Release Notes

MultiPress

Index

General
CRM
1. Synchronise calendar/tasks/contacts
2. Alarm function for tasks
Calculations - order - delivery note
Invoicing
Production and shipment planning
Reservations - purchasing - stock materials
Report generator
Dashboard
1. Dashboard
Internet
API
Workflow

General

Supporting texts when sending e-mail

In MultiPress 4.2, we’ve added the option of creating supporting texts in HTML for e-mails. So after the update, you should first create this template. This can be found in MultiPress: Settings -> Internet -> E-mail tab. Certain existing templates in which HTML is used will not be included in the conversion with this new feature. This is because the HTML that is used will not contain the correct code. Templates in which no HTML is used will be converted correctly but, of course, do not yet contain any formatting. To add this formatting, go to General -> Texts and open the relevant layout.

GDPR data protection act

Because this legislation became active from May 2018, we removed the option of logging in without a password from the system. This is applicable from version 5.0.

Conversion time

It is difficult for us to estimate how long a conversion will take. It depends on a number of factors: SSD drives, internal memory, CPU speed, and the condition of your system. For a pre-conversion for a new word processor in MultiPress 5.0.01, it is advisable to keep the ‘stored letters’ as short as possible. This will take the most time, provided you use it.

From 32 bits to 64 bits…

All MultiPress applications from MultiPress 5.1 will require a 64-bit OS. Apple has long since announced that they will stop supporting 32 bits. The same system requirement applies to Windows devices.

Text Editing, Spreadsheet, and Report Generator

These modules have been completely redesigned in MultiPress 5.1. You may discover some differences in the layouts. Ensure that all fonts used in the documents are installed on the computer on which the conversion is performed. The new report generator has two interfaces: one for the ‘creator’ who creates and edits reports, and one for ‘users’ who execute these reports. The automatic actions from the previous report generator have been replaced by ‘projects’ that offer quite a few additional options. And thanks to Super Report, there has been a leap in performance. Existing reports are neatly converted. Super Report training sessions will be held at our offices soon. Please note! When updating to version 5.1, it is important that the fonts used in the text layouts (quotations, order confirmations, invoices etc.) are installed on the server. Always use TrueType fonts to prevent conversion issues.

App now linked to members of staff

On account of new app features in combination with MultiPress 5.1, app licenses are now linked to specific members of staff. After conversion, you will need to specify the employees who will be using the app. In addition, a single license can now be used on multiple devices.

General invoice sender

In the invoicing settings in MultiPress 5.1.02, it is possible to sign the invoices as ‘general’. If this option is active, you will send the invoice via e-mail using a general e-mail address, which can be defined using the Company details button.

New 4D v18 version...

In MultiPress 5.2, we work with the LTS version of 4D v18. This means that it’s fully supported for MacOS Catalina and will work on Windows 10.

User management

From MultiPress 5.2 onwards, you will be able to create a set of active modules in user management. This will be linked to the function profile. When you create a new user, these modules will automatically be active. If you change something in the function profile, you will be asked whether you also wish to change this for existing users.

CRM

Synchronise calendar/tasks/contacts

The previous calendar synchronisation functionality (VBScript ¬ AppleScript) has been removed from MultiPress 5.1 and replaced by online REST links to Google and Office 365. With regard to tasks, the message has been changed from ‘time prior to start’ to ‘time’. Because this was often used incorrectly, we haven’t provided a conversion.

Alarm function for tasks

The alarm function for tasks has been changed. Previously, the alarm was based on the number of hours before the scheduled start of the task. In MultiPress 5.1, you can set a specific time at which the alarm will be triggered.

Calculations - order - delivery note

Entering the number of originals

From version 4.2, entering the number of originals in the digital calculation has been moved to the Signatures button. This has been done to create a simple work process for loose-leaf work. Existing calculations have been automatically moved to the Signatures button. From a mathematical point of view, nothing has changed. In terms of filling in the details, the number of originals is now entered via the Signatures button.

