v4.0

Key elements to this release are increased Activity capabilities, the addition of "Template Manager", Client and Project linking directly to server folders, creating projects within Project Manager, the addition of a 'history feature' within Knowledge Manager, and customization of the FirmWorks Main Menu screen.  

FirmWorks Main Menu

The FirmWorks Main Menu screen has been updated with the following features to make navigation through FirmWorks even easier and to provide better access to other applications. New features include:

· Customizable menu items. FirmWorks administrators can add additional items to the main menu screen. Web pages, Lotus Notes databases and even programs outside of the Lotus Notes environment can be launched from this menu.

· The FirmWorks Main Menu also allows users to check the last time data has been replicated into FirmWorks   from the firm’s practice management system. Users can simply click the FirmWorks logo on the main menu the last “sync” date and time.

· Users with small monitors or lower resolution can now view all of the FirmWorks Main Menu. Items on the main menu expand and compress to fit the users display.

Client Manager

We have made many new feature enhancements in the Client Manager module. They include:

· Data folder linking – entities in Client Manager can now be “linked” to a folder on the network. This feature allows for users to easily navigate to an entities’ documents or workpapers on the network. The client’s folder is one-click away.

· Customizable outline entries can be created in the Client Manager module. Administrators can add items to the navigation bar for quick access to firm resources.

· Activities and mail merge documents can be created from each view. Users do not have to drill down into the entity to create various types of activity items. 

· Additional views have been created to help facilitate the mail merge functionality in Client Manager.

· Ten additional custom fields have been added.

· Opportunity items can now be created in Opportunity Manager from an Entity in Client Manager. Existing opportunities can be viewed from an entity without leaving Client Manager.

Project Manager

New features include:

· Project data folder linking – users can now link a project to a specific folder on the network. A project’s workpapers are only one click away. The entities’ data folder is also available from within the project.

· Customizable outline entries can be created in the Project Manager module. Administrators can add items to the navigation bar for quick access to firm resources.

· Project Manager now has a feature to link a project to CaseWare Working Papers 2000. Users can open workpapers in CaseWare directly from the Project Manager screen.

· Activity and mail merge creation is now accessible from views in Project Manager.

· A new “Hide Projects” feature allows administrators to hide projects that are no longer used.

· Mass edit now incorporates clearing of project stage history.

· Due Date Monitoring views now use the extension date, if available, rather than just the target or statutory date.

· FirmWorks now allows user’s to add projects and budget items from within Project Manager rather than depending on the practice system. This feature can be turned on or off by the system administrator.

Opportunity Manager

New features include the following:

· Mass edit, mail merge and custom reporting capabilities from main views in Opportunity Manager.

· Activities for the specified opportunity, as well as activities for the corresponding entity can be viewed from Opportunity Manager.

· Customizable outline entries can be created in the Opportunity Manager module. Administrators can add items to the navigation bar for quick access to firm resources.

Activity Manager 

Activity Manager is a new module with FirmWorks 4.0 that allows users to create and locate all activities in FirmWorks in one area. Users can see at a glance all items that have been assigned. Each module in FirmWorks interfaces with Activity Manager to provide a central repository of all activity items.

· Activities interface with “Template Manager” to provide a powerful document collection system.

· Users have the ability to create and send an activity item to other users for follow-up and notification.

· Users now receive an email displaying an activities’ basic information with a link back to the originating activity. After receiving the notification email, users can easily add the item to their personal calendar by clicking a button.

· Firms that have implemented the Time Entry module can easily add a time item from an activity document. Activities can be tagged to a specific project.

· Customizable outline entries can be created in the Activity Manager module. Administrators can add items to the navigation bar for quick access to firm resources.

· Each activity has a purge limit. This limit allows administrators to easily purge older activities that are no longer needed by the firm.

Support Manager

New features include:

· Additional “Pending” status. Support staff can now show users that items are being worked on rather than just having an “Active” or “Resolved” status.

· Customizable outline entries can be created in the Support Manager module. Administrators can add items to the navigation bar for quick access to firm resources.

· Only support personnel can now fill out support statuses and anticipated completion dates.

Knowledge Manager

New features include:

· Customizable outline entries can be created in the Knowledge Manager module. Administrators can add items to the navigation bar for quick access to firm resources.

· Save history tracking – users can document and track revisions to all Knowledge Manager Items.

· Activities can now be created from within Knowledge Manager.


Time Entry

New features include:

· Purge Maintenance – administrators can now easily purge older time entry documents based on a pre-defined date.

· Customizable outline entries can be created in the Time Entry module. Administrators can add items to the navigation bar for quick access to firm resources.

· Custom Reports are now available from within Time Entry.

· New “Submit on Save” functionality allows users to automatically submit transactions as soon as the item is entered.

· Improved navigation between fields.

Firm Statistics

New features include:

· Activities, including collection items, can now be created from within Firm Statistics.

· Customizable outline entries can be created in this module. Administrators can add items to the navigation bar for quick access to firm resources.

· Cash receipts and billing views have been expanded.

· Un-applied payments have been added to Accounts Receivable views.

In/Out Board

New features include:

· User’s personal calendars can now be accessed from within the In/Out board.

· Return date/time items have been modified.

Human Resources

New features include:

· Customizable outline entries can be created in the Human Resources module. Administrators can add items to the navigation bar for quick access to firm resources.

· Data folder linking allows administrator to link a staff member’s human resource document to a folder on the network.

Purchase Orders

New features include:

· Customizable outline entries can be created in the Purchase Orders module. Administrators can add items to the navigation bar for quick access to firm resources.

Template Manager

Template Manager is a new addition to FirmWorks that allows users to set up documents and workpapers that are accessible from anywhere in the FirmWorks System. Template Manager accepts any file type and exchanges data with Microsoft Word and Excel. New features include:

· Unlimited number of template files.

· Field level mail merge and data exchange from Notes to Word or Excel.

· Template Manager accepts Lotus Notes “@functions” which allow for extremely powerful data manipulation.

· Documents that are created from Template Manager are editable in Lotus Notes without having to save as an attachment. No need to detach and re-attach documents! Document changes are recorded in the Activity document as the document is saved in Word or Excel.

· Fields are easily mapped from within the Template Manager setup form. Simple mapping allows users to choose intuitive field names while advanced mapping allows users to use complex formulas for data extraction.

· Template formats are created for each FirmWorks module. This feature requires users to only choose from a list of templates associated with a particular module.

· Template Manager may be replicated down to laptops so that document and workpaper templates are always available.

Configuration

New features include:

· Access to the FirmWorks Staff Table.

· Workpaper tool integration – currently compatible with CaseWare Working Papers.

· Each module configuration area has been sectioned to allow for easy navigation.

· Project Manager section allows for adding projects from FirmWorks.

Miscellaneous Features

· Custom Reports now allow users to enter in Notes Query Language. The new feature automates search function in FirmWorks by allowing users to pre-define search criteria and associate that criteria with a custom report.

· Additional upgrade functions have been added to the FirmWorks installer to allow for easier rollout of new databases.