Welcome to the third issue of the Power of Nine eNewsletter. The goal of this free newsletter is to provide TEA users with tips and tricks on using TEA IX as well as news and other information about TEA IX. Please feel free to forward it to your co-workers, or let them know that they can access it from the TEA IX website.
What's New !
CGS Corporate Web Site
The CommonGoals Software Web site has been officially launched! Please take a moment to acquaint yourself with our new corporate Web site, where you can also access the TEA IX Web site and log into the Support Zone.
Welcome back Shannon!
We are pleased to announce the return of Shannon Bruce in the capacity of Customer Care Coordinator. Shannon is back from her maternity leave and ready to assist you. Her daughter, Ashley (now 1 year old), comes to visit us at the office and reminds us just how fast little toddler legs can move ...
Windows 98 Support
Microsoft has recently reversed its decision to discontinue Windows 98 Support. Microsoft will continue to offer paid support until the middle of 2006 to users of Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, and Windows ME; however updates and patches to those operating systems are unlikely.
CommonGoals Software strongly recommends to customers who still operate on Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, or Windows ME to upgrade to Windows XP Professional. Please contact your network technician to discuss the costs and benefits of this operating system upgrade.
TEA International
TEA is now used throughout North America and internationally as we now have clients in Africa! John Meredith will be traveling to Cameroon in the spring of 2004 to provide consulting and on-site training to our new client. It will be a crazy journey as the flight takes 18 hours and the time zone is GMT (+2:00) or 7 hours difference.
In addition to the grueling travel schedule, the organization is using the French version of the software. Therefore there is a requirement for interpreters as John does not speak French as well as he thinks he can! Nonetheless, we wish him a great trip and he will provide an article outlining the experience upon his return!
One other interesting fact about Africa is they charge an 18.7% tax on interest earned on loans. Let's hope Paul Martin doesn't get wind of this!
TEA IX Updates
Version 9.12
TEA 9.12 will be released this month and is full of new features as outlined in the last Power of Nine newsletter. Here are a few more items that you can look forward to upon the release of version 9.12.
Credit Bureau Reporting - TEA is now equipped with a new module that allows you to perform historical Credit Bureau Reporting to Equifax. This option is an automated process that is based on the aged arrears in TEA (Delinquency Journal) and the various Loan Status options (Pipeline) available in TEA. Very few organizations are providing this information to Equifax as it is quite time consuming to complete on a monthly basis. Now let TEA do the work so that you can provide your clients with the essential service of building their credit ratings.
Bulk Email - TEA now has the ability to provide bulk email to your clients. This is a great feature if you are sending any information to a specific group you may have created in TEA such as Loan Clients, SEB or even your board members. TEA actually ensures that valid email addresses are available prior to creating the email. Just one more feature you can enjoy when TEA 9.12 makes its way to you!
When TEA 9.12 is released, a complete list of enhancements will be included. We strongly advise that you review the changes so you are inclined to take advantage of the new features.
Privacy & Security
As of January 1, 2004, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) extends to the collection, use or disclosure of personal information in the course of any commercial activity within a province.
Because CommonGoals Software takes your privacy seriously, we have amended our privacy policy on our Web site and we have implemented an internal privacy policy that guarantees the privacy of your personal information.
While we have taken all the necessary measures to protect the privacy of your personal information in our organization, there are simple ways in which you can help protect your personal information within your own organization.
Passwords
When we ship the software to you, we set the default password. This default value should be changed immediately after having installed the software. Here are four basic tips to remember about passwords:
1. Change your password regularly (once per month at the very least)
2. Make your password Strong (use a combination of upper and lower case letters with numbers)
3. Do not share your password with anyone (not even your network administrator)
4. Do not keep it written on a post-it note near your computer (keep it in your wallet or in your pockets)
Keeping TEA IX Running Smoothly
Cleaning up the Data directory
There are 3 primary file types that belong in the Data directory:
*.DAT, *.IDX, and *.BLB.
Miscellaneous files (*.TXT, *.TMP, and *.ZIP) are sometimes copied in the Data directory inadvertantly, while others are created during the update process. Once your update is completed successfully, you should delete all *.DBK, *.IBK, and *.BBK files.
Before you send data to Commongoals Software, please remove any miscellaneous or update files (*.DBK, *.IBK, *.BBK, *.TXT, *.TMP, and *.ZIP) from the Data directory. This will ensure optimal performance in the data transfer, as well as keep your directory free of unnecessary files.
QuickHelp
Want to Attach Documents to Modules in TEA IX?
On occasion, you will have outside source documents that you want to attach to the TEA IX program so that they are readily accessible. A great way to manage these documents is through the Attachment feature, which will help you associate the documents to the Rolodex, Client, Loan, Business or Project modules.
Select the module in which you want to attach information, locate the record and open it. Select File | New | Attachment and the New Attachment Record window opens, or click the Paper Clip icon in the toolbar.
Need Quick Access to Telephone Numbers?
If you are looking for a time saving tool then this is the shortcut you’ve been waiting for!
Whether you are in the Rolodex, Client, Loan, or Project module, use the Show Details feature. Simply select View | Show Details, or click the Show Details icon in the toolbar and Presto! the information you need is now listed at the bottom of the window for any record you select.
Analyze This!!!
We know TEA users are already well aware the fine points of collecting payments. Most have the collection function somewhere in their routine but have you spent much time looking at this same aspect of the work clients do in getting paid for the goods or services they sell. Analyzing their receivables in detail can certainly shed a lot of light on the financial condition of borrowers. Who owes them money and how well their customers pay is an important operational element. Rather than go through the exercise of account by account analysis, there is a way to take a quick look to see if a more extensive review is warranted.
The Financial Documents feature in the Business Module allows users to input a Balance Sheet and Income Statement leading to the calculation of 16 key business ratios. One of those ratios is Age of Receivables. Take a look at the results of the last set entered. And then think about this:
If the Average Age of Receivables is 10% or greater longer than terms offered, then the client has or soon will have a serious Cash Flow problem. If they offer 30 days, any result over 33 days is an indication of arising problems. Every day those outstanding invoices go unpaid is another day the debts don't get paid. There are lots of reasons why this happens. Most of them are well known. However, any positive change in direction has its rewards. Every improvement in the average age of receivables leads to an improvement in Cash Flow.
So let TEA's Financial Documents feature help you spot this and other warning signs of client problems.
For customer service or technical questions regarding TEA IX, please visit the TEA Support page on the web. You must use your assigned Username and Password to access the Support area. If you have lost or misplaced your login information, you may contact TEA Support and we will email this information to you.
As always, if you have any feedback regarding this newsletter, please email your comments to us. We hope you have enjoyed this issue of the Power of Nine eNewsletter.
Best regards,
The TEA Support Team
Power of Nine
eNewsletter for TEA IX
February 01, 2004
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What's New ! |
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TEA IX Updates |
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Privacy & Security |
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Keeping TEA IX Running Smoothly |
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QuickHelp |