The TP calculation for digital

The TP calculation for digital printing has changed from version 4.2.02. Before performing the update, you should therefore make screenshots of the digital rates. The calculation method is set up as follows, to produce a correct TP calculation:

During the conversion, the old hourly rates cost price and selling price are set to ‘0’.
The click price and cost of toner use should be placed in the ‘Purchase price’ field of the click scale.
The click selling value should be placed in the ‘Selling price’ field of the click scale.
If the hourly rate (cost price and selling price) is filled in on the machine, these are shown as an operation in the costing calculation.
(Time x hourly rate) and the click price are both included in the calculation. Previously, the calculation was only based on the click price.
The click price is shown as material on the costing calculation.
If you want to continue working with the old method (i.e. calculating on the basis of click prices), you don’t need to do anything.
If you want to work with the new method (i.e. Calculating on the basis of hourly prices, potentially supplemented with click prices), only the ‘Cost price’ and ‘Selling price’ hourly rate fields need to be filled in, and the click prices should be adjusted to reflect only the material component.
The field ‘Starting costs’ for the machine itself has been retained, but it is now calculated as material.
In the formats, a ‘Set-up time’ field has been added to both the ‘1st original’ and ‘next original’.
TP calculation is then as follows:
Selling price of the calculation
------------------------------------------------------------
MINUS: click purchase price
MINUS: machine starting costs
MINUS: format starting costs
MINUS: purchase of materials from the calculation
MINUS: purchase of third-party work from the calculation
------------------------------------------------------------
= TW

Combination module

The combination module has been completely redesigned in MultiPress 5.0 and now works directly with the print lines in sheet offset, rotation, screen printing, digital, and large-format. Of course, it depends on the number of modules you have purchased.

Screen printing

In MultiPress 5.0, the PMS colours pull-down list has been removed. It is now filled with the entered print colours by default. This change has been made in order to allow further automation.

Exporting Request for quotation, Quotation, Order, Purchase, and On-demand order

In MultiPress 5.0, if the receiving party still uses a version lower than 4.2, you can no longer send anything to this version. So you should ensure that you have contacted all parties beforehand and checked whether they have at least version 4.2.

Minimum ink amount in screen printing

When a calculation is performed in screen printing with several frames over several lines, the minimum ink amount for the ink (not that of the machine) was overcalculated. In MultiPress 5.0.01, this is now viewed per line and then totalled.

White margins now at press level

Because of the diverse array of machinery used, we have decided to move this parameter to press level in MultiPress 5.0.01. After the upgrade, ensure that you check this parameter and set it as appropriate.

Changes to the wizard

The wizard interface has been slightly adapted in MultiPress 5.1, taking account of expanded functionality. If several printing sheets are present, these will be visually displayed in the wizard screen. The same applies to finishing. You can now include multiple types of finishing in your wizard calculation. Also, a specific input has been created for packaging, which is no longer part of the overall finishing process. A separate input is provided for this.
From MultiPress version 5.2 onwards, if we carry out a calculation with 3 runs via the wizard, the calculation of the smallest run will still be based on the classification of the highest run. This also means that in the case of Multi Roll, we switch to the optimal working method, i.e. with multiple rolls.

Signature button

The Signature button has been renamed in MultiPress 5.1 and is now called Multiply. Its functionality remains unchanged.

Definition of reprints

On the ‘extra info’ tab for orders in MultiPress 5.1, the ‘reprint’ pull-down list has been changed. The ‘order’ and ‘inventory’ options have been removed because they had become less relevant. As for JDF, jobs now only appear as related if they are unchanged.

Copies of calculations turned into orders

Previously, you had three options to choose how MultiPress handled calculations that became orders. Two extra options have now been added.
Whenever a calculation turned into an order, you were asked whether you wanted to keep the original calculation.
Depending on your choice, a certain flow was followed in terms of the relation between the calculation and the order. By opting for ‘copy with order number’ in the settings, you could easily choose not to keep the original calculation.

