CONNECTIT: Windows 7 compatibility

Please find below some feedback we received regarding ConnectIT running on Windows 7 from one of our valued partner resellers - Matthew Rose from Quintadena

We’ve got two customers running Windows 7, company wide.

One of them are [ABC Widgets ltd], they’re also running ConnectIT.

Just for your awareness, we/Aspire can’t find a resolution for a PDF generator issue with Win7 builds before the Release Candidate.

Anything greater than build 7100 can use QW as normal - with a minor configuration setting change.

[ABC Widgets ltd] have never experienced any issues with running C-IT before/after Release Candidate.



If you have experience (positive or otherwise) of running ConnectIT on the Windows 7 operating system, then please post and/or email support@connectit-online.co.uk - your input will be truly valued.

QUOTEWERKS: Windows 7 compatibility

Please find below some feedback we received regarding QuoteWerks & ConnectIT on Windows 7 from one of our valued partner resellers - Matthew Rose from Quintadena:

We’ve got two customers running Windows 7, company wide.

One of them are [ABC Widgets ltd], they’re also running ConnectIT.

Just for your awareness, we/Aspire can’t find a resolution for a PDF generator issue with Win7 builds before the Release Candidate.

Anything greater than build 7100 can use QW as normal - with a minor configuration setting change.

[ABC Widgets ltd] have never experienced any issues with running C-IT before/after Release Candidate.



If you have experience (positive or otherwise) of running QuoteWerks or ConnectIT on the Windows 7 operating system, then please post and/or email support@quotewerks.com or support@connectit-online.co.uk - your input will be truly valued.

CONNECTIT: now available for purchase through BT TradeSpace

The ConnectIT range of products are now available for purchase through BT TradeSpace.

For more information on the ConnectIT suite and how they can help your business save hours of repetitive manual work, please see the ConnectIT websites here:

• ConnectIT-Sage - QuoteWerks to Sage 50 Accounts and Sage Instant Accounts link
• ConnectIT-MAS90 - QuoteWerks to Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 link
• ConnectIT-MSCRM - QuoteWerks to Microsoft Dynamics CRM link
• ConnectIT-Workflow - business process manager for QuoteWerks
• ConnectIT-WebCart - website coming soon

Or contact your ConnectIT / QuoteWerks reseller.

CONNECTIT: ConnectIT-WebCart beta released

We are very please to announce the release of the ConnectIT-WebCart beta. This utility links an online web shop to QuoteWerks, Sage 50, Sage MAS and Microsoft Dynamics RMS (retail management solution).


Over the years, we have created several bespoke software development utilities which link a businesses web shop to their back office system. Utilities for QuoteWerks, Sage and Microsoft Dynamics CRM. When we were approached to create a link for Microsoft Dynamics RMS as well it was a natural extension of these utilities. Plus, in a market place where high street shops are increasingly moving their business' online for the cost-saving and globalisation opportunities, strategically it was a good project to take on.



With our culture of constantly innovating and looking forward for new opportunities, rather than tackle the project as just another bespoke utility, we took the decision to wrap up all the previous work into one ConnectIT product. Followers of the blog will remember that we had a prototype version of ConnectIT-WebCart back in the early part of the year. With focus drifting onto other projects, this got put to one side, but we felt that with this project it was time to pick it back up again.

This first beta release focuses on the Microsoft Dynamics RMS link in order to satisfy the requirements of this particular project. However, given that this is built on the same data structures and code base as the other bespoke projects, then links for QuoteWerks, Sage 50, Sage Instant and Sage MAS won't be too far behind!

For more information on the ConnectIT-WebCart product, please direct your query through your QuoteWerks or ConnectIT partner. If they are unable to help, then please don't hesitate to contact the ConnectIT development team direct: development@connectit-online.co.uk

CONNECTIT: ConnectIT-Sage v1.10.1 released

This new release of ConnectIT-Sage QuoteWerks to Sage 50 Accounts link includes the following updates and bug fixes:

UPDATE: replaced the files for the SDO (Sage Data Objects) which allow ConnectIT to integrate with Sage 50 Accounts 2009 for the revised ones released by Sage 12/5/2009. This revision allows up to 6 simultaneous SDO connections without the need to purchase additional Sage licenses.

