Release 5.0.0
December 8, 2004
These notes assume that you have a working knowledge of APPX and know how to install APPX applications.
Major New Features:
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All menu, inquiry, and input processes have been redesigned to provide a Graphical User Interface (GUI) using a larger screen display of 28 rows and 110 columns. The screens are designed for 17" or larger monitors running at a resolution of 1024x768 or higher. If a smaller screen or a lower resolution is used, adjustments to the start-up font size or screen aspect ratio for the Appx Client may be advisable or necessary for best appearance.
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All reports will now print in PDF format. Dispositions are set to default to the PDF format, although the text versions have been retained. Plain text versions will print simply by removing the PDF format specification from the disposition screen.
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Several special forms have been designed to print as PDF documents, replacing the pre-printed forms. The forms include A/R Invoices, A/R Statements, I/C Request For Supplier Quote. O/E Invoices, O/E Sales Orders, O/E Shipping Papers, P/O Purchase Orders, and P/O Requests For Quote. Text and pre-printed NEBS formats remain available.
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Frequenly run processes are now added to the toolbar of each screen so they may be selected and run at any time by clicking an icon.
Applications:
The APPX Financial application suite consists of the following 13 applications:
ID | Description |
TSY | System Application |
TAP | Accounts Payable |
TAR | Accounts Receivable |
TBA | Budget Analysis |
TCA | Commission Accounting |
TFA | Fixed Assets |
TGL | General Ledger |
TGS | General Subsidiary |
TIC | Inventory Control |
TOE | Order Entry |
TPA | Payroll |
TPO | Purchase Order Control |
TSA | Sales Analysis |
APPX and GUI Client Requirements:
The APPX Financial applications have been designed as GUI applications and, as such, require the latest release of both APPX and the GUI Client. These applications are GUI only and cannot be run with character mode clients or with the Win32 client. The applications will not function correctly if run with releases prior to APPX 4.2.5 and the corresponding GUI client.
Installation Steps:
The following steps must be performed to install the APPX Financials:
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Download the APPX Financial Applications
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Unzip and untar the downloaded file into the appropriate directory
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Set file ownership and permissions for the design files
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Set environment variables in the appx.env file
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Run APPX and complete the necessary setup steps in System Administration.
Step 1: Download the APPX Financial Applications
The APPX Financial applications can be downloaded from the download page on the APPX web site or from the APPX ftp site. There are two different download files to choose from depending on the byte ordering of the hardware on which APPX and the APPX Financial applications are to be run on. Download the appropriate install file for your APPX platform from:
ftp://ftp.appx.com/appx/products/financials/graphical/v5
http://www.appx.com/?q=financials-download
AF-R500-Design-04-Intel.tgz:
Linux (Intel) Windows® (Windows 98®, Windows NT®, Windows 2000®, Windows XP®)AF-R500-Design-04-Risc.tgz:
IBM RS/6000 (AIX) HP (both PA-Risc and Itanium) SUN Solaris
Step 2: Unzip and untar the APPX Financial Applications
Unzip and untar the design files into your APPX application directory. The commands to do this will vary depending on platform. On Windows, you can use the WinZip utility. On Linux and Unix, you can use commands to do this. This step will create a subdirectory tree named “04”. If you prefer that the applications be installed using a different APPX Version code, you may rename this directory to the desired two-character code or you may copy the contents of the “04” directory into another existing APPX “Version” directory after installing the design files.
Linux Example:
The following example assumes that you have downloaded the distribution file into your $APPXPATH directory and that you are logged on as root user. The example assumes that $APPXPATH is /usr/appx/data and that this directory is owned by user “appx”.
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Log on as root user
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Unzip and untar the APPX Finanacial applications
cd /usr/appx/datatar -zxvf AF-R500-Design-04-Intel.tgz
Step 3: Set File Ownership and Permissions
Important: The subdirectory tree containing the APPX Financial applications design files must be owned by the same user that owns the “appx” executable program and must be readable and writeable.
