4th Quarter 2013 Newsletter

Note from the Editor

Hello! It's hard to believe we're already in the 4th quarter of the year! Where did summer and fall go?

I hope you will join me in welcoming our newest CMS users…. Tunica County, Mississippi, Town of Addison, Texas, City of Pico Rivera, California, and Harrison County, Mississippi. Welcome, all!

This issue of our quarterly newsletter shows you a current Version 8.5 feature, talks about new features and upcoming improvements, answers your questions, and spotlights a group of users. Please enjoy the newsletter, keep the suggestions coming, and continue to let us know what you think; we care!

Version 8 Features & Functionality

Pictures (a.k.a. "Images")

As you know, CMS supports pictures as standard fields in most places. Pictures can be tied to each resource, asset, and operation record.

You may also know that if you need more than one picture per record, you can create additional picture fields using User-defined Fields.

What you may NOT know is… there is some cool functionality surrounding pictures! Read on to find out more.

Did you know? Double-clicking on an image enlarges it, for better viewing.

Did you know? A System Preference exists for saving a copy of your image to a central location (like the server) so all CMS users can see it – AND you can save the copy of the image in the size YOU specify!

Did you know? You can use an OLE UDF for an image instead of the standard picture control; if you do, when you click to 'load' or 'run' the OLE file, your picture will be displayed using your computer's default program for images. This allows you to zoom in, for example, or use any other feature associated with that program.

Did you know? The "Mover/Builder" screen (in Work Orders and Work Reports) will display your asset's image. Just select your asset and click on the "Image" button… now you can visually confirm you have the correct asset.

Now you know!

What's New?

A User Page!

CitiTech.com now includes a webpage just for you, our customers. It contains handy information such as System Requirements, Downloadable Installation Files, Installation Documentation, Conversion Documentation, Help Documentation, and Links to System Requirements, Upload Your Data, FAQs, and more.

When you click on the User Page link, it will prompt you for a password. We can provide you with one – simply give us a call or email us.

Coming Soon…

Required Fields!

Have you ever wanted to ensure everyone fills in a certain field before they save the record? By using Templates, you'll be able to specify which fields are REQUIRED to be filled in so the record can be saved. Of course, these fields will become REQUIRED in addition to the fields already REQUIRED by CMS. Examples of fields you can make REQUIRED include (but are not limited to) these fields in Work Orders: the 'Reference ID', 'Program', and 'Type' fields.

Using a Template, you will have the ability to define certain fields as REQUIRED. This means that numeric controls will expect a value greater than zero, text fields will expect a non-blank value, and labels will even turn a windows highlight color. By default, a REQUIRED control's text will be modified to be the same windows highlight color (as a visual indication that it's REQUIRED). Need it to be a different color? You can change it!

Look for this new functionality in an upcoming WebUpdate…. it's coming soon!

Guru's Corner

Frequently-Asked Questions

Q: "I'm a little fuzzy on how this works. How can I learn more about it?"

A: You can read the HELP topic(s) about any topic by pressing the F1 key while you're in its screen or field. You can contact CitiTech systems support staff via email (click on the "Send Comments to CitiTech" link in the software Navigator window or email support@cititech.com) or by telephone at (800) 738-9892. Webinars (web-based topic-specific training or demonstration sessions) are also available upon request; support staff can demonstrate functionality, using your data or their own demo data, and even let you "drive" while they watch and advise or answer questions. Free support, demonstrations, and training, at a moment's notice, with one phone call?! Take THAT, Microsoft!

Q: "How can I save my specialized report parameters so I don't have to recreate my SQL each time I need this report?"

A: Once you create your SQL, press the "Save" button. Answer "Yes" to the question "Are you sure you want to copy (report name) to a new report with the current range criteria?". When the Additional Information screen is displayed, name your report (by entering a report name in the Report Name field). You can also optionally change the report summary, limit it to a management unit, and password-protect it. Press the "Continue" button. Your new report will be displayed in blue text. Don't forget to save it to the server (by pressing F10) so it will always be available in the future.

Spotlighted User(s) – Mississippi Counties!

Counties in Mississippi are discovering what you, our users, already know; affordable easy-to-use software exists that will save them time, money, and effort – whether they're tracking routine costs or specialized costs, like FEMA claims – and they are hopping on board!

Of course, some counties in Mississippi have long known about the benefits of CMS software. Warren County and Lee County have been using it for years, to manage resources, assets, and work.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation also uses CMS, state-wide. They call it "AMMO" (for Accountability in Maintenance Management Operations) – and it's already paid for itself in the few short years they've used it.

Tunica County and Harrison County are the latest Mississippi counties to buy CMS. Tunica County has already received on-site training, and is currently entering base data in preparation for going LIVE soon. Harrison County (the second-largest county in Mississippi, by population) is just beginning the process of creating data, and on-site training will be scheduled soon. Welcome into the CitiTech family!

Work Order Dispatcher

This add-in sends CMS work orders to smart phones, web-enabled cellphones, laptops and tablets using email or text messages. It uses the Internet to allow users to add work order notes as well as start and end times, and designate the work order complete. This information auto-completes the Work Order and auto-creates the Work Report in CMS, automating the workflow process!

Originally requested by on of our oldest users (City of Compton, California), it's now available as an add-on module in CMS' suite of specialized features.

Eliminate the need for manual entry in the desktop version of CMS; use a web service to automate processes, and save time and money.

For more information about the Work Order Dispatcher, or to see a demonstration, give us a call at (800) 738-9892.

CitiSmart

The CitiSmart software package offered through CitiTech Systems is designed to be comprehensive, flexible, and affordable, to meet the needs of smaller cities and counties. It can be tailored to include everything you need, and nothing you don’t, at a price that won’t break your budget.

Manage resources like employees, equipment, material, and contractors.

Manage work by planning it and scheduling resources.

Manage and inspect assets and meet requirements and standards, such as GASB-34, NPDES, and Sign Retroreflectivity.

Meet FEMA information requirements for reimbursement at the touch of a button.

For more information about the CitiSmart package, or to request a personalized on-line demonstration or demo software, give us a call at (800) 738-9892.