System report overview

The Auto Shop Writer provides a set of pre-programmed reports that  may be utilized for understanding the activity, earnings, and  performance of the shop.  These reports are detailed in the  paragraphs that follow, with information regarding their  interpretation.

Report Overview

It must be accepted that information exists within the system that  is of interest to some shops, but not all.  Managers may have their  own interests regarding the facts they wish to see displayed on a  report.  For this reason,  The Auto Shop Writer system provides a file system compatible with  custom report, and label,  generators ( ie. Crystal Reports )  that can be used to develop a  wide range of special printouts which deal with the needs of the  individual manager.

These reports can be saved, and run whenever  desired.  The preprogrammed reports provide all of the essential information  regarding the overall operation of The Auto Shop Writer system, and  the business it manages.  Specific information on clients,  inventory, and glossaries are reported.

Most of these reports are date oriented.  On some, other pertinent data is requested.  Once the report is selected, the necessary information is requested in a popup window.  When the information is entered, and the OK button is pressed, then the system will prompt for information on how the printing is to be handled.

The Report Display

When the report menu is selected, a window is displayed with a series of "folder tabs" across the top.  Each tab relates to a specific area of The Auto Shop Writer, and when selected, displays the reports available in each.  To run a report, simply point at the check box, and click the mouse to place a checkmark in the box.  Then select the OK button to run the report.

Printer Selection Options Window

You have numerous options when selecting the type of printout, and how it is to be processed.  They are displayed in a popup window, and should be handled as follows:

•Default / Alternate Printer -  The Default printer radio button is highlighted, and if you leave that option, your output will go to the printer which has been set up in windows as the default for your machine.  If you wish to send a fax, direct the output to a different printer, or change the number of copies, select the Alternate Printer option.

•View -  Select this button if you wish to preview the printout on screen first.  You can print from the preview display.

•Print -  Select this button to immediately send the information to the printer

•Cancel - Select this button to abort the printout process immediately.

Faxing a Printout

You may send any printout to a FAX rather than a printer.  First, you must have FAX software installed in your computer.  When given the Printer Selection Options window, select the Alternate Printer option.  Then you will be shown the print setup window.  You can select the FAX device from the list of installed printers.  Your computer will then activate the FAX software and ask for the number, and any other information you wish to provide.  Windows will then take over sending the data to the FAX modem rather than the printer.

If your FAX does not go through, it will be saved in the FAX software and can be resent through that programs control panel.

Printing Multiple Copies

You can print multiple copies of any document by selecting the Alternate Printer option.  Windows will then provide the Printer selection window.  Select the total number of copies you wish to print and the system will handle your task.

The system will then print the report.

Aborting a printout

To abort a report while printing, hold down the ESC key for several  seconds.  The system will check for the interruption request each time it makes a loop in  processing a line of data.

Although this key should cause the report to  clear, and to return the operator to the main menu, current computers are so fast that the data has already been passed to the memory in the printer by the time the ESC key is pressed.  In such cases it would be necessary to turn off the power to the printer, and then turn it back on, to stop the printing.