ReQuest Manager

Version 3.0

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk Severtson) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:54:00 +0000

Version 3.0 of RQM has been a great success! Users report that they like the new features, the new look, and we have had remarkably few support calls from people having difficulties (particularly for such a major release!).

If you haven't yet upgraded to 3.0, please have a look at the Release Notes and go ahead and try it out!

ReQuest Manager 3.0 Released!

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk Severtson) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:02:00 +0000

The long-awaited new version of RQM has been released after much development work and extensive testing. You can download the installation file from our downloads page, but please be sure to read the installation notes and also the release notes for important information, including all the new features included, before installing.

Enjoy!
ReQuest Manager Team

RQM version 3.0 coming soon!

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk Severtson) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 19:41:00 +0000

We're currently wrapping up work on v3.0, to be released in the next few weeks. It's a major overhaul of the RQM environment and will require a new install. There are a few things you should know as you plan for this up:

Centers with a current support contract will receive this major upgrade for no extra cost -- as always with new versions.
RQM v3 will require Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7, as Windows 95, 98, Me and 2000 will no longer be supported.
This version is being developed to support (and require) larger computer monitors than past versions. Minimum recommended screen resolution is 1024x768.
New updates to v3 can now be downloaded and installed automatically, with minimal user interaction required.
When you install v3, RQM will import your v2 data file (rqm2data.mdb) and create a new file named rqm3data.accdb. This will not affect your v2 installation if you wish to try out v3 for testing before switching. However, when you are ready to move to v3, all computers must be done at the same time so data does not get lost due to multiple data files for different versions of RQM.

The feature list for v3 is being finalized -- we'll post it when complete.

Stay tuned for more info on RQM 3!

New update! 2.8.0

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:10:00 +0000

We have released the RQM 2.8.0 update, as well as a new installation package for installing RQM on a new computer (both the update and full installation package available from the downloads page).

This version has MANY new features, most notably enhancements to the clients and contacts area, a new feature to create "Groups" of contacts and/or clients, a new Resource Vendors list, and many enhancements to the user interface. For full information, please see the RQM 2.8.0 Release Notes document.

If are running a previous version of RQM, we recommend that you update to 2.8.0 at this time.

New install file

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:02:00 +0000

We have released a full installation file for RQM 2.7.0a. Please use the full install file when installing RQM from scratch on a computer. Visit the downloads page for download links and installation instructions, and please note the new prerequisite .Net 2.0 Framework in order for full RQM functionality.

New FTP component

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:57:00 +0000

Microsoft recently released an update to Windows (all versions) that broke the FTP component RQM used for connecting to the internet for uploads. We scrambled to fix this and have released an update, 2.7.0a, that includes a new FTP component.

The new component requires Microsoft .Net 2.0 Framework in order to function, which may require an extra manual installation step if it is not already installed on your computer(s).

Please visit the downloads page for the link and installation instructions.

WebScan fixes

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:06:00 +0000

For those of you who are using WebScan on RQM version 2.6.8 or lower, you may have noticed that some websites are no longer functioning. The sites have changed and broken the code that WebScan uses to parse the information.

The fix for this is to update to RQM 2.7.0, which is now available from the downloads page. Please note the installation password for updates has also been changed for versions 2.7.x.

Web hosting changes

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:01:00 +0000

For all users who have subscriptions to our online catalog hosting service:

I’m happy to announce that we’ve upgraded the RQMWeb online catalogs! We’ve moved all existing catalogs over to a new, more reliable system with improved features. We personally did all the migration so if you're reading this, you're already up and running with it.
Please note, that in order for RQM to be able to update your online data to the new catalog, you will need to update RQM to the newest update, 2.6.8 (now available from the downloads page).

The new catalog has much faster response time because it's built on a much faster server and faster "engine." Your users will also notice it has better keyword searching (try it out!) that is much more flexible to use with more relevant results.

I hope you enjoy it, and as always, please let me know if you have any suggestions or problems to report.

Kirk Severtson, for the ReQuest Manager team

Newest update: 2.6.5

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 14:05:00 +0000

We have released the RQM 2.6.5 update, as well as a new installation package for installing RQM on a new computer (both the update and full installation package available from the downloads page).

If are running a previous version of RQM, we recommend that you update to 2.6.5 at this time. There are numerous small enhancements and fixes included in this version.

For those users who have purchased WebScan, this update will restore functionality to several external sites that had changed since the last update.

Vista support added in 2.6.3

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:48:00 +0000

We have released RQM 2.6.3 (available from the downloads page). The full installation file will now install successfully on Windows Vista.

If are running a previous version of RQM, we recommend that you update to 2.6.3 at this time. There are numerous small enhancements and fixes included in this version.

Major new update: 2.6.0

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 01:11:00 +0000

We released a new software update, 2.6.0, that can be applied to installations of ReQuest Manager 2.0 or higher.