FIXED: discrepencies seen in the Tax on Sage Purchase Order line items - ConnectIT was using the selling price tax value, not the cost price tax value when writing Purchase Order information to Sage.
FIXED: a tax amount for Carriage may show on a Purchase Order even though the ConnectIT Configuration had the Purchase Document Carriage Tax Code set as "T0" - ConnectIT was ignoring this setting when creating Purchase Order documents, the QuoteWerks document tax rate was always applied to Purchase Order carriage.
FIXED: Conversion from string "" to type 'Boolean' is not valid error when running ConnectIT - this could occur if the user had not opened ConnectIT Configuration to check the new settings added in version 1.10.0 and pressed "Save".


After more than 2 years of having no bugs in a production release, the ConnectIT development team were mortified to find out that a bug had been found in the software. As is stereotypically the case, the ConnectIT software development team have a love for fast food (second only to their love for programming!). By way of self-inflicted punishment for the bug (which was ultimately a school boy error in the code) they are banning themselves from fast food for 1 month!!! (I just hope they survive! - Ed.)

For more information on ConnectIT-Sage and the other products in the ConnectIT suite of time and labour saving products, please see the ConnectIT website here, contact your QuoteWerks / ConnectIT reseller or email info@connectit-online.co.uk

CONNECTIT: now offering increased user support

We've just been notified by Developer Services that now more ConnectIT-Sage users can link to Sage accounts without having to upgrade or purchase additional Sage licenses.

From Sage Developer Services:

With exception to Sage 50 Accounts Professional, all connections to the Sage 50 Accounts database via the software development kit (Sage Data Objects (SDO)), are currently limited to the number of licensed Sage 50 Accounts users.

Given that Sage 50 Accounts and Sage 50 Accounts Plus are only available with single user or 2 user licences, the opportunity to accommodate multiple third-party add-ons and integrated multi-user applications, can prove restrictive. For example - with a 2 user licence, only 1 x Sage 50 Accounts user login and 1 x SDO connection may be established. With a single user licence, an SDO connection will not be permitted if a Sage 50 Accounts user is already logged in, and vice versa.

Now you can manage up to 6 simultaneous SDO connections

In response to feedback from our customers, Business Partners and of course our Developer community, SDO has been enhanced to manage up to 6 simultaneous connections to the Sage 50 Accounts 2009 database. For example - if 1 x Sage 50 Accounts user is logged on, a maximum of 5 x SDO user connections will be permitted.



So what does this mean for ConnectIT users?

Once this SDO update has been installed, Sage will allow you to have more users accessing the accounts files through ConnectIT. So there's no need to buy additional licenses for Sage and no need to log out of Sage in order to transfer documents.

For existing users: contact Sage support, they will be able to supply you with the updated SDO installation files with instruction on how to install them.

For new users: we will be releasing a new version of the ConnectIT software later this week which will have the updated SDO files included as part of the installation.

And what about partners?

This means new opportunities for ConnectIT-Sage sales! For any companies that you may have spoken to in the past that rejected ConnectIT due to the expense of an upgrade to Sage, now here's the answer!

More information

For more information on the updates, please contact your ConnectIT or Sage reseller or email us: support@connectit-online.co.uk

For more information on the increasing range of ConnectIT products and how they can help deliver efficiencies to your business, please see the ConnectIT website here.

CONNECTIT: ConnectIT-Sage v1.10.0 released

The new release of ConnectIT-Sage QuoteWerks to Sage link adds support for Sage Instant 2009 Accounts and Accounts Plus.

