Before Writing A Workorder

Priority # 1 ... make sure you have a backup procedure installed to save a copy of all data files on the server every single day.  Then ... USE IT !  Do not backup to another directory on your hard disk.  Backup to a separate disk ... CD, ZIP disk, or a drive on another computer ... but do it EVERY DAY !

There is a natural desire among computer users to jump right in and start using software before reading any instructions.  The fact that you have arrived at this page is admirable ... and we would ask that you carefully review this documentation before starting to use The Auto Shop Writer 9 in your business.

Your company uses important tools to provide services to your clients.  The skill does not lie in the tool itself, but how it is used by the technician who performs the work.  Unless they are knowledgeable about how to properly use that tool, they can often walk away from a job frustrated, and perhaps causing more trouble then they attempted to resolve.

The same applies to software.  You become skilled by reading this documentation.  It provides the guidance for using a tool that was developed with over 20 years of experience, and input from your fellow business professionals on a nearly daily basis.  This is a comprehensive management system to process information on all aspects of your business and your relationships with your clients.  It provides a tremendous boost to your business if used properly.

Why not just email or call whenever you have a question ?  Because if the answer is not available immediately, you will be frustrated waiting for a reply.  However, most questions are answered in this document, and you can have them immediately.  The trouble shooting section, for example, focuses on questions we are often asked.

Now that you've come this far, he are some quick guidelines on how you can find all the answers you need in the documentation.

•This manual will provide you with the steps to work through your full system

•The Reference section will provide information on each screen you will encounter.

•From within ASW 9, when you press F1 with any screen displayed, the manual reference page for that screen will be displayed ( no need to do a search ).

•When opening the manual, you can use the Index to find topics, or the Find option to look for specific words.  This will make searching much faster.

•Check out the Procedure Summaries for quick charts on the steps to follow on specific tasks.

•The Trouble Shooting section holds the answers to 98% of the questions we are asked.

•If something is missing, please send an email to Support@MasterLinkSoftware.com so we can update the manual.

•The CD-ROM has the manual in a format printable by Microsoft Word ( ASW9.DOC ) and a .PDF file for those wanting to use Adobe Acrobat Reader ( ASW9.PDF ).