Thought Microsoft was supposed to answer questions posted here?

That guaranteed response is only on the "Managed" newsgroups - not these ones, which are "Public". You can access to the Managed newsgroups if you have a Microsoft Foundations Support Plan.

As for your report question, I'm assuming you want to see Commission information on an Item report. If so, you will have to modify a .QRP file with a text editor and add the appropriate columns (Item.CommissionAmount, Item.CommissionMaximum, Item.CommissionMode, Item.CommissionPercentProfit and Item.CommissionPercentSale) You should be able to figure the format out by using the existing item reports as an example.

If you're not comfortable with modifying files, I would recommend you contact a local Microsoft Reseller to come in and help you out.

I have never been able to see anything different from the "managed newsgroup". I was pointed to the "knowlege base" article or option to request incident support.

I have emailed the support group and was sent a link back to this board. I was told, and had the impression, that the annual support fee will get some emails answered, more specifically.

Am I miss> That guaranteed response is only on the "Managed" newsgroups - not these

When we sell this system it is an art. We consult the end user to ensure we can meet the needs they have for both hardware and software. We usually spend on average 8~15 hours just going over the features and tweaking the settings out for that customer. Then we train on manager and user functions and follow thru with support, some onsite and some telephone. It takes on average about a month for the support calls to cease. By that time the end user has a handle on the system an can conduct business as usual. Customers who do it them self can expect a longer learning curve. Don't know what you guys bought, but finding a good partner who will do all this and be there for you is what you want/need. I hope the best for you. If your not happy, get a good local partner to help. I rarely hear from end users after the first month.

mt

Why was the software designed to require so much "tweaking", for a month, by a specialist in order for it to work?....Most people these days are quite competent and quick in learning. Most retail functions and requirements are the same: sales, orders, inventory, tags, receipts.....How many special hardwares can there be to customize for so long?....

Microsoft has done many greater things in technology. Is this program so complex that most people have to operate in limbo?

How muchs should the sytem eventually cost to functi> When we sell this system it is an art. We consult the end user to ensure we

Kay,

Well in some cases, it can be a bunch. Let's just stick with some common hardware issues;

For instance, there are 4 ways you can talk to a printer. Text only (printing directly to the port), OPOS, JavaPOS and Windows (at least 2 ways within that) drivers. There is a new one that is due next year, called UPOS

USB ports on machines are relatively new. Of course, there are 2 types of these, powered & unpowered. Plug in the wrong device into the wrong port, poof there goes a $100-3000 device. Lets not get into the different USB connector types, male, female, mini male, A type, B type, etc. Let's not forget what devices you can plug into them. Printers, keyboards, mice, modems, scanners, coffee mug heaters, personal fans, reading lights, cameras, etc. Now should you use one port for all devices? After all, the designers of the USB ports say that you can attach up to 256 devices to one port. They forgot to tell us in what order to attach them. If one draws too much power from the port, the rest downstream either don't work at all or they only work sometimes!!

COM ports are one of the oldest way to connect peripherals, you have 5 settings there, baud rate, stop bits, data bits, parity and flow control. I know this means nothing to you, but one wrong setting, the printer prints gibberish. Not to mention different type of cables, with the same type of connectors. Printer and modem cables look exactly the same, but wired differently.

You can have 3 ways to attach a simple bar code reader. Keyboard wedge, COM port, USB. Wrong setup in RMS or any POS frankly, it doesn't work!

Do you really want to go further with software issues? This is just a sampling as to why this is so complicated!!

Are you sure you're not making it harder than it is?...

I have an HP Laser Jet 5L, almost ten years old, great mileage for the cartridge. I just bought a connecter. One end is USB, the other end fits into the old printer; plugged in and, poofs, it prints, from my 2003 Sonny laptop, very modern.

And yes, the laptop and the HP printer also print labels from the MSRMS with the original HP driver. The scanner reads all barcodes available in the item barcode options excetp for 3. Since my item lookup code contains alphabet, only type 138B pulls the right item. The other ones pull up all digits and kicks into the item look up mode.......

The point is, I want to use the Zebra because it is direct thermal, tags are cheap, prints very fast, and mostly, Zebra treats customer much better. As for HP, I complained about the feed in their printer once, and they sent me another printer before calling the old one back. The feed got a bit sticky again after 5 years, but I don't complain because I have got my money's worth and am appreciative.

What has MS done now that it cost me 5K, 2 months of frustration, and the business is still not running smoothly?

Some soul search> Kay,