Reminder: Older Dolphin Versions not licensed from Oct 2013

This post is a reminder regarding a previous notice dated Thursday 6 September 2012 :

The following versions of Dolphin4 Software will no longer be supported or licensed from 1 October 2013.

• 4.218.31.17
• 4.218.31.20
• 4.218.34.21
• 4.297.32.85
• 4.373.33.29
• 4.378.34.35

We will also not be supporting or licensing any versions older than these. 

If you don't know how to check which version you are on, we have a previous post that explains where to look in Dolphin to see the version number.

We have a very small number of clients still on these versions, and we will be working with our Distributors over the next 12 months to upgrade them all to newer versions.

This does not affect any of our other clients who are already newer versions of the software.

It's also important for us to make it clear to all clients, that the development team do not have any financial incentive to force an upgrade. There are no costs or charges associated with providing updated software to the Distributors, and your licensing is not affected or increased by moving to a newer version. The older versions have reached the end of their shelf-life , and the newer versions are stable, with many bug fixes and newer features.

Kaspersky 2012 : Proactive Defense issues with PostgreSQL

We have recently been made aware of issues with running PostgreSQL with Kaspersky 2012 installed.

It would appear that even with exceptions and exclusions in place, Kaspersky's Proactive Defense functionality (explained here on the Kasperky Lab's website) does not allow PostgreSQL to run effectively ,

Our suggestions are as follows :

• Create exceptions and file exclusions for the postgreSQL files and folders , and for the dolphin application files
• if necessary , disable Proactive Defense - instructions here  - to check if this is in fact causing the issue 

If neither of these activities help, you may need to consider purchasing a different Anti-virus and security tool. 

Exporting Invoices from Dolphin into a text file

If you would like to export a list of your Invoices from Dolphin , it's a simple process which shouldn't take you more than a few minutes .

The process consists of 4 easy steps once you have the export screen open:

• Select the file and /or folder for your export
• Select the range of invoice numbers to be exported 
• Confirm if you want overlapping export files 
• Click on OK 

How Tax Works in Dolphin - 3 Assigning a Default Tax to a Stock or Service Item

Following on from our previous post:  How Tax works in Dolphin - 2 Assigning a Default Tax to Clients and Suppliers, we will now briefly cover how to assign a default tax to a specific Stock or  Service item.

When you create a Stock or Service Item you can pick a default tax code for that item. You can also go back and edit the Item details.

This could be done where a specific Item is zero-rated for Tax , and will not have VAT or GST or another type of sales tax applied to it when you buy it , or when you sell it.

Here's how you do it ...

How Tax works in Dolphin - 2 Assigning a Default Tax to Clients and Suppliers

Following on from our previous post : How Tax works in Dolphin - 1 Setting up Tax types, we will now go through the process of assigning a default tax to a specific client and a specific supplier.

When a new client , or a new supplier is captured if no Tax Code is specified , the new client or supplier will save with a Default Tax assigned to them.

In a standard system , this will be either GST 10%, or VAT 14% ( or the main local tax for your region) .

You can however edit this -  for example to specify a client as GST / VAT exempt.

This is how you edit the tax percentage assigned to a client or supplier.

How Tax works in Dolphin - 1 Setting up Tax types

Our next series of posts will focus on how Tax works in dolphin, where you can set it up , and what to do if your quotes are not calculating the way you expect them to.

We will cover the following in a series of 5 consecutive posts, finishing off by tying together the concepts to explain what to check if there is a specific quote that is not doing what you expect.

• Setting up and changing the actual tax types 
• Assigning a default tax to a client or supplier 
• Assigning a default tax to a Stock Item or Service 
• How the tax is calculated on a quote letter 
• What to do if you need to change the tax after a quote has been printed or emailed

Trend Micro OfficeScan Realtime Scan slows down PostgreSQL

UPDATE 5/10/2012 
 If these specific exclusions don't work then try disabling the RealTime Scan , this is not optimal and is not recommended by Trend Micro - but it may be the only way to continue working .

