



VIDEOSOFT SYSTEMS




Users Manual

Version 1.0






(C)Copyright 1990 - 1993  VideoSoft Systems

56 Saybrook Ave,
Etobicoke, Ontario.
M8Z 2V7
(416)231-4208
































                        WARRANTY AND OTHER INFORMATION

The software described in this manual is protected by copyright laws.


Information contained within is subject to change without notice and
does not represent any commitment by Videosoft Systems.

Videosoft Systems makes no warranty of any kind, express or implied, including
without limitation, any warranties of merchantability and/or fitness
for a particular purpose. Videosoft Systems shall not be liable for any
damages, whether direct, indirect, special or consequential arising from
a failure of this program to operate in the manner desired by the user.
Videosoft Systems shall not be responsible for damage to data or property
that may be caused directly or indirectly by use of the program.

IN NO EVENT WILL VIDEOSOFT SYSTEMS BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING
ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM, OR FOR ANY
CLAIM BY ANY OTHER PARTY.


Videosoft Systems at any time may make improvements and/or
changes in this manual.

This product could include technical inaccuracies or typographical
errors. Changes are periodically made to the information herein;
these changes could be incorporated in new editions of the
publication.

dBase, dBaseIII, and dBaseIII PLUS are tradenames of Ashton-Tate
Corporation.

Clipper is a trade name of Computer Associates.

Phone Numbers

        (416) 231-4208
        Videosoft Systems
        H.Radford
        56 Saybrook Ave,
        Etobicoke, Ontario


        9.00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M. Eastern Time
        Monday through Friday

NOTE :
   This manual was formatted with WordPerfect 5.1 from the
   WordPerfect Corp.
   Where possible we have included illustrations and other associated
   niceties.



before you start ---

INTRODUCTION

GENERAL INFORMATION

VIDEOSOFT is a specifically designed database manager for the
application of video store daily operations. It contains all the capabilities of
Clipper 5.01 and is written with ease of use in mind.

Your database files are compatible with dBase. This means
that your databases can be viewed with dBase III PLUS commands.

The index files are structured on the Clipper format.

Any suggestions that you have for improving this program will be
 thoughtfully considered.

At this time the program does not accept a Local Area Network (LAN)

FEATURES

Maintain Membership Data.

Maintain Video data.

Automatically Updates Video Rental Information.

Rental rates for Weekend/ Weekday.

Manual Overrides on Tax Calculation.

Automatic Calculation for Provincial/State  and GST/Federal/VAT  Tax.

Provides Rental reports from data.

Allows for on screen editing of Accounts and Memo fields.

Passwords for sensitive data entry and edit.

Automatic calculation of Sales Totals for day, month and year.

On screen reservation system.

Automatic Late Charge System.

Handles Sales and Rentals on same invoice








  The price of this software is $199.99. It compares with commercial
video software packages of $1500.00.
  The original version of this product was built as an alternative
to more sophisticated packages that were out of my price range.
The software is currently installed in Video stores thoughout Canada, USA
and the UK. It has the ability to handle 10,000 customers and 100,000 videos.
I feel that the price of the fully functional software covers only the time
spent on development and coding.
  Please support the concept of Shareware distribution. This product can be
only be copied in its complete form including documentation.

Ordering Information

Remit to:
                                Videosoft Systems
                                Harry Radford
                                56 Saybrook Ave
                                Etobicoke, ONTARIO
                                Canada
                                M8Z 2V7

Please send:

_____  Videosoft Disk (Current version)  ..... @ $199.99    $  ______. __
                (Includes registration, program and manual on disk)

         Specify type of disk 3 1/2 ____   5 1/4 _____  LD/HD

                                                  Subtotal  $  ______. __

Please add applicable taxes for                   Tax       $  ______.__
The state or province you live in
                                                                               
Total     $  ______.__

Name ___________________________________________________________________

Company ________________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________________

           ________________________________________________________________

           ________________________________________________________________

Day phone ________________________ Evening _____________________________

  You may also order this program from the Public(software)Library with your 
MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover Credit Cards by calling 
1-800-242-4PsL or from overseas to 713-524-6394 or by FAX to 713-524-6398 
or to Compuserve to 71355,470. These numbers are for ordering only.
  Videosoft Systems can NOT be reached at those numbers.





