Earlier versions (before 1.13.2) of PetAdmin will work with Windows Vista, but it is recommended that you upgrade to the latest release if you have Vista or are planning to obtain Vista. Some Vista users have experienced an error message 'Help was created in Windows Help Format which is not supported by Vista'. PetAdmin used to use the WinHlp32 system which is not rolled out by default on some versions of Windows Vista (see the Microsoft article http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917607 for further information). For Vista users affected by this, the WinHlp32 system can be downloaded and installed by following this link :- http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=82148

Not only does PetAdmin work with Windows Vista, but it also runs on Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition (98SE), Windows Millennium Edition (ME), Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP too.

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How do I get PetAdmin ?

You may obtain a copy of PetAdmin either by downloading the software from the downloads page of this web site, or you may order a CD from us. Please contact us if you want a CD. You may 'try-before-you-buy' and run the resticted version of the software under no obligation. This restricted version is limited to a maximum of 25 customers and/or 50 pets. Simply enter an unlock code to convert the restricted version to the full version. You will also be provided with a user id and password upon purchase to enable you to download program updates to bring your current version up to the latest release.

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How do I install PetAdmin ?

If you have downloaded PetAdmin from the web site simply double-click the downloaded file in Windows Explorer (or open it when prompted after downloading). This file is called PetAdmin.msi.

If you have a copy on CD double-click (again in Windows Explorer) the file x:\PetAdmin.msi where x: is your CD-Rom drive.

Follow the on-screen instructions and this will install the correct version of PetAdmin for your PC's operating system.

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How do I install the PetAdmin patch? 

(currently disabled as the latest version requires a full download)

Patches to PetAdmin are normally issued as two self-extracting executable patch files - one file (pa_patch.exe) being the PetAdmin program file (petadmin.exe) and the other file (pa_help.exe) being the updated PetAdmin help files (petadmin.hlp and petadmin.cnt).

If you have downloaded these files from the web site simply double-click the downloaded file in Windows Explorer (or open it when prompted after downloading).

The patch files can also be found on the installation CD in the Patch sub-directory of the CD. Again in Windows Explorer navigate to this directory n your CD-Rom drive and double-click the appropriate file.

For the program patch (pa_patch.exe) ensure that PetAdmin is not running on your PC, and double-click the pa_patch.exe file in Windows explorer to launch the setup program, and follow the instructions, installing the patch into your original installation folder. After installing the patch log back into PetAdmin and you may receive a prompt that your database needs to be upgraded. If so, click Yes to upgrade the database.

For the help file patch (pa_help.exe), this will open an unzip dialog window. In the 'Unzip to folder' entry box enter the name of the directory into which you originally installed PetAdmin (this is C:\Program Files\PetAdmin by default) and then click the 'Unzip' button. After this has completed you will get message as to the success of the operation. Click the 'Close' button to close the window. 

For Network users : make sure that PetAdmin is not running on any PC, and patch the first PC as described above. Then login to PetAdmin and upgrade the database if prompted. Then patch the other PCs in turn.

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What is the Unlock Code ?

The installation process will generate a unique serial number for your copy of PetAdmin. When you run PetAdmin you will be asked for an Unlock Code. Give us the serial number and we will provide you with the code that you enter to provide you with a full version of the system (unlimited number of customers and pets). You can still run the system without entering the unlock code, but you will only be able to run the restricted version.

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What do I do if there is a problem ?

If you have any queries or problems, even if you have not yet purchased PetAdmin and are only evaluating it, please contact us and we will be happy to assist.

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What if I already have a system ?

If you already have a system and you want to upgrade to PetAdmin then we may be able to convert your existing data to get you up and running as soon as possible. We offer data conversion from your existing system to save you re-entering the data manually. See conversion and prices for details.

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Why use us ?

