H2OS features, arranged alphabetically, with links to related topics
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Feature
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Basic |
Pro |
Highlights and Related topics
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Address corrections
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X |
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H2OS includes software functionality for address standardization (correction and ZIP4 attachment). This feature has been, but is not currently, CASS certified by the US Postal Service. Nevertheless, it works, and current USPS tables are available.
Address standardization and ZIP4 attachment helps formulate useful addresses for mapping, for identifying possible duplicate customer records, and it may save postage and even travel time by pointing out insufficient or incorrect address information.
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Application program interface
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X |
The H2OS Applications Program Interface (API) allows a Visual FoxPro developer to access the H2OS database using custom developed commands.
That is, a programmer can add one or more command buttons to your H2OS system.
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X |
X |
H2OS includes features to create and restore backups of your database
Recovering problems with tab pages Restoring individual files from an H2OS backup How to fall back after maintenance How to setup automatic backups How to reduce your exposure to problems How to recover when H2OS will not start How to restore customer and job ticket records How to recover a corrupted file from a backup
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X |
X |
At the center of your H2OS database are your customers
Address checking and standardization Record format is worked out and extendable Photos can be stored with customer records Printing a galley for all or selected customers
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X |
X |
If you offer your customers a service contract option, this feature will help you save and manage contract information, including service terms and special offers.
This feature also supports pricing for regular lawn sprinkler service operations, such as turn-ons and blow-outs.
How to add a contract for a customer
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X |
X |
Flags are used to call attention to special status conditions for customers when customer records are retrieved.
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X |
X |
Most H2OS information is stored in relational database tables (to be sure, H2OS uses all kinds of files, but your most important information is stored in relational database tables)
H2OS uses time-tested techniques to protect the integrity of your data and to help you recover should a problem occur.
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X |
X |
Database Maintenance features
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Database
Sample Database
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X |
X |
With H2OS, you can create and manage "name and address centric databases" for a variety of purposes. As examples, starter rolodex and prospects databases are included with H2OS, but others can be created as well. You could, for example, create a "Vendors" or "Pets" databases.
You can use the rolodex database to save contact information, remember (and be reminded of) birthdays, printing mailing labels and send email notes.
The rolodex database can also be accessed through the Rolodex tab page in H2OS
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Database:
Sample Database |
X |
X |
A sample database included with H2OS that can be used to enter and track prospective customers.
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X
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X |
A sample database that can be used to enter, store, organize and track items on your do-list
Do-list features include reminders, status, reports, searching and keeping tasks from falling through the cracks
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X |
X |
Information and assistance with H2OS features and usage
Shorthelp screens This Guide (online edition)
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X |
You can use the H2OS Notes Sending Machine to schedule and send email messages, with or without data substitution from your database, to selected groups of recipients
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X |
X |
You can use H2OS to send individually written or boilerplate (with or without data substitution from your database) e-mail notes to one of your customers.
H2OS helps you to manage and use your library of boilerplate email notes that can be drawn from, and improved over time.
You can add data from customer records (and other sources) into your email note.
How to send an individual email note
E-mail addresses in customer records
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X |
X |
The H2OS Employees database stores information about your employees and is used for assigning jobs and tracking commissions
Adding an employee from a job ticket Employee commissions incentive program Re-assigning job tickets, effect on Employee commissions Employee commission design notes
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Import/export
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X |
X |
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X |
X |
Covers software installation and ongoing maintenance.
Distribution of files in a LAN environment
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Internet services
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X |
X |
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X |
X |
H2OS helps you manage a comprehensive work schedule with an easy-to-use visual scheduling interface
Schedule jobs individually or using the recurring jobs scheduler
How to print all job tickets on a schedule How to schedule recurring jobs
Also see Job Tickets, below
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X |
X |
A job tickets is created for each customer service call.
Tickets are formatted to be easy to read and contain all relevant customer data.
Job tickets are closed out on return, helping to ensure all jobs are completed and reported
A complete job history is kept that can be searched and reported on.
Ability to move old job tickets into an archive, from which they can easily be retrieved when needed.
H2OS prints job tickets for your routes. Job tickets are printed with Barcodes for scanning when returned.
For estimates jobs, an estimates worksheet can be printed with the job ticket.
