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February 2007

 

DentaLab News

 

from Mainstreet Systems & Software...

February 2007

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DentaLab News
DentalRX

CHECKING OUT VISTA

On January 30, 2007, Microsoft's latest operating system was released to the general public. Its name is Vista and it comes in five versions: Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Ultimate and Enterprise. We tested DentaLab PC II, QuickBooks Pro 2007 and DentaLab for QuickBooks here and are pleased to report that all worked with Vista. This new operating system is visually stunning, more luminous than earlier versions, but we must caution you to do your reading and review of the new security features. If you move up to Vista and simply try to launch the programs you have been using, you will encounter security messages every step of the way. It is better to start with the Help and Support section of the Start menu and request information on Administrator Accounts, User Accounts, Security and Permissions. To protect you from unauthorized access, spyware and viruses, this system has many new security features and precautions.

On January 30, 2007, Microsoft's latest operating system was released to the general public. Its name is Vista and it comes in five versions: Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Ultimate and Enterprise. We tested DentaLab PC II, QuickBooks Pro 2007 and DentaLab for QuickBooks here and are pleased to report that all worked with Vista. This new operating system is visually stunning, more luminous than earlier versions, but we must caution you to do your reading and review of the new security features. If you move up to Vista and simply try to launch the programs you have been using, you will encounter security messages every step of the way. It is better to start with the Help and Support section of the Start menu and request information on Administrator Accounts, User Accounts, Security and Permissions. To protect you from unauthorized access, spyware and viruses, this system has many new security features and precautions.

If you would like to learn more details, determine if this will be compatible with your hardware or place an order, visit www.microsoft.com and search for Vista. We have checked the latest catalogs from the major equipment suppliers and they are now supplying one of the Vista versions, rather than XP, with new system purchases.

REMINDER!

Although our famous Pennsylvania groundhog Punxatawney Phil has nicely predicted an early spring for us, we are still in arctic conditions here. Should we not be able to get to the support offices due to snow or icey roads, we will be checking our voice mail and emails. If you need to reach us, be sure to leave a message with your full name, lab name, contact information and details. You can also open a support ticket by going directly to the Support section of our website: http://www.mainstreet-systems.com/support/

ANOTHER REMINDER!

In the United States and Canada, Daylight Savings Time is being expanded to start three weeks earlier and last one week longer than it has in the past. The start will be the second Sunday in March, the end will be the first Sunday in November. Unless you have a very new computer or atomic clock service, it is likely that your system clock will not automatically adjust to the new time and will need to be set manually.


 
     

Easy, versatile software for the modern dental laboratory.


 

More FAQs

Here are more frequently asked questions from your calls, as well as their answers:

Q: Is there a way to show the patient in QuickBooks invoice lists?

A:
Yes, if you create an invoice from DentaLab for QuickBooks, the patient name will be in both the Patient and Memo fields in QuickBooks invoice transactions. From the Customer Center, choose to view the list of invoice transactions. When the grid is displayed, right-click on it and select Customize Columns. Add the Memo column. Keep in mind, too, that the patient name is a free-form text field. If you wish, you can append the patient name with other information. Some labs use this to designate the individual doctor in a group practice, particularly if the group wants centralized billing rather than separate accounts for each doctor. Example: Jones,Mary/Dr. Hamm

Q: What do you have planned for the next user group release?

A:
Our dynamic user group never runs out of new ideas. Here are some of the latest additions to our programmers' to-do list: 1) Under Reports, there will be a new tab called Analysis. The Product Group reports will be moved to this section. We are adding Customer Groups that will have a similar analysis showing quantities, scheduled and invoiced values, and remake/lost revenue amounts and percentages for each customer/item. 2) We are expanding the case fields that can be edited at invoicing to include the patient, shade and teeth. In addition, you will be able to add items to the case and invoice records when invoicing. As before, you can also edit the quantity, item description, price or amount.

If you have any suggestions for additions to the Analysis reports, please call or send an email.

Q: What should you do if the case is completed earlier than its scheduled date?

A:
When doing the final case review before invoicing, check the case item(s) as completed and set both the scheduled date and completion date to the same date. This will open up units in the master schedule on the original scheduled date to allow other cases to be included.


 
     

With the same look and feel of QuickBooks.


 

DO YOU DO 'EYEBALL' SCHEDULING?

