Software Africa Newsletter - July 2017

Editorial

Finally seeing the days lengthen towards Spring, this is still a very mild Winter. Maybe we have not seen the real weather as yet.

Autodesk

The special has ended. Please can everyone keep their eyes open around notices from Autodesk indicating that subscriptions need renewing. This is because they are getting very strict on timely renewals. Our database does help and we will be sending out quotes for renewals. We will indicate the expiry date when we do so.

Online Business Tip #9 - Control Your Chrome Downloads

Tired of your Google Chrome downloads going somewhere where you cannot find them later? Would you like to download to different locations depending on what your are downloading? Get control over your downloads as follows:

In Google Chrome, click on the "three dots" menu button on the extreme top right.  From the drop-down menu, choose Settings. Scroll down and click on Advanced. Scroll further down to the section "Downloads". Either set the location (e.g. to "C:\Downloads") or, next to "Ask where to save each file before downloading", move the slider to the right so that it asks every time.

QuickBooks 2017 Update

QuickBooks Accounting Software is now being offered as an Annual Subscription. With the Annual Subscription, you will receive much more as it is a subscription that comes with perks - QuickPerks.

Receive QuickBooks 2017 and free upgrades to the latest version of QuickBooks available when you renew your subscription annually

1. An Open Database Connection Driver (ODBC) that allows users to access data from QuickBooks and view it in other applications
2. Mobile applications that allow business owners, reps and even clients to access information within QuickBooks from a mobile device

The QuickPerks Annual Subscription offers you and your business many benefits, including making your QuickBooks Desktop package mobile. Isn’t it time to convert your business to easier financial management?

Contact Judith for more information!

QuickBooks Special

This is valid until 31 July as follows:

*Please enquire about additional user pricing. 

These prices include the following QuickPerks

·         QuickBooks 2017 and free upgrades when you renew your subscription going forward

·         Email and telephone support is included in your subscription

·         Mobile applications that allow you to access and use information within QuickBooks from your mobile device 

Please contact Judith urgently!

Quick Payroll

We look forward to having you as a Quick Payroll Key Player user and we will do our utmost to make the transition from the old Quick Payroll, as painless as possible. Please contact renewals@quickbooks.co.za for assistance with this.

Please contact Judith for the new KeyPlayer software and assistance in getting your data file to QuickBooks for conversion.

Green Tip

It's river clean-up time. Why not form a group and clean up your local rivers and streams? Remember to use gloves and have a good wash afterwards.

The World is changing rapidly

All Autodesk products have similar links to training and resources. Here's the one for AutoCAD https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad .

Excel Tip #155 – Paste Multiply

Taking a break from "What's New in Excel 2016 for Windows" for this month, here is a tip that can be of use in all versions.

We recently had the grading curve envelope for COLTO G1(26.5), G2(26.5), and G3(26.5) gradings shown on the left, and needed to change it to look like the table on the right:

We needed to convert the last two columns from fractions to percentages.  "Convert", not simply format as %.  What to do?

We could have set up a formula multiplying the relevant cells by 100, and then used copy - paste values, but there is an easier way:

1. Enter 100 into a blank cell somewhere.
2. Select that cell. Copy (Ctrl+C or, on the Home toolbar, click Copy)
3. Select the cells under the headings in the last two columns.
4. Paste Special (Ctrl+Alt+V or, on the Home toolbar, click the dropdown arrow under Paste and choose Paste Special)
5. In the Paste Special dialog box, under Operation, choose Multiply.
6. Click OK.  Job done!

Next month we will return to "What's New in Excel 2016 for Windows" and look at the new Waterfall or Stock charts.

Computius Say:

"On-line", adj.: Idea that human being should always be accessible to computer.

Remember:  We can make your business run better by:

• Automating your in-house processes with a custom program or database..
• Speeding up your processes by linking your database or spreadsheet to QuickBooks.
• Solving your QuickBooks, Access, Excel, Word, Visual Basic, and PowerPoint problems.
• Training your company on Excel, Word, Access and Windows (all levels from beginners to Programming).
• Supplying software: We re-sell and support various accounting, timesheet, scheduling, and productivity programs.
• Providing world-class programs for the Engineer and Civil Engineering Geologist: AutoCAD, ZWCAD, dotPLOT, etc.
• Making your Civil Engineering Laboratory run smoother and more profitably with Labbie, our Data Retriever.
• Promoting your corporate image with a set of templates on Word or Excel, linked to your address list.

All the Best from the team!
Judith and Rick

Members, Communication in Action cc trading as Software Africa
"Empowering African Business with standard and custom PC programs, databases, and templates using Microsoft technologies"
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Tel: 011 802-2685 / 011 802-6440 ~ Fax: 086-635-7902/3 ~ Cell: 082 389-3481/2 ~ e-mail: info@softwareafrica.co.za