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************************************************************** Welcome to the Distributor Networking System Amway(R) Version 2.15 (Evaluation Copy) by Victor Nguyen & Bill Palmer Copyright (c) 1993-96 by PC DataNet Co. All Rights Reserved ************************************************************** This README file contains important information about the Distributor Networking System (DNS) software program, as well as your rights and responsibilities as a user of the program. Please read this file in its entirety. To print this file (7 pages), type the following at the DOS command prompt: COPY README.TXT PRN To print the abbreviated user guide, type the following: COPY MANUAL.DOC PRN To print the file which contains registration information, type the following: COPY REGISTER.TXT PRN Distributor Networking System README.TXT TABLE OF CONTENTS ----------------- New Features in Version 2.10.................................1 The Shareware Concept........................................1 System Requirements..........................................1 Installing DNS...............................................2 User Manual..................................................3 Program Overview.............................................4 Evaluating the Program.......................................6 Registration.................................................7 Restrictions.................................................7 Modifications................................................8 History.....................................................10 Distributor Networking System README.TXT Page 1 NEW FEATURES IN VER 2.10 ------------------------ THE SHAREWARE CONCEPT --------------------- DNS is a copyrighted work protected by the United States and the international copyright law. It is not free, freeware, or in the public domain. It is distributed as Shareware, which means that you may use it for a brief trial period at no cost; if you determine that it fits your needs and you continue to use it, you must register with the author by paying the reg- istration fee. If you choose not to pay the registration fee, you must stop using DNS after the initial trial period and remove it from your computer; you may still keep copies of it and pass them on to others as outlined below. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ------------------- The DNS program was developed for IBM-compatible systems running DOS (Disk Operating System) Version 3.3 or later. DNS requires 512KB (Kilobytes) of internal memory and a hard disk with at least 2.0MB (Megabytes) of free space for both the program and all the data files. Of course, you can never have too much internal memory or hard disk capacity; the more, the better. The DNS program will run on AT-class (20286) or higher per- sonal computers with CGA, EGA, VGA or super VGA monitors, color or monochrome. Performance is slightly sluggish (but quite acceptable) when run on a 10 MHz, 286 computer; it runs great on 386- and 486- based machines. Distributor Networking System README.TXT Page 2 INSTALLING DNS -------------- First, make a backup copy of the DNS distribution disk and use the backup as a working disk. You must use the INSTALL program to install DNS. The files on the distribution disk(s) are in compressed form and have to be properly decompressed. To install the DNS software, place Disk #1 in the floppy drive and type the following commands at the DOS command line (the "C:\>" prompt is provided by the operating system): C:\> A: (Switch to drive A) A:\> INSTALL Follow the on-screen instructions. The installation program will attempt to create a directory called DNS on your hard disk, in the path you specify. RECOMMENDATION: Install this demo version of DNS in a "sample" subdirectory, which you may refer to later to see how a particular feature works. If you later install the registered version in the same directory, the sample data files, described below, will be erased. This demo version contains sample data files, which allow you to learn how DNS works without having to enter a lot of data. For example, you can process incoming orders that have already been "received" via modem and watch new orders being created in your system. You can practice browsing the network tree structure of the fictitious distributorship, look at customer records, generate bonus reports, etc., with minimal typing. During the installation process, two settings in the file, CONFIG.SYS, will be checked to see if they are adequate to run the DNS program. The required values of the settings are: FILES=75 BUFFERS=10 The installation program can make these changes for you, or you can make them yourself, using any text editor. If the FILES and BUFFERS settings had to be changed, you will have to reboot your computer for the changes to take effect. Distributor Networking System README.TXT Page 3 USER MANUAL ----------- The instructions included in the accompanying user guide, MANUAL.DOC, are abbreviated, but they should be sufficient for you to perform most typical operations. If you use the program for a short time, you will have a good feel for the way it works and you should know if you like it enough to register. The printed user manual, which may be purchased when you register, contains more complete descriptions of the menu options, as well as sample screens, reports, etc. One appendix in the manual provides an overview of general modem communications; other appendices list the common names and footnotes used by the DNS program. In addition, the manual explains the reasoning behind some of the features of the DNS program. As of this writing (April, 1995), the manual contains about 150 pages. Distributor Networking System README.TXT Page 4 PROGRAM OVERVIEW ---------------- The DNS computer program was developed to help Amway(R) dist- ributors take care of those every day tasks which are vital to keep the business going, but are time-consuming, boring for the most part, and overall, unproductive. Order processing and downline tracking are two of the most