The new Helios online

BP · 10-10-2005, 11:02 PM

Are the people who currently have the Helios program going to have to quit our current system and purchase a whole new package?

If we don't will the old system still be upgraded?

Will there be a discount for those of us now using Helios?

Will they communicate with each other? If we open another salon will they talk, or will I have to buy all new for all locations?

I'm very worried I'm looking at a large chunk of change leaving my pocket soon.

wildfire · 10-11-2005, 08:54 AM

I saw the new version of Helios at the ITA Show in Nashville. It is called Centrix and it is internet-based instead of installed on a Windows-based PC. The computers in the salon are replaced with these new 'thin-client' units that don't have any data on them. They connect to the internet and go straight to the web-based Centrix application.

Since Helios is keeping the same licensing scheme, anyone using Helios now and paying the software maintenance agreement will be eligible to upgrade to the new Centrix version at no charge. The expense will be in purchasing the new thin client and having a broadband internet connection at each salon. The thin client is supposed to be priced at $399 to be cheaper than a Windows-based PC. I don't know about any of the other devices though, since they had new stuff on display at the show (like a new receipt printer, new credit card swipe, and new T-max timer).

Helios11 is still available and will still be supported since not everyone can or will be able to go to the internet-based version. There will probably still be some updates to Helios11 but much of the new features will likely be exclusive to Centrix.

One of Centrix selling points was the integration of the Wide Area Network (WAN). Right now, the Helios11 program at each salon has to transmit the data hourly to the WAN server, then it gets transmitted back to the other salons. Once they are all online using Centrix, there is no more need for the WAN server or for batching since all the data is accessible to all locations in real-time. I don't know whether there will be an option to have some salons on Centrix and some salons on Helios11, but I sort of doubt it. It's probably either all Centrix or all Helios11.

In the long run, I don't think Helios is going to force anyone to upgrade to Centrix until they decide to completely discontinue all of their current versions that run on Windows PCs. I do wonder about people using Helios10, because in the past Helios has only supported the current version plus one version prior. If this is going to be the case, once Centrix is released then Helios technical support may stop supporting version 10 and older (since they already don't support Helios9).

_________________
[ This Message was edited by: wildfire on 2005-10-12 11:29 ]

summrtan · 10-12-2005, 01:45 PM

I was in Nashville and saw the new equipment but did not have a chance to talk to anyone about it (they were with someone each time I stopped by) I'm sure there are more questions AI will eventually have but right now I guess the biggest one is what happens if your internet/broadband service were to go down. Would it be necessary to close up shop until back online? Also what about accessing remotely? I currently run helios11 with a server and 2 workstations and can access my server remotely, is that still going to be an option? $399 sounds great if that is indeed the price, is there any other equipment that must be prchased as well?

BronzeBeachTan · 10-13-2005, 09:15 AM

Same thing I went through with Salon Edge 2.0. User friendly, easily navigable, but I cannot hang the operation of my business 100% on the connection to my local internet provider (Comcast, in this case).

I am not a fan of this.

summrtan · 10-14-2005, 03:22 PM

If it is indeed 100% dependent on your internet connection I would NEVER consider it. Hopefully it has been thought through and this problem is addressed. So far though no one has stepped up to answer this question. Anyone.....?

movieking · 10-14-2005, 03:31 PM

I was not interested in this product but did listen to it being explained to someone else. If I remember correctly it is 100% dependent on an internet connection but there is an option of a router with Verizon wilreless so if you lose your dsl the Verizon router will take over. It may not be a router but it was something to do with Verizon.

tigers1962 · 10-15-2005, 02:34 PM

So if you do not currently have internet service at your salon, there would be another monthly bill plus your $39.99 for Helios. No thank you. I do have access to internet here at the salon. I dial up through my home. I have a device that kicks me off the internet when I get a phone call, which is fine...business comes first while on the net here at the salon. I will not however have an extra phone line installed here at the salon just for internet, nor will I subscribe to DSL. As I said, I do not need any more monthly bills.

tigers1962 · 10-15-2005, 02:39 PM

If I was that concerned about Helios being the only program on my computer, I'd remove all other unneeded software from my PC. This new Centrex sparked my interest until today when I read this post. I don't think it's what I need now.

Tan Oasis · 10-16-2005, 10:05 PM

This internet based stuff is going to be similar to Bookyourselfonline it sounds like. In the beginning I was very worried about relying on my internet service to take care of my appointments. However, things have gone well with that system. And customers are starting to catch on to making their own appointments. But, also there was no need to purchase new equipment, which will be a downfall for the new Centrix, in my opinion.

BronzeBeachTan · 10-23-2005, 09:58 PM

The downfall is not in new customers catching on or not catching on, but rather your Internet Service Provider not crapping out at any given time a young white female customer walks in, and doesn't mind if your tanning bed isn't paralyzed because "Comcast" or some other internet service provider isn't having a 'hiccup' for 1 to 30 minutes. I haven't even opened my doors yet, and I -still- call that 'bulls**t' in my market.

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10-10-2005, 11:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
BP I love Derf!! Join Date: Apr 13 2004 Location: West Coast Age: 42 Posts: 928 Rep Power: 6	Are the people who currently have the Helios program going to have to quit our current system and purchase a whole new package? If we don't will the old system still be upgraded? Will there be a discount for those of us now using Helios? Will they communicate with each other? If we open another salon will they talk, or will I have to buy all new for all locations? I'm very worried I'm looking at a large chunk of change leaving my pocket soon.

