Press Releases

May 2006 - New BOSS Orders module released: Version 4.7

Version 4.7 of BOSS Orders module was announced today. Some of the new features contained within this module include;

· Ability to set line item font styles (bold, italic, underline) on the screen

· Ability to set line item font styles (bold, italic, underline) on quotes

· Option to produce quotes in portrait or landscape format

· Added rebate information to customer bundles (price lists)

· Increased description/master line & blank lines to 255 chars

· Supplier price lists can utilize longer descriptions when available

· Config option to select sort by on customer accounts (Acct # or Company name)

· Changing primary contact will auto update the billing & shipping address

· Ability to add related documents to customer profile, order or contracts

Apr 2006 - OQS announces release of the new BOSS Web Module

OQS announced the availably of their new Customer On-line Ordering System (COLORS). This web based module will allow your customers access to current data and historical data from your BOSS system. Features include;

· User security with password access

· Price lookups for all major suppliers including your stock if desired

· Create quotes at the click of a button

· Turn quotes into Orders. Flagged by BOSS Alerts

· Approved orders are entered directly into the BOSS system

· Set order levels by user. Users can approve their employee orders

· Customers can view the progress of their orders including ETA's

· Access historic sales by customer po, product or serial number

· Log service calls on-line

For a complete list of features contained in the new COLORS web module, view our pdf documentation.

Mar 2006 - New BOSS Sales Summary module released: Version: 4.7

Version 4.7 of BOSS Sales Summary was announced today. Some of the new features contained within this module include;

· New weekly HP sales report format

· New monthly HP sales report format

· Added ability to produce 3-level sub-totals for summary report

· Increased options to group by and sort on for reports

· Added Service reports contained in the Orders module

Feb 2006 - New triggers added to the Alerts module

In an effort to improve the flow of information between BOSS and the users, a number of new triggers have been created that can be utilized by users. These include;

· Trigger to notify the Acct. Manager or Inside rep. when an order is shipped or invoiced

· Trigger to notify the Service Manager when an order is placed requiring configuration

· Trigger to notify the Service Manager when product arrives for configuration

· Trigger to notify the Service Manager if a customer logs a service call via an email

Jan 2006 - New BOSS Sales Summary module released: Version: 4.6

Version 4.6 of BOSS Sales Summary was announced today. Some of the new features contained within this module include;

· New 3-level reporting and totaling for Line Detail reports

· New field groupings for easier field selections with Line Detail reports

· New Sales Commission Target report

· Increased options to group by and sort on for reports

Jan 2006 - BOSS Certified for use with MS SQL 2005

With the recent release of MS SQL 2005, OQS has certified that all of the BOSS modules will function properly. Contact our support desk for additional information prior to upgrading your SQL server.

Nov 2005 - New BOSS Orders module released: Version 4.5

Version 4.5 of BOSS Orders module was announced today. Some of the new features contained within this module include;

· Increased security flags

· Improved Copy/Paste for Master Lines

· New setup options for users to configure

· Improved functions within the Customer Contact lists

July 2005 – We've Moved!
Our offices have move from Orleans, Ontario (East Ottawa) to a new location in Kanata, Ontario (West Ottawa). Our new address is:

349 Terry Fox Dr,

Kanata, Ontario K2K 2V6

(613) 566-7078

Our new support phone number is:

(613) 566-7074

(613) 271-5447 - FAX

Dec 2004 – PocketReceive (Warehouse Receiving) Version 1 officially released
Our development team has worked well to deliver our newest product – PocketReceive. This new product combines the power of Microsoft’s Visual Studio .NET (ASP.NET, .NET WebServices and SmartDevice programs) with the convenience of a handheld computer to deliver a literally “handy” warehouse solution to receiving your incoming stock.

Using a PocketPC-enabled WiFi hand-held scanner, such as the Symbol™ PDT8146, you now get quick and easy stock integration into OQS BOSS™.

This handheld scanner based application provides new screens and customizable options allow your warehouse personnel to quickly scan and receive your vendor orders directly into the central BOSS database, with simple and informational screens to guide them through the process. Purchase orders are updated instantly; serial numbers can be scanned and associated with each item and labels generated automatically by the program. Keep your inventory closer to “real-time”… get the new PocketReceive solution into your hands today.

Several of our products and services are currently being redeveloped using Microsoft’s versatile ‘.NET’ platform. Expect to see many new offerings over the new year.

