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Over the lifespan of the Series 5 Suite of Applications, a number of major enhancements and minor fixes have been applied. Following is a brief summary, (listing the most recent items first).

When selecting a date from the Date Lookup Window, (displayed as a calendar image), the Series 5 software was assuming the date was always read in mm/dd/yy format. With Windows 10, users may now readily define the format that dates are to be processed. Now the Series 5 Date Lookup rouine will correctly identify the format being used, and return the correct date selected from the window. (Jan-26-2016) HS5_Enhancements_to_ALL_Systems-2011-2013.xml

When a Series 5 application generates an MS Word or PDF document requiring a template it first tries to determine if that template file exists. In Office 2010 and earlier, templates were stored in C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates folder. For Office 2013 and 2016, Microsoft has changed the default to C:\Users\[username]\Documents\Custom Office Templates folder. If after upgrading from earlier revisions of Office, you wish to use this default, then you must move your existing Series 5 templates from the old folder, to this new folder.

However now as a new option in Office 2013 and 2016, you may specify the path to where your templates are stored, and just set it to to C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates folder. (Jan-04-2016)

Perform the following steps:

•	Launch MS Word

•	Click "File" on the menu-bar, then "Options"

•	Click "Save" found on the left menu panel

•	Enter the path to where you have your templates stored in the "Default personal templates location:" field

•

Click OK

The "Licensing" tab of the "About Series 5" window has been enhanced to display whether the client is executing a local runtime, or as a "Thin-client". It now also displays the Windows logon user code. The "File Folder Definitions" tab has been enhanced to display the version of Microsoft Office that is found on the client's PC. (If MS Office is not installed, an applicable message is also displayed). (Oct-27-2015)

The ability to attach documents to different Series 5 Transactions Master Code records has been enhanced. You may now attach an HTML file or a link to a Web Page. Also, when displaying JPEG or Bit-Map files, the Microsoft Office Picture Viewer Utility will be employed.

Also, when adding a new attachment, the system will default the path to a folder that should exist in the directory designated to be the "Temporary" directory associated to each Company System. You should create a directory named "Attachments" in that directory, (if it's not already there). (Jun-27-2013)

Series 5 applications may now make use of a new routine that provides the ability to read email from MS Outlook. Currently used by the A/P and O/P Manager Approval functions, emails are read that were sent from designated approval managers. The internal driver used to read emails using calls to Microsoft Office Outlook. The following capabilities associated to reading emails are now possible:

•	Emails are read from program selected in-boxes

•	Filters may be set to read only emails from selected Senders or emails with a specified character string within the Subject line

•	Up to 3 attachments may be read and passed to the S5 application

•	Sub-folders withing a designated In-Box may be created by the system

•	Emails may be deleted or moved to different sub-folders

(May-26-2013)

When importing or exporting data fields from/to MS Excel, after the process has been completed, the EXCEL.EXE process was not being terminated, (due to a problem with Windows, or there is some secret function to do so). The problem has been fixed. Now, when Excel is launched from Series 5, it's Process Id is detected, and once the import/export is completed, the process is "Killed" using a system call using the TASKKILL DOS command. (Nov-12-2012)

The Series 5 Applications make calls to the Microsoft Calendar routine to display a calendar, and accept the operator's selection of a date. In order to make use of this feature, the Microsoft Calendar must be registered on all client computers executing Series 5. MSCAL.OCX may be found in \ms\ocx on the AcuGT, (Extend 9.xx), installation CD for Windows. If you cannot locate it on the release CD, a copy is included in the Series 5 release directory in S5\UTIL . (June 25-2012)

This is accomplished by executing the following command from the designated DOS Command Prompt:

REGSVR32.EXE S5\UTIL\MSCAL.OCX

where:

For System	From Directory	Comments
Windows Server 2003 & 2008 - 64 bit	C:\Windows\SysWOW64	Right click on the Command Prompt and select "Run as Administrator"
Windows XP and 7	C:\Windows\System32	Right click on the Command Prompt and select "Run as Administrator"
earlier Windows	C:\Windows\System

All reports and forms that are generated as MS Word Documents may now have an assorted formatting properties applied to the text that is generated. The following formatting capabilities may be applied:

•

"Formatting Regions", defined as ranges of lines, for a page may be formatted with a particular font type and size and be set as Bold, Italic, Underlined, Shaded, or as Reverse Video. Up to 5 different regions may be defined and activated under program control as the page is being populated with text.

