New Security Functions

Two new security functions are being added for stock card, one for adding stock and another for editing current stock levels.

Customers will now be able to specify the security level required to add or edit stock using stock card.

HTML Vs Plain Text E-Mail

Personally I hate HTML e-mails, they are unnecessary, bloated and are mainly used for spam. Yes you can change the font sizes and styles but is this necessary in business communications?

For business use I prefer the ease of plain text e-mail. There is no guarantee that your recipient's e-mail application supports HTML e-mail or that there system doesn't automatically delete HTML e-mails. Plain text is also easier to convert to speech for visually impaired users.

For support and other contacts, please send all e-mails in plain text. If you need to send a screen shot, please just add an attachment.

New Feature: Purchase Orders

A new feature is being added to purchase orders.

The feature would allow an individual item to be cancelled from a purchase order, in the event the supplier has no stock or the item is unavailable.

However, you will only be able to cancel an item if no stock has been booked in or delivered.

This feature was originally requested by one of our customers.

Saint Patrick's Day

Happy Saint Patrick's Day to all.

Go out and enjoy a nice pint of Guinness!

New Feature: Stock Card

I am working on a new feature for stock card.
The above screen shot shows a new product information window.

This new feature will allow each individual product, linked with a stock card, to be edited.

ODBC Driver

A ODBC driver is now available for customers who require access to the DBISAM database from other applications.

The installer will create a new data source called mode. You will need to enter the name of the mode database server.

The supplied driver provides read-only access to the DBISAM database.

Please contact support and I will e-mail you the installer.

New Feature: Mobile PO

I am currently working on a new feature for mobile purchase orders. The feature will allow a image to be added to each order line.

A few customers have commented, that sometimes a buyer will take a photograph of the product in the field.

When the order is imported into head office, the image will be applied to the stock card.

Software Changes

From time to time, customers request that changes be made to the existing software. The requests range from a simple option to complex reports and additional modules.

Being a software engineer, I enjoy developing software, I even get paid for it. However, people tend to under estimate how long a change can take to implement. Any change request has to go though a process.

First, we determine if it can be done and which parts of the system would be affected. If the request will require a rewrite of major parts of the system, then most likely it will be saved for consideration in a later version.

Secondly, we determine how long it will take and which resources will be required.

Thirdly, the request is prioritised and scheduled.

Fourthly, the request is implemented and tested.

Finally, once team is happy the request has been completed and tested, it is released with the next update.

Unfortunately, the other members of the team and I, do not have the time and resources to implement every request we receive.


If you would like to request any changes please e-mail us. Provide as much detail as you can.

Networking: Wireless

With more and more people buying laptops with integrated wireless, we have started supplying NETGEAR DG834G wireless ADSL firewall routers to customers.

Installing the head office client on your laptop, gives you the freedom to create stock and generate reports, from almost anywhere in your premises.

One of our customers has a wireless router at home and at their shop. This provides complete use of the system, through the a secure VPN connection.

Head Office Update

The next head office update is scheduled for release on 04/03/2006, although eager customers can download the update now.

Please contact mode support before downloading the update, as new tables and fields are required in the database.

All full list of changes is available on request.

Stock Card: Percentage Profit Margin

A new feature has been added to Stock Card, which calculates the percentage profit margin for the current Root PLU.

The percentage profit margin is calculated as follows.

Variables
 CostPrice   = 10.00
 RetailPrice = 20.00
 VATRate     = 17.5%

Calculate BeforeVAT
 BeforeVAT   = RetailPrice / ( 1 + (VATRate/100))
 BeforeVAT   = 20.00 / ( 1 + (17.5/100))
 BeforeVAT   = 17.02128

Calculate Profit
 Profit      = BeforeVAT - CostPrice
 Profit      = 7.02128

Calculate Percentage Profit Margin
 PerProfit   = (Profit / BeforeVAT) * 100
 PerProfit   = (7.02128 / 17.02128) * 100
 PerProfit   = 0.4125 * 100
 PerProfit   = 41.25%