We strongly recommend that you set up a daily full scan of your server if you are going to disable the RealTime Scan.

This link to the Trend Micro website will tell you How to Disable the RealTime Scan in Trend Micro

Original Post
We have been recently made aware of an issue that is affecting our clients running Trend Micro OfficeScan.

OfficeScan has a feature called Realtime Scan, the constant scanning of the database causes PostgreSQL to slow down to the point where users are unable to login.

Trend Micro have detailed instructions on how to exclude specific software from the Realtime Scan , which can be found at the link below to their support site.

Excluding third-party software from the OfficeScan Realtime Scan

We strongly recommend that you only allow add exclusions for the specific program files associated with Dolphin and PostgreSQL. If you are unsure about which files or programs need to be added please contact your Dolphin  Distributor for assistance and allow them to set-up the exclusions for you.

Antivirus Software is one of the biggest causes of performance issues for Dolphin, you can read more details about factors affecting Dolphin4 speed in this previous post .

PostgreSQL version 8.4.13 released 17 August 2012

PostgreSQL have released a new version 8.4.13. on the 17th August 2012

The current release of dolphin requires that your PostgreSQL database is at least version 8.4.11 or higher. You will get a warning message when you login if you are not on this version or higher ( you can refer to this previous post to see what the message looks like )

If you are more technically inclined, you can read the release notes for version 8.4.13  on the PostgreSQL website , alternately , you can contact your Distributor for more information.

If you are running Dolphin4, we currently recommend that you run ( in order of preference ) the following versions of PostgreSQL for the best performance and stability in Dolphin4

• 8.4.13 ( released 17 August 2012) 
• 8.4.12 ( released 4 June 2012) 
• 8.4.11 ( released 27 Feb 2012) 

You can also use the Useful Links ( which sit just underneath the twitter feed) on this blog at any time to check if there are new versions of PostgreSQL 8.4 available and the changes that are included with them. ( see the image below)

Old Versions of Dolphin will no longer be licensed in 2013

The following versions of Dolphin4 Software will no longer be supported or licensed from 1 October 2013.

• 4.218.31.17
• 4.218.31.20
• 4.218.34.21
• 4.297.32.85
• 4.373.33.29
• 4.378.34.35

We will also not be supporting or licensing any versions older than these. 

If you don't know how to check which version you are on, we have a previous post that explains where to look in Dolphin to see the version number.

We have a very small number of clients still on these versions, and we will be working with our Distributors over the next 12 months to upgrade them all to newer versions.

This does not affect any of our other clients who are already newer versions of the software.

Some clients , depending on their hardware , and other software installed on their machines may not even be able to work after 1 October 2012 .

We will load a future post with a more detailed explanation of why some clients may continue to experience issues after 1 October 2012.

New Dolphin4 Version Released : what's new?

This short post will briefly list the main items included in our latest official release version 4.467.34.137 
, this was officially released on Friday 31 August to our Distributors, and is available for upgrade.

If you would like to read the full release notes for this version ( or any previous version) you can find the details at this link : DolphinWorxs Release Notes

The key changes and improvements in this new release are listed below : 

• Better error handling in Production, on the Job form and for Issuing of stock to a job
• Speed improvements in the Invoice Grid 
• Better error handling in Estimating 
• A new Help Button which links back to this blog for all users to access help directly from the software
• Quotes with more than 100 quantities can now be processed without crashing the system
• The minimum postgreSQL version is incremented up to 8.4.11 ( see this previous post which explains about postgreSQL versions) 

If you are interested in getting an upgrade, please contact your Distributor for more information. 

PostgreSQL and Dolphin4. Why we don't use version 9 of postgreSQL

Dolphin runs on an open source database called PostgreSQL. Using PostgreSQL allows us to keep the costs of buying Dolphin4 lower than if we had to license and use proprietary database software.

PostgreSQL is used by many large companies, you can see a list of companies and read the case studies on the PostgreSQL website at the below links :

• Companies who use PostgreSQL 
• Case Studies about postgreSQL 

There are different development streams , and versions of PostgreSQL, and currently dolphin integrates with the 8.4.X development stream. 

