Highlights and Upgrade Benefits from PartBase II/x to PartBase PRO

History and features
PartBase PRO Criteria List
Database Features
General Features and Comparisons
Upgrading PartBase & Service Patches
Maintenance & Utilities
Reports
Setup Information Company Info, User Access, Defaults, Preferences, Sales Modules Settings
Exporting Inventory Files
Import data
Importing Data Service Multi-Company Downloads
Adding Parts, Manually
View/Edit Company Information
PartBase PRO verses II/x Comparison

PartBase PRO History:

In early 1997 we had a meeting here at Bay Area Computer. With the Y2K problem before us, we had to decide if we were going to update the old PartBase II/x program and make it Y2K compliant, or develop a new from the ground up software program. We Realized that PartBase II/x was developed in an environment that has been beneficial and served its purpose for the past 7 years. It has been a very successful software program, has worldwide users, and has been a useful tool for all our users in the procurement of product. But as with all technology, it changes, and this is the same for software programs. If we updated PartBase II/x, it would be like turbo charging a Model A Ford. Anyway you look at it, you still have a Model A Ford. To step PartBase up to the most current level of programming environments, and to better serve our PartBase users, it was decided to go forward with a totally new PartBase software program. We knew this was a big task, and would be a lot of work. But, for us to proceed, the program had to meet a very strict criteria. It had to meet extremely high standards and fall within what our users will need to carry them far into the future. 

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This list shows some of the criteria we used to make our decision.

PartBase PRO had to be:

• capable of enduring many years of use without changing the programming environment.

• state of the art database programming language.

• easy to interface with the Internet.

• a database with almost unlimited capacity for our industry.

• developed totally in a windows environment.

• able to Import database files large and small, in all standard formats.

• able to Import data and search in the same database simultaneously during the workday. This could not interrupt or adversely affect the program.

• a user-friendly environment whereas the program was standard to the industry, no dramatic changes to hardware or operating systems for our users.

• in a programming environment standard to the world, nothing unique or incompatible with the Microsoft Windows 95/98/NT operating systems.

• developed so as to be price competitive for a vertical market, in-house, software program.  It had to be affordable for small to medium sized independent distributors. The profit producing benefits had to far outweigh the cost of the program.

The above parameters and more were used in making our decision. We used criteria that was very restrictive, very limited, and in the beginning seemed unlikely we could achieve our goal. But we did it. The PartBase PRO program has met or exceeded all our expectations and requirements. We selected the best of the best programming environment knowing it would be a lot of work, but it paid off. Important capabilities of the program that we hoped would meet what we required, far exceeded our expectations. Along with that, a lot of other benefits became apparent as we went further into development. We are very confident you will appreciate the dramatic changes and improvements that the new PartBase program has to offer. The profit producing benefits of the program far exceed the cost.

Below you will find a list of just some of the features, changes, improvements, capacities, and enhancements we have made. This is only a partial list. There are many more wonderful enhancements that only can be experienced by using the program in your office environment. This list will show you some of the most dramatic changes and features.   

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  Database Features and Comparisons:

• Offers Database: Approximant line item capacity 112 million,10 separate databases. PartBase II/x capacity 5.25 million, 3 separate databases.

• Database file size in PartBase PRO: 2-GIG per database of .dbf file capacity, 10 databases. Total of 20-GIG data storage. In comparison PartBase II/x had a total of 600-650 megabyte of .dbf data storage in 3 databases.

• The Index file size in PartBase PRO is over 40% smaller. The .CDX files in PartBase PRO are approx 13% of the .DBF file size. In comparison the .NTX file size in PartBase II/x is 33% of the .DBF file size. Considering the very large data file size capacity of PRO you will gain a substantial savings in hard drive space needed for database index files and time needed for re-indexing.

• PartBase PRO has 10 separate offers databases. This is very important to the PartBase PRO database capacity and for repairing a database if you experience a corruption or problem. You will be able to search in all other databases while you repair the one with a problem.

• Indexing of the offers database files is substantially faster due to the 32-bit program and the reduced index file size. You may re-index one database at a time or all at once.

• NO DOS environment. All database utilities and functions are greatly enhanced due to the No DOS environment, 32-bit program, and programming features that were not available to the old PartBase II/x program.

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   General Features and Comparisons:  

• PartBase PRO is a 32-bit program, and current state of the art programming environment and language for database software programs. In comparison PartBase II/x is a 16-bit program with 7-year-old drivers, and DOS utilities.