Sage Instant Accounts is easy-to-use accounting software designed to make managing your money, including VAT, end of year accounts and invoicing, as quick and easy as possible. You’ll have all the information you need to manage your business at your fingertips.
Sage Instant Accounts is a simple bookkeeping package that gives you all the tools you need to successfully manage your finances, accounts, customers and suppliers.

Now Sage Instant Accounts users can take advantage of ConnectIT's time saving capabilities, allowing users to create Product Sales Order, Product Invoice, Product Credit, Service Invoice and Service Credit document types in Sage from the information in their QuoteWerks document.

For more information, please your QuoteWerks reseller or contact us on +44(0) 1782 564 252 or email info@hilltopsit.co.uk

CONNECTIT: Sage MAS 90/200 v4.4

As far as we know, there's (as yet) no firm release date for the next release to Sage MAS90/200. We're really excited about the prospect of the new release as we are expecting it to include API support for creating purchase order documents, products and suppliers. Having this functionality in the MAS API means that we can complete the ConnectIT-MAS QuoteWerks to Sage MAS90/200 link to cover the same footprint as the UK ConnectIT for Sage 50 Accounts.

However, it was encouraging today that we got an email from Sage asking us to complete a survey which was asking how long from release we anticipated it would be before we integrated our solution with the new version and how Sage could help. Naturally our answers were "as soon as possible" and "get us a copy of the beta"!!!

Unfortunately it's still a case of "watch this space" before we can commit to a version of ConnectIT-MAS which will be able to create purchase orders, products and suppliers, but it is encouraging to see things moving along!

CONNECTIT: ConnectIT-Sage confirmed to work for Sage Instant Accounts 2009

We are able to confirm today that the next release of ConnectIT-Sage will work with Sage Instant Accounts 2009.

"I am really pleased that with the new version of Sage Instant, we can now offer users the ability to transfer documents from QuoteWerks to Sage using ConnectIT" says Hilltops IT CEO Steve Siggs. "I'm even more please than we are now able to achieve this with just a few minor adjustments to the existing code base. Now QuoteWerks and Sage Instant users can get the benefits of the ConnectIT software very cost-effectively, without needing to upgrade their Sage software."

The ConnectIT-Sage software has been developed over the last 3 years, gradually adding more and more features that users and resellers have been requesting in the software. Hilltops IT have produced this product to meet end users' requirements which drive more and more efficiencies into their business. With zero defects reported from production environments in more than 18 months, the need for "just a few minor adjustments", users and resellers can expect the same quality deliverable which "does exactly what it says on the tin".

The revised version is expected to be released within the next couple of weeks.

For more information on ConnectIT-Sage, please contact your QuoteWerks reseller or see the ConnectIT website.

CONNECTIT: ConnectIT-Workflow v1.0.1 released

Following feedback from users, this minor release of ConnectIT-Workflow expands the default example rules which are set up when a user initially installs the software. We have also provided fuller instructions on how to set up and manage your business rules.

ConnectIT-Workflow business process manager for QuoteWerks manages entries on a QuoteWerks document to ensure that the QuoteWerks user has entered all the required information at each step of document creation (Quote, Order and Invoice).

ConnectIT-Workflow validates that the QuoteWerks user has entered required values into particular fields before the user is allowed to print, save, convert or email a document.

When an error is detected, then depending on the level of that error, the user is either prompted and asked to correct the problem before they are allowed to continue, or they are just warned about the problem(s).

ConnectIT-Workflow pricing is very cost-effective and is currently being sold with free installation and configuration - get your copy and start taking advantage of ConnectIT-Workflow's cost and time saving benefits now.

CONNECTIT: ConnectIT-Workflow new resources available

New resources are now available on the ConnectIT-Workflow business process manager for QuoteWerks website in the form of screenshots and extended support documentation.

PLUS: take advantage of free ConnectIT-Workflow installation assistance while the offer lasts.

CONNECTIT: new reseller group on LinkedIn

The purpose of the ConnectIT Resellers Group is to provide an additional support forum for ConnectIT application links, to keep members up to date with the latest news in the ConnectIT range of products and for members to share thoughts and experiences of implementing ConnectIT in various vertical industry sectors.

