Premvet 5 - Release Notes

Note: If the OS is not fully patched (MP2 for OSR6 and MP5 for OSR5) then a warning will be displayed when starting up the vet system.

No Changes

A new option, if running the re-build as root, has been added -o compress this will compress and optimise the indexes used giving better read performance. Note: If the compress option is used then the tables are set to 'Read Only', if you are planing to use any of the tidy up options that alter data you should build with-out compress.

Some sites are having problems with the tables not being built overnight - usually due to problems with the full text index. The majority of you do not use this index, the default has been changed so this is NOT (-o nofull) generated overnight. If you use the index frequently then use the Automation Manager and add -o dofull to the re-build line. You can also use the option on the:

DataMajor Utilities menu:

-> Build Aux Tables
-> Create Full Text Index.

Failed re-builds, when you are prompted to run the re-build manually this will be run as a 'normal' user so there will not be problems with Unix access permissions.

The params.txt entry Clinical_Box_Size has had two more options added to it. The full list is now as per:

0	Box Size 7 lines of 35 characters	(Default)
1	Box Size 7 lines of 73 characters
2	Box Size 14 lines of 35 characters	(new)
3	Box Size 14 lines of 73 characters	(new)

If Box_Size is set to 0 (zero) (or not specified), it can, by setting access permission 136 be set to size 1 on a per user basis.

A spell checker has been added to the clinical text box, a veterinary specific dictionary will be used. This does require a custom version of ispell to be installed (available from support or included in the Premvet December Update CD).

The params.txt entry Spell_Check_Clinical is used and can be one of:

Yes	Will always check the text box
Ask	Will ask each time (Default will be Yes)
No	Will ask each time (Default will be No)

If the spell check is active then the contents of the text will be reformatted - the || option will be honoured to force a new line.

The `New' Diary (Diary Plus) will use the old params.txt entry Diary_Cancel_Reason (See Release notes read220b).

A 'User' option has been added when you edit an appointment enabling the member of staff the appointment is for to be changed

'P' on a diary page will print the appointments to the printer. Block booking and free slots will be skipped.

'I' allows you to apply a status to the call, aimed at Large animal work, could be On-Farm, Left, To-Write Up, Completed etc. You have a choice of 5 different codes - two preset ones - Booked and Arrived will be added automatically - using the Arrived via the 'I' option will by-pass the waiting room list. The options are set via Diary -> Utilities -> Status Codes -> On-Screen. Colours can be assigned to each of the status's.

Access permission 71 (Diary Maintenance) can be used to block off access to the utilies menu. Access permission 145 (Block Bookings) can be used to limit users editing any of the User events.

The System Booking 'Opening Times' have had the day of the week added to allow varying days to be specified.

Print Bookings - the printout of the booking can be for specific queues or if 'All Queues' is selected then every booking will be printed.

There are four types of block booking in Diary Plus and can be summarised by:

System Events	16 of them
	Aimed at opening/Closing times
	Lunch Breaks
	Fixed events / Don't change at all
	Cannot be over-ridden
Emergency Events	32 of them
	Slots at Start/End of Day
	Can be overridden
	Spare slots - box warning over ride
Global Events	64 of them
	Cannot be over ridden
	Set for Holidays, rota
Block Bookings	128 of them
	Can be over-ridden - depends on access perm 145
	Rotas, bookings that can be changed
	Box pop up
	Could double up as Emergency events if needed.

• The Remove option has been re-worked to De-Activate the item. Once De-Activated it will no longer be visible on the system but will still be present for historic purposes.

• If you edit the main stock screen there is an 'Accept Ignore Change' prompt in case you used edit by mistake.

• When using the credit meta-character '#' you will be prompted if you are wanting the items restored to stock. The default is yes.

