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<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation: Getting Started > System Considerations |
MLS 2026 is designed to operate quickly and efficiently in a busy multi-user environment.
Understanding a few basic operational concepts will help you:
•work faster
•avoid mistakes
•reduce frustration
•better understand how the system behaves
Many of these ideas apply throughout the entire program.
Modern software performs a tremendous amount of activity behind the scenes.
Although MLS 2026 is highly optimized for speed, there are times when:
•large amounts of data must be transferred
•indexes must be searched
•reports must be generated
•files must be updated across the network
During these operations, please allow the computer time to complete the task.
Repeatedly clicking buttons does NOT speed up processing.
Each additional click:
•creates another command
•adds more activity to memory
•increases system workload
•may create unwanted duplicate operations
Holding down a key or mouse button may also create automatic repeat commands which can lead to confusion or operational mistakes.
In short:
Click once — then allow the system to work.
You will find that once screens are loaded, MLS 2026 responds very quickly.
Most MLS 2026 operations are accessed through menus and toolbar buttons.
Many toolbar buttons contain a small down-arrow indicator showing that:
•additional options
•submenus
•specialized functions
are available beneath that selection.
For example:
•Finance includes Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Banking, Payroll, and General Ledger
•Tools contains Setup, Lists, Maintenance, Interfaces, and Utilities
•Inventory includes stock control, pricing, ordering, and reports
Menus may be accessed using:
•the mouse
•keyboard accelerator keys
•shortcut commands
Most operations are performed using toolbar buttons or pushbuttons.
Examples include:
•Add
•Save
•Delete
•Search
•Reports
•Accept
•Close
•Exit
Simply point to the desired button and click the left mouse button once.
MLS 2026 uses two primary types of lookup controls.
These are small arrow buttons located inside a field.
Selecting the arrow displays:
•a predefined list
•a validation list
•previously entered values
•common options
This type of lookup is typically used for:
•states
•categories
•tax rates
•codes
•classifications
•simple selections
The magnifying glass lookup is a more powerful search tool.
Selecting it opens a searchable database window that may include:
•multiple columns
•browse capability
•sorting
•search repositioning
•filtering
These lookups are commonly used for:
•clients
•service units
•inventory
•vendors
•glossary items
•appointments
Once the proper item is highlighted:
•double click it
•or press the Accept button
and the value will automatically return to the field being edited.
Many MLS 2026 windows contain browse lists displaying records from the database.
Browse windows allow you to:
•scroll through records
•reposition quickly
•edit highlighted items
•select records for lookup
Movement can be performed using:
•mouse wheel
•Page Up / Page Down
•Arrow keys
•scroll bars
•dragging the scroll indicator
Large databases may contain thousands of records, so learning to navigate browse windows efficiently is important.
Most browse windows support rapid searching.
Typically:
•the browse is already sorted into the most common order
•you may simply begin typing
•the highlight bar automatically repositions
Examples:
•Inventory defaults to Part Number
•Clients default to Company Name
•Service Units default to License
•Vendors default to Vendor Name
You may also use the Search or Locate button to reorder the browse by another field.
For example:
•description
•VIN
•cross reference
•customer name
•make/model
•invoice number
Once reordered, simply begin typing to reposition rapidly.
Data is entered into special windows called dialogs.
Most data entry follows the same general pattern:
1.Add or locate a record
2.Enter or edit the information
3.Save the changes
4.Continue working or Close the window
You may move between fields using:
•the TAB key
•SHIFT + TAB
•the mouse
•accelerator keys
Understanding these buttons is extremely important.
The Save button:
•writes the current changes to the database
•keeps the window open
•allows continued editing
This is commonly used on list-style editing screens.
The OK button:
•saves the information
•processes the operation
•closes the dialog window
Some operations will NOT complete unless OK is selected.
The Close or Exit button:
•leaves the screen
•does NOT automatically save unsaved changes
If you do not use:
•Save
•or OK
your changes may be lost.
At the bottom of most screens is a Message Bar.
As the mouse pointer moves across:
•fields
•controls
•buttons
•browse windows
the Message Bar displays helpful information explaining:
•the purpose of the field
•what data is expected
•what the control does
When uncertain:
Look at the Message Bar first.
MLS 2026 frequently displays popup windows containing:
•questions
•warnings
•confirmations
•instructions
•operational reminders
Read these messages carefully.
Most are designed specifically to:
•prevent mistakes
•confirm actions
•protect data
•avoid accidental processing
The right mouse button is often used for:
•popup menus
•shortcut operations
•cut/copy/paste editing
•special list actions
Many text editing areas support standard Windows clipboard operations.
This allows you to:
•Cut
•Copy
•Paste
•move text
•duplicate notes
•transfer information between areas
MLS 2026 includes integrated spell checking for text entry areas.
Whenever you see the Spell button:
•press it
•the system reviews the text
•possible misspellings are displayed
•replacement suggestions are offered
You may also add:
•technical terms
•abbreviations
•vendor names
•shop terminology
•special codes
to the custom dictionary.
Whenever an Email button appears, MLS 2026 can create an email directly from the displayed record.
For example:
•client records
•vendors
•employees
•appointments
The system automatically:
•inserts the recipient address
•opens the email editor
•allows entry of subject and message text
Once completed:
•press OK
•the email will be transmitted using the configured email system
This greatly simplifies communication directly from within MLS 2026.