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"Tab Sets" may be defined consisting of up to 10 tab settings per line. The types of tabs include Left-Tab, Right-Tab, Center-Tab, and Decimal-Aligned-Tab. Up to 20 different Tab Sets may be defined and activated under program control as the page is being populated with text. As the line of reporting text is output, the tabs are inserted and any preceding spaces are removed. (This basically now allows the use of variable pitch fonts, when outputting columns of data, ensuring proper alignment).

•	Individual words or sub-strings, within a print line, may now be output as Bold, Italic, Underlined, Shaded, or as Reverse Video. On a given page, up to 50 sub-strings may be formatted in this manner. On a given line, up to 6 sub-strings may be formatted in this manner.

•	Single, (thick or thin), and Double Lines may now be inserted at any position within a page. As the page is being populated with text, the lines are defined to the printing routines with position and sizing set under program control. Up to 40 line may be output per page.

These types of formatting controls could be implemented for Invoices, Purchase Orders, Customer Statements, A/P Checks or Customer Quotes. In order to take advantage of these features, the appropriate applications' program must be pro-grammatically customized. Contact Sentinel Hill Software Inc., for more information. further details. (Apr-24-2012) HS5_Enhancements_to_ALL_Systems-2011-2013.xml

New functionality has been introduced to the Series 5 Main menu Signon process. You may now define to have the Series 5 system use the client's Windows Logon Code as the User Code for signing in to Series 5. If set, when Series 5 is launched, the Windows Signon Code will be used. The User-Logon screen will be presented, but only the Password field may be displayed for keyboard entry. (If the given Series 5 User Logon profile had a blank password entered, then the User-Logon screen will not be presented at all. Control will be transferred directly to the Main Menu screen.)

For systems that are set to use the Windows User Logon code, user's will ONLY be able to log in to Series 5 using the Windows Logon Code. The function to "Repeat User's Logon", found under the Main Menu's File drop-down menu will be disabled. Note however, if a user has their System Management Access set to Full, they will still be able to "Repeat User's Logon", and sign on as a different user.

For systems that do not wish to use the Windows logon, the default will still be set to that defined by the PC Client user's SHSI_USER_NAME environment variable. (Feb-28-2012)

All Series 5 applications that load bitmapped images have been revised to expect the image filenames to be in upper case. (Feb-28-2012)

Upper Case Bitmap Files

On UNIX systems, please make sure that all bitmap files in the bin/images folder have uppercase file names.

For any application that requires entry or selection of a directory path, a "Browse" push button is presented. The operator could click this button, and the Windows Folder browse dialogue window would be presented. Previously, only descendants of the user's default working folder are shown. The system has been revised to now display only those folders which are descendants of the root directory of the Directory Path field associated to the "Browse" button. So now, if you were to enter C:\ in the Directory Path, when the "Browse" button is clicked, you would be able to browse any directory on your computer's "C" drive. Setting the Directory Path blank, or to something other that a drive letter designation, would result in only being able to browse descendants of the user's default working directory. (Jan-18-2012)

A number of different application functions offer the ability to automatically generate and send emails. This includes the emailing of invoices, purchase orders, statements, customer quotes, reports and other messages.

The internal driver used to send emails has been enhanced to generated and send emails using calls to Microsoft Office Outlook, (rather than to the MAPI library). As a result, the following capabilities associated to sending emails are now possible:

•	Emails may be sent as Plain Text, Rich Text, or as HTML

•	Emails may be generated when executing as either a thin-client of FAT client

•	Emails may now be sent with copies going to Cc users and Bcc

•

The text message associated to emails are now loaded from user created/maintained data files, rather than being coded from within the application software. These text files may be either plain ASCII text, or HTML files and contain up to 8192 characters. Except for specific types of emails, these files MUST BE LOCATED in the directory named Email-Templates located in each Company System's designated reports directory.

