07 onTOPS

November 2002

onTOPS

Welcome to onTOPS, an e-zine produced by TOPS Software to keep you informed about our products and services. In this issue we will be talking about a brand new service that TOPS Software will be releasing in December, Internet Back Ups. Bruce Gran tells us about his experiences at the recent CAI National trade show, and some of the new products that will be released soon. Cathy Flynn takes you on a tour of the new online knowledge base. Also this month we are offering a special introductory price on the new Job Streaming Global Add-On, be sure to read about it below.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: TOPS 2000™ version 3.1 is now available for release. For your convenience, we have designated two shipping groups, one before year-end, and one after. Please select a shipping date by filling in the online form.

We look forward to hearing your feedback about the e-zine. Please let us know what things you liked, what you would like to see, and any suggested articles by e-mailing us at Ezines@TOPSSoft.com

by Andrea Drennen  

onSoftware

TOPS Software to Release Internet Backup System

As much as we wish they didn't, bad things do happen to good people. Fires, floods, power surges, system crashes, and other disasters can happen, and the resultant loss of data can cripple a small business. We encourage you to regularly backup your important data, and keep those backups offsite. Our newest service, TOPS Internet Backup System, can help you do just that.

The Internet Backup System will allow managers to backup community files to an Internet server that TOPS maintains. The interface is connected directly with TOPS 2000™, and includes a scheduling system that allows you to define regular, automatic backups of your TOPS 2000™ data. You may set yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily backup schemes, or a combination to accommodate your needs. The backups are stored on an offsite web server and on a redundant server at TOPS Software, insuring that your data will always be available to you. Since the backup is available over the Internet, you may access it from any location, allowing you to retrieve backed up data from remote offices, if needed.

The Internet Backup Service is currently in the Beta testing phase, and should be available in time for you to make year-end backups of your community data. Please contact the sales department at Sales@TOPSSoft.com if you would like more information on this new service from TOPS Software.

by Andrea Drennen 

onSales

CAI Fall National Trade Show a Success

October 24 – 26, 2002, TOPS was an exhibitor at the CAI Fall Conference held in Orlando, FL. TOPS Software had a prime booth location, which allowed our staff to speak to as many current and potential clients in the time allowed. Besides myself, Ryan Allen, Carmen Wood, Omah Padron, Kim Forman and the president of TOPS Software, Jeff Hardy, manned the booth.

Additionally, Bruce Gran was part of a panel discussion along with Susan Sanders (AtHomeNet), Cathy Beaulne, CMCA, AMS, PCAM (Seabrook POA) William Owens, CPA (William Owens & Co.) presenting the topic, "Getting the Most Out of Current Technology/The Future of Property Management". The presentation went well, followed by many questions from the audience. We are currently submitting "calls for presentations" to local CAI chapters throughout the country– please contact BruceG@TOPSSoft.com, if you are interested in this presentation for your chapter.

The winner of our Palm Pilot giveaway was Donna Seidenburg, CPA (Millward & Co.). The two winners of a $200 gift certificate good towards our corporate training facility were Kevin Oliver (IMPAC) and Sue Carpenter (Community Management Professionals) – Congratulations!

New Additions to the TOPS Software Product Line

We at TOPS Software are proud to announce the next additions to our product line, Job Streaming and Internet Backup Service.

• Job Streaming is engineered and designed for multi-association and portfolio management. Repetitive, time-consuming functions can be reduced to a job triggered to run during off peak hours, freeing the user to devote time to more important, profitable tasks. This module has the potential to save a company or association hundreds of man hours, resulting in savings of thousands of dollars within the first year!
• Our Internet Backup Service has many uses and benefits to our users, and shows our clients that we know the industry and, more importantly, we listen to them. Regular backups of data stored off-premises can prevent a crippling loss of data, improves accuracy of backups, facilitates diagnostic review of data, and makes retrieval easy.

If you are interested in either of these new products, please contact sales at Sales@TOPSSoft.com.

by Bruce Gran  

onSupport

Using the TOPS Online Knowledge Base

I know, you are probably saying "Not again! She always makes me think!" Well, I hope so! By making you think about the way you do business, I can help you learn new and better ways to get your job done faster and easier. The newest resource that you have at your disposal is the expanded knowledge base available on our website. Some of you may already be aware of it, but for those who aren't, go to www.topssoft.com and click on Support, then Knowledge Base. Inside this area you will find a number of items that will help you figure out how to fix a problem, or figure out why something has happened.