We mentioned in our previous post that running dolphin with a version 9 database will result in dolphin being slower than it should be. We did not go into too much detail about why this is though. 

This post will briefly cover the main reasons why using postgreSQL verison 9 makes Dolphin slower.

What affects Dolphin4 speed - part 2

This post is a follow on from our previous post regarding factors that affect the speed of Dolphin, you can read it here.

We will cover the next 2 factors that influence the speed at which Dolphin works, which are the PostgreSQL database set-up , and settings ( as well as the version ) , and customised changes that are made to the version of Dolphin you are working on.

What affects Dolphin4 speed - how you can get the best performance from Dolphin.

There are 4 main factors that affect how fast Dolphin will work, they are :

1. The version you are running ( newer versions are generally faster) 
2. The network set-up and hardware that you run Dolphin on 
3. Key database settings and set-up of your specific database, and ongoing maintenance thereof
4. Customised versions of Dolphin tend to run slower (depending on how much is different from the standard product). 

This post covers the first 2 items , we will cover the last 2 items in the next post. 

How to group Invoices by Client

Dolphin's grids are so flexible that users with the relevant access rights have the ability not only to drag and drop columns on and off the screen , but also to change how the screen appears by grouping data together by specific fields.

As an example - this post will show you how to Group your invoices by client name :

To start , go to the Home Tab , and open your Production Module , by selecting the Production Icon :

In older versions of Dolphin 4 , this icon will look like a set of cogs , or gears instead of the blue factory icon. 

Outlook Calendar Sync in Dolphin4 CRM

The Dolphin4 CRM module can sync your calendar information from Outlook.

The Calendar Sync was released in our October 2010 release , and enhanced in Feb 2011, in version 4.448.34.67. 

The Outlook Sync will ignore anything from your Outlook calendar that does not fall within 180 days of the current date. It will also only sync Outlook Appointments with a category of 'Dolphin' attached to them.

Microsoft have a very nice help page which explains how to create a new category in Outlook:  http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook-help/create-a-new-color-category-HA010014149.aspx

The reason for the sync limit of 180 days is 2 fold:

Crystal Runtime SP 4 available (10-Jul-2012 21:36)

Dolphin4 uses Crystal Reports to produce all the documents that you view and print in the program.

It's important for clients to keep up to date with new releases of Crystal Runtime whenever they are available, as new and updated versions of Crystal contain bug fixes which impact the way that Dolphin4 is experienced by our clients.

There has recently been a new release of Service Pack 4 of Crystal Reports with various bug fixes. 


All clients running any version of Dolphin4 from version 4.455.34.82 and upwards should contact their distributor to arrange for the updated Crystal runtime to be installed for them.

To check which version you are on , you can read our previous post :Where do I find the dolphin version number?

If you are a bit more technically minded and would like to read more on the support pack release from Crystal Reports, the details can be found on the Crystal Reports Wiki , at the link below : 

Crystal Reports for Visual Studio 2010 - Service Pack 4 - Fixed Issues;

We also keep a link on this blog to the relevant updates that are available from SAP - under the Useful Links section on the right hand side of the screen - below is a screenshot of where to find the link , directly underneath our twitter feed ;

Why does my BETA version have a countdown message - and what does it mean ?

In a previous post titled What do the Alpha and Beta Messages mean when I login to Dolphin 4? posted in May 2012 , we covered the two release messages that you could see if you were logging into a test release , instead of an offical release of Dolphin4.

We have recently made updates to this process, specifically to our BETA release which counts down for a maximum of 120 days on a BETA version from the date it is released.

The BETA message used to look like this :

The new message will now include a count of the number of days left before the BETA version will not allow you to login any more:

The purpose of this countdown is to ensure that once an official, signed off and tested release is available (which it will be in far less time than the 120 day time limit on the BETA) that clients running the BETA versions are moved as quickly as possible to the official release versions.

