Below is an e-mail recently sent by Scott Baird regarding our new software delivery methods.

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I am excited to announce some changes to our system for delivering and maintaining our software.  Starting today, existing clients can enable upgrades and additional product licenses over the internet, without a CD.  New clients will still receive a CD with their initial order.  We’ve also made another change in order to make the new Tabs3 Connect subscription possible.  Starting with Version 17.1.2, firms need to have an Internet connection on one of the computers running our programs so we can verify their licenses.

After you read the details below, let me know if you have questions.  Anyone in the Sales Department can also answer your questions when you place an order.

Scott

Enable an Order without a CD

In order to enable an order without a CD, a firm needs to be running Version 17.1.2 or later.  If your order will not include a CD, you will receive an email with installation instructions and your invoice as an attachment.

Upgrading

Firms adding timekeepers or users, or upgrading to multi-user, only need to run “Help|Check for Updates” and then restart the relevant program to enable the upgrade the day the order has been processed.  When you restart the software, it will check for a new authentication certificate from our server that will enable the upgrade.  As soon as you receive the email confirmation of your order, our server will have been updated and you can enable the upgrade.

If you don’t take these steps, the upgrade will happen automatically the day after the order is placed, when someone at the firm restarts the software.

Adding new products

Firms adding a new product (this includes the Platinum Server and Platinum SQL Server) will need to download and run the Web installer to enable new programs.  Instructions for how to do this will be included in the email confirmation of the order.  As soon as you receive that email confirmation, you can download and run the Web installer.

Updates

Firms on Version 16 or later that are purchasing updates to their licenses can download those updates within 2 business days.  Firms updating from versions before Version 16 need to receive a CD.

Shipping and Delivery Charges

Enabling orders for current firms is now our preferred way to deliver these orders.  There is no processing or delivery fee for these orders. However, there will be a $50 charge plus shipping for firms that request a CD when it is not required for an order.

Internet Access

In order to enable this change in our order processing, and in order to provide a Tabs3 Connect subscription, firms will need to have Internet access on at least one computer that runs our software.  Starting in Version 17.1.2, software license information will be stored in an authentication certificate.  The Internet is used to periodically renew the certificate automatically.  It must renew within 60 days of the last check or, after several pop-up warnings, the software will shut down.    Firms without Internet access will need to request a special certificate that can be renewed manually every 6 months.