How to delete orphaned job tickets job tickets printing, cancelling print Individual job ticket printing process
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The H2OS database can be shared by other computers on your local area network (LAN)
One computer is declared a server for sharing the H2OS database with workstations. Other computers share this database over the LAN.
How to use a LAN workstation without the server Starting a LAN workstation without the server Disconnecting workstations from the LAN server
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Librarian
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X |
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The Librarian handles a variety of database management related services
The librarian also includes a set of "utility" programs available through the Librarian -> Database Utilities menu. The utilities on this menu include:
Calculator Compare 2 databases Compress address fields Convert to mixed case Convert to upper case Copy/move record Count Export Merge Merge/Purge Move Purge* Register a database* Reverse sales tax calculator
* use on advice from H2OS Customer support.
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Mapping |
X |
X |
Obtain, save, print and store maps to customer's address (optionally print with job tickets).
How to create a map for a customer Storing maps and photos in the H2OS database
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Marketing support
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X |
Built-in Prospects database application Print mailing labels, send emailings, postcards, form letters
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Printing, Mailing labels |
X |
X |
H2OS prints mailing labels, galleys and reports using standard Windows print drivers.
How to print a single mailing label
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Printing, other |
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In addition to other printing related features (such as address label printing), H2OS can also:
How to print all tickets on schedule
Print a vehicle maintenance report
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QuickBooks Interface
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X
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H2OS is standardized on the use of the QuickBooks accounting system for some standardized accounting operations. Support presently consists of customer account balance retrieval, posting cash receipts and credit sales and payment transactions.
H2OS/QuickBooks LAN configuration
Sync'ing your QuickBooks and H2OS Customers databases
Automatically adding new customers to QuickBooks from H2OS
Changing QuickBooks customer billing addresses
Save invoices and receipts in your QuickBooks database
Query QuickBooks customer account balances
H2OS can standardize your QuickBooks customer billing names and addresses using the same address correction technology as is used for your H2OS customers database.
Print partially completed invoices with job tickets for techs to complete at job sites
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X |
X |
Customer analysis by town, county, state, ZIP Code
Job counts by county, last service date, installations, turn-ons, blow-outs; daily job counts
Customers by Town for a specific county Customers by Town, all counties Customers residential and commercial counts Daily Operations Report Installation counts by year and county for recent years Job Counts by Year and Employee Jobs blow-out counts all years Jobs blow-out counts recent years Jobs by employee and year and month Jobs turn-on counts recent years Unique customers serviced yearly Unique customers serviced, monthly
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X |
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H2OS provides several methods for searching and selecting records from
your database, the most powerful of which is the use of SQL Select.
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X |
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If your business sells service contracts to customers, you can register contract info, including terms and special offers. Software will also calculate prices
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Setup
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X |
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License and registration
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X |
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Our success is intimately tied with yours. We are going to do everything we can to make sure H2OS performs successfully for you.
Using the online support forum Setting up VNC for remote support Sending a trace to technical support Downloading and installing maintenance Troubleshooting FAQ
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System is a base feature that you can use to manage your H2OS installation Built-in
These systems management applications available on request:
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User Interface |
X |
X |
H2OS has been designed to be customized by and for your operators.
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X |
X |
Support for storing information about the company's vehicles. Add/change/delete records; search, report; automatic reminders for insurance, inspection, registrations.
Used to keep track of Vehicles, maintenance such as inspections, oil changes, etc., and to automatically generate reminders when important requirements are due.
Scheduling events for vehicles How to save photos with vehicle records
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This is the master copy, stored as pc:\vls\doc\h2os\h2os_features_details.htm
7-27-08 published last to the H2OS website
H2OS supports a limited "Application Program Interface" that can be exploited by a software developer familiar with Microsoft Visual FoxPro 9.
Specifically, it is possible to write custom commands, in source code language, that can be added to a command system. Commands must be written in the Visual FoxPro 9 language. These programs can, in turn, call other programs, and even functions within H2OS.
Some H2OS features presently included with H2OS are in a state of development. We include these features for your perusal and ask for your help with testing them. Successive maintenance builds will reflect ongoing progress on these features until they are marked completed.
We use our own databases for systems management activities such as problem, change, contacts tracking and our do-list. We use e-mail for most communications, and the Internet for software, materials distribution and remote trouble shooting.