We are aware that the 120 day countdown might end before the actual expiry date of the licensing already paid for some clients, what this means in practise is that you should ask your Distributor to let you know as soon as there is an official release available so you can be upgraded before the 120 countdown ends .

You can check up yourself if we have new BETA versions, or official releases available at this web page. You can also navigate on that site to details of what changes and bug fixes have been made in each version.

Dolphin Floating Licenses : how do they work , and how can I get them ?

Dolphin sells individual licenses, per module per user, the licenses are attached to the specific user login , and even when that person is not currently logged in, their license cannot be used by another user.

If you are in Australia, or New Zealand however , we also sell a floating license option in these regions, which allows you to buy a lower number of licenses for our 'user' modules , and 'float' them across multiple users. 

This is how it works .... 

ESET NOD32 Antivirus interference with PostgreSQL

We have recently been made aware of the fact that clients who are running  ESET NOD32 Antivirus Software experience a problem in which they cannot login to Dolphin4.

The reason this happens is because ESET NOD32 appears to slow down PostgreSQL to the point where the login to Dolphin4 times out. 

The way to  resolve this issue is to add PostgreSQL as an exclusion to the antivirus.

If you are unsure how to do this, you can contact your Distributor for assistance in setting up the exclusion in ESET NOD32 for PostgreSQL.

This is an identified issue with PostgreSQL and ESET NOD32 - if you would like a more detailed explanation , further information is available at this PostgreSQL forum :

http://archives.postgresql.org/pgsql-general/2012-01/msg00555.php


If you have ESET NOD32 version 4 - the two videos below will show you how to add a file exception (please make sure you have the correct files / folders before doing this, and if you are unsure about anything, rather contact your Distributor for assistance) . Note that both videos do not have audio.

NOTE: The videos are from a completely different person and company , we do not endorse them , or their products in any way shape or form. 

Crystal Reports Errors : intermittent errors that can be resolved by upgrading your Crystal Runtime version

Dolphin4 uses Crystal Reports to generate, preview and print your documents, such as Quote Letters , Invoices or Work Tickets / Job Bags.

We rely somewhat on new releases of Crystal Runtime ,which may included fixes for known bugs in Crystal Reports software.

It is important to keep updated with the latest release of Crystal Reports, because this affects how Dolphin Interfaces with Crystal, and potentially will affect your experience with Dolphin4.

We have listed below one error messages that may come up in Dolphin4 when trying to preview or print a document. This error will go away if your Distributor replaces your Crystal Runtime with the latest version release from Crystal Reports.

I get an error when I login to Dolphin4 that says "Postgresql server configuration warning"

Dolphin4 runs on a PostgreSQL database, and like most databases , the performance from the application and the database relies somewhat on how the database is configured. We also rely on PostgreSQL to release newer versions of their software through their own development and release cycle.

This is so that all the bug fixes , and enhancements that have been made by PostgreSQL to the database are carried over into the Dolphin4 application for our clients.

When this happens, we increase a setting we call "Recomended Postgre Version" . If you have been upgraded on Dolphin4, and the postgreSQL version has not also been upgraded to the relevant version , then you will see a warning message regarding the version of PostgreSQL when you login. 

Adding and Removing Icons from the Quote Bar in Estimating

Dolphin4 has many options that allow you to personalise and streamline your Dolphin4 experience. 

Previous posts have covered how you can change the skin / theme of Dolphin4, and also how to highlight the overridden fields in your quotes. 

Today's post covers how to remove icons from the Quote Bar, or if they have been accidentally removed, how to put them back . 

Why does Dolphin send mail through Microsoft Outlook , even when I have another email Application marked as my Default Email Application?

We have had a couple of questions recently regarding how Dolphin4 Interfaces to  email applications. Specifically for our clients who have MS Outlook installed, and either don't use it, or use it as well as a second mail application to separate their personal and work emails ; 


Dolphin will always look for Outlook, and if it is installed , it will use Outlook to send any emails.


If Outlook is not installed , Dolphin4 will then search for another mail client , and use that to send your emails.