Linux Example:
The following example assumes that user “appx” is the owner of the APPX executable file.
cd /usr/appx/datachown -R appx 04chmod -R 755 04
Step 4: Set Environment Variables
The APPX Financial applications store both the century and the year in all date fields within files. However, most data entry screens only prompt for the 2-digit year in date fields. APPX will automatically store the current century in the century portion of a date field. However, in some cases, the current century may not be the desired century. This could definitely be the case during intial setup of an application if you are entering historical data with dates of 19xx. APPX can use “pivot year” logic to determine the correct century when entering dates. The easiest way to activate the pivot year logic is to set the APPX_PIVOT_YEAR environment variable in the appx.env file. Refer to the APPX System Administration Manual for additional information regarding this feature.
Example of entry in “appx.env” file:
APPX_PIVOT_YEAR=50
Step 5: Setup Steps within APPX System Administration
a) Import/Enter License Key
b) Define Date Display Mask
c) Define Applications
d) Define Database & Related Applications
e) Update System Directory
f) Import/Enter Print Disposition Definitions
g) Import/Enter Forms
h) Set Up Language Entry
Step 5-a: Import/Enter License Key
The APPX Financial applications cannot be run or designed without first installing a license key with the appropriate product lock codes. You must either import or enter the required product lock codes before you will be able to run or design the APPX Financial Applications. The product lock codes for the applications are as follows:
Runtime Locks: | Description |
System Application | |
APX GAP | Accounts Payable |
APX GAR | Accounts Receivable |
APX GBA | Budget Analysis |
APX GCA | Commission Accounting |
APX GFA | Fixed Assets |
APX GGL | General Ledger |
APX GGS | General Subsidiary |
APX GIC | Inventory Control |
APX GOE | Order Entry |
APX GPA | Payroll |
APX GPO |
Purchase Order Control |
APX GSA | Sales Analysis |
Special Locks: | |
APX GAD | Application Design |
APX GDB | Debug |
APX GXI | Transfer In |
Step 5-b: Define Date Display Mask
The input and output processes have been formatted using the following 20-character, date display mask:
06/05/07 04:03 02.01
You may define any date display mask that you desire, but, if it is longer than 20 characters, item overlaps will occur on some input screens and on some reports.
The desired date display mask can be entered in the System Parameter record or in each of the Application records.
Step 5-c: Define Applications
You must define each application that you intend to run in the APPX Application file. A record must be entered for each of the following applications for the version that you intend to run.
ID | Application Description |
TSY | System Application |
TAP | Accounts Payable |
TAR | Accounts Receivable |
TBA | Budget Analysis |
TCA | Commission Accounting |
TFA | Fixed Assets |
TGL | General Ledger |
TGS | General Subsidiary |
TIC | Inventory Control |
TOE | Order Entry |
TPA | Payroll |
TPO | Purchase Order Control |
TSA | Sales Analysis |
Step 5-d: Define Database & Related Applications
You must define the Database ID of the database for which you intend to create data files for the various applications. Alternatively, you may use an existing Database. You must also define each of the APPX Financial applications that you intend to run as a Related Application for this database. (Note: if you're going to use the sample data, be sure to create Database T04 - second character is the number zero, not the letter O - and all related applications for it.)
Step 5-e: Update System Directory
You must run the Update SYSDIR process on the System Administration File Management menu.
Step 5-f: Import/Enter Print Disposition Definitions
The APPX Financial Applications require the definition of a specific set of printer Disposition Definitions for proper operations. A file, suitable for importing, containing these Disposition Definitions is included with the applications. This file must be imported into APPX System Administration Disposition Definition file.
