reams of faxed info on how to install the update and conversion. I know alot about computers and the update installation was so convoluted and long you needed to be a rocket scientist to understand and follow the instructions. That the install didn't go as writen and i had to call support to find out why the instructions didn't work! They left part out of the instructions! They didn't even want to tell me what they left out of the instructuions because they could not find that I had a service contract. I had bought a new version ( back in the pay for software days} and was to receive 30 days free support! They didn't want to honor it !! like I said 50.00 is too much for monthly support you don't use. Only fear of being stranded or cut off keep you paying.

07-03-2002, 05:16 PM	#14 (permalink)
Andy Join Date: Jan 25 2000 Location: CT Posts: 1,763 Rep Power: 9	First CHIPPP, the easy one - I have been providing support and training independant from Helios for nearly 5 years. For three of those years, I was also involved in selling Helios in Canada, that ended May 31st, 2001. I have invested hundreds of hours over the last 5 years testing and reporting bugs to Helios ownership and staff. Then ETS purchase controlling interest in Helios and without notice or consultation my ability to earn income from the sale of the product that I spent those hours debugging - GONE!!! You are entirely correct about the "FREE" support, you do have to pay for the phone call (unless they call you back) and since I am not employed by or associated with Helios (CIT) in any manner can not offer any comment or explanation why you have had to sit on hold for so long - I leave that to Helios to explain. You referred to a fee of $20 or $25 for an upgrade. I am sure you have experienced this or you would not be referring to it. I know many Users get Upgrade CD's at Trade Show with no associated costs and updates to the program between Releases are available for download over the Internet. So I guess regarding the fee you referred to, either they are picking on you or that is a handling charge associated with mailing you the upgrade - you may wish to confirm with Helios that it is in fact appropriate for you to have been charged that fee. CHIPPP, I truly try to help Helios Users as best I can. Sometimes for fee for onsite training and/or remote set up service - often here on the boards I provide guidance and answers for no consideration. It may be my misunderstanding your intent or tone but why are you attacking me - enjoy shooting the messenger?

07-04-2002, 06:07 AM	#15 (permalink)
Haole Mark Join Date: Mar 18 2002 Posts: 131 Rep Power: 7	ETS/Helios should at least be paying you for doing "their" job on line!!! Especially since they screwed you without even a kiss. All this info has sure helped me make my software decision! Mahalo, Mark

07-04-2002, 12:02 PM	#16 (permalink)
Chippp Join Date: Apr 19 2001 Posts: 2,556 Rep Power: 8	What happened to you andy is a shameful example of how they will treat their own clients,{ once trapped into verion 10,} the software users. I say hold on to version 9, and do not upgrade till all these matters are resolved to the benifit of the software user. Thanks andy for leting us know about the data tampering! _________________ Tanning Booths, for people that want only the very best. Fast, Comfortable, Dark Tanning and Hygienic. Don't get booth envy, get a booth.[ This Message was edited by: Chippp on 2002-07-04 11:03 ]

07-05-2002, 07:40 PM	#17 (permalink)
TANtalize Join Date: Jul 4 2001 Location: San Antonio Posts: 252 Rep Power: 8	I appreciate all the good information exchange. I run Windows 98 and was not aware of the problems with upgrading to Helios 10.

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