The reason why this happens, and why we chose to develop Dolphin this way ; is because of how simple MAPI works.


The standard generic way to send mail to email applications is via a Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI). And we could interface to Outlook using MAPI, instead of directly as we currently do.


There is one catch ...

Why does the "Printworxs" Screen come up when I login to Dolphin4?

One of the validations that is done when you login to Dolphin4, is a confirmation that all user accounts are linked to valid person information , and that each person is only linked to a maximum of one user account.

If this is not the case, then a screen listing all the user accounts and person details that are not correctly linked  will come up each time you login. 

How to download an updated License for dolphin4 after you have paid

There are several ways to pay for your license, this post will deal with how to get your license after you have already paid ;

I get an error in Dolphin4 when I login that says "Object reference not set to an instance of an Object"

When dolphin4 is installed on your server, the install application will automatically install both 64bit and 32bit ODBC drivers.

By doing this , the system is ensuring that both sets of drivers are available for all users, regardless of their particular operating systems.

We have had several reports recently of the following error coming up , specifically at login time :

When this specific error comes up, at login, it means that the ODBC script that matches your operating system is no longer in the database.

So for example, if your server was running a 64bit operating system , and you have staff logging into the system from a machine running a 32bit operating system, if they see this error then it means the 32bit ODBC entry has been deleted in your installation of dolphin.

If you are seeing this error , specifically at login, then you need to urgently contact your Distributor so that they can assist you in re-installing the relevant missing ODBC scripts into your database.

If you have any queries regarding this issue, or the error , please leave a comment , or contact us at feedback@dolphinworxs.com.au.

Changing the background and font colour of the overridden fields in the Estimating Module

In the Quote(Estimating) module , there are a number of calculated  fields that can be overridden with a manual input. When this happens it can be difficult to see at a glance which fields have been overridden.

Dolphin allows you to set up a custom text-colour and background for these fields ,so that you can see at a glance which fields on your grid have been changed by user input.

This is how :

Dolphin Themes and Skins - how to personalise your Dolphin4 experience

Dolphin4 offers a number of themes and skins , making it a simple process for individual users within a company to personalise their own Dolphin experience.

This post will show you how to go about setting a new 'skin' for Dolphin4.

AVG Internet Security Business Edition thinks my dolphin application files are malware or a virus

We have recently come across this issue , our suspicion is that it occurs because of updates released by AVG (occuring over 6 and 7 May 2012) - which we will confirm once we have more details from AVG.

In short the problem is that AVG scans and finds that one of the dolphin dll files is suspicious. It then proceeds to delete or quarantine the file, depending on your preferred settings.

We have submitted the file to AVG , but until we hear back from them , we have the following advice for our clients that are using AVG products.

What do the Alpha and Beta Messages mean when I login to Dolphin 4?

When logging in to Dolphin 4 , you may see a message that says Alpha Release , or Beta Release .

To help clarify what the message means , we have given a short explanation below.

Adjusting Stock Quantities on Stock Items in Dolphin 4

This post is about a task that will crop up most likely each time you do a stock take, or , if you manage your stock quite closely , then a bit more often.

If you've counted your stock , and found that you have less of one item than you thought, adjusting the stock is a very simple procedure .

How do I add repeated instructions to a Quote?

Many times , Job Descriptions on your quotes will need to be repeated , for example, you may want to add a specific instruction for how to handle the finishing or delivery of the completed product , and then use that same instruction on multiple quotes . 

This feature is the perfect way to minimise any errors from occurring by allowing you to add instructions to quotes without having to type them out every single time. 

Dolphin also allows you to capture and save your own descriptions and individual notes , making it a specific fit for your business and workplace. 

Here's how : 

Where do I find the dolphin version number?

Dolphinworxs provides public release notes and a support timetable for clients, which are updated with each BETA or official release. This is all good and well, but if you don't know what version of dolphin you are using, it's easy to see how it could get confusing.

Here's a quick snapshot of where to find out which version of dolphin you are using, so you can see if you have all the features and bug fixes that have been released.