In the knowledge base, you can search by module for what you need help with or want more information about. We created this database from information gathered by our support staff, trainers, dealers, and clients to help answer your questions. Being a web-based product, it is regularly updated and accessible 24 hours a day. If you cannot find what you need, or you need more help, you can always pick up the phone and call us at 800-899-5689 or use the support email form at www.topssoft.com/Support/support_form.htm.

Editor's Note: Cathy Flynn is the corporate trainer for TOPS Software. If you have a question related to training, feel free to send her an e-mail at Training@TOPSSoft.com.

by Cathy Flynn  

onSpecial

Special Introductory Offer on Job Streaming Global Add-On.

Job Streaming is designed for portfolio managers and management companies, and allows users to automate repetitive processes to produce significant timesavings. Job streaming allows customized automation of repetitive tasks such as the following:

• Printing Monthly Financial Packages
• Printing Reports Defined in Report Defaults
• Printing Owner Mailing Labels
• Processing Recurring Owner Charges
• Processing Late Fees
• Processing Interest
• Taking Collection Action on Delinquent Owners

The more associations in a portfolio, the more timesavings can be realized. Instead of having to perform repetitive functions individually for each association, Job Streaming allows the user to perform such functions globally for several or all managed associations. Job Streaming can be run unattended during non-working hours for maximum productivity. Jobs can be setup with various parameters, saved so they can be used again, then started so they execute without further staff involvement. This flexibility is built in to meet the portfolio manager's needs.

Jobs in the Job Streaming Program are broken into two types, standard jobs, and stacked jobs. Standard jobs allow running a simple routine, such as printing mailing labels for a particular community. Stacked jobs add further functionality to the program by allowing users to combine jobs together to run a number of routines together at once. This takes community management to the next level by allowing one individual to do the work of several.

Job Streaming is being released simultaneously with TOPS 2000™ version 3.1. The Job Streaming Global Add-On is being offered at a special introductory price of $695. Take advantage of this price now, as the product will be priced at $995 starting April 1, 2003.

Contact TOPS Software's Sales Department at (800) 760-9966 or Sales@TOPSSoft.com to request more information on this product.

by Andrea Drennen 

onLine

Some of the new items online at WWW.TOPSSoft.com:

• TOPS 2000™ Version 3.1 Ready to Ship: For your convenience, TOPS Software has set up two shipping dates, before year-end, and after. Select a shipping date for your new TOPS 2000™ Version 3.1 CD.
• Sample Reports Added: We have added several full reports with real community detail to the Sample Reports page.
• Report Defaults Page Added: A new page has been added which details the Report Defaults feature, included in the basic system of TOPS 2000™ property management software.
• Job Streaming Page Updated: The Job Streaming page has been updated with new images and information.
• 2003 Trade Show Schedule Posted: We have posted our trade show schedule for 2003 on the Trade Show page.
• TOPS Software Opens New Office: TOPS Software is celebrating the opening of our third office to house our sales staff in south Florida. Read the press release to learn more.
• All New Classified Directory: Our new online classified directory is a mirror of the classified section of The TOPS News. Use the directory to locate or list products and services related to TOPS Software or the industry.
• Advertising Kit Added: If your company is interested in advertising with TOPS Software, feel free to peruse our new online ad kit, which features information about the various publications TOPS Software produces, and downloadable advertising forms.
• National Dealers Added: The TOPS dealer page now has a new category: National Dealers, to enable customers in a state that is not represented by a local dealer to locate a dealer that is available nationally.
• New Items added to Knowledge Base: Several new topics have been added to the Support Knowledge Base. Be sure to search the knowledge base for new articles on Reserves and Coupons.
• E-Zines Updated: The October issue of the onTOPS e-zine has been added to the e-zines archive under Articles.
• Welcome Nicole Beal: Nicole Beal has joined our Sales Department team as the Sales Administrator. In this position, Nicole will be assisting Bruce Gran with many of the administrative aspects of sales. Welcome Nicole!

by Andrea Drennen  

onTopic

Quote of the Day.

Whenever an individual or a business decides that success has been attained, progress stops.

Thomas J. Watson Jr

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