•	Provides support for 120 character email addresses, and 140 character subject line

(Sept-20-2011)

The Series 5 printing routines had the ability to generate output as an MS Word document. This function has been enhanced to provide support for Office 2010 Word utility. Now, when presented with the print options screen, and the operator chooses to "Save To Disk", they may choose to output as an Office 2007/2010 or Office 2003 Word document. The system will automatically append either the .DOCX or the .DOC extension, and generate the document using the correct file format. (June-14-2011)

The import and export function has been enhanced to provide support for Office 2010 EXCEL utility. Now, when presented with the import/export options screen, the operator may select to load from, or output to, either an Excel 2007/2010 Workbook, or an Excel 97-2003 Workbook. The system will automatically append either the .XLSX or the .XLS extension, and read or write the spreadsheet using the correct file format. (June-14-2011)

In all Series Series 5 applications where a grid screen is presented for the entry of transactions, or the maintenance of master codes, a "Search" function is provided. This function has been enhanced in the cases where the operator has chosen to search for a given record where a Date is chosen as the search criteria. Now the following literal label is displayed, "mm/dd/yy", indicating the desired format that the date should be entered as. As well, the date entered may now be as "mmddyy", "mmddyyyy", "mm/dd/yy", or "mm/dd/yyyy", depending on the mood of the operator. (May-02-2011)

You may now attach a variety of different documents to assorted Master Code records, and Transactions. Up to 15 separate documents may be selected, and attached and viewed from the applicable functions in assorted Series 5 systems. These documents may also be viewed where applicable. The different types of documents supported are as follows:

•

PDF

•	Bitmap ( *.BMP files)

•

JPEG

•

TIFF

•	ASCII Text ( *.TXT files)

•	MS Word 2003 documents

•	MS Word 2007 documents

•	MS Excel 2003 documents

•	MS Excel 2007 documents

•	ASCII Text ( *.txt files)

(Apr-14-2011)

The Series 5 provides for the definition of Printer Queues. As a property to each Series 5 Printer Queue, you may define a "Captured Printer". When a report is generated and a given Series 5 Printer Queue is chosen that has a "Captured Printer", the report prints directly to the associated network printer. If the Printer Queue does not have a "Captured Printer" defined, then a Windows "Printer Select" dialogue box window is displayed. Previously, the the Series 5 system made a call to have the "Printer Select" window displayed which was an older style, compatible with older versions of Windows. Now a new call is made displaying a modern Windows XP/7 "Printer Select" Window. (Feb-09-2011)

In all Series 5 applications that generate reports that might normally be printed, a Print Options screen is presented. From this screen, the operator may choose to have the output directed to a printer; to be "Archived", to be just displayed to the screen to "Browse"; or output as an MS Word or PDF file. The default output has been changed to be just displayed to the screen to be "Browsed". (Previously it was defaulted to be output to a printer).

Additionally, should you desire to set the default output, you may do so by inserting a variable in the runtime Configuration file. The variable SHSI_RPT_DESTINATION with a single numeric argument, will provide the default target for generated reports, where you would set the argument as follows:

1 - To the Printer

2 - Archived

3 - Both the Printer and Archived

4 - To be just Browsed

17 - To Disk as an MS Word 2003 document

26 - To Disk as an MS Word 2007 document

35 - To Disk as a PDF document

Note that if the applicable application already determined the target output, these defaults will NOT be used. (Oct-13-2010)

In all Series 5 applications that maintain master codes records, or provide for the entry or inquiry of transaction or history records, under File on the menu bar, the Properties function will display information about the related files. This function has been enhanced to now display 12 numeric digits for both the files size, and the number of records in the file. Also, now the version of the Vision file is displayed, along with the number of volumes that are used to hold the data and the index keys for the associated file(s). (Sept-01-2010)

