In this issue:
A new Karmak Legend® enhancement allows better tracking for lost sales. Branch Option File line 200—Update Picks for Lost Sales—has been added to Legend Version 5.8-1. This line will regulate whether the picks count will be updated every time a lost sale is recorded. If the setting for line 200 is Yes, the program will add one to the picks count for the current month every time a lost sale is recorded. If the setting for line 200 is anything other than Yes (the default setting is No), the program will not update the picks count for the lost sale.
Legend customers must be on Version 5.8-1 to use this enhancement. Prior versions of the software require an upgrade to Version 5.8-1. If you are currently on Version 5.8-1, please contact Systems Support at 1-888-671-6010 or to get the latest version of Parts Order Entry/Processing (PO120) and Part Number Display (IN601) and the new Branch Option File line. If you are running a previous version, please contact Shawna Morton at 1-800-252-7625 or to order your Version 5.8-1 upgrade.
Track critical service data with
Real-time Performance
Monitor softwareWhat if you could see if your service shop is running smoothly—at a glance? What if you could see who's working on what, when they will be finished, and even spot potential problems—all in one screen? Karmak’s Real-time Performance Monitor (RPM) allows you to see essential business data, using the flexible, color-coded displays.
Karmak recently released the Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks NA MV Preferred program for Legend and
INFO 5® systems. MV Preferred establishes a direct connection between the Karmak systems and the OEMs to provide their dealers a "real-time" fleet charge processing solution.
MV Preferred replaces the current Volvo and Mack fleet charge programs, and offers several improvements designed to significantly reduce administration time and operational costs for both fleet customers and dealers.
The direct link to Volvo and Mack Corporate will provide quick responses for real-time transaction processing for both Parts and Service purchases. All business transaction processes occur within the Legend and INFO 5 system, and replace all of the manual activities related to the Fleet Force and Mack Charge programs. Order validation steps occur prior to the order being closed to reduce errors and improve customer satisfaction.
If you have signed up for MV Preferred through Volvo Trucks and/or Mack Trucks, the Karmak Sales Department will be contacting you with additional information.
New Director Series discussion board launchedKarmak has just launched a new discussion board exclusively for Director Series customers. Now you can easily interact with other Director Series users regarding software features and techniques to help make your use of Director Series more efficient. You’ll also find the latest updates related to your Director Series system posted on the site.
Don’t miss this chance to participate in the Director Series Discussion Board located at http://discussions.karmak.com/director/. There are two ways that you can request a username and password. You may make a request by completing the Director Discussion Request Form on our website, or you may contact Joyce Donaldson at or 800-252-7625.
Karmak has completed testing the U.S. and Canadian versions of QuickBooks® Pro 2006, and has released this interface with Director Series Version 1.1.2. Please contact the Director Series Support group at 1-866-856-4846 or , for the latest information before upgrading any QuickBooks Pro products, or for any questions on Director Series 1.1.2.
Perez comes to Karmak with extensive experience in the industry, having served as the Dealer Development and Consulting Manager for Kenworth Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. He also holds a Global MBA from Thunderbird--The Garvin School of International Management. His education and experience will ensure that our customers in these regions receive the best sales and service support.
“Francisco is a great asset to Karmak in our continuing efforts to enhance relationships with our current customers and clients in Latin America,” said Jim Schien, Senior Sales Director.
Karmak recently named Mike Root the Manager of Legend and ProfitMaster Support for Karmak’s headquarters office in Carlinville, Ill. This new position combines Legend and ProfitMaster support groups, including Legend Parts & Service, Accounting, Systems, and Vendor Communications, as well as ProfitMaster Support.
Root joined Karmak in 1999, after retiring from a career in the U.S. Army. In 2002, he was promoted to Manager of Systems and Communications. In his new position, Root heads up a team of 21 customer support specialists.
“Our goal is to have more resources available across platforms in order to meet the changing needs of our customers as they transition from Legend to ProfitMaster, while continuing to provide quality support on the Legend side,” said Mike Kirk, Director of Customer Services.
