This page contains answers to common questions handled by our support staff, along with some tips and tricks that we have found useful and presented here as questions.

1. Are there any shortcuts to go from program to program?
2. How do I set the next available load number?
3. How do I specify a printer for certain reports?
4. Sometimes I don't see all of the loads or invoices on a screen? Why?
5. How/when is the general ledger updated?
6. How do I setup billing/paying a subsidiary account through its main office?
7. How many organizations are currently using the software?

Are there any shortcuts to go from program to program?

Yes!  Nearly every program is equipped with the GOTO command key 4.  Simply type in the 2 position "goto" code, then press command key 4, and you are taken directly to that program. If you don't know the 2 position code, type XX (or any other invalid code) and you'll see a screen with all the valid codes. From there, just type the one you want and you're there in a millisecond.

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How do I set the next available load number?

The next available load number can be set in the master load constants (File Maintenance menu / Control Master / Sales Load Constants).  This should be done on a yearly basis since the first 1 or 2 positions of the load number represents the year.   (We use the first 1 or 2 positions as the key for removing a year of loads from the system when they are no longer needed.) You should also change the next available voucher number (if you are a consolidator) and grower run number (if you are a shipper/packer).

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How do I specify a printer for certain reports?

To route a report to a specific printer, you must update the master constants. The Company Name/Miscellaneous constants contains areas where you may specify to which printer invoices, A/R statements, checks, brokerage confirmations, journals, and closed loads should be printed. Specify the printer ID for sales distribution sheets, bills of lading, and warehouse loading charts in the Office constants.

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Sometimes I don't see all of the loads or invoices on a screen? Why?

Be sure to check the bottom of the screen for default selection parameters which, for example, limit the display to only those loads or invoices for a particular customer or shipper. If you remove all of the selection parameters, you'll see everything.

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How/when is the general ledger updated?

G/L updates are done "under the covers".  The General Ledger Master Constants contains codes which allow you to specify a general ledger account number associated with the code (ie. AR = accounts receivable).  When you print invoices, the system knows that the A/R G/L number needs to be updated (as well as Sales) and because you have specified the G/L number for each of the codes, it is a simple process for the invoice printing program to retrieve the correct G/L number from the associated code. However, for manual entries, the  G/L DEBIT/CREDIT MEMO ENTRY/POST program is provided.

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How do I set up billing/paying a subsidiary account through its main office?

For the sub-office/subsidiary account specify a Bill-to/Pay-to account ID in the CSTV file.

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How many organizations are currently using the software?

Currently, are installed base is 12.  There are several reasons for this number being as low as it is:

• Botsford and Goodfellow is, first and foremost, a produce brokerage business.  We designed and developed the software initially for our own use only.  In order to recoup some of the development and maintenance costs, we decided to market the software to other organizations.  We provide the software as a service to the produce industry and to gain exposure. 
  
• In this world of shrink-wrapped $39.95 PC software products, the B&G software seems expensive. However, the B&G software is designed to run an entire business!  Most people that are in the market for business software end up buying the hardware first (the marketing hype surrounding PC's is very difficult for most to pass up), then try to piece together a workable system consisting of multiple software products (written for many different types of businesses) which they expect to integrate. This rarely works, and most who attempt it wind up disillusioned, confused and their pocket books end up taking a much bigger blow than would have been necessary if they had done it right the first time.   The B&G software is not module based.  It is one, very large, integrated set of programs that was written exclusively for  produce brokers, consolidators, and shippers. All aspects of the produce business are addressed within this one software package! Yes, the software is relatively expensive, but how much you put in to your business ultimately determines how much you get out of it - ask our users!
  
• We do not have a software sales staff. In order to keep our costs low and our staff at a cost-effective number, we rely on "word of mouth" advertising.  Here's our user reference list.

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