PriCalc Version 1.07 Shareware

Copyright Chris Nicholson - November 1997

Please mail all suggestions, comments or details of problems to me at 
ChrisNicholson1@compuserve.com

Visit my web site at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/chrisnicholson1
for all the latest information and updates on my programs.

PriCalc is a powerful price list and stock control program. Its' features 
include; list views, tagging of records, 4 user defined fields, 5 percentage 
fields for marking up or down, import facility, linking to other records + Word 
and Sheet files, and a pricing calculator to ensure correct pricing. The stock 
control monitor alerts when stocks fall below user defined levels and will 
generate both order and transaction reports to allow you to monitor your business.


REGISTRATION

PriCalc 1.07 is shareware. You can use it free for 21 days, after this it 
must be registered. Until you receive your registration code there will be 
a number of nag screens and each file is restricted to only 8 records.
               
This software represents many hours of programming, so if you like it please register.

PriCalc 1.07 can be registered in two ways.

. Compuserve On-line registration ($35) via "Go Swreg" SWREG ID = 12513

. By Mail, send a cheque for 20, made payable to Chris Nicholson, to

	26 The Elms
	Hertford
	Herts
	SG13 7UX
	England
	

DISCLAIMER

No responsibility is accepted by the author for any loss of data, however 
caused, by the use or misuse of PriCalc. The responsibility for any consequences
of installation or use rest solely with the user. No warranties or guarantees of 
any kind are implied. The author accepts absolutely no responsibility for any 
decisions formulated using information provided by PriCalc.


DISTRIBUTION

PriCalc V1.07 is freely distributable to anyone so long as it is distributed in 
UNMODIFIED FORM along with this unmodified readme file, and that no further fees are charged.  


FILES
	
PriCalc.opa		Any drive :\app			Program file	
Primod1.opo		Any drive :\app\pricalc		Program file
JbsortB.img		Internal M:\app			Sort module

Optional files
		
Prihelp.rsc		Internal M:\app\pricalc		Help file
Primod2.opo		Any drive :\app\pricalc		Import module


INSTALLATION (New Users)

Copy the file PriCalc.opa to directory \app on any drive.

Copy Primod1.opo and Primod2.opo to the directory \app\pricalc\ on any drive.

If you want to use the online help then install the file Prihelp.rsc to the directory 
M:\app\pricalc\ on the internal drive.

Then install PriCalc on the system screen using Psion-I. 

Either press enter to create a file called PriCalc or press Psion N
and type in a new name followed by pressing enter.


INSTALLATION (Upgrading)

Replace all files except Pscpref.prf and any *.opd files.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

John Boyce for the use of his sort program Jbsort.

Arthur Karpman for his excellent suggestions and assistance.


HISTORY

Version 1.07

Faster screen listing
Minor bug fixes

Version 1.16

Minor bug fix to V1.06

Version 1.06

Muliple preference files
Confirm sale price on transactions
Minor bug fixes

Version 1.05

Major rewrite including:

Improved memory usage
Full stock control
Import facility
Support multiple files (like Data and Sheet)
Attach a note file to each record
Attach a Sheet file to each record
Tag records to allow easy viewing


Version 1.04

Supports both  and $ (can be changed at any time)
Memory reduction - now uses 78k
Greater control with selectable listing which allows full use of the arrow keys
Ability to link records
Option to export to Word or Sheet, Sheet allows both individual and total export

Version 1.03

Initial release


Getting Started
When you first run the program you will be taken through a setup 
procedure that allows you to specify your program preferences. I
have setup some defaults so that you can use these and then, if 
required, change them at a later date. 

The program will then automatically go to the add screen so that 
you can enter your first record. You will need to add one record 
to allow access to the rest of the program. If you are unsure, 
just enter any information because the record can always be 
edited or deleted later.


File Management
PriCalc can now support multiple files, like Word and Sheet, so 
that if required you can divide your information into different 
categories. To create a new file from the system screen put the 
cursor under the PriCalc icon and press Psion-N, you will then 
be prompted for a new file name. Once this is completed PriCalc 
will start with this as the current file. To start using an 
existing file place the cursor under the PriCalc icon on the 
system screen and scroll down to the required file, then press 
enter.


Preferences
PriCalc now supports multiple preference files. This gives you 
the ability to set up different field headings and percentage 
settings for any file. 
When the program starts you are requested to select the 
preference file that you want to use. To create a new preference 
file use Psion-n and then select new preference file, enter a 
name and press return. You can now use the preference settings 
in the menu to assign your new requirements. To open a different 
preferences file use Psion-o and then open preference file, 
select the file you want to use and press enter. The new 
preference are now in use.