This type of scheduling is also called manual scheduling, best-guess scheduling, last-minute backward scheduling. It means that the case entry person decides on the schedule dates in their head and enters these into the computer. In some of the other dental lab systems, this is the only type of scheduling available. But what are the consequences? Typically, this results in uneven scheduling, overloading some days, underloading others, not knowing whether you can fit in a request for a rush case, saying yes to requests when the response should be no.

Recently, one lab owner told us his doctor ordered him, due to the stress of many 12 hour-plus days, to find a better way to schedule his work. In another instance, while one of our staff was present at a lab that had been doing 'eyeball' scheduling, there was a heated exchange between the owner, who wanted to please one of the dentists, and one of the department heads, who pleaded that the work loads given to him were impossible to meet.

Those who have practiced manual scheduling for many years sometimes have a hard time letting the computer do most of the job by automatically scheduling. Setting up standard procedures and then taking a look as the days go by to see if adjustments are needed for daily limits, case items and/or schedule days can be a big help to even out your scheduling and keep the doctors happy. Keep in mind that you still have the capability of tweaking schedules by editing start dates, case item schedules, and rolldown rescheduling. You can learn how to determine which cases have extra time and can be rescheduled to make room for rush jobs or emergencies...and then how to easily take care of this.

CUSTOM QUALITY CONTROL FEEDBACK

In our last release we added a new feature to create quality control feedback forms to send to the doctor. The generic version includes information on the specific case such as case number, patient and case items and then asks for comments from the doctor. Over the years we have seen many different rating systems for case feedback and came to realize that each lab may have its own format. As expected, we have started to receive requests for customization of this form. Typically, these will be developed with the help of our reporting tool and will incur only a small number of billable hours. Let us know if you would like to take advantage of this new offering.

WHAT IS NEW IN QUICKBOOKS?

Here are two news bulletins from Intuit on its QuickBooks products. With Microsoft's release of its latest operating system Vista, QuickBooks 2007 products have been developed and tested to be compatible. Earlier versions, however, are not supported under Vista and may or may not behave normally. As of May 2007, QuickBooks 2004 versions will no longer be supported by Intuit's technical staff.

QuickBooks is the #1 selling software for financial management and accounting in the world. More businesses choose QuickBooks than all the other accounting software systems combined. Recently, it received PC Magazine's Editors Choice Award with the top 5-star rating for the best software.

They also are very responsive to the needs and requests of their users. Here are some of their new features.

Speedier Cash Flow

For those using the Merchant Services of QuickBooks to process credit and debit cards, the turnaround time to get the funds into your bank account has been shortened. Typically, it will now take only two days.


The Discounts

The Affiliate Program, of which DentaLab for QuickBooks is a part, is now handled by Kowabunga. The banners on our website have changed, but the discount levels ranging from 15 to 20% for procuring QuickBooks products and services through www.mainstreet-systems.com will remain the same.


The Centers

The five centers from one Home Page for customers, employees, vendors, banking and company that were introduced last year are proving to be very popular and easy to navigate. We told Intuit that the only complaint was that some found the text too small...and were very pleased to see that the 2007 versions have bigger fonts and brighter, more colorful icons.


The Tutorials

In addition, there are a number of helps or guides, including online Help with topics, indices and searches, context-sensitive guides as you enter fields.

For one-on-one help, there are many accountants and Pro-Advisors who are expert, educated and experienced with QuickBooks to help you.

Training courses are available throughout the world. On their websites (www.quickbooks.com and www.intuit.com) are a number of tutorials to help you get started and to guide you at any time you need it.


Google Searches

The 2007 versions introduce new options to do Google searches within your QuickBooks data. In addition, a new service for Google Marketing Tools is available.

Together, QuickBooks plus DentaLab for QuickBooks provide the most comprehensive well-supported software for running your dental lab…and at very affordable fees. Let us know your plans and ideas and how we can help. We are always happy to hear from you.


 
     

Customization is available for all products.


 

Dental RX
We have been working with dentists on an alternate version of DentalRx that will be web-hosted and offered as an online service. The initial version will be for the USA and will include ADA insurance codes and dentist notes and preferences. Our goals for this second version remain the same:

  • Easier-to-read prescriptions
  • Provide accuracy and consistency
  • Fewer errors due to misunderstanding between doctors and labs
  • Convenient tooth chart and calendar
  • Secured access
  • Time and cost-saving features

And much more...look for this in 2007

Call 1-800-257-4535 or visit www.mainstreet-systems.com to learn more about Mainstreet Systems and our software designed specifically for dental laboratories.

"DQB....best bang for the buck."

Joey Breaux
Breaux Dental Prosthetics
Texas, USA


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