Basic Inventory Control >> FAQs
| Home Contact Us |
Basic Inventory Control >> FAQsDo you have specific recommendations for a barcode scanner?
No. BIC treats input from a barcode scanner just like it received it via keyboard. Any barcode that functions in that manner is ok.
Does BIC come with a barcode scanner?
BIC does not come with a Barcode scanner.
No.
Does BIC support barcodes and barcode scanners?
A Barcode scanner can used to enter part numbers into fields on BIC dialog boxes (just like you can using a Keyboard).
From BIC point of view, BIC treats input from a scanner just like input from keyboard. Choose View | Scan Transaction in BIC. This will let you enter the p/n directly using your keyboard or using another input device such as a scanner. Any scanner that can read the barcode and pass it along as text input to BIC will do.
Can BIC's data be shared with other applications?
All Reports/Views in the BIC can be saved to MS Excel CSV file. This format can be read by most applications including MS Access, MS Excel, and SQL Server.
In BIC, press the Save as MS Excel (CSV) file icon on the View/Report tool bar (the icon looks like a green floppy disk with an x on it).
Can I change column names on the report?
See:
Can I change field and/or column names?
Can I change field and/or column names?
Choose View, Preferences... menu in BIC. The Customize Field Name tab on the Preferences Dialog Box lists the field names whose display text can be customized.
For customizing the column names displayed on reports for fields not customizable via the Preferences Dialog Box, you can save BIC report to MS Excel CSV file and customize as necessary.
See:
Can BIC's data be shared with other applications?
Can product information be imported into BIC?
Yes. See View, Import Products... menu in BIC.
Can transactions be imported into BIC?
No.
Does Basic Inventory Control support multiple users?
Yes. Site license is required for multiple users to access a Basic Inventory Control database.
1. Find out where your BIC data files are stored.
- Choose View, Help Center menu in BIC
- Help Center window shows the directory where your BIC data is stored
2. Backup the entire directory (including what is in the directory) you found in step 1.
Choose Help, Backup your data everyday! menu in BIC for additional information.
How do I backup, copy or move my data?
Basic Inventory Control data comprises of several files stored in a single directory. To backup, copy or move your data, first please find out where your data is stored (i.e. the data directory) by choosing Help, Backup your data everyday! menu in Basic Inventory Control. Backup, copy or move ALL files from the displayed directory to the backup or new data folder of your choice. If you want to move data from one PC to another or restore backed up data, copy ALL the data files into a destination directory of your choice and choose File, Open Database... from the Basic Inventory Control menu and choose the destination directory. If you are restoring data from backup, please ensure that all data file are not marked read-only.
Here are step by step directions for moving BIC data from one computer to another:
-- Old (Source) machine --
1. On your old machine, open BIC
2. Verify inventory is correct (Choose View | Inventory menu)
3. Choose View | Help Center menu in BIC
This will display the location of your BIC data files on your old machine.
This is the data folder you need to copy to the new machine.
-- New (Destination) machine --
1. Copy the data from old machine (see above)
2. Choose File | Open Database menu in BIC
3. Choose the directory location where you copied the data from the old machine
How do I delete a product from the database?
If you have not recorded transactions for a product, you can delete it by choosing View, Product List Maintenance menu... Select the product to delete and press the [Delete] button.
If you have transactions recorded for a product, it cannot be deleted. However, you can "hide" any product (Choose View, Product List Maintenance menu... and [Edit] Properties and check the hide box). This way the hidden products won't show in the list when you record new transactions.
How do I delete a view/report?
Choose View, All Views & Reports menu. Select the view/report you wish to delete. Press [Edit] button. Press [Delete] button on View/Report properties dialog box.
How do I display out of stock products and products to reorder in a different color on a view/report?
1. Open the view/report.
2. Press the last toolbar button (the one with hand on it). This brings up View/Report properties dialog box.
3. Go to the Criteria Tab. At the bottom of this tab are checkboxes to indicate out of products to reorder and stock products.
How do I display/enter decimals for transaction units?
You can set the number of decimal places to be displayed for units by choosing View, Preferences menu. Press the Data Format tab of the Preferences Dialog box. Enter the number of desired decimal places for Units.
How do I enter beginning inventory?