In all Series 5 applications that use a paged grid screen, (those showing rows of master codes and/or transaction records similar to a spreadsheet), the operator may now navigate forwards and backwards through the records using the Mouse Wheel. If the Ctrl-Key is also pressed while twirling the mouse, 4 rows of data are skipped instead of just 1. (If when you spin the mouse too fast, and a "Stack Overflow" error occurs, in the runtimes Configuration file, add the variable PERFORM_STACK 384 and it should work OK ) Note that this new feature is only available for systems with at least AcuGT Rev 8.1.3 (July 27-2010)

The Series 5 family of applications offers the ability to import to, and export from, an MS Excel Workbook document. System error that could be generated while outputting to and/or inputting from, MS Excel documents were causing Series 5 applications to terminate with a not too friendly error message. The errors that were particularly annoying were as follows:

•	When importing from an Excel document with a filename, selected from the application, that did not actually exist, (and the operator had forgotten to "Browse" to choose the particular file).

•	When a user attempted to generate output as an MS Excel document, but they did not have MS Excel installed, or it was installed in a location other than the default, a fatal error occurred.

The import/export routines have been enhanced to now capture any system errors that were being generated from MS Excel. A reasonably friendly error message will now be displayed, and the particular application will continue processing. (In most cases, the import/export will just be abandoned). (May-31-2010)

The Series 5 generates a number of different forms. For example, A/P Checks, Invoices, Picking Tickets, Statements and Purchase Orders. Variables within the runtime configuration file may be set up that are used to indicate how the forms are to be generated and/or printed. Arguments to these variables indicated whether the form was printed, archived, and/or saved as MS Word documents. The 2nd argument, used to define the output, may now have the following values:

•

WORD2003

•	PRINT&WORD2003

•	ARCHIVE&WORD2003

•

WORD2007

•	PRINT&WORD2007

•	ARCHIVE&WORD2007

Existing arguments associated to WORD will be interpreted as WORD2003.

The applications that generated these forms have been enhanced to now recognize arguments that indicate the forms are to be generated as Office 2007 Word or Office 2003 Word documents. (May-21-2010)

The Series 5 printing routines had the ability to generate output as an MS Word document. System error that could be generated while outputting to and/or automatic printing of MS Word documents were causing Series 5 applications to terminate with a not too friendly error message. The errors that were particularly annoying were as follows:

•	When outputting to an MS Word document that had a template defined, and the given template file was not set up for that user, a fatal error occurred.

•	When outputting to an MS Word document that was supposed to be automatically printed, but the given network printer was either offline, or that segment of the network was not active, a fatal error occurred.

•	When a user attempted to generate output as an MS Word document, but they did not have MS Word installed, or it was installed in a location other than the default, a fatal error occurred.

The printing routines have been enhanced to now capture any system errors that were being generated from MS Word. A reasonably friendly error message will now be displayed, and the particular application will continue processing. (In most cases, the generation of the report will just be abandoned). (May-21-2010)

The Series 5 printing routines had the ability to generate output as an MS Word document. This function has been enhanced to provide support for Office 2007 Word utility. Now, when presented with the print options screen, and the operator chooses to "Save To Disk", they may choose to output as an Office 2007 or Office 2003 Word document. The system will automatically append either the .DOCX or the .DOC extension, and generate the document using the correct file format. For users that have Office 2007 installed, the default File Type will be the Office 2007 Word, but they may choose either Office formats. For users that do not have Office 2007 installed, the default File Type will be the Office 2003 Word, and they will not be able to choose Word 2007 or the PDF formats. (May-20-2010)

The Series 5 system has the capability of automatically sending emails. Emails are sent by making a call to a MAPI.Library, which in turn sends the email using Microsoft Outlook. If the receiver's email address is prefixed with "LN:" or "Ln:", (indicating that they are Lotus Notes users), then instead of using MAPI, a DOS command call is made using the command line defined by the runtime configuration variable "DOS_MAIL_CMD", to actually send the email. Within this command line, there are pseudo variables, that would be replaced with the Subject, Receivers Name and Address and the path to an Attachment. This capability has been enhanced to now provide for sending the email with 2 attachments. The new pseudo variable %ATTACHMENT2% will be replaced with the full path to a 2nd attachment, if applicable. (May-03-2010)

