Helios 9 back-up error

[hawaii2345]

We are on 9.4.0. After it appears to run all the way through the back-up a box pops up saying "error accessing files". I have already run the repair utility. Any ideas?

[Andy]

Not likely a file problem re Helios ... are you using the Helios Backup Utility ... is Helios closed when you are doing the backup.

Are you going to be upgrading to V11 ... strongly suggest you consider doing so.

[hawaii2345]

Andy, I never ceased to be amazed at your knowledge despite being offsite and the endless computer possibilities. After your suggestion I checked around and seen that my harddrive was nearly 100% full. I cleaned it up, and now the back-up works perfectly. You rock!!!

Upgrading is a tough sell. I will have to buy new computers (the two terminals are Helios specific and are on Win 98) and this version of 9 seems to run without any issues at all. We are also on database (weststar/questar) timers and I heard that there are timer issues (bed status screen) with version 11.

Is there anything that you can say to make me feel better about upgrading?

Thanks again!

[Andy]

There is an issue with Helios V11 and multiple Database timers (one works fine) ... Helios is addressing this and hope to have the issue resolved during July ... it is a priority.

Do you have an hour ... (or more) ... the list of addition features/functions and tools in V11 is nearly endless. I hate to see anyone missing out on the operational, control and marketing capability that has been added to V11.

The Auto Remote Backup will also shortly be available ... this is a SWEET concept ... no longer dependant on your staff to do the backup ... Back up more than once a day reducing the risk of lost data.

The WAN Function for multiple stores ... at no additonal ongoing cost above your normal Software Maintenance Agreement cost. There are actually a couple of Single Location users that have implemented the WAN for the purpose of Backing Up their Clients, Transactions and EFT records hourly thoroughout the day ... every hour up to their remote server the above info goes.

The new Price Grid and Money Grid in Sales Code offers more flexibility and reduces the number of Tanning Sales Code that one needs.

A half dozen new reports to better analysis Employee Averages, Membership Revenue, Detail Commission reports, Session by Time of Day and Day of Week .... and more coming.

The BACK OFFICE module that allows you to run any report from anywhere with Internet connectivity. This module also allows you to remotely maintenance Sales codes, Transactions, Time clock Records, Employees, Passwords, Client (including Master Edit) EFT Records ... etc etc etc. AND it has the beginnings of the new SQL Wizard, allowing you to write Custom Reports ... want a list of Outstanding Gift Certificates ... do it, want to identify your top 20 clients, do it .... want to identify clients that have become inactive in the last 3 or 6 months, do it .... this feature alone can save you or make you the cost of new computers many times over.

The seamless processing of Credit Cards from within Helios is MAJOR ... this is a significant control issue that Helios have now addressed ... FAST, EFFECTIVE, ECONOMICAL ... the rates with CHASE Merchant are VERY competitive ... be careful comparing with your current rates ... Tony was telling me of one User that felt they were paying about 1.7% (I believe the CHASE rate is 1.63%) but by the time Tony helped them look at their providers statement and consider the addon charges they were over 2.4%. .8% or nearly 1% of your Credit Card transaction in a year ... could in itself cover the costs of those new computers and then some. This also stops employees from taking advantage of the separation of POS processing and Credit Card processing ... this is a VERY significant control issue for you and your clients.

Email Broadcasting
Online Credit Card Processing ... both EFT and daily POS transactions
Online ACH processing coming SOON
Ability to reprint a receipt
Fixed email fields
Enlarged Name and Address fields ... Apartment Number Added
Ability to immediately Unfreeze a Frozen EFT Membership with prorate charged
Enhanced TMax Timer functions ... and Dirty Bed time counts up on the Bed Status display
Bed Status displays on front POS screen when no client selected
Ability to prohibit Employees from Tanning when Clocked in
With the New Finger Print device available with V11 ... it brings up the client ... sweet
Enlarged POS Activity display reflects 20 lines of recent history up from 6
Transactional Notes ... meaning multiple notes per client
Sales Codes now have Start Date in addition to End Date
Improved statibility of Access 2000 compared to Access 97
Improved structure of Database ... 8 compared to 3 ... has many advantages
9 Contract forms available up from 5
.... and the list continues

Windows XP Professional is a MUCH more stable and reliable operating system compared to Windows 98 ... with the Limited Account structure you can also EASILY lock Users out of undesirable activities.

V11 easily supports the implementation of Limited Users within XP Pro ... thus locking users easily out of many Windows functions ... System Date being at the top of the list. You can then also disable the external drives (Floppy ... CD Drive) and a limited account can not enable same ... thus no copying of files (whether they be homework or other data files) onto your system. You can also engage Internet Security to prohibit web surfing to unauthorized web sites.

Helios could not logically continue to support 3 different versions of the software, it was hard decision for them ... but aided by the fact that Microsoft also stopped support Windows98 as of Dec 31, 2003.

I could go on and on ... but the above are the issues that come immediately to mind ... if you need more to feel better about upgrading ... I shall continue.

_________________

Andy Thompson
Authorized HELIOS Independent Consultant
Office: 877-777-6717
CELL: 317-529-0041
andy@myatso.com[ This Message was edited by: Andy @ MyATSO.ca on 2004-07-11 08:26 ]