To add a new product, please go to Current Inventory screen and click on the New button. To record beginning inventory, click Receive link in the Record Transaction column and enter the number of units in stock.
How do I save/export data to MS Excel?
Data displayed on Views/Reports can be saved to an MS Excel CSV file. For example,
1. Choose View, Inventory... menu in BIC.
2. Press the third toolbar button from the left (green disk icon). Enter the name of the file.
3. Open the file in MS Excel. In MS Excel choose File, Save As... menu. Choose "MS Office Excel Workbook (*.xls) for "Save as type".
4. Choose Format, Auto Format... menu in MS Excel to format the spreadsheet.
How do I setup BIC for multiuser environment?
== SUMMARY ==
Install BIC on one of the PCs on the Network and create a BIC database on a shared network drive (see File, New Database...menu). Note the location of the database (see View, Help Center menu). Next install BIC on all PCs that need to access the database and open the database on the shared network drive using the File, Open Database... menu. Here are step by step instructions:
== CREATE DATABASE ==
1. Install Basic Inventory Control on one of the PCs that is connected to your Network. Install BIC on your local machine (not on the network drive). The Windows logged in user must have enough rights to install software on their local machine. If not, please consult your network administrator or IT department.
2. Create a folder (say BICData) on one of the PCs/Server on the network that is visible to all prospective BIC users.
IMPORTANT: Please make sure all BIC users have read/write permissions to this folder.
3. Create a BIC database in the folder created in step 2. Choose File, New Database...menu in BIC to accomplish this. In the Create Database dialog box choose the folder you created in step 2.
Note: If you have existing data, please see How do I backup, copy or move my data? for directions on how to move your data to your shared network folder.
== INSTALL BIC ON OTHER USER'S MACHINES ==
1. Install BIC on each of the PCs on the Network that needs to access the BIC database. Install BIC on each user's local machine (not on the network drive). The Windows logged in user must have enough rights to install software on their local machine. If not, please consult with your network administrator or IT department.
2. Open the BIC database (See File, Open Database menu). In the Open Database dialog box choose the folder you created in step 2 of CREATE DATABASE.
Is there any way to display picture of product in BIC?
BIC database does not save pictures to its database. However, with BIC v5 rev. 117 or later you can save a link to your product's picture file on your hard drive or to a web page. Choose View, New Product... menu in BIC. See Additional Info tab on Product Dialog Box.
Some products do not appear on my view/reports?
1. Make sure product(s) are not hidden. Choose View, Product List Maintainence... menu to verify.
2. The view/report you are looking at may be filtered such that it does not show certain products or product groups.
- Open the view/report.
- Press the "Properties" tool bar button on the report (Last icon - the one with a hand on it)
- View/Report properties dialog box appears. Go to the "Criteria" tab
- Press [Reset] button
What database format does the application use?
The software uses Microsoft FoxPro-compatible DBF format to store its information.
Why am I not able to access a Network Drive from File, Open Database... menu?
Using Windows Explorer, please verify you can see the drives you are expecting. If they do not appear in Windows Explorer, you will need to map those drives in Windows Explorer (see Windows Explorer Help). Once you map the network drive, you will be able to see it after choosing File, Open Database... menu in the application.
Can I install the software on a shared network drive?
No, the software must be installed on a local drive of a computer.
However, the data used by the software can be created and accessed from a shared network drive.
Do I need SQL Server, Microsoft Access or any other database product to use this application?
No.
See:
What database format does the application use?
How do I install the new version of Basic Inventory Control?
1. Download the latest installation for BIC.
2. Save the installation file called bic_setup.exe to a directory of your choice.
3. Close down all applications.
4. Double-click on bic_setup.exe to start the installation.
5. The installation will search for the previous installation of BIC. Verify the folder/directory for installation and follow the prompts to continue with the installation. You will be upgraded to the latest version.
Note: If this is a fresh installation (i.e. BIC is not previously installed on your machine), follow the same steps as above. Then enter your Registration Code you received when you purchased the software.
How do I remove or un-install the software?
1. Choose Control Panel from Windows Start menu
2. Double-click on Add/Remove Programs
3. Locate and select the entry for the software
4. Press the Remove button
How much disk space is required to install the software?
The software installation may require 2 MB to 7 MB of disk space depending upon what runtime files are already present on your computer.