The import and export function has been enhanced to provide support for Office 2007 EXCEL utility. Now, when presented with the import/export options screen, the operator may select to load from, or output to, either an Excel 2007 Workbook, or an Excel 97-2003 Workbook. The system will automatically append either the .XLSX or the .XLS extension, and read or write the spreadsheet using the correct file format. For users that have Office 2007 installed, the default File Type will be the Excel 2007 Workbook, but they may choose either Excel format. For users that do not have Office 2007 installed, the default File Type will be the Excel 97-2003 Workbook, and they will not be able to choose Excel 2007. (May-03-2010)

The Series 5 printing routines had the ability to generate a sub-document as an MS Word document. (A sub-document might be a single Invoice or Customer Statement, generated with a unique filename). This functionality has been enhanced to have the sub-document generated as either an MS Word document, or a PDF document. These sub-documents may be generated at the same time, totally independent from, their normal "printed" versions. When generated as Word documents or PDF documents, MS Word Templates may be used to define the properties of the resulting document with watermarks and headers and footers. (Mar-15-2010)

The Series 5 import function offers the option to input from an Excel spreadsheet. In any application that loaded data in this manner, it was difficult to determine when all valid rows of data had been loaded. The Excel import function has been enhanced so that it will correctly stop once valid rows of data have been loaded. (Previously, the system would attempt to load up to 65,436 rows of data and when executing any given Import function it would appear as if the system has hanging). (Mar-03-2010)

All routines that offer the functionality to click a "Browse" button to present the operator with a window from which a directory, or a file, can be selected have been revised. Under Windows 7, the clicking of the "Browse" caused a "nested input of events" syndrome to occur. In effect, repeatedly displaying the browse window. The logic for these routines have been revised to avoid this problem. (Jan-28-2010)

The Series 5 printing function has been enhanced to offer the option of printing multiple copies of reports, forms, invoices, orders, etc. A new entry field has been added to the print options sub-screen labeled # of Copies. You may select to have up to 9 copies printed. These copies printed will be automatically collated.

Multiple Copies

The ability to have the system print multiple copies is a a feature that is provided as a function of the Windows operating system, and the driver for your printer. If either does not support multiple copies, then setting a value other than 1, will have no effect.

This feature is available only to users executing on Windows system, either directly, or as thin clients.

As well, fields on the Print Options sub-screen have been reorganized slightly to accommodate the new field. (Fields and display prompts associated to outputting reports to a Print Queue are now enclosed within a frame.

Where applicable, in all Series 5 applications, the size of display windows and/or tab sub-screens have been adjusted accordingly. (Dec-22-2009)

The Series 5 import/export function offers the option to output/input to an Excel spreadsheet. Office 2003 Excel had allowed for 65,500 rows, and Office 2007 Excel allows for 1,000,000 rows. When exporting data, the Series 5 system would automatically start outputting to a 2nd worksheet when 65,500 rows were reached. The system will now switch to a 2nd worksheet depending on which version is being used.

As well, the Spreadsheet I/O routines have been enhanced to support up to 999,999 rows of data. (Dec-16-2009)

The logic used to export to Excel spreadsheets has been enhanced. In the assorted Series 5 applications, those functions that offer functions to export to an Excel spreadsheet have the ability to perform the following:

•	Create multiple worksheets

•	Select a specific worksheet to be populated

•	Format titles, legends and headers in larger fonts, as bold, and/or as italic

•	Have data columns justified left, center or right

•	Have a data column formatted for "Currency", (where $ signs will be displayed with 2 decimal places)

❑	For Office 2003 Excel negative numbers are displayed with parenthesis around them

❑	For Office 2007 Excel negative numbers are displayed in red with parenthesis around them

Where applicable, in most of the Series 5 applications, these new capabilities have been introduced. (Dec-10-2009)

The Series 5 import/export function offers the option to output/input to an Excel spreadsheet. If the user selected to launch Excel after exporting data, the system incorrectly assumed Office 2003 was installed, and it's Excel utility was being executed. If you only have Office 2003, then this would not have been a problem. The system now correctly detects the version of Excel to launch. (Nov-11-2009)