Adding a record
The first field is used throughout the program as the main 
identifier, so I would suggest that this is used for a products 
unique reference, eg part number or name. 

The next 3 text fields are completely free for you to enter any 
relevant information.

The next field allows you to put products into categories from 1 
to 10. This allows for easier viewing when used in conjunction 
with the sorting facility.

Next you can enter a unique code for this record, it allows you 
to link records together for fast selection. See the linking 
section for more details.

The next field is for you to enter the intial price. This can 
either be the list price or a cost price because the program can 
mark up or down, dependant on what setting you have selected in 
the percenatage preferences.

After saving the record you are prompted to input the stock 
information for this item. Enter the current stock level and then 
the minimum order level. This can then be monitored on a daily
basis, when the program is started or using shift-Psion-C. If you 
do not want to use this feature leave the fields blank and then 
accept the zero warning that appears.


Importing Records
You can import records from other Psion Data files by using the 
import facility. Select Psion-I and decide whether you want to 
import to the currently open PriCalc file or create a new one,
then select the Data file that you want to import.

Next define the field layout of the Data file that you are 
importing. For example if the import file fields are in the 
following order; User Field 1, User Field 3, User Field 4, 
User Field 2. Then you would insert the following numbers for 
the relevant fields;

User Field 1 - 1
User Field 3 - 2
User Field 4 - 3
User Field 2 - 4


Program Control
There are 2 list views, all and tagged records, and you can 
alternate between them by using Psion-L.

Using the escape key will always take you back to the list view 
that you are currently using.

To move between records in list view use either the up/arrow keys, 
page up/down or home/end.

Records can be tagged to allow selective viewing or export 
options. To operate the tag option use the Tab key to turn the 
tag on or off.

To select a record from the list view press enter.

To switch between Screens 1 and 2 use the Diamond key.

To move between records in normal view use either the left/right 
arrow keys or home/end.

To select a linked Secondary record press it's relevant number key 
from the Primary record.

Each record can have a Word note attached to it. by pressing the 
"N" key. The first time that you do this you will be prompted to 
either link to an existing Word file or to create a new one. Once 
you have specified the file the program will automatically launch 
this file when the "N" key is pressed. You can edit the linked file 
information from the preferences menu.

Each record can have a Sheet note attached to it. by pressing the 
"S" key. The first time that you do this you will be prompted to 
either link to an existing Sheet file or to create a new one. Once 
you have specified the file the program will automatically launch 
this file when the "S" key is pressed. You can edit the linked file 
information from the preferences menu.

To move to a particular record number use Psion-J.


Stock Control
To add to a product's stock level press the "+" key and enter the 
quantity of units added to stock, the supplier and a purchase 
number if required.

When you want to reduce the stock level press the "-" key and enter 
the quantity of units sold, customer name and an invoice or receipt
number. If there is insufficient stock then you will be warned of 
this and if you opt to proceed then this will be noted as a back order.

The minimum order level monitor can be set up by the settings in the 
general preferences or you can manually activate it by pressing 
shift-Psion-C.

By pressing shift-Psion-C you can check to see if any items require 
ordering, including back orders and then produce a report detailing 
the quantities etc.This can be automatically run everytime the 
program is started or the date is changed by selecting the required 
option in the general preferences.

All transactions are recorded and a transaction report can be 
produced by pressing shift-Psion-I. You will be prompted as to how 
you want the data sorted so that the report is more useful.

You can calculate the total value of all the products in stock in
this file by pressing Psion-T. Please note that all products that 
are on backorder are treat as a zero value.


Exporting
You can export either all, just an individual record or tagged 
records to a sheet file. If exporting all then you can choose how 
you want the data sorted.


Linking
When you add a new record there is a field for you to enter a unique 
code or reference for that particular record, (existing records can be 
edited by using Psion-K). Once a record has a code it can be linked by
editing the link information for another record and entering the first 
records code in one of the 4 link fields. This will then be displayed
on the main screen, the linked record can then be quickly displayed by 
pressing the assigned key number.


Pricing Calculator
This section can be used to check and assist with the correct
pricing of a product or service. As long as the correct data is
entered, it will calculate the minimum amount of units that need to
be sold to achieve either breakeven sales or a set profit value, or
the actual sale price.

In these calculations a unit refers to the individual product, and
breakeven in this instance is the number of units that need to be
sold and not their sales value.