• The collection of batch numbers from NVS can be done via the Internet in addition to the modem. Select the Batch Pickup (on Stock Order -> On-Line Services -> NVS menu) as normal and a new option 'Modem' or 'Internet' will appear. You do not need to configure any of the Internet options other than your account number (which is the same as modem pickup). You do need to advise NVS as they have to 'switch it on' for your account, you also need the ncftp package installed (in Premvet OSR 6 Util CD 1 or from support). (*)

• Along with the above, you can order via the Web to NVS. Select 'N'et as the method to send - again you do not need to set any Internet specific options just as long as you have the ncftp package installed to handle the transfer. (*)

• Manually processing an order, some sites are zapping the batch details a little too early and it is being taken as the Quantity received - the limit of 9,999 out-ers is now enforced.

• NOAH data sheets - The 'D'ata option on the stock card and 'D'ata when selling the item - both these options will call the NOAH Compendium (with the 1st word of the stock item) Web Site. This is in addition to the current data options. You do not need to setup anything.

If the params.txt entry F10_Client_Timer = x (where x is the number of minutes) is set then the system will beep once the client timer passes that point. The beep will be once every 5 seconds.

Currently the system will identify 'SPAM' mail by tagging the message - it will not delete it automatically. We have included a new utility 'procmail' that will allow all mail to be filtered and re-directed either to folders (or the trash can) depending on the content. The full in/out's of procmail cannot be done justice in these release notes - various books are available. We have included some recipes in /usr/utilities/samples/.procmail along with a sample startup file (.procmailrc) that uses them.

In addition, to the 'pvbug' utility you run the O.S., there is a similar option on the 'Help Menu' for those of you not familiar with basic E-mail. You will be asked a couple of questions, asked to enter a BRIEF description and then a pop-up box will appear for more details. If you find any of the options are too limited you should use the O.S. version as there are very few limits on that version.

There have been some changes to the Write screen (Attachments):

• Sometimes you have put the wrong reference number on a lab request and the results have been attached to the wrong animal. A new option 'Move' has been added to allow you to move the attachment between animals. Users do need access permission 139 (same as attachment delete and edit)

• Work waiting to be attached will normally be 'dumped' into the folder sheets/new until you are ready. If you end up a pile of 'rubbish' in the that folder you can;
  1. Use a GUI and use the Point and Click option to delete specific files,
  2. shell out to the OS and remove the files or now
  3. a new validation option 'Clear out New Attachments' has been added to allow you to remove ALL pending jobs in one go.

• The 'New Attachment' option on the 'W' screen has been given it's own sub-menu. On this you have:
  • Create from Scratch - this is the same as the old 'Create' option where you can make up a new attachment.

  • Use 'Unallocated' document - this is the same as 'Add a new attachment' and will look in the folder sheets/new allowing you to select one of the un-allocated documents on the system.

  • Select Existing File - this is a new option, many users may have uploaded documents to their home directory, the common 'shared' folder, directly to the web server or any other location. This option will bring up a little menu allowing you to navigate these location and you can select the required file. We have included a sample 'Web cgi-bin Script' (upload.cgi) that can be added to your custom web pages to allow easy uploads from your web server. Your 'home page' (assuming you have not customised it) will be updated to include it.

    When selected you will have the choice to pick the location (use the Arrow keys to go up and down, space-bar to select the radio button). You will then have a 'Choice file' box, folders (directories on the left, file on the right). The <TAB> key will jump between windows, scroll with the arrow keys, <Space> to select a file. (Tip: If you are selecting a sub-folder then once in the selection box add a '/' to cause the files to be re-freshed). Once you have the file in the selection box, TAB to OK and press <Return>. You will then be asked the usual question as to type and a description as per the 'Add a new' option. The file you attach will NOT be deleted once attached.

• Rest Associates have altered the format Lab Results are sent in. The system will attach both as text and as Word documents depending on who sends them.

For those sites using a 'Play Area', if you set in params.txt: Send_User_Play = Yes then whenever you change/add a user on the live area the changes will be copied over to the play area automatically.

Two vet -p scripts 'adduser' and 'retuser' will automatically update the users in play area if present. The admin menu will no longer add the user(s) to the 'Out of Hours' area as staffing may be different.

O.S. script /usr/utilities/update_play (*) can be added to cron to automatically copy all the data to the play area on a regular basis to ensure the play area stays current. Any 'xx.local' configuration files will NOT be transferred over.

