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Post by hereticus on Jul 8, 2006 13:27:30 GMT 1
Credit where it's due.
At the Reading and Leeds Seminars we presented a long list of wishes and ideas for future SAM development. A few simple ones were implemented very quickly, and we were warned that other changes would take longer - software programming and testing takes time and money.
In this weeks mailer you will see details of the latest SAM software release, which will be available for download during the coming week, and it includes many of the changes for which we campaigned - including multi blind order entry, and quotes without dimensions.
We are not all in love with SAM, and we all use it differently but, whatever your standpoint, we cannot deny that it gets better and better and that our input is taken on board seriously.
We may be rightly cynical about the (lack of) outcomes from the seminars but on SAM/IT issues I feel that Hillarys have kept the faith and that we should credit Kevin Beardsley and his team with full marks, and hope that there is yet more to come in future software updates.
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Post by phugly on Jul 8, 2006 14:11:33 GMT 1
Hear!Hear! Mike
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Post by JoY on Jul 8, 2006 15:32:33 GMT 1
Totally agree........ all the changes will be brilliant. I especially like the bit about being able to put our service calls into our diaries, and also not giving sizes with quotes. Having our phone numbers on the receipts is a good idea too.... Top marks SAM ;D |
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Post by hereticus on Jul 8, 2006 17:07:17 GMT 1
One very useful trick with the SAM update, which I ran through with Kevin a month ago when in Nottingham, and which will be very useful to us all.
With the update we can use the SAM database to book fits, etc into our diary. What this also means is that we will be able to move fit dates without having to get Diary Maintenance to do it for us.
Simply go into the SAM diary and bring up the scheduled fit date, enter as 'unsuccessful' (which will close the entry and also free up the diary slots), then go into the customer database, enter the customer number, and book a new fit date.
Not only does this give us more control and flexibility, but should also mean less time on the phone to Diary Maintenance, and they will be taking fewer phone calls so should be more accessible on other matters. Win-win all round !
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Post by RED on Jul 8, 2006 21:12:03 GMT 1
I have to agree with you Mike. This is the one area that we can really see Hillary's taking notice of what we say. As you know I ran the poll for the SAM updates for the two meetings and most, if not all of the improvements that advisor's asked for have now been implemented.
Well done to all the IT department.
When I first started using Sam I was not that taken with it and did like some others did and took paper orders and input them later that night. I am not technophobic, I have 2 computers, 1 laptop and can write computer pro-grammes so that was not my problem. It was adjusting that was.
Slowly I got used to it, and by inputing smallish orders first I got used to the layout and became more proficient at using it.
I now use it predominately and hate having to go back to paper orders, something we do need as a backup.
However, I do have two criticisms of it, and they are.
1/ It is a little on the small side and is too easy to click on one radio button only to see another one get ticked. If you dont calibrate the screen once every so often then this can happen, and can cause you miss-measure fines.
2/ The loss of connection between the Sam unit and the printer on an almost daily basis. Very time consuming and embarrassing in front of the customer when this happens and I frequently resort back to a paper receipt.
Red
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Post by dibsdobs on Jul 8, 2006 21:53:52 GMT 1
I too welcome the new updates..... the best yet.
However, I believe the changes are part of the natural evolution of SAM, rather than a direct response to the forums.
All credit to Mike for clutching at straws for evidence of meaningful developments, due to the forums. These changes would of happened anyway.
That said, I support the forum objectives, and am very pleased with the SAM updates. We will soon be struggling to think of a way to improve SAM.
Maybe they should put KB in charge of wooden venetian production!
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Post by RED on Jul 8, 2006 22:10:52 GMT 1
I too welcome the new updates..... the best yet. However, I believe the changes are part of the natural evolution of SAM, rather than a direct response to the forums. All credit to Mike for clutching at straws for evidence of meaningful developments, due to the forums. These changes would of happened anyway. That said, I support the forum objectives, and am very pleased with the SAM updates. We will soon be struggling to think of a way to improve SAM. Maybe they should put KB in charge of wooden venetian production! Some of the things that have been implemented on SAM are probably natural evolution as you say, but some of them were not. During and after the input from advisor's on this forum I was in touch with Kevin and some of the suggestions were never even thought of by the IT department. For instance, the flagged message on the front page and the global input changes that are due out and also the quote on several different blinds. So the forum and the two meetings did bring about some changes for the better but not everything has been taken on board and probably never will be. Red |
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Post by blinder on Jul 9, 2006 0:25:02 GMT 1
I have to agree with you Mike. This is the one area that we can really see Hillary's taking notice of what we say. As you know I ran the poll for the SAM updates for the two meetings and most, if not all of the improvements that advisor's asked for have now been implemented. Well done to all the IT department. When I first started using Sam I was not that taken with it and did like some others did and took paper orders and input them later that night. I am not technophobic, I have 2 computers, 1 laptop and can write computer pro-grammes so that was not my problem. It was adjusting that was. Slowly I got used to it, and by inputing smallish orders first I got used to the layout and became more proficient at using it. I now use it predominately and hate having to go back to paper orders, something we do need as a backup. However, I do have two criticisms of it, and they are. 1/ It is a little on the small side and is too easy to click on one radio button only to see another one get ticked. If you dont calibrate the screen once every so often then this can happen, and can cause you miss-measure fines. 2/ The loss of connection between the Sam unit and the printer on an almost daily basis. Very time consuming and embarrassing in front of the customer when this happens and I frequently resort back to a paper receipt. Red How do you recalibrate the screen Red? I think it would be useful if there were some proper instructions for SAM instead of having to glean info off various sources. |
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Post by Augustus on Jul 9, 2006 8:04:42 GMT 1
goto menu-settings-screen.
you can do it from there......
P.
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Post by mendipmagpie on Jul 10, 2006 21:04:23 GMT 1
Agree the new update is most welcome.
Has anyone had the download yet as I have not got either post or e-mail. But have noticed that there are several appointments on diary e-mail that are not on SAM. Not another hiccup I hope.
MM
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Post by RED on Jul 10, 2006 21:11:49 GMT 1
Agree the new update is most welcome. Has anyone had the download yet as I have not got either post or e-mail. But have noticed that there are several appointments on diary e-mail that are not on SAM. Not another hiccup I hope. MM I usually find that appointments which are on your e mail but are not on SAM the next day are cancelled ones or ZAPPED as they like to say at H/O. Red |
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Post by mendipmagpie on Jul 10, 2006 21:22:57 GMT 1
Hi Red
Did you get the new download info for the SAM update yet.
MM
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Post by RED on Jul 10, 2006 22:32:23 GMT 1
Hi Red Did you get the new download info for the SAM update yet. MM Hi MM, No,it has not been released yet. I read the letter as some time this week or towards the weekend it will be available for download. Red |
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Post by Augustus on Jul 10, 2006 23:24:07 GMT 1
I have the new download !!!!
it looks good - not had too much to pratice it on so far as I only loaded it T-time .
More appointments tomorrow so will give it a bash then.
Lots more to come too.
P.
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Post by phugly on Jul 12, 2006 16:54:30 GMT 1
D/loaded it lunchtime today, used it an hour later on large order. Alternate input is great, just what we asked for. The instructions may seem complicated but its easy enough once you get into it
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