This resulted in no copy being made and all changes at order level also being applied at calculation level – effectively the same as using the ‘no copy’ setting.
From version 5.1, you have a choice between ‘copy with order number (direct)’ and ‘copy without order number (direct)’. This means the question is no longer asked and the original calculation is always kept.

Order numbers for stock items

Stock items no longer have an order number in MultiPress 5.1. You can now create an item from an order, which is then included in the mutation rule. When launching a new production run, the initial record should actually be disabled – and this is now possible. As a result, you can track what you use even more effectively. Please note: as this also affects management, you might have to adapt your reporting methodology accordingly.

Change in the structure of the XML file from electronic invoicing

Because of an optimisation of electronic invoicing, the structure of MultiPress.xml has changed in MultiPress 5.1. The change is primarily connected to account info. It is therefore recommended to test this first.

Simplified colour input for digital

In the Digital module in MultiPress 5.1, print colours are always entered via a pull-down list, replacing the 4/4 principle in separate fields. The old combinations have therefore been converted to a ‘print colours’ pull-down list, which you can find in the Pull-down lists module. All the combinations you created in the past will be set up for you in this list after the upgrade. This ensures smoother integration with the wizard and the JDF engine. In addition, it will allow you to work with qualities, for example. For instance, you can have an economic 4/4 and a High Def 4/4. The print colours are also linked to the content of the ‘colours’ button.

Importing addresses into an order depending on the version has been optimised considerably

For customers who use the Addresses module, from MultiPress 5.1.02, it is possible to import address lists where no figures have been filled in and where there are versions in the order. In this case, MultiPress ensures that the print run will be divided up by address and by version. This means you can obtain an overview quickly. Of course, you can still adjust the distribution afterwards.

Ink and coating split in print sheet calculation

Previously, there was a limitation for taking coating into account. There was only one option and sometimes you had to be a little creative. In MultiPress 5.1.02, this is a thing of the past. After this upgrade, you can extend the old coating rate to take into account several coatings or varnishes. Your original coating calculation will therefore still be available in your updated MultiPress, which means that calculations and orders entered before the upgrade that included coating calculations will still work correctly. It is therefore very important that this standard parameter is extended rather than changed. You can also create ‘extra’ colours under the special colours in the basic rates and these can in turn be linked to the print colours, which are linked to a printing process in the pull-down lists. When using the wizard, if this special colour is used, this will be detected and filled in automatically, provided that your coating press is set up correctly.

Stopping and reversing with unequal distribution

In MultiPress 5.1.02, where you previously defined whether to stop or reverse, you can also specify that the printing should be the same on both sides. You can do this via the combination (GLK). MultiPress will deal with this intelligently and look at the orientation of the model to determine whether stopping or reversing is necessary.

Delivery notes

When we create a delivery note in MultiPress 5.2, the box will always be filled with the packaging that we have defined in the parameters as the “standard box”.

Invoicing

Intrastat reporting for selling and purchasing extended

In the settings of the Invoicing module, you can now enter Intrastat codes for both purchasing and selling. For selling, you can select these codes in the subline of an invoice, and for purchasing they can be fed in from the supplier record. Codes can also be selected manually when entering the purchase invoice. For customers who already have integration for Intrastat, contact Application Support.

Automatic Invoicing

From MultiPress 5.2 onwards, when we generate invoices via the AUTO button, the selected lines will be sorted according to the “delivered on” date.

Reminders

From version 5.2 onwards, the reminder shows the outstanding invoices in order from old to new.

Total VAT amount adjustable

If the setting is set to calculate the VAT on the total amount rather than per subline, then from MultiPress 5.2 onwards you can also adjust the VAT when entering a purchase invoice. This is in order to compensate for any rounding. This also applies to input via API, which means that external links for validation of purchase invoices can also make use of this.

