PST Newsletter

It just kept growing.  That's all we can say.  Earlier this fall it was Version 8.3, then 8.5, and now...  Boy, we kept adding features, and it began to feel like the new version was just never going to leave.  Sort of like packing for a trip where you keep finding a reason to repack to include a couple more "must have" items.  But at this point it's heading out the door Monday, December 1st as 9.0, right after Thanksgiving... yes we are thankful.  Hopefully you will be as well.

I wanted to give you a head's up about a couple of things you need to know.  

1. First of all there are a lot of new features and fixes- it deserves a full upgrade number.  Everything from new performance features to making ManagePro 64-bit.  You'll understand when you look at the lists below. 

I'm going to create a video that quickly goes through a majority of the new issues, plus an annotated list with screenshots, so you will feel well prepared to take advantage of what's in the new release with both a print-out and video to support you.  I will send you an email next week on Tuesday with links to both, so be checking your email. 

When you look at the lists below - you'll see that I have my work cut out for me.  After you look at the list, you may decide to call us and order some training and review time over the web and phone - do what's best for your organization.

2. This release involves a background database conversion.  That means that if you are using ManagePro in any multi-user setting, everyone needs to upgrade.

1. If you are using a shared database on a LAN server note that once you upgrade the first user, all other users will not be able to access the database on the server until they upgrade - so plan your cutover accordingly, e.g. do it all at once.
2. We will be upgrading the middleware if you use our hosted server Sunday evening November 30th.  So if you are using ManagePro Smart or ManagePro Plus, you will need to upgrade your version of ManagePro prior to running the program (Smart users) or synching (Plus users) on Monday morning December 1st.
3. If you are self-hosting, we will provide you with the middleware upgrade package on Wednesday morning, November 26th.  Please schedule an appointment if you would like assistance upgrading your server.
4. For all of you who can't wait, we will have a pre-release version available Wednesday afternoon that you can download and play with over the Thanksgiving weekend.  See instructions at the bottom of this section.

Ok, let's go over what's new and what's been fixed.

New Features:

Can you believe it?  Are you saying "Wow!"? 

We're pretty tired and very happy about what we've put together in this release.  And thanks for supporting us, bottom line it's your Annual Maintenance dollars hard at work.

Fixes:

There are a couple of recurring questions that we regularly hear from you, our community of users.  We've tried different approaches to address those questions, but it has always felt like it wasn't quite enough to fully help users get over the hump of deployment. 

Well actually we hear two questions and we see one process over and over again.  The questions are... ready?

1. 1. How do I lay out my business, my department, my projects in the database?  What's the best way to see and track everything I want to do?

2. 2. How do I get others, my people, the team, the organization... to adopt or use it?

Our thinking about both questions has changed significantly in the past few years (and particularly in the last 3 months) as we have worked with many organizations - watching some of them generate multi-million dollar returns in a just a few months, and others no returns at all.  Over the last few months we have developed a new, simple model for success that directly addresses three key milestones which must be mastered to have a successful outcome:

Three Milestones in Using ManagePro to Boost Your Success

1. 1. Knowing how to configure ManagePro to wrap around your business

2. 2. Knowing how to get other people to use ManagePro

3. 3. Knowing how to deploy ManagePro across an organization

In each of these areas there are choices every user is faced with that, will either result in success, or a stumble and failure based upon what you do.  Most people don't have the map or the correct guide of "do's and don'ts" to navigate through these three areas... If this is you, perhaps you aren't even aware there is a map, and so proceed based upon gut instinct, what you've done in the past, or some other rule of thumb.   In this economy, who can afford to do that?

The Silver Bullet we're going to launch at the beginning of the year is a video series with me directly working with you.  A video series in which I walk through each milestone above, sharing all the tips, step-by-step directions, and pitfalls to avoid, as if I was right in your office. 

I'm going to set aside a certain number at a 50% discount for those of you who want to jump on this offer.  I'll explain more and make that offer available in December.  Prior to the release of the Silver Bullet, I'm going to be giving away some powerful resources I use in helping other navigate the three milestones.  I'm going to give away one in this newsletter (Tracking Loss Time).  Keep reading.

Tracking Loss Time

With the economy sputtering along, it is incredibly important for everyone to spend their time on what creates value, on the right priorities, working efficiently.

Yes, right, but what most people report is that they already have more to do than they can complete in a single day.  They don't have any time.  They're working as hard as they believe they can, and the entire discussion about  time and time management talk gets lost on most everyone, except a few walking around with those day planners or some such thing.

Here's a secret, the whole concept of time and value, are actually cornerstones to building a "better" work solution in ManagePro.

Here's another secret, you can't tell people that, you have to help them prove it for themselves.  How do you help them to prove it for themselves?

One approach is for you to take them through a simple exercise using the form I've provided a link to below.  If you walk through the exercise the right way, you'll get a "Oh oh!" response.  If you do it incorrectly, you'll get a "ho hum... next" response.  More about that in the upcoming Silver Bullet series.

Click here to pull down the form I use: Recovering Time at Work.  (http://www.ManagePro.com/mprodocs/RecoveringTimeatWork.xls)

Have a great Thanksgiving weekend... lots of success using ManagePro version 9.0, and a really focused, productive December in the midst of the angst of the economy and Joy of the Season. 

 
Rodney Brim,  Ph.D.
CEO Performance Solutions Technology
www.ManagePro.com/Blog

PS. During the 4th quarter, we have a goal of increasing the number of links to our website from our customers.   Links from you to us.  Simple ones, we provide the text and html code, your web-master just inserts it on your site.  A 10 minute job.   Here's what we are offering in return -  One free hour of live training over the web and phone.   It's a $90 value.  Don't miss out on this opportunity.   Call us at (877) 487-3001 - and we'll get it coordinated and you scheduled for the free hour of training.