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Old 10-30-2008, 10:04 PM   #1 (permalink)
 
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Helios 11 - 2 questions

New guy on the block, just getting settled in after buying an existing place 2 months ago. It came with Helios 11.6 software and an FST timer. I have two questions about this:

1 - what is needed to plug the FST into the PC to allow Helios to control the beds? Is it just a USB cable, or a special serial one? It might still be here in a box somewhere but I wouldn't know what to look for since I can't find the FST manual either :( If I need to buy something what would it be?

2 - once it's hooked up can I set things up so that the FST timer can be locked so that all timer commands come from the PC? I'm pretty sure that all tans aren't being recorded, especially staff ones, and I want to force the issue.

3 - (ok, I lied about the 2 questions...) about Helios itself - I'm making some wholesale changes to the pricing model because what was there before defied logic. I'm moving towards sessions since that seems to be the strongest suggestions from what I've been reading here. Now for the question - I have the software on a PC at home that I use for reports, etc. Can I copy the salescode database file from the salon onto the home PC, do the updates and re-load it on the salon PC? I really don't want to spend 2-3 hours off-hours at the front desk revamping the codes when I could do it in a nice comfy chair in my basement with beer and peanuts nearby :)

Thanks in advance for any help out there
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Old 10-31-2008, 10:47 AM   #2 (permalink)
 
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Re: Helios 11 - 2 questions

Doh - amazing how a bit of googling provides the ability to RTFM. I found and downloaded the FST manual and from that have answered the first two questions. I'd still like to know whether I can update a different Helios salescode.mdb to do my new prices and have it replace the one at my salon. Anyone?
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Old 11-01-2008, 01:30 PM   #3 (permalink)
 
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Re: Helios 11 - 2 questions

Great question..No idea here though.
Can you log into your store computer using the IP address and work on that computer instead of file transferring?
I am used to using Mac platform and we could Timbuktu into another location and work on that computer as if it were right in front of you. PC must have something similar.
Saves lots of time and all your info is right there and ready to go.
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Old 11-04-2008, 11:00 AM   #4 (permalink)
 
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Re: Helios 11 - 2 questions

Found out the 3rd answer the hard way, fortunately not on the salon computer. Reminder to those who want to do this kind of thing: DON'T. All of the databases seem to link in rather obscure ways so changing one on its own could totally screw your setup. The software may be not bad, but the database design needs a bit (no, a LOT) of work, maybe Helios 12 addresses that, maybe not. After finding that out I spent the better part of Saturday morning sitting at the salon PC and updating all the information.

Next challenge is to do remote access like MT suggests so I *can* do this from home ). I keep intending to get at that but never seem to be able to find the time to do it.

The good news is, I've now successfully moved from minutes to points & sessions, which seems to be a radical move in this area. So far I've lost one who thought he could get a better deal, but overall the response has been good. As long as it's explained properly people understand and life goes on. Thanks to those session/points-maniacs here who convinced me to go that way!
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Old 11-04-2008, 11:30 AM   #5 (permalink)
 
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Re: Helios 11 - 2 questions

Set up Back Office with Helios and you can do all of this remotely.

Info is on the Helios CD. gets installed on the salon computer with Internet access

you need a Win XP disk to install IIS to the salon computer also.
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Old 11-07-2008, 10:26 AM   #6 (permalink)
 
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Re: Helios 11 - 2 questions

Guess I'll have to play with Back Office then. Can this be installed and run, even in a limited fashion, on a couple of PCs at home without the FOB? I want to try it before I go all out and start messing with the salon puter. Meanwhile I'm thinking of using VNC to remotely connect to the shop PC from home - after I get the router details from the supplier. That should work at least in the short term while I fiddle with BO.
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Old 11-07-2008, 10:28 AM   #7 (permalink)
 
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Re: Helios 11 - 2 questions

Back Office and IIS get installed on the salon computer. With Internet access at the salon, it becomes accessible anywhere in the world with a web IE Browser.
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