New Year’s Resolutions from HelpDesk

System Resolutions

Validate a recent backup by doing a test restore. Make sure that the image can get back onto the QICWARE server and that it can be read there. helpdesk@qantel.com can help!
Confirm your operating systems are current (i.e., Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10.1, Windows 11, Window Server 2025)
Check versions of the Qantel products you use. The latest are:
- QICWARE 8.50.121
- QIC-PC II 4.00.010
- Print Connector 3.00.001
- PowerShift 4.20.037*
  * The .038 update will be available soon! Contact helpdesk@qantel.com to schedule your upgrade.

PowerShift Resolutions

Inventory Management
- Make sure safety stock is in line with sales and production requirements
  Use the Inventory Safety Margin Report (ISMR) to review safety stock levels against the past year’s usage.
- Update lead times
  The report-only option in the Accumulated Lead Time Calculation (MLT) program is the go-to for reviewing order prep, in-transit, manufacturing, and put-away lead times.
- Identify obsolete inventory
  The Excess/Obsolete Inventory Valuation (IVLU) report can help! It lists items that has not been used or sold during a time period you specify.
Customer Records
- Review credit and order limits
- Clear negative AR balances
- Update inactive customers
  The Customer Credit Report (CCR) can help! It shows credit and order limits, as well as AR totals and open order balances. If a customer has a negative AR balance, maybe it’s time to refund it? Here’s how! CCR also lists the last sale date -- great info for finding inactive customers!
Vendor Records
- Update inactive vendors
  If you haven’t purchased anything from a vendor for ages, there’s a good chance you won’t be buying from the vendor in the future. Use the detail option of the Vendor Listing (VL) and select by last PO date or last payment date to create a list to review.
User IDs
- “Expire” user IDs of people that are no longer a part of your company
  Setting the expiration date in User Maintenance (UIM) prevents the logon from being used after the date you specify.
- Review Soon-to-Expire User Logons
  Keep ahead of the curve by updating IDs before users are locked out of the system by an expired ID! User ID Listing (UIL) selecting by expiration date is a great tool.
Transaction Files
- Archive data to history
  Have a look at the ARC menu: the first column lists PowerShift archive programs. Archive programs move fully-processed data from active transaction files to history files. Archiving can significantly improve day-to-day processing because the size of transaction files is reduced. You can access archived data in inquiries and reports by selecting the Include history option.
- Purge ancient transaction details
  Purge programs remove data from your database. The middle column of the ARC menu lists transaction purge programs. Before jumping in, work with helpdesk@qantel.com so you have a good understanding of the impact.