• In the Client Name Help box, the middle option is 'Initials', if the params.txt entry Client_Box_Initials is set to something else this will be used instead.

• A problem in kennel booking where the days would be offset by one has been fixed.

• In the pop-up price list (pvprice) the system will check the code and the full description on AP items. You can also edit the 'custom' options with application that add extra Carriage Returns e.f. WinWord, NotePad, WordPro etc. PvPrice will strip these off automatically.

• The 'Items?' prompt line has been increased in length.

• The params.txt entry 'Breed_Box = Yes' will over-ride any of the help setting and the help box on the right of the screen when in Automatic Pricing will always be for the Species/Breed details.

• Label Maker - multiple labels to a TSP700 will no longer produce a blank label at the end of the run.

• Print Spooler - If using the 'Mail' option, the attached filename will always be printjob.txt rather than the cryptic name (11212.1 etc) used by the spooler. Applications that depend on the extension should be able to associate the correct helper program.

• Cross Updating: If you are processing all sites in the one vatbook, edits to play cards on the remote sites could appear in the vatbook. This has been blocked. If you are adding clinical lines when forms are generated it was possible on new records for these lines to have a charge - now blocked.

• Windows Editors (other than Microsoft Word) - If using the Management -> Operation -> Text option to generate a template the option will add the correct mime type so the saved document can be recalled correctly. A few internal changes have been made to make it easier for OpenOffice or WordPro to be slotted in.

• Docket wording - as with the definition file(s) used with today bills, dockets now follow a similar scheme. The def files are:

  docket.crd	if the account is in credit
  docket.bal	if the account is due
  docket.nil	if the account is zero

  These definition files will be added AFTER docket.bot - they are not dependent on docket.bot being present.

• Merge Clinical Records - after a merge the clinical records to be sorted into date order automatically.

• Stock End of Year - could overwrite card one if batch numbers enabled - corrected.

• The defaults for VetDACS have been changed to use the new version of VetDACS.

• Milk and Meat withdraw periods on the labels, if not specified then blanks will be printed on the label rather than a '0'.

• Dose lines will be recursively checked for other abbreviations to enable multiple abbreviations to be used at the same time.

• vet -p retuser XXXX will automatically retire the user XXXX in the Premvet password file (and in the play area if it exists). This can be combined with the OS command userdel to automate both Premvet and the OS synchronisation on users.

• The 'What is Happening' screen (F11 or Ctrl Y) has a new column 'Su' indicating which surgery the user is active at.

• Anita screens, the system will disable the Min/Max/Close options on the top toolbar.

• The 'No Print' option when generating an operation recovery form will reset the operation and clear the 'OP' flag on the management screen.

• Address search - new style menus - normally you do not specify the street number - the system will now strip off the number if it is entered in error.

• The Update Server option (on the Help menu) has a separate option (Download Others - SQL) for any DataMajor (SQL) scripts. This allows you to just update the new scripts without affecting the Vet System (and it makes the Vet System download smaller - therefore faster).

• Operation List - the Status 'Done' has been changed to 'Finished' to avoid two 'D' options on the prompt line.

• The 'Old Style' shortcuts for finding an animal have been mapped onto the new menus:

  /xxx on end of animal name - use crude search for xxx

  :yyy on end of animal name - address starts with yyy

  ,zzz on end on client name - animal name starts zzz

• Attaching Lab Results - some site are getting 'spam' appearing on the lab screens. If you set Lab_Strict=Yes in /etc/default/premvet (use the admin menu) then only mail from a recognised Lab and if there is a valid animal number will be processed.

• The vet -p export/import option will now process payment types, use 'vet -p xxx payments' or 'vet -p xxxx xpay.csv'.

• Access to to SMS (Text Messaging) log file has been added to the Admin menu (Option e - g - sms).

• When using SMS out-with the UK if you set SMS_Country to be your country code (without leading 0's or +'s) e.g. SMS_Country = 353 (for Ireland) the system will route the calls correctly.