INSTALLING VIDEOSOFT

The VIDEOSOFT system requires a hard disk with at least one megabyte of
available disk space.
The program was originally designed on a Panasonic printer and uses
IBM graphic mode printer controls.

To install VIDEOSOFT on your hard disk do the following:

1. Boot the computer in the normal fashion. You should see the DOS
prompt before going any further

2. Ensure that there is at least 1 MB of available disk space on
your hard disk. (Use the DOS DIR command to check.)

3. Place the VIDEOSOFT Program disk in the A drive. Make the A drive
the default drive.

4. Install the program by typing COPY *.* C:\ and pressing (ENTER).

6. If you do not already have a CONFIG.SYS file on your hard disk,
type in the following on the root directory of your hard disk:

        CD\                      (Enter)
        COPY CON CONFIG.SYS      (Enter)
        FILES=40                 (Enter)
        BUFFERS = 40             (Enter)     

After the last line press (F6) and a ^Z will appear. Now press (Enter)

7. Now reboot the computer so that the change to the configuration
will take effect.























USING THE VIDEOSOFT SYSTEM

*************************************************************************
****** THIS PROGRAM IS DEPENDANT ON THE CORRECT DATE BEING ENTERED ******
****** IN THE COMPUTER. ANY USE OF THE PROGRAM WITH IMPROPER DATES ******
****** ENTERED WILL SERIOUSLY AFFECT THE STORAGE OF DATA. PLEASE   ******
****** ENSURE THAT ANY STAFF USING THIS SYSTEM ARE AWARE OF THIS.  ******
*************************************************************************

Start the VIDEOSOFT program by typing VIDEO
The program will identify the time and date that the program is
using. If either the time or date is wrong, by pressing "N", the
system will drop to DOS and ask for time and date entry before starting.

        The default password for full access to the private areas
is "1957". After entering this area, do a complete printout for
both the members and videos registered to test different areas
of the program. Default data has been entered to start the program.
        You will notice that information has been entered into the
databases and justified to the left.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE FORMAT OF INFORMATION IS AS FOLLOWS: -

        1. ALL INFORMATION ENTERED IN CAPITAL LETTERS
        2. TELEPHONE NUMBERS, NAMES, MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS, VIDEO NUMBERS
           AND VIDEO NAMES BE JUSTIFIED TO THE LEFT.
        3. CODE NAMES SHOULD BE LEFT JUSTIFIED
        4. SALE ITEMS MUST BEGIN WITH A LETTER, RENTAL ITEMS CANNOT HAVE A
           LETTER IN THE FIRST SPACE !! 
           (S001 is a sale item,  001 is a rental item)


        The Main Menu will have the following commands

1 - CHECK AVAILABILITY OF A MOVIE

          The command will ask for a Number or failing that a Title
        of a particular Movie that you wish to check. If the Movie
        has been taken out already, the program will display the
        return date.
          If no Number or Title is entered, the main menu will
        return.

2 - CHANGE TO WEEKEND RATES

          This will set the rates for rentals to the weekend
        rate set up in the Video database. The program will auto-
        matically set weekend rates on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,
        however, if the Monday is a holiday it will be necessary
        to change to weekend rates for the holiday.

3 - CHANGE TO WEEKDAY RATES

          This will have the reverse effect of command 2








4 - CHECK TAPE RENTERS

          This command will index the video database and then prompt
        the operator for a specific video number to produce a report
        for.


5 - WHO'S GOT WHAT

          This command will prompt the user for the following:

        1 - FIND AN INDIVIDUAL MOVIE

                After entering a movie number, the program will display
                information about the status of the movie, and if rented,
                the member number and name.