Production and shipment planning

Important change in production planning

When someone in planning works with a planning centre to be shared. Imagine you have a TurboJet to be included in your calculations, which in practice is actually three identical TurboJets. In this situation, people often apply the principle of having everything arrive at TurboJet in general, and dragging items from there to one of the three fictitious machines. Previously, the machine only had to be listed as standard in the ‘machine general’, and you placed the same machine under the actual machines as ‘non-standard’. However, this resulted in problems with registration. The new procedure in MultiPress 5.0.01 is that you give these four machines a number so that they are in the correct order (1 = the general, 2, 3, and 4 the actual press) and you place the machine from the rates under all 4, but ALWAYS as standard. When scheduling the job, MultiPress will look at what the machine is connected to and will fill the planning sheet for the machine with the lowest number. Important change to be aware of.

Shipment Planning: Delivered

• From MultiPress 5.1.02, the ‘uitgeleverd’ checkbox that you used to check when a shipment had left or had been delivered has moved. It now appears in the bottom section of shipment planning, in the U column. You can right-click on the column to indicate that the row has been delivered. Three more columns have also been added:
- V: changed
- A: logged
- O: collected

Further development of Forwarding Flow in terms of bulk shipments

After the upgrade to MultiPress 5.1.02, when you drag lines in shipment planning to the bottom (planned) section, the software will automatically check the lines on the same delivery note. If applicable, a popup will appear, asking whether you wish to include these lines as well.
The same applies to logging lines with forwarders. (Transsmart, Sendcloud, MyParcel, Unifaun)
You should always log just one line; the other lines that should be on the delivery note will automatically have a tick in the ‘aangeleverd’ column.

Reservations - purchasing - stock materials

Stock management now runs via a central list and new procedure.

In MultiPress 5.0.01, a reservation is no longer a ‘fixed’ piece of information, which means that a reservation is accompanied by an increase in the print run. As a result, however, the screens in stock are different. The ‘reserved’ field is a calculated field as soon as we open the screen. Please walk through this flow with support before updating.

Please note! Before the upgrade to 5.0.01 is performed, you should ensure that you clean up all open reservations from jobs set to a ‘delivered’ or higher status. Dataline can provide project support to assist you with this.

Order status under the write-off button

As an extra check of whether all goods have been written off on time, the order status has been added to the write-off button in stock. This means that from MultiPress 5.2, you will see that certain jobs are already in finishing while paper is still reserved.

Product types at purchasing level

In version 5.2, we can now make our own list of purchase product types. This is essentially a conversion of the fixed list of purchase types that you used to find in the purchasing module. These will come up when you create a new purchase. The old list will continue to exist for the umbrella grouping so that certain management modules continue to report properly. By creating additional levels, you will be able to create new product types yourself and you will be able to link these to various VAT rates and purchase accounts. At relationship level you will also be able to link a purchase product type to your supplier. This type will then be given priority, but you will still be able to override this when purchasing. If a purchase type is linked to a material, it will also appear automatically.

Report generator

In version 4.2, the report generator has been improved so that it can be used automatically. If past reports and queries were always stored in the specified folder, these will be included in the update conversion. The specified folder is the Client folder or the folder indicated in the path in Settings/Management. If the reports and queries were stored somewhere other than the specified folder, the reports will not automatically be included in the update conversion. Please contact us prior to the update in this case.

Total inventory list

It may be that people who have a customised inventory list need to view it again according to the changes. The ‘reserved’ field was used for this in the past. From MultiPress 5.0.01, this is an array, namely aSR_UNIQUE_ID (reference to item) and aSR_RESERVED (the quantity reserved). Method: use ‘find in array’ (this example is for paper) to search for which element it is.

e.g.
$POS:=Find in array(aSR_UNIQUE_ID;[PAPER]PAPER_ID) vSR_RESERVED:=aSR_RESERVED {$POS}

Database changes

There used to be a separate field distinguishing foil stamping from other types of finishing. This has been removed and foil stamping has been assigned number 0.

