PropertyPro Newsletter XX – December 2009

Hello to everybody!


Well, here we are in December and looking forward to the Christmas festivities.


First let me share some good news. We have just heard that a website we recently designed and implemented has won Best Property Agent Website 2009 in the prestigious Your Move property awards. Andrew Louis asked us to revamp their website having undergone major refurbishment of their Liverpool city centre office earlier in the year. They have also been named Best Estate Agent for Customer Service in Liverpool 2009.

So we say congratulations to all at Andrew Louis - and of course well done to our web developers here at PropertyPro.

Opening Word 2007 Documents

We wanted to let you know that for those of you using older versions of the Microsoft Office Suite (2000, XP or 2003) there is a filter that can be downloaded which enables you to open documents created in the 2007 versions. These are now fairly widely used and it is likely that you will be sent documents in the new formats by customers and suppliers. To install the filters just click the following link and allow the program to run and install Microsoft Filters Download

This is a genuine Microsoft update and there is no risk associated with its installation.

Identity Verification

Last month, we wanted to let you know that you are not obliged to subscribe to and pay for extra electronic ID checking. It is a legal requirement to verify the identity of the vendor before an offer is made and PropertyPro has a built in identity verification feature. It is totally acceptable and simple to use and forms part of the customer record, so the information is held with the customer in your database.

If you haven't already used this feature, here is how:

• From the Customer Record, click the Identity tab:
• Choose the type of document presented (e.g. driving licence, utility bill, etc.)
• Add some notes if necessary
• Click 'identity verified'

You can record up to 3 documents for identity verification. You could also add a scanned image or digital photo of each document:

• Save the image file to your p.c.
• In the Identity screen, select the type of document presented
• Add some notes if necessary
• Click the 'add doc' tab under the image box
• Browse and select the image file by double clicking it
• Click 'identity verified'

Note: There is a configuration setting in PropertyPro that disables the making of an offer if the vendor's identity has not been verified. It is switched off by default, but if you wish to enforce identity verification, then we can switch it on for you.

VAT Change

It's nearly time to change the VAT rate on your invoice and, in anticipation, I thought it would be a good idea to include instructions on how to change your invoice template. Many of you tried it yourselves last time and commented how straight forward it was. If you've forgotten how, here are the notes again. However, if you don't feel brave enough to do this yourself, our Support Team will be only too pleased to do it for you if you give them a call.

Locating the Invoice Template

The template is called Invoice Letter1.dot.

• In Explorer or My Computer, navigate to the PropertyPro folder on your Z drive (network drive)
• Click on the Templates subfolder.

Copying the Template

We recommend that you copy the template - not only in case the rate changes again - but it is always good practice to back up a template before making amendments.

• Select the Invoice Letter1.dot template and then right-click over it and choose Copy.
• Right-click again and choose Paste. The new file will be named 'Copy of Invoice Letter1.dot'
• You may want to rename this copy 'Invoice15.dot' - right-click it and choose Rename and type in the new name.

Opening the Template

• Select the Invoice Letter1.dot template and then right-click over it and choose Open.

(Do not double-click the template as a new document will open based on the template)

Changing the VAT calculation

Scroll down to find the VAT calculation. This will show 0.00 and is a field code.

• Right-click over this code and choose 'Toggle field codes'.
• Take a moment to read this code - you will see something like b2*0.15 or 15%*b3 amongst the code.
• Change the 0.15 to 0.175 or 15% to 17.5%. You have now changed the VAT formula from 15% to 17.5%
• Right-click the code again and choose 'Toggle field codes' and then save the template.

You can now pat yourself on your back and the template is ready to use.

Open Training Days :

The next open training days are as follows:

Wednesday 16th December - Ad Hoc. This session is intended to include features such as Tasks and the Diary, Creating a Floorplan, Templates, Newspaper Advert, Good Practice. However, it is Ad Hoc, and will include features requested by those attending.

Wednesday 6th January - New User Admin. We will concentrate on entering data - customer and property records, property searches, publishing details, and generating letters.

Wednesday 20th January - Refresher. We will look at the process as a whole, and cover some of the improved features of Version 20.


Don't forget that if a half day session is more convenient for you, please do call.


Well, that's it for another year, so from all of us here at PropertyPro, we wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Kind regards

Kate

Kate Hoare (Training Manager)
kate@propertypro.co.uk
Direct dial: 01788 862517

PropertyPro • 6 Somers Road • Rugby • Warwickshire • CV22 7DE
Tel 01788 862550 • Fax 01788 862525 • E-mail sales@propertypro.co.uk
www.propertypro.co.uk
Directors H McClean • L M McClean • Company Registration No 3450574