V10 encryption

Becky · 11-07-2002, 02:27 PM

What is the final outcome about the encryption for V10? I remember the debate but don't remember the final decision.

Andy · 11-07-2002, 03:20 PM

I understand, and shortly will be able to confirm the following:

The encryption of the Client Address line has been removed.

The encryption of the EFT Account Number remains. The explanation given as I understand it, is that Visa/MC REQUIRED that the EFT Account Number in YOUR database be encrypted. I find that totally inconsistent with other MAJOR POS software application used in MANY industries.

Require the EFT Account Number to be encrypted in any TRANSMISSION file ... YES ... but to encrypt the data storage within YOUR database, news to me (and many much more knowledgable than me) that that is now a requirement enforced by Visa/MC.

Once I have had an opportunity to review the actual state of the data stored within the Helios V10 databases I will post further.

Becky · 11-07-2002, 03:56 PM

Thanks Andy. Does V10 have the smart mail feature?

Andy · 11-07-2002, 04:11 PM

V10.0.45 did not have a "Smart Mail" feature, I will shortly be able to advise if it is still removed for the "offically released" version of Helios - V10.0.62

The SmartMail Wizard had the ability to "export" client data into a smail.mdb file that MS-Word could use to create MailMerge documents (letter and/or labels).

V10 does have an expanded "Direct Mail" function with "some" of the selection criteria previously available in the SmartMail Wizard (but rather limited in this one mans opinion), and it ONLY has the ability to print labels. No export to a separate data base ability exists and again only labels, not letters.

This in my view is a MAJOR reduction in feature related to V10. HOWEVER Salon Wizard from Solarsoft provides you unlimited access to all of the data (that is not encrypted) within your Helios Databases ... AND ... gives you the ability to create custom reports from that VALUABLE data and/or export selected data to an Excel or Text File ... want to know more give me a call.

_________________

Andy Thompson
ACT Business Solutions
Toll-Free 877-777-6717
andy@atso.ca
ACT Help Center [ This Message was edited by: Andy @ ATSO.ca on 2002-11-07 16:20 ]

Sonshinetans · 11-07-2002, 07:23 PM

Andy,
In your professional opinon,
Do you recommend anyone to upgrade????
If so why,
If not why,
Tommy

Andy · 11-08-2002, 04:39 AM

First, I would definitely wait for sufficent time to past that you are able to hear positive things about the stability of V10.

I would proceed with the acquisition of the V10 dongle that operates both V9 and V10 ... thus allowing you the flexibility to decide on your terms when and if it is appropriate for you to upgrade.

The V10 upgrade has many of the same changes that V8 (remember that disaster) had:
.. new Database Engine - moving to Access 2000
.. new Reporting Suite - all reports appear to have been rewritten
.. changes to the Database Structure - changed from 3 to 6 operational databases

V10 involved a significant amount of change without much in the way of significant additional features. This always makes me nervous and may in part be at the root of why this release is One Year overdue being available.

In general it is always desirable to remain current with a Software Suppliers current version ... WHEN and ONLY WHEN, that new version has been confirmed to be reliable and stable, and for as long as it is apparent that you will/may wish to utilize further versions of that Vendors Software and their support services.

I will create a separate thread providing additional updated comments related to V10 to allow you to evaluate when it is appropriate for you to upgrade.

___________________

Andy Thompson
ACT Business Solutions
Toll-Free 877-777-6717
andy@atso.ca
ACT Help Center [ This Message was edited by: Andy @ ATSO.ca on 2002-11-08 04:51 ]

Andy · 11-08-2002, 03:49 PM

Fantastic ... just got word from a Helios User that has V10.0.62 ...

they report that opening the Client.mdb database with ACCESS 2000 and looking at both the Client Address line AND the EFT Account Number that NEITHER of these fields are now encrypted.

FANTASTIC ...

_________________

Andy Thompson
ACT Business Solutions
Toll-Free 877-777-6717
andy@atso.ca
ACT Help Center [ This Message was edited by: Andy @ ATSO.ca on 2002-11-08 15:52 ]

Andy · 11-27-2002, 09:09 AM

Want a chuckle ... read this:

Quote:A Helios User was at the Helios booth in Nashville and got to meet Tony. As it worked out Tony helped him with a couple of small glitches that he had and talked him into version 10. When the issue of encrpytion of data came up Tony implied he didn’t know what he was talking about and that Helios never had any intentions of doing that in version 10 or any other version. That was just a rumor from some sources unrelated to Helios. He said he was in charge and would never let that happen.

Well I will most certainly admit to most likely being the "source unrelated to Helios" and anyone that has a copy of the CD distributed at the Vegas show ... V10.0.45 ... can confirm that it most definitely DID INCLUDE encryption.

Rather scary that Tony is either so far out of the loop at ETS/Helios that he did not know they were doing it ... or I guess there is another alternative, but surely Tony would not knowingly make such a misstatement of fact.

Regardless, encryption for now is gone from Helios V10, for that all Helios Users can be thankful, right ....

_________________

Andy Thompson
ACT Business Solutions
Toll-Free 877-777-6717
andy@atso.ca
ACT Help Center [ This Message was edited by: Andy @ ATSO.ca on 2002-11-27 09:28 ]

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11-07-2002, 02:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
Becky Waiting Confirmation Join Date: May 7 2001 Posts: 1,057 Rep Power: 0	What is the final outcome about the encryption for V10? I remember the debate but don't remember the final decision.

