Table of Contents

(click on any article title to move directly to that article)

The Podium--A Quick Overview of this issue

Tech Flash – – An easy way to transfer large files over the Internet.

MBS Redesigns Company Web Site -- Why not visit today?

Summer 2001 Calendar of Events - Where will MBS be this next Quarter?

Did you know? - Task Center, A wonderful new feature in Nexus XP.

Hints and Tips - Helpful Suggestions and other items of interest

TechFAQs – Build a query to aid genealogy searches

Sites Unseen – Interesting Web Sites

Some thoughts from the CEO - Why Support? by Fred Miller

MBS’ Recommended Hardware List

It’s been a beehive here at MBS. The developers have been working diligently to nudge Nexus XP closer to a release date. The mapping department has been busy also, creating new maps and making additions and changes to some of our client's existing maps. That’s why, in case you noticed, we weren’t able to produce a spring edition of the Quarterly. But we think we are back on track again, and hope you enjoy our efforts in this issue.

On page two Jennifer McQuiston, our IMAP Project Manager, tells you about the re-design of our company Web site. And Jennifer should know, because she was responsible for the changes to the site. Jennifer worked tirelessly on the site for weeks, and we think it shows. So, the next time you are on the Web, navigate over to www.mbs-intl.com and take a look. We’ll appreciate any comments or suggestions you would care to make about our site. Also on page two Gerald Jenkins discusses an exciting technical issue in our Tech Flash column. In Did You Know? we describe Task Center, an exciting new feature in the newest version of Nexus, Nexus XP.

TechFAQS, on page three, contains a nifty query that you can build in IMAP. The query, which is super-easy to build, will aid in genealogical researches. As usual, there are loads of helpful stuff in Hints & Tips, as well as some cool Web sites to visit that we describe in Sites Unseen.

And finally, on page four, Fred Miller talks about the crucial need for you to consider the advantages of Tech Support, and the negative effect on your business should you minimize its importance.

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For Article Suggestions, Copies or Requests, please email Tom Balducci at tbalducci@mbs-intl.com.

For Site Corrections or Suggestions, please email jmcquiston@mbs-intl.com.

Thank you.

For years, large files have been difficult or sometimes impossible to transfer due to email, ISP and FTP restrictions. There have been occasions in which we have needed to get a client’s data, but could not read their backup tape.

Whalemail offers a Web-based file transfer service designed to let users move big files fast, right from their Internet browser. Although it does require a yearly service fee, the cost is, in most cases, less than that of overnight shipping. The process works like this: You upload the files and store them in your file directory (Files can be stored for up to 14 days). You create a message along with the recipients email address. Whalemail then forwards the email to your recipient including a link to your files.  The recipient can then download your files via their Internet browser. It’s really pretty easy. For more information visit their web site at Whalemail.com.

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It’s become a given in recent years that a solid web site is a core element to today’s business strategies. Any web site needs to be informative to at least two main audiences. At a minimum these typically are the current client base of a company and also their future clients.

We encourage you to visit our web site to check out the new elements and hopefully gain useful information from it. If you are an extended support customer, you are welcome to contact us directly for your free password to gain access to the online support options—simply call and ask for technical support. If you have any suggestions for the site, please feel free to email us at jmcquiston@mbs-intl.com--you can also use this address to request a password. Lastly, do remember that all elements of the site are expected to grow over the next several months, so visit often for regular changes and updates.

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July

July 4, 2001 Independence Day -MBS Offices Closed

July 20-25, 2001 ICFA University, Memphis, TN

August

August 5-7, 2001 Tri-State and Southern Cemetery Meeting, Perdido Key, FL

August 15-18, 2001 CANA Convention, Long Beach, CA

September

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Did

Task Center allows you to navigate through your data in a single screen. Navigate by Name, Service, Property or Contract and you can access tasks suited to the category right from the Task Center window. Navigating by contract? Just a few of the tasks you could access are Edit Contract, Commission Adjustment, Trust Fund adjustment, Enter Payment, Reverse Payment. Task Center is just one of the exciting new features you’ll discover in Nexus XP!

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Sometimes your PC will lock-up for no apparent reason. Before you re-boot your system there is hope- try ending the current task, to do this hold down CTRL + ALT + DELETE to bring up the close dialogue box. what you should find is that the program or task that is causing problems has a Not Responding message, select that task and click the End Task button. IF your mouse isn't working use tab to cycle between option buttons and press enter when the end task button is highlighted. After a few seconds a separate end task dialogue box opens, click end task.

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TechFAQs

Q: I have a genealogist in my office. Is there a way I can give her a list of everyone with a particular surname?

A: If you have IMAP, you can select any deceased name with a particular first or last name in it. This is done through the SQL Selection window. To do this, list the name of your space layer in the Tables box and use the drop down boxes to fill the Where Condition box with the following: Column Like "Surname%". In this case, you’d place the column you are searching where the formula says Column and the surname you are looking for where it says surname (i.e. C52_deceased_A Like "James%" would find any record in the deceased column starting with the letters James. The percent sign is a wild card and means anything can be shown in its stead. Place it at the beginning of the word and the name appears at the end of the column. Place them on both sides and the name can appear anywhere in the column. This example would get names like James, Jessie or James, Martha Jean.

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Sites Unseen

www.mapinfo.com               www.ups.com

www.navision.com

Sites Unseen is a list of interesting, informative and helpful Web sites we thought might be useful to you.  If your cemetery or cemetery-related business has a Web site, e-mail the address to us at tbalducci@mbs-intl.com.

The question is often raised, "Your program is working great, why do I need to pay you all that money for support?" Good question and my objective is to answer it.

What happens when the unusual contract situation comes up? We receive hundreds of contract related calls each month. There is the sudden need to adjust commissions, change spaces on a contract, enter a note payment contract. Is the staff going to remember? How about the entry of pre-existing contracts…do staffers know how to change the sales tax rate for old contracts? When the trusting requirements have changed? Who ya gonna call?

Not only that, we get called all the time just to answer "how do you" questions, e.g., set up a new sales category or item, enter a Nexus upgrade, deal with returned checks, modify spaces on a contract….and on and on. Who ya gonna call?

We know first hand from clients that computer sabotage is on the rise, both from viruses and intentional destructiveness. Ever had a disgruntled employee get into your system and deliberately corrupt your data? Who ya gonna call?

Nexus is the heart of your operation, pumping vital data throughout your operations. Your investment in support keeps your business healthy, vigorous and thriving.

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Ports

Pentium III

256 MB RAM

10 Gigabytes

1.44 MB

3Com 100 Base TX

700 Watt Smart UPS

VGA adapter

32 Speed

15" Color

2 Serial, 1 Parallel

Pentium II or III

64 MB RAM

6 Gigabyte

1.44 MB

3Com 100 Base TX

450 Watt UPS

SVGA w/4 MB RAM

32 speed

17" SVGA Color

2 Serial, 1 Parallel