The group will never replace us preferring you to pick up the phone and speak to us, but we're aiming to make this a useful additional way to keep in touch with each other.

The URL to join the group is: http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=1416457

Please pass this on to your colleagues who you feel may also benefit from membership.

CONNECTIT: ConnectIT-Workflow v1.0.0 released

Product Overview
ConnectIT-Workflow manages entries on a QuoteWerks document to ensure that the QuoteWerks user has entered all the required information at each step of document creation (Quote, Order and Invoice).

ConnectIT-Workflow validates that the QuoteWerks user has entered required values into particular fields before the user is allowed to print, save, convert or email a document.

When an error is detected, then depending on the level of that error, the user is either prompted and asked to correct the problem before they are allowed to continue, or they are just warned about the problem(s).


Key Benefits

• Quick to install and easy to configure to the fields you use which means your company’s quoting and sales order processing functions become instantly more accurate and more productive.
• Ensures that your customers and suppliers get complete and consistent information on the documents you send them thus improving your business relationships with them by avoiding time wasted checking, correcting and resending documents.
• Maintains integrity of input to maximise the power and accuracy of QuoteWerks reporting which means more informed business decision making.

Key Features

• When an error is detected, then depending on the level of that error, the user is either prompted and asked to correct the problem before they are allowed to continue, or they are just warned about the problem(s).
• Validates fields based on the particular document type and document status.
• Contains many different rule expressions – that a field is not blank, that a fields value is in a particular range, that a fields value is one of a particular list of options, etc.
• Contains many different rule targets – Document Header fields, Document Item fields, first Document Item row, all Optional Document Item rows, etc.

ConnectIT-Workflow pricing is very cost-effective and is currently being sold with free installation and configuration - get your copy and start taking advantage of ConnectIT-Workflow's cost and time saving benefits now!

CONNECTIT: details of ConnectIT-Workflow - workflow manager for QuoteWerks now on QuoteWerks.com

Details of ConnectIT-Workflow - business workflow manager for QuoteWerks are now available on QuoteWerks.com: http://www.quotewerks.com/addons/alertsworkflow.asp

ConnectIT-Workflow is the latest addtion to the ConnectIT suite of products from Hilltops IT; another QuoteWerks development add-on product to enhance the user's experience of using QuoteWerks.

ConnectIT-Workflow manages entries on a QuoteWerks document to ensure that the QuoteWerks user has entered all the required information at each step of document creation (Quote, Order and Invoice).

ConnectIT-Workflow validates that the QuoteWerks user has entered required values into particular fields before the user is allowed to print, save, convert or email a document.

When an error is detected, then depending on the level of that error, the user is either prompted and asked to correct the problem before they are allowed to continue, or they are just warned about the problem(s).

For full details of ConnectIT-Workflow, please see the website here: http://www.connectit-online.com/default_workflow.aspx

For pricing click here: http://www.connectit-online.com/Calculator.aspx?p=CITWF&curr=GBP

CONNECTIT: ConnectIT-Workflow - QuoteWerks workflow manager

Pricing for the new product to the ConnectIT range has been released today. Plus for a limited time only we are offering free installation and training.


Product Overview
ConnectIT-Workflow manages entries on a QuoteWerks document to ensure that the QuoteWerks user has entered all the required information at each step of document creation (Quote, Order and Invoice).

ConnectIT-Workflow validates that the QuoteWerks user has entered required values into particular fields before the user is allowed to print, save, convert or email a document.

When an error is detected, then depending on the level of that error, the user is either prompted and asked to correct the problem before they are allowed to continue, or they are just warned about the problem(s).


Key Benefits

• Quick to install and easy to configure to the fields you use which means your company’s quoting and sales order processing functions become instantly more accurate and more productive.
• Ensures that your customers and suppliers get complete and consistent information on the documents you send them thus improving your business relationships with them by avoiding time wasted checking, correcting and resending documents.
• Maintains integrity of input to maximise the power and accuracy of QuoteWerks reporting which means more informed business decision making.