Feb 2004 – New Pocket PC Modules
As users turn to merging technology, the Pocket PC has gained tremendous success for specific applications. OQS Software has recognized this demand and we have developed a number of new modules specifically for the Pocket PC. Providing a portable and optional wireless solution, our new Pocket PC modules will help users in a number of departments. These new modules include;

POINT – Inventory Tracking
POINT allows the user to easily scan their entire inventory using standard Pocket PCs (iPAQs, Toshiba, Symbol). Users can quickly scan vendor/supplier part numbers, UPC Codes, bin locations and serial numbers. Results are then posted back to the BOSS Inventory module to reconcile their current stock.

PocketQuote – Create Customer Quote (Beta)
Using the new PocketQuote module, sales reps will be able to create a quotation for a customer on the Pocket PC. Users with a wireless connection to the internet will be able to access pricing and availability directly from the three major suppliers.

PocketTech – Work Order Access for Service Technicians (Beta)
Using the new PocketTech module, service techs will have access to all of their calls from within their calendar. In addition, users will be able to review and update current open work orders and allow customers to sign-off on a closed work order on the Pocket PC. Access to an internal knowledge database will allow the service technician the ability to search for common solutions for servicing issues. Wireless access will also allow the technician to communicate back to head office and update their calls instantly. Service Managers from the head office will also be able to send updates or new calls to the service technician with wireless access.

Nov 2003 – New Sales Summary Module
OQS Software has revamped our Sales reporting tool based on customer feedback. Now, users have more control in creating reports with user selected fields, multiple selection criteria’s and the ability to save their reports for easy retrieval later. We continue to update our specific vendor reports (IBM, Compaq) as their requirements change. Other changes include a new comparison report between sales reps, an updated AR summary report that shows improved summary totals for each branch, a more flexible Bank Report, a new Sales Summary report based on total sales and a new outstanding AR report.

Oct 2003 – Improved dbChecker
To assist regular maintenance and upgrades of the BOSS modules, the dbChecker utility was created. This module is used to assist the BOSS Technical manager with current settings for the database and registry of the installed BOSS modules. Recent improvements to this module include a better user interface for tracking and reporting current settings, details related to BDE settings, shared drives and current module versions and FTP access to download new versions of the modules.

Sept 2003 – New Alerts Module
Through-out the day, users are required to notify people in the organization regarding permissions, or approval of different aspects of the BOSS system. This may include; approving a new customer, approving a quote, RMA approval or simply notifying the warehouse of a special request or need. With the new Alerts module, users can generate and monitor their alerts from one central location. Upon approving or rejecting an alert, the user will be given the option to send an email notification back to the user indicating the alerts outcome.

July 2003 – Electronic Ordering with Suppliers
Purchasers using the BOSS Warehouse module can now send purchase orders electronically to the three major suppliers. Purchase orders sent electronically will provide instant response from the supplier with product availability, warehouse locations, delivery dates and delivery cost. Users can also follow-up with open purchase orders to validate current ETA dates. DTC orders can also be tracked through the electronic purchase orders.

Jun 2003 – Automated Price File Downloads
All three major suppliers provide a daily file with updated pricing and availability for their sku’s. Users of the BOSS system were required to initiate this download manually for each supplier. Though not labour intense, the complete download for all three price lists could take over an hour depending on hardware. Now, these downloads can be automatically downloaded by the new BOSS Auto module. This module provides each location the ability to set their download parameters and desired download times. Once setup, the module will automatically retrieve and update each suppliers price list into the BOSS system. By the time the first sales rep is at the office, over 200,000 updated sku’s will be available to him. Confirmation of each download is sent via an email alert to a designated person.

Jun 2003 – Instant Access to Pricing and Availability
Users wanting to validate current product pricing and availability have normally accessed the supplier’s web site or called the supplier directly. Now, users of the BOSS modules can access this same information at the click of the mouse. Our new XML interface provides a direct link to each of the three main suppliers. Simply select a line item from within any of the BOSS modules and within seconds BOSS will return with live pricing and availability for each supplier. Providing this type of access from within the BOSS modules offers a number of benefits including; faster access to each supplier, accurate pricing, current stock levels, price comparisons between suppliers.

Jan. 2003 – New Scheduler
OQS Software has updated the service scheduler to a completely graphical interface. Now, users can see the complete day with multiple techs on the screen. Open tasks, completed tasks and book-off times are all shown clearly on the scheduler. Tasks can be updated from the same screen. Other configuration options include, setting time increments (5,10,15,30 minutes), allowing overlapping tasks, auto refreshing the screen, setting time ranges to view, viewing techs complete week schedule and printing daily or weekly schedules.