• PRO is developed in Microsoft Fox Base state of the art, true programming language. In comparison PartBase II/x has VX Base drivers and a Visual Basic 3 environment

• The PartBase PRO program is new from the ground up. This is not an upgrade; PartBase PRO is an “ALL” new program. You will be importing all your databases files from PartBase II/x into PartBase PRO. We didn’t just upgrade, fix, or do shortcuts to bring PartBase to where it is today, you are getting the best of the best and all new. 

• PartBase PRO went through over 2-½+ years of development and testing to get to where it is today. We started in 1997.

• In developing PartBase PRO our focus was to make a program that would support our users well into the future. We did just that.

• PartBase PRO has been developed in an environment that allows your imagination to wonder. The barriers are gone. Internet connection, linking to accounting programs, contact management, purchasing, all are going to be developed with almost unlimited benefits and features. (the future holds a lot for PartBase) 

• PartBase has been the leader in the electronics industry for an in-house software program since 1992. PartBase PRO will assure our stronghold well into the future. The program is developed totally in windows, and is exclusively for the electronics industry. Electronic distributors and brokers use PartBase worldwide.

• Open multiple windows on your screen. Have your inventory, offers, sales history, company info, all on your screen at the same time. Search on a part number and all the screens information change at the same time. No need to flip-flop between different database and search screens.

• Re-size and positions multiple windows on your computer screen to your personal preferences.

• Choose the order, position and size for all part information grids to your personal liking. Example: On your Inventory search screen. 1^st grid is quantity, 2^nd is part number, 3^rd is mfg, 4^th is location, 5^th is package, etc. You can change this order to fit your personal needs. Also each field’s length can be adjusted.

• A separate non-editable company information window you may open while searching parts. Showing all company info for the highlighted company in your offers and/or requirement window.  

• Import your suppliers data during the day from 2 locations with little affect in searching the same database. No more waiting to do your data importing until after hours or on Friday night.

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Upgrading PartBase & Service Patches

• Web page updates. Upgrading PartBase PRO is now easier that ever. You will no longer need to wait for an overnight delivery of a floppy disk. Service pack updates will now be placed on the PartBase web page for you to download. These updates will include program changes and fixes on a no charge basis.  Download these files at your convenience. 

• Addition of PartBase modules, network versions, and the adding of extra users will now be done over the phone. You no longer need to wait for an overnight delivery of a floppy disk. Simply call us and we will issue a license number to activate the feature and/or extra users you are in need of.

• PartBase PRO exclusively on CD ROM. No more possibilities of corrupted sectors on floppy disks, etc. (also note: as an option, PartBase has a new data service package available. Sold with current company information, offers database, and more. Call Bay Area Computer for more information)

Maintenance & Utilities (Old PartBase II/x Import Utility & Conversion Program):  

• No more "Import Conversion and utility program" in DOS. PartBase PRO is developed totally in a windows environment.

• All importing and utility functions can be set to run automatically. Do your importing of data files, removing of double entries, email attachments, etc. etc. all by clicking on drop down menus, and check boxes. Hit the start button and PartBase PRO will do the rest.

• Import your supplier inventory files, Email attachments, web page inventory downloads, and large multi-company data files. Import online data service files like Broker Forum, ChipSource and IC Source into PartBase and search in the offers database simultaneously. No longer do you need to wait until after hours or the weekend to do importing of data files.

• Import data from 2 locations network stations at the same time.  Import IC Source Emails from one work station and ChipSource database from a different workstation.

• When Importing Broker Forum, ChipSource, Chipfinder, or IC Source email attachments. The fields are matched for you automatically. The importing preference selections are now made from windows dropdown menus and check boxes.

• Importing of Broker Forum: The daily offers, OEM excess, Requirements, & In House Orders can be imported in the same data file. PartBase will automatically separate and import the files to the correct database. You may include offers, requirements, OEM excess, and in-house orders in the same database file. PartBase will distinguish between them and import to the proper databases automatically.

• Database Line Item count: In the pack and reindex utility, you can view the exact size of all 10 databases in offers. All other database sizes are listed also.

• Utilities report: First off, all selected items to run are listed. When tasks are completed, a report screen shows all tasks completed and uncompleted.

• Pack & reindex: Due to the substantially smaller database index file size, and the 32 bit program environment, this utility is 3 to 4 times faster than the old PartBase II/x. All database line item file sizes are listed when you enter this window.

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Reports:

• Preview reports prior to printing. View on your computer screen what is exactly going to print in many of the reports now available, prior to hitting the print button.