Beginning her career with Karmak in 1990, Mitchell was promoted to Manager of Training in 1998. In 2003, she became the Manager of ProfitMaster Customer Services, which also included the Director Series Support group. Mitchell has a B.S. degree in Organizational Management, and now supervises a team of 17 technical and educational specialists.
Jim Vanderpoel was recently promoted to Director Series Manager. In his new
position, he will oversee the Director Series Application Support team. Since
joining Karmak in 1999, Vanderpoel has held a variety of positions including
Legend Parts & Service Trainer and
INFO 5 Accounting Support. He most recently
served as Internal Trainer, where he instructed employees in nearly every Karmak
product. Vanderpoel received his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from
Southwest Missouri State University and is a member of the Navy Reserves.
“Jim has extensive knowledge of all facets of our software packages and has shown leadership skills and responsibilities that make him an excellent fit for this position,” said Mike Kirk, Director of Customer Services.
Holcomb joined Karmak in 1996 as Human Resources Director, and held this position for six years. After leaving the company in 2002 to take a position with Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, he returned to Karmak as Manager of Consulting in 2005.
Mark your calendar for October 23-27, 2006, and plan to attend our next power-packed conference. Planning is underway for specific track days, options, and activities. Look for details soon.
In addition to our popular classes and workshops, the Karmak Legend Training Center offers convenient, cost-effective Webinars. Attend a live, interactive training session with a Karmak specialist from your location via the Internet.
Currently scheduled Webinars and Training Center classes include:
| Webinars - 10:30-11:30 am Central Time | Training Center Classes |
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| Visit our Legend Training Center website for the class descriptions and registration information. Out of the office during scheduled Webinars? Not a problem. Give us a call at 1-800-252-7625 and we will schedule one at a time convenient for you. | |
Now you can attend training on various INFO 5 modules or request custom training without ever leaving your office. For a small fee, we are now offering several one-hour Webinar sessions each month via the Internet. New Webinar sessions include:
Visit the INFO 5 Training web page for details on Webinars as well as a wide variety of Training Center classes. Select the Training Registration Form to sign up online. For questions regarding INFO 5 training or to request custom Webinar sessions, please call 1-800-865-8991.
Call the Director Series Help Desk at 1-866-856-4846 to schedule a WebEx training date after Director Series has been installed on your server. For more on other training options, contact Jim Vanderpoel, Director Series Manager, at 1-866-856-4846, or e-mail .
Karmak offers service options for HP printersMany Karmak customers were notified by HP that service coverage on their DEC and Tally-Genicom printers was discontinued as of January 31, 2006. Karmak is committed to keeping your system protected, and is pleased to offer alternative service solutions. HP printer coverage is also available through the Scantron Service Group. With more than 175 field service technicians and 350 employees, Scantron provides service across the United States. They offer competitive pricing, flexible printer maintenance programs, and quick response times. In addition, Scantron provides preventive maintenance routines, a service not previously offered by HP, to prolong the life of your printers. Please note that HP will continue to support your AlphaServers and networking components as they have in the past.
To find out how you can protect your system hardware investment and reduce costly downtime, or if you currently have printer maintenance coverage directly from HP, please contact Sherry Bruce, Warranty Administrator, at 1-800-622-6311 or . If you have an HP maintenance contract through Karmak, Sherry will contact you prior to the renewal date to discuss your service options.
As a Karmak user, you interface daily with other locations and businesses through the internet, email, and your Karmak software. While we strive to make certain that our users have the most up-to-date security software, you cannot guarantee that the other businesses with which you deal are as diligent.
Reports on viruses and security threats that overpopulate the media are constant reminders that computer security is not something with which we can grow complacent. The Microsoft article "Outfitting a new computer for the Net" has been written primarily to provide you the necessary steps for setting up security on a new computer, which may be useful as your business expands and new computers are added to your system. The outlined information, though, can serve as a useful refresher for maintaining the security on the computers you already have. It is important to periodically ensure that all of your machines are running with the optimum security coverage.
Check with Karmak Support for your firewall settings and the most current security patch.
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Karmak CompassThe purpose of Karmak Compass is to keep all our customers informed of current activities within the Karmak family. This newsletter is designed for both technical and non-technical readers.
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