useful features of the program, but there are many others which will help eliminate the drudgery of conducting a multilevel marketing business. The DNS program is inexpensive, and therefore available to anyone who has an IBM-compatible computer (XT- class or higher). Some features of DNS include: * Low cost. DNS software is more capable than the nearest competitor's software, which sells for several hundred dollars * Customer Records - Full customer information maintained - Traverse the network tree, up and down - Track PV, BV, Business activity, Bonus information * Order Processing - Fast, easy item selection by five different methods: 1. By stock number 2. By item description 3. By a partial item description 4. By common name of the item 5. By browsing a section/category subset - Receive orders over the modem, unattended, then process them automatically when you return - Quick Order items you use all the time by selecting from a list - Compare cost per use of Brand X and Amway(R) items - Merge two or more orders into one - Send orders via modem to your upline - Track undelivered items * Network System Reports - Print, view on screen or save to a file - Orders and bonus reports for any or all of your first level groups - Distributors, by group or alphabetical listing * Calendar and Expense Tracking - Flexible and easy to use - Include separate notes for schedule and expenses - Reports covering specified date ranges: print, view or save to a file Distributor Networking System README.TXT Page 5 * Prospect Records - Keep track of contacts, call backs, etc. - Easily convert a prospect record to a distributor or retail customer record * Built-in Bulletin Board System - General modem communications package - Set up a newsletter to keep your downline up-to-date - Select host mode and allow your downline to send orders, messages or other files (or download files from your system) while you're away - Dial numbers automatically or manually - Chat online with the other party * Price list Database - Modifiable by the user - Note: The shareware version of the price list data- base may be outdated when you use it. When you reg- ister, you will receive the current version, almost 1900 records as of this writing. * Miscellaneous Utilities - File maintenance (view, copy, delete, rename, etc.) - Generate mailing labels for selected groups of distributors/customers - Database maintenance (reindex, pack, zap) - Backup and Restore your valuable data files * Pop-up Calculator - For quick calculations Distributor Networking System README.TXT Page 6 EVALUATING THE PROGRAM ---------------------- If you fairly test the program for a few weeks, you should know if it will be useful to you in your business. If you decide not to register, you will not have wasted your money on a program that looks good on the storeshelf, but then works differently than you expected. On the other hand, if you like it, you know exactly what you're getting when you pay the small registration fee. After you install DNS, add a few customer and prospect records and use the program to conduct your business for a few weeks. A "canned" customer database is shipped with the shareware version, so you don't have to type in a lot of data to see how the system works. No orders have been created in the canned system, but a few canned modem orders are included to simulate your having received downline orders via modem, using the host session in the communications part of the prog- ram. When you process these orders, new orders will be created in your system. Add orders for your customers and for yourself; merge a few orders and print the combined order to see how orders and their items are tracked by the program. If you have a modem, have a friend help you evaluate the communications portion of the program. Your friend will need a computer with a modem to test the general communica- tions. To test the multi-level business aspects of the program, your friend will need to install DNS on his or her system, too. Log on to each other's system and upload orders, upload and download other files, check your order status, read each other's newsletters, chat online, etc. Use the Customer Menu to look up, add, edit or delete cust- omer records. Browse the network tree structure up and down, viewing different aspects of your customers' business activ- ities. Use the Reports Menu to view or print system reports covering orders, bonuses and distributor groups. Track prospects through several callbacks and meetings, then convert them to either wholesale or retail customers. Track your own meetings, appointments, to-do lists and ex- penses, then print out reports covering various time periods. Add, edit or delete items in the price list database; modify the footnotes or add your own. Use the Utilities menu to print labels, backup your data and perform general file maintenance. Distributor Networking System README.TXT Page 7 REGISTRATION ------------ A separate file, REGISTER.TXT, contains information on how to obtain the registered version of DNS. RESTRICTIONS ------------ Under the following conditions, you may freely copy and dist- ribute this shareware version of DNS: You may not modify or disassemble any DNS files, nor distribute any modified or disassembled versions of DNS. You must include all the files on the DNS distribution disk(s), without modification. PC DataNet assumes no warranty for any claim of damage you may sustain by using this software. PC DataNet has no obligation to revise the program to correct any fault in this software. Distributor Networking System README.TXT Page 8 MODIFICATION HISTORY -------------------- Changes in Version 2.15 - Eaches item cost was not being calculated correctly when adding to an order Changes in Version 2.14 - PV and BV were not being computed correctly under certain conditions (e.g., adding/deleting items on an order). This has been corrected. - A common problem in several parts of the program was that a file was not available when an attempt was made to open it, or that it was already open and a sharing violation occurred. I believe (hope) I