As a new security feature, as an option, you may select to have users that fail to correctly log in to Series 5 after a specified number of times, automatically disabled from logging in again. Before they can use the Series 5 system again, the System's Manager, or Series 5 Gatekeeper must modify their Logon Properties record. This option may be selected with a new field found on System Control Options screen. (Oct-22-2009)

The Series 5 import/export function offers the option to output/input to an Excel spreadsheet. If that output/input option is selected, and Excel is not installed on the user's workstation, a message will now be displayed. Previously, the system assumed it was installed, and when it attempted to call Excel to build/read the spreadsheet, the program would bomb out with an error. This will no longer happen. (June-02-2009)

Any Series 5 generated reports, invoices, statements, etc, may be output as an MS Word document. For any MS Word documents that are generated, a Template may also be specified, (as defined in a Series 5 Configuration file variable). These templates must be installed on each users workstation in the C:\Documents and Settings\<PC UserName>\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates folder. For users with Office 2007 these templates need an extension of .DOTX. For earlier versions of MS Office, the templates need an extension of .DOT. The system has been enhanced so that if from the Series 5 Print Options screen, MS Word output is chosen, it will test for the occurrence of the designated template file for the particular type of output being generated. If the template cannot be located, an error message is displayed. Previously, if when generating the output, the MS Word utility could not find the template, the system displayed an evil looking message, and would abort. (June-02-2009)

In any of the Maintenance or Transaction Inquiry routines that listed items in a grid whereby a given item, such as a Customer Code or a G/L Account, could be selected. If there were no item on file to be listed, sometimes transactions for the next item on file were being displayed, but the entry field was not being updated. This problem has been fixed. Also, now a message will be displayed indicating that no records were found for the item entered, but the next highest item's items were being displayed. (Feb-03-2009)

An error occurred when exporting to an Excel spreadsheet if the 1st character the output string was a "+", "=", or "-" character. In this case, Excel expected a valid formula. If this was not the case, a terminating error was displayed. The problem has been fixed. Now the Series 5 software will automatically insert a single quote"'" character in front of the string before inserting to the cell. (Oct-7-2008)

The Series 5 User Access maintenance routine has been enhanced to simplify the steps to establish new users and give/deny access rights. (Sept-24-2008)

•	The Enable and Enable-Like functions have been simplified. In each case, you now just highlight the "Red" head that is to be given access rights, and click the Enable or Enable-Like push button, (or right click, and select the desired function from the pop-up menu.

•	For the Enable-Like function, a drop-down list will be presented, from which you can select the user that already has access rights, whose rights are assigned to the new user.

•

The Copy function has been simplified. If you highlight a "Green" head user that is already enabled, and select Copy from the Edit menu's drop-down menu, you will be able to select one of the users that has no access rights in drop-down list that is presented. (The Copy is basically the reverse of the Enable-Like function)

•	For "Green" head users that are already enabled, when right-clicked, the pop-up menu has 2 new functions - "Set All Items to Full Access" - "Set All Items to No Access". These will make it easier to set up and maintain the users' access rights.

•	A pop-up window will now be displayed, when any given menu-item in the tree is right-clicked. You will be able to set the access to either "No Access", or to "Full Access" directly, without having to edit the properties sub-screen.

The import and export function has been enhanced to provide support for Office 2007 EXCEL utility. The system will identify Office 2007 utilities by seeing if Excel.EXE can be found in the clients's C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12 folder. For exporting, the files will be created with the *.XLSX extension; and if selected to be launched, Office 2007 Excel will now correctly be executed. (Aug-25-2008)

The Series 5 systems now have On-Line Help. You can access these help files from the application. In all functions that offer a menu bar, clicking Help will display a drop-down menu offering General Help, Help on the particular function, and Help about Grids. For menu items that don't have a menu bar, if help is available, a help icon may be clicked to display Help about the particular screen. (Note that help may not actually be available in all cases where offered in the drop down menus) (Aug-10-2008)