        2 - LIST ALL MOVIES THAT ARE OUT

                After being asked if a printout is required, The user
                will be given a complete list of those movies registered
                as being rented and not returned.

        3 - RETURN TO MAIN MENU

                Self explanatory

7 - INVOICING

          This command will initiate the invoice system. You will
        be prompted for a Telephone Number, of a Name, or lastly a
        Membership ID Number. If none of the fields are filled with
        any information, the program will return to the main menu.
         The program will then begin a search based on information
        provided and display information about the member. If the
        member cannot be found a message will be displayed to that
        effect and you will be asked if you wish to add the member.
          At the side of the screen you will see other commands
        to deal with data displayed.


                A - Add/Zap
                          This will blank out the memo field and allow
                        the user to enter little pieces of information.
                        The information will display flashing to attract
                        attention. (I.E. Membership Cancelled  Do not Rent)

                C - Continue (Default)
                          This will continue to the next stage of invoicing

                E - Edit account
                          This will allow the operator to add or delete
                        money from the account balance.

                P - To view past rentals
                          This command will bring up the members past rental
                    information and whether the tape was returned late.

                Q - Quit
                          This command will return you to the main screen

                S - Continue Search
                          If the information presented does not match
                        the member, it is possible that there are two
                        members with the same search information. In this
                        case, by pressing S the program will look for the
                        next logical file and display that information.

          After verifying the information on the member, the program
        will then prompt for the numbers of the videos to be rented.
        (There will be a maximum limit of six videos or items per invoice.)
          As each number is entered, the program will verify that the
        title is in the database and display the title. If the title
        is not in the database or the title has been reserved for
        another customer that day, the program will advise the operator
        of this and reprompt for a valid number. If the first character
        of the video number is a letter, (i.e. S2334) the program will
        identify this as a sale item and will not register the item to
        be returned. In this manner, you can put sales and rentals
        on the same invoice.
          If a blank field has been entered, the program will now ask
        for any extra charges (such as late payments etc.) These will be
        added on the invoice.
          The program will then ask for the number of days the movies are
        being rented for. (The default can be set in the store identification
        area to as many as 9 days)
          At this point, the program does automatic calculation for tax
        and totalling fields. It also updates the number of times the
        title has been rented and the last date of rental. Then the
        member data is updated with the last rental date field and the
        amount spent by the member being added to. Lastly, the
        program will print an invoice on 1/2 paper and return the
        operator to the main menu.


8 - CHECK ON A MEMBER

          You will be prompted for a Telephone Number, or a Name,
        or lastly a Membership ID Number. If none of the fields are
        filled with any information, the program will return to the main
        menu.
          Information on the member will then be displayed similar
        to the invoicing screens.

9 - COMPANY DATA

          For this part of the program, you will be required to know
        a password to allow access to sensitive data. Please note
        however, that this will not protect you data from individuals
        who wish to destroy information, and that you should always have
        a reliable backup of your data kept in another location to
        protect yourself.
          After entering the correct password, the operator will be
        given another screen for manipulating the information.
          The default password for original startup is "1957  "

A - RETURNS

           After entering this part of the program, the user will be
        requested for numbers of movies being returned to the store.
          The program will verify that the movie had indeed been
        registered out and if not, display a message to that effect. If
        the movie is found in the database, it will attach a return date
        to the file and prompt the operator for the next movie number.
         (There will be a maximum of 19 Movies returned at one time).
        If the number field is returned blank, the program will return
        to the main menu.
           If there any late movies, the program will identify them and
        charge their account. In the Identification module, a feature will
        allow the operator to manually add to the customers account,whereupon
        you will be presented with the customers late records and allowed to
        decide if they should be charged.

B - CHECK OLD INFORMATION

        1 - CHECK A MEMBER

          This program will prompt the user for a member number to
        check. If the member is not in the database, the operator
        will be informed. Then the program will ask if a printout
        is required. The program will list off the movies that
        the customer had previously rented.




