The Uniform Solution - Premier Data Systems

Multi-Store Polling Operation

The Uniform Solution consolidates and distributes data between locations once a day in a nightly polling operation. The polling operation runs automatically each evening and only sends data that is new or has been changed by a location.

This document contains information on how to setup and configure the multi-store polling operation in a multi-store environment. You must run the same version of The Uniform Solution for Windows at all locations.

Terminology

Polling Location
The polling location is the physical location that is usually the centerpiece of a multiple location operation. It is the location determined to be the most central or the most strategic to the entire retail operation, and it is the location where operations only allowed by one location are best performed. The polling location is the location responsible for contacting each remote location in the nightly polling operation
Remote Location (locations that will be polled)
Remote locations are locations physically located away from the polling location. They are contacted nightly by the polling location and send newly added or changed information..
The Batch Process
Refers to the nightly polling operation conducted to consolidate and distribute data between the polling location and the remote location. The polling operation is conducted using a phone line and modem to connect the polling location with the remote location.

Setup and Configuring the Polling Location
The first step is to add and setup the stores at the polling location. You must setup at least two stores (one local and one remote). If you had four stores, you would setup four stores; one local and three remotes. Local and Remote Stores in The Uniform Solution are assigned unique store numbers. This store number is referenced at both the polling and remote locations. A store referenced in the program is either a "Local" or a "Remote" store depending on the current physical location where the program is operating.

Defining stores
You must define all stores both local and remote to the physical location. To add new stores, select Setup > Store > Add a New Store.
The Add a New Store? dialog box appears click Yes.
Enter all information for the remote store making sure you enter the correct Store number and the type as Remote.
The Options Tab has settings, which must be carefully set for each store. Press F1 for Help while on this tab for information about each option. Note: Purchase orders for special orders for a store should not be created at more than one location. This could potentially cause special orders to be placed onto more than one purchase order. The same is true for ordering inventory below desired stock levels. .

In the example above, the last four (4) options have been selected as this setup pertains to the polling location performing all the task for the remote. This means that the remote can ring up sales and create special orders, but the polling will do everything else and when the two location poll, all information will be sent to the remote and the remote will be updated at that time.

In the second example, the first option is the only one selected. This is the setting you would use for mobile outside sales module.

NOTE: Setup options will differ depending upon what you want to do at the polling location and what you want the remote locations to do. You must have the setting defined correctly or you could cause a problem with inventory counts and sales figures. Please refer to the Multi-Store Guide when setting up these options.
Click on the Polling tab to bring to the forefront to select method to contact the remote stores.

Contacting a Remote Location via Modem Connection
If you are contacting a remote location that is across town or in another state, you would normally select to contact the remote location via Modem. Enter the phone number of the remote location that you will be contacting. If you are required to enter a number to get an outside line, you must enter this number first followed by a coma (e.g., 9,19722352800). Do not change the login name or password.

Contacting a Remote Location via a Network Connection
If you are downloading information from a mobile outside sales location, you would normally select to contact this location via the network. However, keep in mind, your outside sales laptop must be setup for network access and mapped to your polling computer. See example above.
Define the Location Type at the polling location. Go to Setup > Multi-Location Polling.



Polling Location Setup
When the Multi-Location Polling dialog box appears, you need to define the location type. See example below. Make sure the Station is the correct number. The other options can be left at their defaults. When finished, click OK.



Remote Location Setup
When the Multi-Location Polling dialog box appears, you need to define the location type. See example below. Make sure the Station number is correct number.
Configure modem connection to poll the remote location. If you are using a network connection to poll the remote location, you can skip this section. Go to Setup > Modem.
Always set the Modem to: Hayes Compatible (default). You will also need to select the COM port that your modem has been assigned to. Do not change settings on any of the other tabs unless instructed to do so by a support representative from Premier Data Systems.



Click on the Test Modem button. If the modem is functioning properly, you will receive the following message:



If you do not have the correct COM port selected, you will receive the following messages when you test the modem port.



If the modem does not appear to be functioning properly, the following message will appear:



Change to the "Hayes Compatible (alternate)" option in the modem listing to see if this option will allow you modem to function properly. Make sure to test the modem after you change the setting.
After you have finishing setting up the Polling Location per the steps outlined in this document, you will need to define this information at each physical remote location.

You can back up your data from your polling location to either formatted floppy diskettes (usually 10 - 35 diskettes; numbering accordingly) or burn to a CD-RW CD. You can then take the data files to each physical remote location and restore data to The Uniform Solution program. If you burn your data files to CD, you must select all files and removed the read only attribute in the files properties. NOTE: You should only do this step at initial setup.