HELIOS Version 11 !!!

[Andy]

At the risk of again being charged with spreading rumors (rumours) before the fact ... from reliable sources I have received the following info on Helios V11 which will be announced offically at the Nashville show on Friday of this week.

First V11 and V10 will co-exist, meaning Helios will ship and support both versions. V10 will remain as currently structured utilizing a Hardware Key (dongle) for copy protection. V11 includes many new modules that are supported by an Internet Boardband connection and therefore can use Boardband User Authenication rather than a physical key. Some like the dongle, some do not .... some like the idea of Broadband connection and the functionality it provides and some do not ... OK ... you can decide what is best for you.


The V11 POS screen addresses most if not all of the issues I have previously raised regarding the V10 POS Screen
... Skin Type is back on the Main Screen
... Visits Till Due is again present and the Balance Fields are presented logically
... The entire Sales Code field is now visable in the POS and Activity (Recent History) area
... From the buttons in the upper right you can select which display is to appear in the "Activity" area, so if you want to see the Client Photo, you can select Checkin ... the Checkin display will remain until switched to another display
... Apartment # is now a separate field
... Email addresses are now HOT ... meaning you can send an email directly from the Client Profile
... The Cashier Screen has been consolidated into the POS area ... no separate popup
... The Bed selection activity is also included in the POS area ... with last tan info presented


The NEXT generation of Biometric (Thumbprint) device is supported by V11 ... you will NOW be able to RETRIEVE a client via this new Biometric device. So now, in addition to the security provided to protect client packages/memberships, employee clockin and passwords ... this will add the additional operational advantage of speeding the retrieval of clients for processing.


V11 includes a new Credit Card Module with allows processing thru your Internet Broadband connection ... no need for a separate machine ... applicable for both daily transactions and EFT processing.

V11 includes a new Email Broadcast Module .... with HTML editor allowing for broadcast of custom emails to all clients selected for broadcast. This selection function is an enhancement of the "Smart Mail" utility.

V11 includes a new E-Commerce Module ... allowing clients to purchase packages online, populating the appropriate Accumulators in Helios for the Client.

V11 includes an On-Line Appointment Module

V11 includes Location, Web and Multi-Store reporting enhancements


AND .... that BIG BLACK VOID, in V10 on the POS screen when you do not have a client selected ... now you can select from a number of options what you want there ... one of which is .... BED STATUS.


I look forward to getting my hands on this new Version of Helios ... and will offer more comments and observations once I do.


_________________

Andy Thompson
ACT Business Solutions
519-858-4154
andy@atso.ca
ACT Help Center [ This Message was edited by: Andy @ ATSO.ca on 2004-01-01 21:53 ]

[Neon Beach]

Same owners?

[Andy]

I assume you mean ETS and Tony ... yes

[Neon Beach]

Whatta shame, sounds like the new version has some great features.

[Alarris]

WOW! Am I the only one who gets excited by this? *grins* Thanks for all the info, Andy. I have to admit - it sounds pretty great. We are still running on v9 right now, partially because we were nervous at first of some of the reported bugs early on in v10, but also because we are looking to find the most cost-effective way to network all of our salons. Anyway, let us know when you think of it after you play around on it, Andy! I'd be interested in getting a warning on any drawbacks or possible problems areas - though it sounds great right now! (Yep, I'll admit it - I'm a nerd! *grins*)

love, alarris

[Neon Beach]

I still have my "free" V10 sitting on a shelf, never installed. I didn't like the "rumours that surrounded the acquisition of Helios by ETS. As if Helios didn't have enough problems with client complaints. Not from me however, it has always worked well for me and has been support free for over 5 yrs. Is it true Andy, that using the online appointment booking feature or any other online feature gives ETS a peek at your client list?

[Andy]

Shall do Alarris ... if you are in Nashville you will be able to take a look I understand. I will be giving it a test as soon as I have an opportunity. I am pleased about the number of issues that reportedly are addressed. I expressed concern about the initial state of V10 when released, but for the last number of months it has in my opinion reached a state of stability equal to V9.4 and has the added advantage of being conditioned to operate with Windows XP.

Neon Beach, John ... I am told that security would prohibit ETS from looking at your Client File ... but you have a valid point regarding the clients that would actually book the online appointment or use other online features. This is something I will review in detail and comments on. This same issue can be raised regarding any online system ... one really needs to clearly understand what is happening to their data. Technology is wonderful and powerful ... one just needs to be sure that power is being used to your advantage.

_________________

Andy Thompson
ACT Business Solutions
519-858-4154
andy@atso.ca
ACT Help Center [ This Message was edited by: Andy @ ATSO.ca on 2003-11-04 19:39 ]

[Neon Beach]

Always the diplomat Andy! Gotta love 'ya! Keep us informed, and maybe, just maybe I will update despite my ETS opinion, cause I love the program?!?! What to do?

[Andy]

Both V10 and V11 now allow for the immediate Unfreezing AND USE of a frozen membership including the appropriate ProRate charge for the current month. This was broken in V9.4 and has been fixed in V10 and V11.

The handling of taxes on EFT membership has been resolved in V11.

The ability to Reprint a Receipt is in V11.

The Inventory Re-order report in V10 and V11 can now report only items that are below Minimum.

[Sonshinetans]

Wow Andy, this sounds like it is going to be the best yet.....
I will pm a question to you .
tommy