caught all of those instances. - Several problems in the communications menu were caused by undefined variables. A definition file had been temporarily removed during development, and I forgot to put it back in prior to shipping. - Phone numbers were added to the line of sponsorship printed at the bottom of an order. - Other minor and/or cosmetic changes were made to improve the way the program flows. Changes in Version 2.13 - An item can be assigned to one of 9 different tax rate groups, as well as to one of 9 shipping groups. You can select a subgroup of items (from a section, category and subcategory), and then pick only the ones you want from that subgroup, to assign to a selected tax rate or shipping group. - The Inventory price list menu has been enhanced to make it easier to maintain your own price list. - You can save private items across database updates, so you don't have to re-enter them each time the database is updated. - Some files were getting too large and were broken into smaller, separate files; this should be largely transparent to the user. Bug fix in Version 2.12 - When editing a price list item, a change to the taxable field would appear to take effect, but would subsequently be changed back to the original value. Changes in Version 2.11 - Eaches item cost put back in. Several users felt that it is necessary for ordering single items from upline, since the upline distributor may want to charge a different price. - Suggested retail price for individual items on an order was added (available by pressing the <F8> key after selecting Edit -> Items after an order is displayed). When filling in the SA-1 order form, you need each line item's suggested retail price in one column. Distributor Networking System README.TXT Page 9 - During installation, an index file is now intentionally deleted to force a reindex of the price list database. If this is not done, a new price list installed over an old one will use the old index files. This could cause incorrect product descriptions to be displayed, or valid items not to be found. - Some minor cosmetic changes to properly align text, etc. Bug fixes in Version 2.10 - PV & BV were not being passed upline for items added to an existing order. - The system owner's ADA number and the price list datestamp were susceptible to getting garbled if there was any kind of hiccup in the system. This should not happen now. - Under certain conditions, the file pointer for the customer database would end up in the weeds. This caused memos to be attached to the wrong customer and other problems. - Shipping & Handling were not being added to the order correctly. Modifications in Version 2.10 - The PV bonus structure is now flexible and can be tailored to accomodate those used in some other countries. - Registration validation at startup was relaxed even further. - For the registered version, the price list database was broken out and placed on a second diskette for distribution. - The format of the product descriptions was modified to more closely match that of the SA-13. Eaches items are listed as separate items, with their own stock numbers (beginning with "W"). - Some parts of the Inventory utility were improved (PgUp & PgDn keys can be used instead of selecting Next/Previous options). - The system owner can now change the ADA number of any retail or wholesale customer. - A retail customer can now be converted to a wholesale distributor and placed under a distributor of the system owner's choice. Known Bugs in Version 2.10: - Shipping & Handling for special items is not added automatically; for example, paper products exempt from the $4/4% service charge should have $4.25 added automatically to the suggested retail price and distributor cost for shipping & handling. This is planned for a future release, but until it is incorporated, the user can adjust the shipping & handling, as well as the order totals, manually. Planned Modifications for future versions: - I started to make the order number an edit field, at the suggestion of one of my dealers, since distributors have different preferences for numbering systems. It turned into a messy, time-consuming task. So in the interest of getting the current version released, I backed out the changes. I plan to incorporate the idea into a future release. - Inventory: Quantity On-Hand, Re-order point, Case Quantities; - Private items saved across price list updates. - Grouping of inventory items for tax purposes. - Modem setup needs to be simplified. - Line of sponsorship, with phone numbers,all the way to the top. - Add phone numbers to line of sponsorship on printed orders. - Online help needs work. Distributor Networking System README.TXT Page 10 History Features added in Version 2.01: - A Quick Order shopping list has been added to the Order Menu. When you want to order staple items, select this option and pick the items by pressing the space bar. You don't have to mess with stock number, PV, BV, wholesale & retail cost, etc. - Brand X comparison, on the Quick Order menu, allows you to make a quick comparison of the cost per use of any Brand X product with the Amway(R) equivalent. You supply the size, estimated uses and cost for Brand X, the information for the currently selected Amway(R) equivalent product is obtained from the current price list database. - Modem order processing: the user can watch the new orders being processed, one at a time (you can see who the customer is, the unconfirmed totals, and the new order number being created in your system). - The shareware version now comes with a few canned modem orders, so you can see how this feature works. - A bug was fixed which would not let the program run from a subdirectory; it had to be located off the root directory. Modifications: - The product description display screen for the various product types is now the same for all. This is in response to the new SA-13 format. - The security personality of the program is completely dif- ferent, greatly relaxed from the previous version. The full- size database may be used by the demonstration version, without restriction.