We can supply you with PC's, printers, software, network setup, installation, internet access, web site design, email ... in fact a everything to get you started. We provide help, support and expertise on any aspect of computers and IT and have many years of experience both in the support and development of systems for large corporate clients and small businesses. Buying from a 'one stop shop' such as ourselves leaves you with peace of mind. If you have a problem you come to us. Service and peace of mind is assured.

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What are PetAdmin services ?

Petadmin uses the concept of services to which rates are assigned. You then assign services to a pet for a booking booking in order to build up the invoice, and also to produce service reports which effectively can tell you what you have to do each day. You create a service for things that you provide to the pets e.g. boarding, heating, training, grooming, bathing, pickup (collection), drop-off (delivery), etc.

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How do I assign rates ?

PetAdmin can assign rates either by breed, run-size or weight, via billing categories which you define. For breeds, each pet breed is assigned to a billing category. For run-size billing, each run is assigned to the billing category. For weight you define weight ranges to a billing category. Rates are then assigned to the billing category/service combination. When you then assign services to the booking the equivalent rate for the service is looked up and so the rate for that service is then ascertained for the invoice for the booking.

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How do I setup discounts for second animals ?

There are a number of ways in which you can give discounts to a booking with more than one animal within PetAdmin.

1) You could setup additional boarding services (PetAdmin has a BOARD service already configured) e.g. 'BOARD2', 'BOARD3', etc. You then set your discounted rate on the rates screen for these services, the 'BOARD' service being at your standard rate, BOARD2 being the rate for the second animal, and BOARD3 for the third, etc. When you take a booking then you would apply the standard 'BOARD' service for the first animal in the booking and the 'BOARD2' for the second animal (and 'BOARD3' for the third animal) instead of the 'BOARD' service.

2) You could also setup services 'DISC2', 'DISC3', etc, DISC2 being the discount for the second animal, DISC3 the third, and so on. You then assign negative rates to these services (i.e. a reduction to the invoice) and assign the BOARD service which is your standard boarding rate to all animals comprising the booking, and additionally assign DISC2 to the second animal, DISC3 to the third, etc.

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I charge seasonal rates. Can I set this up within PetAdmin ?

You can set up an alternative set of rates called "Peak" rates. In the main availability screen, you can mark individual dates or complete date ranges as being "Peak". When PetAdmin creates an invoice it will pick up the correct rates for each day of the booking depending on whether it is flagged as "Peak" or not. 

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What is an adhoc invoice ?

There are two types of invoices within PetAdmin. 'Normal' invoices are associated with a booking and are created automatically when you take a booking for a customer. You may add to normal invoices retail sales items. An 'adhoc' invoice is not associated with a booking, and is an invoice for a retail item for a walk-in or cash customer e.g. sales of pet food to a walk-in customer.

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My database is corrupt - what can I do ?

PetAdmin uses a Microsoft Access 2000 database file (called padb2000.mdb) to hold all its data. Should the database become corrupt, then PetAdmin will automatically recognise this and attempt to repair the database (each time you perform a backup PetAdmin automatically checks the integrity of the database and compresses the backup). If there is a problem that stops PetAdmin from repairing the database file, then you can attempt to repair it directly from Access 2000 (if you have a copy) using the Tools/Database Utilities/Compact and Repair Database Menu option. If you do not have a copy of Access 2000, then refer to the Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q273956 for the JETCOMP.EXE downloadable utility which you can install in order to compact and repair Jet 3.x and Jet 4.x database files. If the database is unrepairable, then you must restore the database from the last good backup that you have. The Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q209137 provides information on how to troubleshoot and repair a damaged Jet 4.0 database file. Jetcomp may also be downloaded from our Downloads page.

After repairing the database please make sure that you run the Integrity Check built into PetAdmin (from the DB Utility screen) to ensure that the internal records are correctly linked and the totals are calculated correctly. If this reports errors then you have no option but to restore your database to a position prior to when the corruption occurred.

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Can PetAdmin run on a network ?

Yes, PetAdmin can be configured so that many PCs shared the same database.