• Print from any search screen. All the filters that the full reports section has is included in the print from search screen. Search on a part, preview your selection, and print. Define your search with the many filters that are now included.  

• Sales Reports: The sales report section has been dramatically expanded. All fields, date ranges, Sales persons, etc. are included. Sales reports can now be made by almost any criteria you can imagine. Generate an endless combination of company sales reports all from with-in PartBase PRO program. See exactly what your whole company and individual sales people are actually generating in revenue.

• Cross Link: The Cross-Link report has been enhanced. Select date range, sales person, customer code and more for your report criteria. Search your Inventory for matches and the offers database at the same time. Preview the report on your computer screen prior to printing. Find requirements that are matches to your own inventory and/or your suppliers offers. You need this to make calls, to make sales. 

• Requirements Report: The requirements report has been greatly enhanced. It now has the same multiple filters as the new inventory report. Preview the report prior to printing. Select any combination of filters to get the exact report you need.

• Company Reports: This report has been enhanced. Preview the report prior to printing. Select various filters and fields required. Sort by Company code or Company Name. Great tool for a hard copy report of your company database.

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Setup Information 

Company Information, User Access, Defaults, Preferences, Sales Modules Settings

• There are now over 50 user access security options. You can select exactly what you want your employees to be able to do and view with-in the PartBase PRO program. 

• Every database has security functions linked to it. 

• You select what areas can be accessed: Set-up Info, Companies, Inventory, Invoicing, Offers, Manufacturers, Requirements, Reports, Sales History, Maintenance & Utilities. 

• Under each category is various sub-categories with-in that listing you can restrict access.

• You select: View only, Edit, Delete, Add, Etc. for each sub-category.

• Select screen options: Icons only, Icons with text, or text only.

• Select the program default font size, and regular or BOLD type.  

• Select starting Invoice number, tax rate, and RMA number

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Exporting Inventory Files:  

• Exporting of your inventory files with many options. Selection of various filters and file types has been incorporated into this feature.
   

• Export inventory files to various locations: floppy disk, your local hard drive, or anywhere in your network.

• Export file types: .DBF, .TXT comma delimited, .TXT standard data file, and Microsoft Excel format. 

• You have the option of: 14 different inventory fields to include in the export, 9 export filter criteria, data sorted by 4 different options, exported via 4 different formats. 

Export filter criteria: Quantity From-To, Part Number begins with, Comment contains, Location from-To, Code, Manufacturer, Package, Condition, Entry Date.

Data sorted by 4 different options: Part Number, Code, Location, Package.

 Exported via 4 different formats: .dbf, .txt comma, .xls, .zip, (.dbf, .txt, .xls all can be zipped)

• Example #1: Export all inventory line items that are DIP package, 500+ in quantity, new condition, that you acquired between the dates of 10/01/99 to 10/15/99.

• Example #2: Export all inventory items that are Solder Trim Pulls, in bin numbers 1002 to 1407, that are only in a dip package, less than 100 pieces. PartBase PRO will do this for you. You can also choose the file format: .dbf, .txt. and .xls. 

• Example #3: How about exporting only your SMT product, AMD manufacture, quantities of 249 to 850 pieces only, in Microsoft Excel type database . Not a problem for PartBase PRO. 

• Example #4: Export just your 74LS part numbers and Email it to a company that is interested in buying all your LS stock. PartBase PRO makes that possible. 

• We believe we have covered all the bases in regards to exporting an inventory file and being able to filter in to exactly what you need. 

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Import Data:

• The Import data section has been enhanced. All database importing is now on one screen.
   
  

• You may import .dbf, .txt comma, .txt tab, .xls Excel files, and .zip compressed files.
   
  

• Importing into Offers, Inventory, Requirements, and the companies databases are now all from one screen.
  
  

• A multi-company database import can also be done from this same window.

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Importing Data Service, multi-company downloads:

• Now this is done exclusively in windows. No DOS.
  
  
• All data fields are filed in automatically for you, files are unzipped, deleted and imported, per your instructions.
  
  
• All menu selections are now in check boxes and drop down window menus. You can even delete the previously imported data service file at the same time.
  
  
• Select where the data service file to import is via a windows browse window.
  
  
• You can instruct PartBase to ignore any quantity less than what you would like imported. Example: Import all line items with the exception of all parts with quantities less than 50, or 10, or whatever amount you prefer.

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Adding Parts, Manually

• All done with-in Windows. 

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View/Edit Company Information

• Automatically copy company information to "ship to" information by clicking a button, no need to re-type all the data.

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