This update includes several feature enhancements as well as some minor bug fixes. This update is RECOMMENDED for all centers that are currently running versions 2.0 or higher. You can read about this update in the release notes.

Anyone with a current support contract can download the update from the download page.

Windows Vista support

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 13:58:00 +0000

As you may know, the changes in Microsoft's new Windows Vista affected developers quite significantly. We're working on accommodating those changes in RQM and will let you know when we're finished adding Vista support to RQM.

So for the moment, Windows Vista is not officially supported by RQM. Drop us a line if you are planning to move to Vista or purchasing a new computer with Vista on it...

New update: more features included!

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 15:40:00 +0000

As the new RQM update comes closer and closer to being ready to ship out the door, I wanted to give you a preview of some of the great new features that will be included.

Dashboard interface (I described this in my last Blog entry, below).
More colorful interface: you told us that many shades of gray didn't make for a very interesting visual experience. We listened, and RQM now sports a new blue theme we think is easier on the eyes. RQM is also smarter about how you work: when you resize a form, it stays resized, even if you close RQM and re-open!
Keyword searching: search for resources, clients, or contacts by keywords. If the keyword appears anywhere in the record, you'll find it quickly and easily.
Enhanced contact area: now contacts have their own search screens, details area, printed reports, etc. You can view all invoices, transactions, and consultations for a single contact in one place.
Multiple user support in RQM: you can define different users with different levels of permission for each person using RQM. RQM will also track who makes changes to records, so it's easy to trace edits within the database.
Enhanced email address handling: easily pull all email addresses for a group of clients or contacts into your email program for bulk mailing. Plus, new privacy fields for clients mean that you can respect your clients' requests to opt-out of mailings or email communications.
Resource Collections: this is a way of tracking different sub-collections within your RQM database. You may have a special display area that you might define as a collection, or you might have a satellite location that you want to include. It's easy and flexible to use!
Enhanced consultations area: client consultations are more fully-featured, including open/closed status and tracking records of required follow-ups or scheduled appointments. You can search for consultations in the new search area, too!
Transition to ISBN-13: (described in earlier Blog entry, below).
Added XLS export: in addition to exporting to text files for mail merge, you can now export your data directly to Excel spreadsheet format.
Account statement for clients: New report that shows, line-by-line, all transactions and payments for a client during a selected period.
And many others... some of which will make your life easier without your even knowing it!

These feature suggestions came from you! We love to hear your ideas for improving RQM. Continued improvements to RQM are possible thanks to a thriving and enthusiastic user base spread across the country.

Have a suggestion, frustration, or comment about RQM for us? Drop us a line!

New Interface: Dashboard

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 20:03:00 +0000

There's a major RQM update coming out early next year that will be packed with new features and usability enhancements.

One of the most visible new features will be a new main menu area called the Dashboard:

This will put more options right at your fingertips, including quick keyword searching on resources and clients, program alerts and reminders, and a "Chart of the Day:" graphs and lists that will show you different information every day.

The best part? It's all customizable -- show, hide, or rearrange the modules so you can see just what you want to. And if you prefer the old main menu, no problem: it's just a click away, and RQM will remember to take you there by default if you choose.

Watch this space for an announcement of the new version, expected in February 2007. All centers will current support contracts are eligible to receive the update.

Move to ISBN-13

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 22:51:00 +0000

Beginning January 1, 2007, the book industry will be converting from using 10-digit ISBN codes to 13-digit ISBN codes. Here are the details of this change for publishers:

Books with publication dates earlier than January 2007 may have both ISBN-10 and ISBN-13 on the copyright page as well as printed above the EAN bar code on the back of the book (i.e. Cover 4).
Titles with publication dates of January 1, 2007, or later must have only ISBN-13 on the copyright page and above the EAN bar code on the back of the book.
Backlist product reprinted after January 1, 2007, should have only ISBN-13 on the copyright page and above the EAN bar code. However, publishers may continue printing both ISBN-10 and ISBN-13 where their market requires both or where the publisher anticipates few, if any, subsequent reprintings.
As of January 1, 2007, UPC bar codes should not be printed on any titles, frontlist or backlist. The Bookland EAN-13 bar code with a human-readable ISBN-13 above it should be printed on Cover 4.

What does this mean for RQM users? RQM currently accepts either 13-digit or 10-digit entries, but stores the codes internally using 10-digits. It is possible to convert an old 10-digit code to a 13-digit code using a simple formula. The next major version of RQM (due in Feb. 2007) will automatically convert your 10-digit codes into 13-digit codes. This version will accept 13-digit OR 10-digit entries, but will store all entries as 13-digit codes.

You may continue to see 10-digit AND 13-digit codes for some time on new books published after January 1, 2007. Rest assured that RQM will continue to work smoothly with either format!

