Chat Transcript - May 07
Chat Transcript – New Features in Microsoft Dynamics RMS 2.0
Chat Topic: New Features in Microsoft Dynamics RMS 2.0
Dates: Thursday, April 26, and Thursday, May 10, 2007
Exciting new features
Q: Is there a document online that lists all of the new features of Microsoft Dynamics RMS 2.0?
A: There is a "What's new" section in the Help file. You can also view the “What's new” page at http://www.microsoft.com/australia/dynamics/rms/product/2.0mspx.
Q: What is the main sell for RMS 2.0, why should our customers go for it over 1.3? If you have to put one or two bullet points on it.
A: If I had to pick two bullets, it would be the new Matrix functionality and the Purchase Order enhancements would be the most beneficial enhancements. Although it will vary depending on what the customer's pain points are.
Continuing support for Retail Management System 1.3
Q: How long will Microsoft support RMS 1.3?
A: According to the Microsoft Product Lifecycle page, mainstream support for version 1.3 will end on 4/12/2011.
Cashier messages
Q: Does 2.0 still only display a "mail" icon in the POS window if a cashier has a new message? If so, are there any plans to change it so that when they sign-on, they get a pop-up window indicating they have a new message?
A: There have not been any changes to the messaging functionality in RMS. I would encourage you to enter a product suggestion at the following web site for your request:
https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/productsuggestion
Hardware compatibility
Q: Is there a list of hardware that is not compatible with 2.0 that was compatible with 1.3? (besides looking at the supported hardware list?)
A: All hardware that worked with RMS 1.3 will also work with RMS 2.0.
Activation and licensing
Q: Let's talk about the licensing issues in 2.0. In 1.3 I did not need a separate license to run a "test" POS system. This allowed me to have a separate system that I could use to install new releases/upgrades/hot-fixes to and not "burn" a license.
A:The licensing scheme for RMS 2.0 was changed to be closer in line with standard Microsoft product licensing, which requires a license for each installed instance of the product.
Q: I am running RMS 2.0 with a single lane license, but have the Manager and Admin applications installed on two other systems within my store. If my main system fails, what steps do I take to move a license to another system?
A: If the register (PC where RMS SO POS is installed) fails, install SO POS on the new PC, when prompted to activate enter the product key and select telephone activation, call the number displayed and the representative will provide you with a license ID (same process as for Windows or Office).
Q: That is an issue. If I have a customer at the counter - machine croaks - I've already got POS "installed" on my backup system (probably same as my database server), you have added additional down time before I can handle a customer.
A: You can still pre-install POS on your backup system; activation will take no longer than a couple of minutes.
Q: We need an "emergency" operation mode of say 24-72 hrs - to allow for recovery.
A: can you elaborate on what you would like to see?
Q: I agree as well - activation process is not acceptable for a business operations. Time is money.
A: We have implemented the standard Microsoft Product Validation process and that is why the licensing works the way it works. Feel free to submit this as a product suggestion at the following web site:
https://mbs.microsoft.com/customersource/productsuggestion
Reports
Q: Has reporting changed in RMS 2.0, meaning do you leverage SRS at all or is the old style reporting still the way to go?
A: The report engine has not changed in RMS 2.0.
Q: What version of Crystal Reports will RMS 2.0 support?
A: All of the default RMS Crystal Reports were written with version 8.5 and that is the version we recommend for making changes. Other versions can be used and can be run from the Crystal application. But in order to use the report on a machine that does not have Crystal installed, we would recommend that you use version 8.5.
For additional information on using Crystal Reports with RMS, click the following link to Knowledge Base article 836441:
https://mbs.microsoft.com/knowledgebase/KBDisplay.aspx?scid=kb;en-AU;836441
Headquarters
Q: Can you run HQ in a virtual image? Ideally, have 3 separate images on a server - each running the HQ server. Can the various stores report back to its designated HQ by name, rather than IP address?
A: We do not support this scenario.
Payment processing
Q: What changes/new functions exist in credit card and merchant support?
A: In RMS we have added Address Verification, and we now directly support Vital (as the preferred processor) and all acquiring banks which process through Vital. We also support a new hydra payment device (MSR, signature capture, PIN pad) made by Ingenico, and the model number is i6550.
Q: Does the CIBC Bank in Canada offer credit and debit card processing integration?
A: RMS directly supports credit/debit card processing through the Vital processor integration. There is also support for ICVerify and PCCharge as well as a few other third-party integrations.
Q: Are there any intentions to support utilizing the EDC interfaces for ValidateCreditCardInfo via the SDK before 3.0?
A: All credit card validation is done through the processor. RMS does not do any validation.