        2 - CHECK A MOVIE

          This program will prompt the operator for a movie number to
        check. If the number is not in the database, the operator
        will be informed. Then the program will ask if a printout
        is required. The program will list off the members that have
        previously rented the movie.

C - LIST RETURNS TODAY

          After prompting for a printout, this program will list off
        the movies returned today.

D - WHAT'S DUE BACK TODAY

         This program will print out a list of those
        movies that are due back in today or any previous date.


E - WHAT WENT OUT TODAY

          This program will, after prompting for a printout, give
        the operator a list of the movies that were rented today
        and a total number of movies rented.


F - RESERVATIONS

        1 - MAKE A RESERVATION

          This part of the program will ask the user for a telephone
        number, name or membership number. After identifying the
        member, information about the member will be displayed as
        in rental or sales. You can see if the member has
        any outstanding late charges before continuing. You will then
        be prompted for a movie number or movie title. The program will
        store this information to be called up later.

        2 - LIST RESERVATIONS

          This part of the program will allow the operator to list
        reservations for a specific date. It can recall the
        information to the screen or print out the information.

        3 - DELETE RESERVATIONS

          This program will allow the user to delete past reservation
        data. The operator will be given all the reservation dates
        available for deletion. After entering a specific date, the
        program will delete all reservations for that date.






Q - QUIT PROGRAM

          At the end of the day the program will automatically
        remove all returned movies from the active files and
        update the old returns database. The program will print out
        a sales recap for the day and zero out the totals. At the
        end of the month, total figures will also be printed if
        requested and similarly at the end of the year.
          If the program is being stopped in the middle of the
        day, the operator will be given the opportunity to quit
        without removing data or updating databases.

COMPANY DATA SCREEN

  After entering the correct password, the operator will be
given access to the company data. The screen will enable
the user to edit and/or enter data into both the member and
title databases. There are four levels of security with each
level having an increasing ability to change data.

The following commands are available:

1 - ENTER/EDIT MOVIE DATA   (All levels)

        1 - ENTER MOVIE DATA

                  Upon entering a number, the program will automatically
                verify that the number has not been already entered in
                the records. The operator will then be given a
                screen to enter data into the database. There are
                spaces for two different rates. At the end of the entry
                the program will ask the user to verify the data and
                then enter the information. (ON UNREGISTERED COPIES
                THIS FUNCTION IS NOT INSTALLED)

        2 - EDIT MOVIE DATA

                  After entering a number, the program will verify that
                the number exists. You will then be provided with all the
                information on the number. You can change any of the information
                and again be prompted for verification.

        3 - RETURN TO COMPANY DATA MENU

                  After entry or edit sessions this will return you to
                the company data menu.








2 - MOVIE DATA REPORTS  (No Employee Access)

        1 - MOVIE LIST BY TITLE

                  This will provide the operator with a complete
                list of movies in the database sorted by title.

        2 - MOVIE LIST BY NUMBER

                1 - COMPLETE LIST
                  This will provide the operator with a complete
                list of movies in the database sorted by number.



                2 - SELECTED LIST

                  After proving starting and ending numbers, the
                program will print out a list for those movies.

        3 - MOVIE LIST BY CATEGORY

                 This will provide the operator with a complete
                list of movies by category. You will asked for
                a category to print and only those meeting that
                criteria will be printed.

        4 - MOVIE RENTAL REPORT

                 After being prompted for a starting movie number
                and an ending moving number, the operator will be
                provided with data on how well the movies have been
                renting. This is invaluable to keep track of which
                movies are good renters and those that should be
                removed from the store.


3 - CUSTOMER DATA REPORTS  (No Employee Access)

        1 - CUSTOMER LIST BY NAME

                  Entering this module will provide a complete membership        
                printout by name. It will take up to one hour to print depending
                on the speed of your printer. Make sure that you
                can do this without interruption.

        2 - CUSTOMER LIST BY NUMBER

                1 - COMPLETE LIST

                          This will provide a complete list of members
                        in numerical order. Again, this could take some
                        time to do without interruption.