Key Features

• When an error is detected, then depending on the level of that error, the user is either prompted and asked to correct the problem before they are allowed to continue, or they are just warned about the problem(s).
• Validates fields based on the particular document type and document status.
• Contains many different rule expressions – that a field is not blank, that a fields value is in a particular range, that a fields value is one of a particular list of options, etc.
• Contains many different rule targets – Document Header fields, Document Item fields, first Document Item row, all Optional Document Item rows, etc.

CONNECIT: new product beta released - ConnectIT-Workflow

Another new product and QuoteWerks add-on utility from Hilltops IT software development team was released in beta today.

ConnectIT-Workflow: linking your business process to quotewerks document creation

ConnectIT-Workflow manages entries on a QuoteWerks document to ensure that the QuoteWerks user has entered all the required information at each step of document creation (Quote, Order and Invoice).

ConnectIT-Workflow validates that the QuoteWerks user has entered required values into particular fields before the user is allowed to print, save, convert or email a document.

When an error is detected, then depending on the level of that error, the user is either prompted and asked to correct the problem before they are allowed to continue, or they are just warned about the problem(s).

Key benefits:

• Quick to install and easy to configure to the fields you use which means your company’s quoting and sales order processing functions become instantly more accurate and more productive.
• Ensures that your customers and suppliers get complete and consistent information on the documents you send them thus improving your business relationships with them by avoiding time wasted checking, correcting and resending documents.
• Maintains integrity of input to maximise the power and accuracy of QuoteWerks reporting which means more informed business decision making.

Key features:

• Functions triggered by events in QuoteWerks – before print, before save, before convert, before email, etc.
• Validates fields based on the particular document type and document status.
• Contains many different rule expressions – that a field is not blank, that a fields value is in a particular range, that a fields value is one of a particular list of options, etc.
• Contains many different rule targets – Document Header fields, Document Item fields, first Document Item row, all Optional Document Item rows, etc.

Pricing will be available soon here; if you would like any further information, then please email us at sales@connectit-online.co.uk

Early bird special offer: we are now taking advance orders for the ConnectIT-Workflow product which includes free installation and training. To take advantage of this offer, please contact sales@connectit-online.co.uk now!

QUOTEWERKS: new Microsoft CRM integration demo available

QuoteWerks has released a new demo video demonstrating the integration between QuoteWerks and MS CRM. The new video highlights all the major functions including:

• Pulling in customer information into the quote
• Adding additional customer information into the quote and layout
• Scheduling follow up calls
• Creating/Updating MS CRM Opportunities
• Closing MS CRM Opportunities as Won

The new video can be viewed by clicking here.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about QuoteWerks contact manager integration, then please give us a call on +44(0)1782 564252 or see our website here: http://www.hilltopsit.co.uk/quotewerks/index.aspx

For even tighter integration, then there is also the ConnectIT-MSCRM product which allows the QuoteWerks user to link their document to an existing Microsoft CRM Opportunity.

CONNECTIT: ConnectIT-MAS90 QuoteWerks to Sage MAS90 and MAS200 v1.1.1 released

ConnectIT-MAS90 QuoteWerks to Sage MAS90 and MAS200 v1.1.1 has been released today - Friday 13th March 2009.

This new release wraps up several enhancements which ConnectIT users and partner resellers have requested as follows:

UPDATE: transfer the Contact name selected for the Address fields from QuoteWerks to the Confirm To field in the Sage MAS document
UPDATE: support for names and descriptions, etc in QuoteWerks that are longer than those in Sage MAS. ConnectIT will now trim the QuoteWerks field to match on just the left 'x' characters, allowing a match to be found.
UPDATE: new ConnectIT icons

Existing users with current UMP: download your copy from here - http://www.connectit-online.co.uk/download.aspx?p=CITMAS90

New customers or users without UMP: please contact your ConnectIT / QuoteWerks reseller or email sales@connectit-online.co.uk for further information.