10-11-2005, 08:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
wildfire Waiting Confirmation Join Date: Jun 16 2005 Posts: 15 Rep Power: 0	I saw the new version of Helios at the ITA Show in Nashville. It is called Centrix and it is internet-based instead of installed on a Windows-based PC. The computers in the salon are replaced with these new 'thin-client' units that don't have any data on them. They connect to the internet and go straight to the web-based Centrix application. Since Helios is keeping the same licensing scheme, anyone using Helios now and paying the software maintenance agreement will be eligible to upgrade to the new Centrix version at no charge. The expense will be in purchasing the new thin client and having a broadband internet connection at each salon. The thin client is supposed to be priced at $399 to be cheaper than a Windows-based PC. I don't know about any of the other devices though, since they had new stuff on display at the show (like a new receipt printer, new credit card swipe, and new T-max timer). Helios11 is still available and will still be supported since not everyone can or will be able to go to the internet-based version. There will probably still be some updates to Helios11 but much of the new features will likely be exclusive to Centrix. One of Centrix selling points was the integration of the Wide Area Network (WAN). Right now, the Helios11 program at each salon has to transmit the data hourly to the WAN server, then it gets transmitted back to the other salons. Once they are all online using Centrix, there is no more need for the WAN server or for batching since all the data is accessible to all locations in real-time. I don't know whether there will be an option to have some salons on Centrix and some salons on Helios11, but I sort of doubt it. It's probably either all Centrix or all Helios11. In the long run, I don't think Helios is going to force anyone to upgrade to Centrix until they decide to completely discontinue all of their current versions that run on Windows PCs. I do wonder about people using Helios10, because in the past Helios has only supported the current version plus one version prior. If this is going to be the case, once Centrix is released then Helios technical support may stop supporting version 10 and older (since they already don't support Helios9). _________________ [ This Message was edited by: wildfire on 2005-10-12 11:29 ]

10-12-2005, 01:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
summrtan Join Date: Jun 13 2002 Location: N CAL Posts: 427 Rep Power: 7	I was in Nashville and saw the new equipment but did not have a chance to talk to anyone about it (they were with someone each time I stopped by) I'm sure there are more questions AI will eventually have but right now I guess the biggest one is what happens if your internet/broadband service were to go down. Would it be necessary to close up shop until back online? Also what about accessing remotely? I currently run helios11 with a server and 2 workstations and can access my server remotely, is that still going to be an option? $399 sounds great if that is indeed the price, is there any other equipment that must be prchased as well?

10-13-2005, 09:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
BronzeBeachTan Join Date: Aug 7 2005 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 18 Rep Power: 0	Same thing I went through with Salon Edge 2.0. User friendly, easily navigable, but I cannot hang the operation of my business 100% on the connection to my local internet provider (Comcast, in this case). I am not a fan of this.

10-14-2005, 03:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
summrtan Join Date: Jun 13 2002 Location: N CAL Posts: 427 Rep Power: 7	If it is indeed 100% dependent on your internet connection I would NEVER consider it. Hopefully it has been thought through and this problem is addressed. So far though no one has stepped up to answer this question. Anyone.....?

10-14-2005, 03:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
movieking Police Department Join Date: Aug 12 2004 Location: Eastern NC Age: 43 Posts: 2,809 Rep Power: 14	I was not interested in this product but did listen to it being explained to someone else. If I remember correctly it is 100% dependent on an internet connection but there is an option of a router with Verizon wilreless so if you lose your dsl the Verizon router will take over. It may not be a router but it was something to do with Verizon.

10-15-2005, 02:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
tigers1962 Join Date: Jan 7 2004 Posts: 340 Rep Power: 5	So if you do not currently have internet service at your salon, there would be another monthly bill plus your $39.99 for Helios. No thank you. I do have access to internet here at the salon. I dial up through my home. I have a device that kicks me off the internet when I get a phone call, which is fine...business comes first while on the net here at the salon. I will not however have an extra phone line installed here at the salon just for internet, nor will I subscribe to DSL. As I said, I do not need any more monthly bills.

10-15-2005, 02:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
tigers1962 Join Date: Jan 7 2004 Posts: 340 Rep Power: 5	If I was that concerned about Helios being the only program on my computer, I'd remove all other unneeded software from my PC. This new Centrex sparked my interest until today when I read this post. I don't think it's what I need now.

10-16-2005, 10:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
Tan Oasis Join Date: Oct 7 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 117 Rep Power: 4	This internet based stuff is going to be similar to Bookyourselfonline it sounds like. In the beginning I was very worried about relying on my internet service to take care of my appointments. However, things have gone well with that system. And customers are starting to catch on to making their own appointments. But, also there was no need to purchase new equipment, which will be a downfall for the new Centrix, in my opinion.

10-23-2005, 09:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
BronzeBeachTan Join Date: Aug 7 2005 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 18 Rep Power: 0	The downfall is not in new customers catching on or not catching on, but rather your Internet Service Provider not crapping out at any given time a young white female customer walks in, and doesn't mind if your tanning bed isn't paralyzed because "Comcast" or some other internet service provider isn't having a 'hiccup' for 1 to 30 minutes. I haven't even opened my doors yet, and I -still- call that 'bulls**t' in my market.

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