                


                2 - SELECTED LIST

                          After entering a start and ending number, the
                        program will provide a list of those members.

4 - ACCOUNTING MODULE  (Owner Access Only)

          The program automatically saves information on the sales
        and rental totals for tax calculation purposes. You could view sales     
        figures saved by the following categories.

        1 - DAILY SALES TOTALS

        2 - MONTHLY SALES TOTALS

        3 - YEARLY SALES TOTALS

5 - DELETE MEMBERS/MOVIES RECORDS /RESERVS ( No Employee or
                                               Assistant Manager Access)
          This part of the program will enable the user to delete
        any of the members, movies or old data stored in the
        databases. It is advisable to delete old data that is
        automatically stored by the program at least once every
        six months and to go back six months before that. This
        way you always have at least six month's information stored
        on disk. After the records have been deleted, the databases
        will be packed and reindexed. This may take up to ten
        minutes on an XT computer, so make sure there won't be
        any interruptions when you do it.

6 - PRINT LABELS

          This part of the program will print labels for member
        addresses and also for movie titles.

        1 - MEMBER LABELS

                1 - ADDRESS LABELS

                          This will print address labels for blocks of
                        members. The operator will be prompted for
                        a starting member number and also a finishing
                        member number. If only one member label is
                        required, the operator can put in the next
                        highest number and the program will stop
                        after one label.

              






                 2 - MEMBERSHIP CARD LABEL

                          This will print out membership card labels
                        for blocks of members. Once again the operator
                        will be prompted for a starting and finishing
                        member number. Information will be formatted
                        for making membership cards.

        2 - MOVIE LABELS

                1 - LABELS FOR TAGS

                           This program will print information for tags. It
          will include the number,      title, category of the movie.

                2 - LABELS FOR CASSETTES

                           This program will print information for the
                        cassette. It will include the number, title
          and category of the movie.

                  Both of these programs will again prompt the operator
                for a starting and an ending movie number to print.


7 - INFORMATION MODULE (Owner Access Only)

          This module will identify the store name and address 
          that print on the invoices. It also stores information 
          on the messages that print on invoices, the passwords to 
          enter the data menus, tax rates for federal and provincial 
          or state tax and in cases where an invoice is not required 
          for rentals, the invoice print option. It also controls the 
          type of monitor display and security levels for employees.
          In the section for Late Charges, there are four separate 
          classes for weekday and also weekend late rates. 
          (The Video Add module decides what class of movie it is for 
          Late Charges). Ther are also switches for whether you wish 
          to charge lates and also if you want the program to do this 
          automatically.

8 - BACKUP MENU

          This program will allow the operator to backup the various
        databases to removable disks. The only valid drives are A or B.


9 - ENTER/EDIT MEMBERSHIP DATA

        1 - ENTER MEMBERSHIP DATA

                After providing the system with a number, the number will
        be checked against the database to ensure that there is no
        other matching number existing already. Then the system will
        provide an entry screen for data to be placed in the database.
          At the end of an entry, the system will prompt the operator
        to ensure that the data is correct. If any of the information
        is incorrect, the operator can escape from the entry at this
        point. After this, the system will update the files and indexes
        for the new member.

        2 - EDIT EXISTING MEMBERSHIP DATA

                After being given a number, the system will check for
        a match in the database. If there is no match to the number
        entered, the system will inform the operator. If the number
        exists, the edit screen will appear with all of the inform-
        ation on the member. The operator will be allowed to change
        everything entered except for the membership number. Once
        again the system will prompt for correctness and then replace
        all of the old information with new information

        3 - RETURN TO PRIVATE MENU

                This command will return the operator to the private
        menu screen.

A - REMOVE DELETED DATA

          This will enable the user to remove those records marked
        for deletion

B - REINDEX DATABASE

          From time to time, it may be necessary to reindex the
        databases. dBase occasionally loses the index or in the
        event of a power failure while adding records may lose an
        index. This will rebuild all of the indexes.

C - RETURN TO MAIN MENU