Q: When calling ValidateCreditCardInfo for a credit card tender (and passing in the card number and expiration) the validate fails if the tender if the Use EDC checkbox is on.
A: It should not fail simply because the "Use EDC" checkbox is turned on. It would typically be because of a Validation Mask, or some other problem with the way the data was sent from the MSR.
Upgrading
Q: Are there any database migration issues we should be concerned about if we defined custom fields in 1.3 and are upgrading to 2.0?
A: Since there were only minor changes to the database schema (two new tables and additional fields in the ItemClass table) you should not have any issues upgrading.
Q: Are there any issues running RMS 2.0 on Vista with SQL 2005 Express? I'm thinking of upgrading from XP Pro and MSDE.
A: There are a couple of important things to know:
1. | You must upgrade to SQL Server 2005 Express before you upgrade to Vista. If you upgrade to Vista before upgrading SQL Server, your MSDE instance will not function after you upgrade to Vista. |
2. | Follow the instructions in the following Knowledge Base article to upgrade MSDE 2000 to SQL Server 2005 Express:
https://mbs.microsoft.com/knowledgebase/KBDisplay.aspx?scid=kb;en-AU;932078 |
3. | Lastly, you need to run Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System applications as a Windows Administrator. |
Microsoft SQL Server and Offline Mode
Q: Are there any issues using SQL 2005 Express in offline mode to SQL Server 2000 backoffice? Or should I use a MSDE version? Our client wants offline capability in case there is a connection loss to the server, they are using 3 lanes. Thanks.
A: Technically speaking there should not be any problem with using SQL Express and MSDE together for the Terminal Offline Mode, although we have not tested this scenario. This process is done through Transact SQL statements so it should not be a problem. I would encourage you to test this in a lab environment and make backups of live databases before implementing.
Q: It's SQL Express on the tills to SQL Server 2000 on the server. I noticed RMS 2.0 installs SQL Express 2005. The RMS databases are on SQL Server 2000. I assume the setup is the same for setting up an offline database?
A: Yes, the setup would be the same. As an alternative, you could skip the SQL Express installation and install MSDE from a 1.3 installation disk or by downloading from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads.
Customization – SDK – Hooks
Q: Does RMS 2.0 offer more hooks for developers to leverage?
A: No additional hooks were added the 2.0 release. Is there specific functionally you are looking for?
Q: Where can we find sample code using Visual Studio 2005?
A: RMS does not have any sample code using VS 2005.
Q: Does the lack of sample code, mean that development is still restricted to .net 1.1?
A: No changes were made to the customization guide and support for hooks in 2.0. The rewrite on the SDK is addressed in V3.
Q: Are there any changes to the customization dll and any issues when adding code with .NET 05?
A: No changes. Again V3 will address .Net and additional functionality.
Q: Hooks: We need a way to detect a customer change before a screen refresh so that we can update information on the screen in our add-in. We can detect a screen refresh and then check for customer change but it is then too late to update the screen data.
A: Have you submitted this as a Global RMS Product Suggestion? If not, you can submit your request at the following PartnerSource web site:
https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/productsuggestion
A: Can I follow up with you offline to get more details?
Q: Are there any targeted dates to offer 200/300 level developer training classes?
A: An announcement on further training will be made after SDK launches.
Q: Is there a date set for the SDK for 2.0?
A: There will not be an update to the 2.0 SDK. The V3 SDK will be published along with the release of V3.
Q: Can you provide any documentation on QSRules.Transaction.PostReceipt other than the sample code I received as part of my support request.
A: I just received an update on your case this morning and a Dev is currently looking into your updates. I will have an update for you in the morning.
Partner certification
Q: the certification exams updated to 2.0, or what is the expected schedule?
A: There are 2.0 versions available; if you have been certified on 1.3 there is no requirement to retake the exam.
Future releases
Q: Any timeframe for SP1?
A: We are preparing a comprehensive SP1 and will announce a release date by 5/15/07. Look for updates in the Insights newsletter.
Update: SP1 will be released in July 2007.
Q: Do we have a 3.0 timeframe (At least a year?) :) Hey it is worth a shot.
A: We are still targeting Q1 of 2008 as reported in the statement of direction. Please check PartnerSource for updates.
Q: When the image in receipts gets compressed and stored in the Journal Viewer, will there be future support for Unicode characters? Right now, characters that appear on the printed receipt are not what are stored in the journal.
A: There currently are no plans to add support for Unicode characters.
Q: Will there be future support for landed cost? Also, the shipping field on the PO is 'decoration' and is reported incorrectly in the Accounting program when it gets transferred over. It would be nice that this could be broken out into its own account.
A: Landed cost is a high priority for future versions. I will add the suggestion to the product team.
