Licensing

Shopkeeper Solutions cc, in Port Elizabeth, is the publisher of The Jewellery Shopkeeper.  As a general rule, Shopkeeper Solutions only sell directly to the end user.  This way Shopkeeper Solutions can ensure that all users get the best value for their money as well as the best technical support.

Beware of another dealer offering you "The Jewellery Shopkeeper". It may be that he is offering you a program that is not The Jewellery Shopkeeper at all!  Of course, it could be that the salesperson is acting legitimately as an agent.  In that case, make sure of his authority to act in that capacity by contacting Shopkeeper Solutions directly for confirmation.

Versions available

"Version" can refer to the state of development (or compile date) of the program, or it can refer to the various optional features or omissions that can be supplied.  Versions can be supplied, at lower cost, which limit the use of the system to inventory control and cash sales only, or inventory control and debtors. A reduced price is also offered to small businesses whose inventory and debtors is less than usual.

The 'compile date' version number, sometimes called the "build number", is displayed on the start-up screen, just above the day's date, and also on the top right hand corner of the F1-Help screen.

Customising

Most features of the program can be customised to suit the peculiarities of your business. The philosophy behind The Shopkeeper's design is that it should always be more help than trouble and therefore it will often be found that by taking a fresh look at the way you handle that aspect of your business could in fact be of benefit while saving the cost of customising the program.

Often suggestions from users are for improvement which would benefit many users - these suggestions are most welcome and, if at all practical, the improvements are incorporated as standard features at no additional cost.

Hardware requirement

Single User

Hardware requirement is an IBM* AT* compatible or 386/486 computer with at least 640Kb memory (preferably 4Mb) and at least 40 Mb (preferably 220Mb) hard disk with MS-DOS 3.30 or higher. 1Mb or more of XMS extended memory, 512K or more of LIM 4.0 expanded memory, as well as disk caching, will greatly enhance performance. (On workstations connected to a file server, disk caching will be done on the file server.)

Either colour or Monochrome screen can be used.

While one printer can be used for everything, it is strongly recommended that at least 2 printers be used - one letter quality and the other high speed with short forms tear-off.

A dial-up modem with it's communications software is also important for remote support. We recommend a V32 bis modem, but a V22 or V22 bis modem will also be satisfactory. pcAnywhere version 4.5 or similar remote control software is required.

Multi-user

The Jewellery Shopkeeper may be used simultaneously by an unlimited number of users, but please check with Shopkeeper Solutions, or your supplier regarding additional licence fees.

Any MS-DOS, (e.g. LANtastic or Novell) or Windows 95/98 network may be used.

For maximum independence of users, it is important that each user be logged in with his/her own user name or computer name.

Multi-Branch

Versions of The Jewellery Shopkeeper may be used for up to 200 branches.