Full installation file now online

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 20:16:00 +0000

The full RQM 2.5.2 software is now available for download from our product downloads area. This will let you install RQM onto a new computer without the need for an installation CD.

It will also give you version 2.5.2 directly without the need for updating your software immediately after installation.

Be warned, however: the download is quite large (148 MB), and not recommended for users with a dial-up connection.

Advisory: new update from update.microsoft.com

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 13:35:00 +0000

Recently, Microsoft began distributing a Service Pack 3 for Access Runtime 2002 on its update.microsoft.com site. The Access 2002 runtime is the "engine" behind RQM, and this update is recommended for you to install.

However, when you install the update from their site, you may be prompted to insert the "Microsoft Office 2002 Professional with FrontPage" CD in order to successfully install the update (see screenshot of error). This is misleading, as this CD, if you indeed have one, will not allow the update to complete.

Instead, you should insert any RQM 2.x CD when prompted as above. This should allow the update to continue with installation successfully.

New Update: RQM 2.5.1!

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 15:18:00 +0000

We released a new software update, 2.5.1, that can be applied to installations of ReQuest Manager 2.0 or higher.

This update includes several feature enhancements as well as some minor bug fixes. This update is RECOMMENDED for all centers that are currently running versions 2.0 or higher.

Anyone with a current support contract can download the update from the download page.

New Version: RQM 2.5!

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 12:20:00 +0000

We're pleased to announce that RQM version 2.5 was released today! This is a major update that includes many new features and a significant interface overhaul.

You can read about the changes in 2.5 in the release notes.

Anyone with a current support contract can download the update from the downloads page.

New Module: WebScan!

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 12:10:00 +0000

Tired of manually entering all your new resources into your catalog? WebScan is an easy and powerful cataloging tool that automatically searches the web and catalogs your new books for you. Never type in another resource again!

You can view a video demo of the feature here.

For more information on how it works and for pricing, please visit the WebScan page.

New: Thumbnail images on online catalogs

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 19:39:00 +0000

We're happy to announce that we've added thumbnail images to the online catalogs hosted with RQM Web Hosting.

You clients can now see thumbnail images of the cover for many books, DVDs, CDs, etc. when they view the details for a resource on your website catalog. Click on this link to see an example.

You need to enter the ISBN codes for the resources in order for this to work, of course. An easy way to enter them is using a barcode scanner.

RQM 2.2.1: New update

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 13:13:00 +0000

We released a new software update, 2.2.1, that can be applied to installations of ReQuest Manager 2.0 or higher.

This update includes enhanced built-in technical support options, as well as all new features already released in 2.2.0. This update is RECOMMENDED for all centers that are currently running versions 2.0 or higher.

Anyone with a current support contract can download the update from the support page.

New Service: RQMWeb Hosting!

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 20:07:00 +0000

We are pleased to announce a new online service for ReQuest Manager users: RQMWeb ASP hosting. Take advantage of RQM's online catalog feature in all its feature-rich glory! Using only their web browser, your users can search your catalog by simple keyword or powerful, advanced searches, save resources in their shopping cart, and request resources from you by simple email checkout.

Check out the demo at demo.requestmanager.org or go to www.requestmanager.org/hosting.asp to learn more about the service.

RQM Solutions: Using Barcodes

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Tue, 04 Oct 2005 15:31:00 +0000

RQM Solutions are tips and creative ideas for getting the most out of RQM!

RQM supports using barcode scanners and custom barcode labels for easily checking out and checking in resources.

When barcoding is enabled, you can use a barcode wand to scan the ISBN codes into your resource fields. For those resources without ISBN codes, you can purchase a barcode printer to print custom labels. When you want to create an invoice for a stack of resources, simply pass the wand over the barcodes to quickly enter them all. If you have a stack of resources to check in, simply scan each barcode and the resources will all be done in a batch!

To inquire about barcode equipment and the barcode module, go to www.requestmanager.org/barcode.asp or contact us by email.

Workaround: Error installing RQM from 2.0.1 CD

noreply@blogger.com (Kirk A. Severtson) — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 18:55:00 +0000

Versions affected: 2.0.1 CDs

Symptoms:
When installing RQM 2.0.1 on Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Windows Server 2003, setup will terminate with the error: "The Office System Pack cannot be installed on this system because it requires Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6 or later."

Workaround:
Following these steps will allow you to install RQM successfully:

Create a new folder on the hard disk of the target computer.
Copy all the files from the RQM CD to the new folder.
Download the file http://www.requestmanager.org/downloads/dist.zip (about 16 MB) and unzip the files into the new folder.
Run Setup.exe from the folder that you created in step 1.

Additional Information:
The issue for Windows XP SP2 or Windows Server 2003 has been resolved for all RQM CDs 2.2.0 and higher.