The following navigation steps can be used to import the Disposition Definitions:
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System Administration
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System Setup
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System Administration File Management
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File Selection
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Select only the DISPDEF file
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Import Files
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Specify "1" = Merge
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Alternatively, you may enter each of the following required Disposition Definitions:
ID | Disposition Name |
ONE-UP LABELS | |
ONE-UP ROLODEX CARDS | |
STANDARD JOURNAL | |
STANDARD LIST | |
STANDARD POST | |
STANDARD PROCESS | |
STANDARD REPORT | |
TAP | 1099 FORMS |
TAP | A/P CHECKS |
TAP | DUNNING LETTERS |
TAR | INVOICES |
TAR | STATEMENTS |
TCA | 1099 FORMS |
TIC | REQUEST FOR SUPPLIER QUOTE |
TOE | BILL OF LADING |
TOE | INVOICES |
TOE | PICKING LIST |
TOE | SALES ORDERS |
TOE | SHIPPING PAPERS |
TPA | PAYROLL CHECKS |
TPA | W-2 FORMS |
TPO | PURCHASE ORDERS |
TPO | REQUEST FOR QUOTE |
Please contact your APPX reseller or APPX technical support if you need assistance setting up a disposition definition.
Step 5-g: Define Forms
The Appx Financials have several forms and reports that create output as PDF forms. These require specific forms that must be set up in the Configuration section of System Administration. A file is included to import these form definitions or the forms may be entered manually.
The following navigation steps can be used to import the Form Definitions:
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System Administration
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System Setup
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System Administration File Management
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File Selection
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Select only the FORM file
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Import Files
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Specify "1" = Merge
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Alternatively, you may enter each of the following required Forms:
AP-CHECK12
FORM12
PDF-6L10
PDF-6L12
PDF-6L132
PDF-6L16.5
PDF-6P10
PDF-6P12
PDF-6P16.5
PDF-8L132
PDF-8L16.5
PDF-8P16.5
PDF-PFORM
TDI
TDO
Please contact your APPX reseller or APPX technical support if you need assistance setting up a form definition.
The APPX Financials are also designed to print some special forms such as invoices and checks on preprinted, cut sheets suitable for use in laser printers or ink jet printers. The applications have been designed to print on standard forms that can be ordered with your company logo preprinted from NEBS (www.nebs.com). The special forms for the applications have all been designed to print with a portrait orientation on 8½” x 11” paper at 12 pitch, 6 lines per inch using a fixed space font such as Courier.
To use these pre-printed forms at least one Form record should be defined in the APPX form file as follows:
Form ID Form Description Length Width
FORM12 8-1/2 x 11 Portrait 12-cpi 6-lpi 66 96
Feed pages before: 0
Feed pages after: 0
The “Form Control” parameters for an APPX Form vary depending on your printer spooling system and your defined printers. For assistance with defining an appropriate printer and corresponding form, please contact APPX tech support.
Samples of the various cut-sheet, preprinted forms can be ordered (for free) from NEBS.
The NEBS form numbers are as follows:
TAP | 13793T-1 | A/P Check |
TAR | 13054-3 | Invoice |
13155 or 13155T-1 | Statement | |
TOE | 13432-1 | Sales Order, Back Order |
13206-1 | Shipping Papers | |
13343-3 | Invoice | |
13650-3 | Straight Bill of Lading – 3 part (requires impact printer) | |
TPA | 13795T-1 | Payroll Check |
TPO | 13132-1 | Purchase Order |
The contact person at NEBS for ordering forms is:
Sharon Montoya, phone (800) 233-6327, e-mail smontoya@nebs.com
Step 5-h: Set Up Language Record
The Appx Financial applications are designed to be translatable into any language desired. In order to accomplish this, an entry into the Language file must be added for the application's default language, English.
The following steps can be used to add the language record:
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System Administration
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Language Translation
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Languages
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At this screen select Add Mode and enter the language ID of ENG and a description of English (US), then press Enter. Enter the letters A-Z in the Upper Case field and a-z in the Lower Case field. Enter the characters .!? in the Sentence Terminators field and ,:; in the Clause Terminators field. Press Enter to save.