I purchased a previous version of the software. Is there a charge for the upgrading to the latest version?
No, there is no charge for upgrading from a previous revision of the software to the latest revision within the same major release version. For example, you may download and upgrade your software from version 5 rev. 6 to version 5 rev. 9 free of charge.
There is a charge for upgrading from an older major version to latest major version. For example, from version 3 rev. x to version 5 rev. y.
What are the limitations of the trial version of BIC?
The trial version of BIC is limited to entry of 500 inventory transactions. There is no limit on the number of products entered.
What is the latest available version of the software?
Please visit the Revision History link on the Product Home Page.
Which Operating Systems are supported?
Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista.
Yes.
See:
Can I change field and/or column names?
Can you customize the software to my needs?
The software is sold as off-the-shelf software. Considering the price point of the software, it is very cost prohibitive to make customer specific changes to the software.
See:
Is the source code for the application available for modification?
How do you handle feature and enhancement requests?
How do you handle feature and enhancement requests?
We welcome your suggestions! If the features you require have wider applicability, we can evaluate and likely incorporate those features in a future general release of the software.
Is the source code for the application available for modification?
No.
Are printed manuals shipped with the software?
All documentation is installed when you install the software. No manuals are shipped with the CD.
Do I need to buy the software on the CD?
Purchase of software on CD is not required. You will be sent the registration code via email regardless upon purchase. You may also download the installation from our website and burn it onto a CD.
How do I enter registration code?
Upon purchasing the software license you will be provided with a Registration Code via email that will allow you to convert the trial version of the software into a licensed copy. To enter the registration code, please follow these steps:
1. Start the application (if you have not already done so)
2. From the Help menu, choose Enter Registration Code…
3. You will be presented with a dialog box.
4. Type in Registered User Name exactly as provided to you when you purchased the software. Then type in the Registration Code provided to you when you purchased the software.
5. Press OK.
If you entered both of these values correctly, the software will be installed as a licensed copy on your machine.
Tip: Please keep your Registered User Name and Registration Code in a safe place in case you need to re-install the software.
How do you provide support for the software?
All sales and support is conducted through our website, and via electronic mail. If you are not able find an answer to your question on our website, drop us email at support@microguru.com. Please state:
We will mail you the Software on CD within 2 business days via First Class US Mail. Please visit USPS.com for estimated delivery times to your location. All software is shipped from California, USA.
How long does it take for your support team to respond to email questions?
1-2 business days.
How long does it take to receive the registration code after the purchase?
Within 24-48 hours upon receipt of the payment barring any Internet or system outages.
How much does Basic Inventory Control cost?
Please see: BIC Home Page
Yes. We use one of the most reputable Internet credit card transaction processors, Authorize.net. Your credit card number is never stored in our system and used only by Authorize.net to conduct the transaction.
Is phone support is available?
No.
See:
Without phone support I am not comfortable buying the software. Why is phone support not available?
What forms of payments do you accept?
1. Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) online at the product home page.
2. Check via postal mail. You may still prepare your order online to obtain payment amount at the product home page. Send payments to:
Microguru Corporation
PO Box 131235
Carlsbad, CA 92013-1235
USA
3. PayPal payments sent to sales@microguru.com. Payments sent via PayPal may take longer than option 1 to process. You may still prepare your order online to obtain payment amount at the product home page.
When you purchase the software, a unique Registration Code is emailed to you. You can use this code to convert your evaluation version of the software to the licensed version.
Where/how can I purchase Basic Inventory Control?
Software can be purchased online at: BIC Home Page
Without phone support I am not comfortable buying the software. Why is phone support not available?
Considering the price point of the software, it is not economically feasible to provide live phone support.
Ask yourself these questions:
1. If I have to call technical support to figure out how to use the software, is the software well-designed or thought out?
2. Can a person on the technical support line really fix a programming bug over the phone? If the software is unstable, should I even consider buying it?
For our software offerings please consider the following factors:
1. You can try the software for 30-days free before purchasing it
2. Our software is a mature and stable that has been put through the paces over several years
3. We provide extensive support through our website and responsive email support
See:
How do you handle feature and enhancement requests?
| Home Contact Us |
| About Us | Privacy | Policies |
Copyright © 1995-2010 Microguru Corporation. All Rights Reserved.