1) Install the program on each PC (make sure that the version number is the same on each PC)
2) Elect which PC is to contain the PetAdmin database, and setup a shared folder on this PC - note that the shared folder name MUST NOT contain SPACES
3) Copy the padb2000.mdb file (the PetAdmin database) to this shared folder
3) Map the shared folder on each of the other PC's using the Tools->Map Network Drive in Windows Explorer menu
4) Change the PetAdmin shortcut on the other PC's add add in '-d:xxx' switch after the target setting in the properties of the shortcut where xxx is the full path of the PetAdmin database e.g. if you have a share called S: where the petadmin database is in a sub-folder in S: called PetAdmin then the shortcut target should read

"c:\petadmin\petadmin.exe" -d:s:\petadmin\padb2000.mdb

The Downloads page has a number of documents that may be of interest to anybody who wishes to network PetAdmin.

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Can I use my customer details for mail merge ?

As previously mentioned above, PetAdmin uses a Microsoft Access 2000 database file (padb2000.mdb) to hold all its data. If you have MS Word, then you can use the padb2000.mdb file as the data source to an MS Word mail merge template document that you have created.

The following outlines the printing of labels using MS Word Mail Merge facility using MS-Word 2000 and the customer details held in PetAdmin. The same principle can be applied to any MS Word mail merge so you can also adapt it to print standard letters as well, and include pet details contained on the table called tblpet :-

1) Start MS Word
2) Click menu->Tools->Mail Merge
3) Click "Create" and then click "Mailing Labels..."
4) Select "Active Window"
5) Click the "Get Data" button and then "Create Data Source"
6) Click the "MS Query" button
7) Select "MS Access Database" from the list and click OK
8) Select the petadmin database in "C:\PetAdmin\data" (or wherever your database resides) and click OK
9) From the "Add Tables" box, choose "tblcustomer", click "Add" and then "Close"
10) To bring all the customer details just drag and drop the ' * ' (asterisk) into the empty box below
11) Click menu->File->Return data to MS Word
12) Click the "Set up main document button"
13) Choose the correct label format from the list and click OK
14) Build your sample label using the "insert merge field" button etc. The columns in the customer table are mostly self explanatory, but beware that the address columns are cust_addr1, cust_addr2, cust_addr2a, cust_addr_2b, cust_addr3, cust_postcode (zipcode), and the customers name is split into cust_title (e.g. Mr, Mrs, etc), cust_forename and cust_surname. Click OK when done.
15) Click "Merge" and then the "Merge" button on the 'Merge' window displayed.
16) Print it out.

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I have purchased a new PC - what do I do ?

You can transfer your PetAdmin licence and database to your new PC. Follow these guideslines :-

1) You must first install PetAdmin onto your new PC using the original CD sent to you, or downloading the program from this web site. If the original CD version is different to the version your are currently licenced for, then you must obtain the correct version that you are currently using on your old PC or the latest version (i.e. the  versions must be the same or greater).
2) Start PetAdmin on the new PC and a new serial number will be displayed. Please contact us stating your details (name, kennel/cattery name, etc) and your new serial number and we will email back your unlock code for the new PC.
3) Enter the unlock code on your new PC to fully activate the software.
4) Backup the database on the old PC using the DB utility to a removable disk (e.g. memory stick) and then restore the database on the new PC from the removable disk use in the backup process on the old PC, or alternatively manually copy the PetAdmin database from the old PC to the new PC. The PetAdmin database is normally located in the "c:\petadmin\data" folder and is called padb2000.mdb - copy this file from the old PC and place it in the same location in a new PC.
5) Start PetAdmin on your new PC and you should now see all your data.

Unless you have purchased a second software licence, PetAdmin must then be uninstalled from your old PC.

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Can I export data to a file for use in Excel or Word etc. ?

There is a SQL "Query" window under the File menu option that lets you enter and run queries against the database giving you a table of results. The data in the table can be saved to a file (tab delimited) for use in other programs. It is recommended that you contact us for your requirements and we can create the query and email it to you.

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