January 2007

APPX 4.2.a - Getting the Bugs Out

Earlier this month, APPX Software announced the availability of APPX Release 4.2.a. While many customers and resellers were, and still are, anticipating the release of APPX 4.3 (see next article), this is an important upgrade that all APPX customers are encouraged to download and install.

With an increment at the "release level" (e.g., 4.1 to 4.2, or 4.2 to 4.3), new features and enhancements are introduced. Thus, APPX 4.1 brought graphical design to input and menu processes, and APPX 4.2 opened up PDF output capabilities. The goal of each new "patch level" (e.g., 4.2.9 to 4.2.a) is to fix bugs that have been reported, toward our ultimate aim of producing bug-free software.

APPX 4.2.a includes fixes to more than 140 previously reported bugs, some important and some less so, and some of which have been known for a long time. Minor bugs tend to get overlooked, especially if there are simple work-arounds or alternative methods that can be used. But with Release 4.2.a, the intent is to fix every bug in the APPX environment that is written in APPX. Specifically, that includes all the menus and processes in System Administration and Application Design.

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APPX 4.3 and beyond

Whatever happened to APPX 4.3?  Well, we are still working diligently on this important release.  In fact, a significant component of APPX 4.3 was just released as APPX 4.2.a.  APPX 4.2.a consists of over 140 bug fixes that were to have been included in APPX 4.3.  But, when it became apparent that APPX 4.3 wouldn't be ready for a while, we decided to go ahead and publish the bug fixes in a patch release so that you can install them and benefit from them sooner rather than later.  Of course, publishing a patch release takes time and has delayed the release of APPX 4.3 even more.

So, when will APPX 4.3 be available?  Unfortunately, I can't tell you - at least not exactly.  Our policy is that we do not publicize expected release dates.  Publicizing a release date leads to expectations which, more times than not, are not met.  However, I can provide you with some information regarding APPX 4.3.

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Customer Focus: Bacova Guild, Ltd.

"We use APPX throughout all the major functions of our business, including but not limited to accounting, receiving, inventory, distribution and shipping.  We process all of our inbound and outbound EDI transactions using APPX."

If this sounds to you like a customer whose business relies on, and benefits from, the strengths of APPX Software, then you're getting a clear picture of the operations at Bacova Guild, Ltd.

Bacova Guild is one of the largest producers of printed accent rugs, printed floor mats and bathroom ensembles. Bacova serves almost every channel of retail distribution including Department Stores, Linen Specialty Stores, Mass Merchants, Warehouse Clubs, Home Centers, Mail Order Catalogs and others. Plus, Bacova sells both directly to retailers and to distributors in foreign countries throughout the world.

Bacova runs APPX on a SUN Solaris server, and has modified many of their existing applications and interfaced with several external systems and devices.

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APPX Tech Tip - Debugging Print Problems

How many times have you gotten this call:  “I need APPX to print me a list . . .”.  You throw together an output and route it to the user’s printer, and . . . Argg, the report didn’t print!  In this issue, we will talk about where to start troubleshooting a printing problem.  We will cover printing text outputs only.  We will cover PDF printing at a later time.

First and foremost, it is important to understand that APPX does not print anything.  That is the most fundamental part of APPX outputs, and a big part of where to start trouble shooting.  When an output process ends, APPX creates two files, a text file of the report and a configuration file that contains the print and printer options.  All printing is handled by the operating system.  In order to find where the problem exists, you must first figure out if the problem is in APPX or at the operating system level.

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Educate Yourself - APPX Training Classes

Looking to learn more about graphical design of input and output processes? Trying to figure out how to interface your APPX system with the internet? Perhaps you just want to go through the basics, or step up to the advanced level?

Whatever your goal, APPX Software has a training class that will help you get there. Classes are held on a regular basis in our Jacksonville (FL) offices, but can also be scheduled on your site if enough students will attend.

Here are some of the upcoming training classes in Jacksonville:

Feb 7-9:	Tips and Techniques
Mar 19-23:	Introduction to Appx Design
Apr 16-18:	Advanced Design
Apr 19-20:	Graphical Design Techniques

• Complete Training Schedule
• Course Descriptions