11-07-2002, 03:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
Andy Join Date: Jan 25 2000 Location: CT Posts: 1,760 Rep Power: 9	I understand, and shortly will be able to confirm the following: The encryption of the Client Address line has been removed. The encryption of the EFT Account Number remains. The explanation given as I understand it, is that Visa/MC REQUIRED that the EFT Account Number in YOUR database be encrypted. I find that totally inconsistent with other MAJOR POS software application used in MANY industries. Require the EFT Account Number to be encrypted in any TRANSMISSION file ... YES ... but to encrypt the data storage within YOUR database, news to me (and many much more knowledgable than me) that that is now a requirement enforced by Visa/MC. Once I have had an opportunity to review the actual state of the data stored within the Helios V10 databases I will post further.

11-07-2002, 03:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
Becky Waiting Confirmation Join Date: May 7 2001 Posts: 1,057 Rep Power: 0	Thanks Andy. Does V10 have the smart mail feature?

11-07-2002, 04:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
Andy Join Date: Jan 25 2000 Location: CT Posts: 1,760 Rep Power: 9	V10.0.45 did not have a "Smart Mail" feature, I will shortly be able to advise if it is still removed for the "offically released" version of Helios - V10.0.62 The SmartMail Wizard had the ability to "export" client data into a smail.mdb file that MS-Word could use to create MailMerge documents (letter and/or labels). V10 does have an expanded "Direct Mail" function with "some" of the selection criteria previously available in the SmartMail Wizard (but rather limited in this one mans opinion), and it ONLY has the ability to print labels. No export to a separate data base ability exists and again only labels, not letters. This in my view is a MAJOR reduction in feature related to V10. HOWEVER Salon Wizard from Solarsoft provides you unlimited access to all of the data (that is not encrypted) within your Helios Databases ... AND ... gives you the ability to create custom reports from that VALUABLE data and/or export selected data to an Excel or Text File ... want to know more give me a call. _________________ Andy Thompson ACT Business Solutions Toll-Free 877-777-6717 andy@atso.ca ACT Help Center [ This Message was edited by: Andy @ ATSO.ca on 2002-11-07 16:20 ]

11-07-2002, 07:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sonshinetans Join Date: Oct 23 2000 Location: alabama Posts: 493 Rep Power: 8	Andy, In your professional opinon, Do you recommend anyone to upgrade???? If so why, If not why, Tommy

11-08-2002, 04:39 AM	#6 (permalink)
Andy Join Date: Jan 25 2000 Location: CT Posts: 1,760 Rep Power: 9	First, I would definitely wait for sufficent time to past that you are able to hear positive things about the stability of V10. I would proceed with the acquisition of the V10 dongle that operates both V9 and V10 ... thus allowing you the flexibility to decide on your terms when and if it is appropriate for you to upgrade. The V10 upgrade has many of the same changes that V8 (remember that disaster) had: .. new Database Engine - moving to Access 2000 .. new Reporting Suite - all reports appear to have been rewritten .. changes to the Database Structure - changed from 3 to 6 operational databases V10 involved a significant amount of change without much in the way of significant additional features. This always makes me nervous and may in part be at the root of why this release is One Year overdue being available. In general it is always desirable to remain current with a Software Suppliers current version ... WHEN and ONLY WHEN, that new version has been confirmed to be reliable and stable, and for as long as it is apparent that you will/may wish to utilize further versions of that Vendors Software and their support services. I will create a separate thread providing additional updated comments related to V10 to allow you to evaluate when it is appropriate for you to upgrade. ___________________ Andy Thompson ACT Business Solutions Toll-Free 877-777-6717 andy@atso.ca ACT Help Center [ This Message was edited by: Andy @ ATSO.ca on 2002-11-08 04:51 ]

11-08-2002, 03:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
Andy Join Date: Jan 25 2000 Location: CT Posts: 1,760 Rep Power: 9	Fantastic ... just got word from a Helios User that has V10.0.62 ... they report that opening the Client.mdb database with ACCESS 2000 and looking at both the Client Address line AND the EFT Account Number that NEITHER of these fields are now encrypted. FANTASTIC ... _________________ Andy Thompson ACT Business Solutions Toll-Free 877-777-6717 andy@atso.ca ACT Help Center [ This Message was edited by: Andy @ ATSO.ca on 2002-11-08 15:52 ]

11-27-2002, 09:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
Andy Join Date: Jan 25 2000 Location: CT Posts: 1,760 Rep Power: 9	Want a chuckle ... read this: Quote:A Helios User was at the Helios booth in Nashville and got to meet Tony. As it worked out Tony helped him with a couple of small glitches that he had and talked him into version 10. When the issue of encrpytion of data came up Tony implied he didn’t know what he was talking about and that Helios never had any intentions of doing that in version 10 or any other version. That was just a rumor from some sources unrelated to Helios. He said he was in charge and would never let that happen. Well I will most certainly admit to most likely being the "source unrelated to Helios" and anyone that has a copy of the CD distributed at the Vegas show ... V10.0.45 ... can confirm that it most definitely DID INCLUDE encryption. Rather scary that Tony is either so far out of the loop at ETS/Helios that he did not know they were doing it ... or I guess there is another alternative, but surely Tony would not knowingly make such a misstatement of fact. Regardless, encryption for now is gone from Helios V10, for that all Helios Users can be thankful, right .... _________________ Andy Thompson ACT Business Solutions Toll-Free 877-777-6717 andy@atso.ca ACT Help Center [ This Message was edited by: Andy @ ATSO.ca on 2002-11-27 09:28 ]

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