To request new features that would help your business process run more effectively, please email development@connectit-online.co.uk

For more and up-to-date information on the ConnectIT suite of products, please see the website here: http://www.connectit-online.co.uk/

The ConnectIT Development Team has a proven track record in producing quality products and utilities for QuoteWerks, Sage 50 Accounts, Sage MAS and Microsoft CRM. They will be happy to help you with any enquiries you have relating to developments on these products or stand-alone solutions and websites.

CONNECTIT: ConnectIT-Sage QuoteWerks to Sage 50 Accounts v1.9.0 released

ConnectIT-Sage QuoteWerks to Sage 50 Accounts v1.9.0 has been released today - Monday 2nd March 2009.

This new release wraps up several enhancements which ConnectIT users and partner resellers have requested as follows:

ADDED: the ability to select which Suppliers Purchase Orders are created for.
ADDED: the ability to transfer Comment lines into Sage as Message lines.
ADDED: the ability to transfer Group (Bundle) Header lines as Comments into Sage as Message lines.
ADDED: a check on whether a customer or suppliers credit limit has been exceeded. The prompt can be suppressed by ticking the Configuration Advanced "Suppress prompts that Customers or Suppliers Balance exceeds their Credit Limit" tick box.
ADDED: the ability to transfer a value into the Sage document line item Comment 1 and 2 fields

UPDATE: if the "Override Product Tax" field is ticked in the Sage Supplier record, then use the Default Tax Code and corresponding Tax Rate from Sage on all lines when creating Purchase Order documents (works for all supported versions of Sage 50 Accounts). Note that the user must be using the "Supplier Address information is maintained in Sage not QuoteWerks" Configuration option.
UPDATE: if the "Override Product Nominal" field is ticked in the Sage Supplier record, then use the Default Nominal Code and Department number from Sage on all lines when creating Purchase Order documents (works for version 14 - 2009 - of Sage 50 Accounts only, this option is not available in earlier versions). Note that the user must be using the "Supplier Address information is maintained in Sage not QuoteWerks" Configuration option.
UPDATE: include all Document Header fields in the Configuration Customer Account Reference, Documents Sales Doc Number, Purchase Doc Number and Creation Date field drop down selectors
UPDATE: new ConnectIT icons

Existing users with current UMP: download your copy from here - http://www.connectit-online.co.uk/download.aspx?p=CITSAGE50

New customers or users without UMP: please contact your ConnectIT / QuoteWerks reseller or email sales@connectit-online.co.uk for further information.

To request new features that would help your business process run more effectively, please email development@connectit-online.co.uk

For more and up-to-date information on the ConnectIT suite of products, please see the website here: http://www.connectit-online.co.uk/

The ConnectIT Development Team has a proven track record in producing quality products and utilities for QuoteWerks, Sage 50 Accounts, Sage MAS and Microsoft CRM. They will be happy to help you with any enquiries you have relating to developments on these products or stand-alone solutions and websites.

CONNECTIT: content for ConnectIT-MAS90 v1.1.1 confirmed

The ConnectIT development team have confirmed just a couple of minor updates to the ConnectIT-MAS90 QuoteWerks to Sage MAS 90 and Mas 200 link to provide a couple of new users with features that they would find useful:

• Transfer the Contact name selected for the Address fields from QuoteWerks to the Confirm To field in the Sage MAS document.
• Support for names and descriptions, etc in QuoteWerks that are longer than those in Sage MAS. ConnectIT will now trim the QuoteWerks field to match on just the left 'x' characters, allowing a match to be found.

Expected release to customers is expected week commencing 9th March 2009.

For more information or to get an advanced beta copy, please email development@connectit-online.co.uk

To request new features that would help your business process run more effectively, please email development@connectit-online.co.uk

For more information on the ConnectIT suite of products, please see the website here: http://www.connectit-online.co.uk