New features in the report generator from 5.1.02

The updated report generator that you will be familiar with from version 5.1 now has a few extra features. This can mean added value for customers who currently have an ODBC link. This link can now be used via this updated tool. A new export type has been added, which generates a CSV file. This also allows you to generate the CSV dump overnight, via an automatic action, so that it does not need to be handled during the day.
When using the wizard button, it is now possible to use multi-select.
Changes have also been made in order to make conditional formatting possible. Contact support to request training for this.

Dashboard

The dashboard has been completely overhauled in MultiPress 5.1.02. You can now even create your own dashboard, customised to your own needs and preferences. If you already had this module set to active, the standard dashboard is supplied as it would have appeared just before the upgrade, but you can now extend it. You also have the option of creating a separate dashboard for each type of employee. The dashboard can also be consulted from the client itself.

Internet

Web module

The Web module has been completely redesigned in version 4.2 and now makes use of modern plugins such as jQuery. If you have modified your web folder in the past, these changes will have to be made again in the new environment.

Web2print

In MultiPress 4.2, the Web2printmodule has a new version of pdfLib. This version is stricter as regards the field type. Previously, an image field would also accept a PDF, whereas it is now obligatory to set the correct type.

Webshop

The Webshop has been completely redesigned in MultiPress 4.2 and now makes use of modern plugins such as jQuery and Bootstrap. If you have modified your web folder in the past, these changes will have to be made again in the new environment.

Internet module in combination with on-demand orders

From MultiPress 5.0, the Internet module only works with on-demand orders for inventory/ready-made products. Previously, there was an option to do this via a ‘product’ button. However, that was incorrect in terms of traceability. If you don’t have the on-demand order module, these products will now be included as an additional line on the order.

Web extension

In MultiPress 5.0, the web extension is optimised to run the web server on a client. This means that you now need to log in via a separate user. This user is called ‘Web server user’. The password is the same as that of the system administrator. When you log in, a status screen of the activities appears.

API

REST API

It is important to note that, from MultiPress 5.0, SOAP calls are no longer supported. As we know how important the connector is for your organisation, we have a trial version of MultiPress available that allows you to test business-critical processes before updating. Please contact us for this trial version.

Connector

In MultiPress 4.2, there are a number of new functions available in the connector. We can provide update training to allow you to gain more insight into these functions. Please contact us for this. As we know how important the connector is for your organisation, we have a trial version of MultiPress available that allows you to test business-critical processes before updating. Please contact us for this trial version.
In MultiPress 5.0.01, there is a new function ‘getStockReservations’, which was previously incorporated in ‘handleStockMutation’. For notifications, the IDs of the client and employee notifications have also changed. Previously, these were the client and employee numbers, but the IDs fit better with the other functions.
The REST function ‘preflightContentData’ of the ‘workflow’ resource has been modified in MultiPress 5.1. There is now a single array including all profiles. For the ‘relations’ and ‘employees’ tables, the ‘mutation_date’ field has been renamed to ‘timestamp’. This field specifies the date of mutation, but since it didn’t include a time stamp, we have now made it an ISO date with the format: yyyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ss.SSSZ.
All autofill attributes have been modified in MultiPress 5.1. An important request for autofill was that users should be able to create multiple rules. In concrete terms, a list of print rules can now be received. As for compatibility, the previous autofill submission method is still supported.
A new filter is available in MultiPress 5.1.02 under ‘GetArticlesList’. This filter allows you to quickly retrieve the underlying ID of a material.
In MultiPress 5.1.0.2, you can also enter the note that should appear when creating invoices via the API. This can be done via ‘handlejobQuotationsDetails’ with the ‘invoice_data’ field.
It is also now possible in MultiPress 5.1.0.2 to adjust the cost centre and cost owner for each subline of the invoice via the API, using the call ‘modifyCostCenterPlace’.
When you query pull-down list 22 (relationship type) via REST, all relationship types will be shown, i.e. also including the fixed types (customer, supplier and old relationship). This applies from version 5.2.
In MultiPress 5.2, for handleSubJobsQuotationsDetails and handleDeliveryAdressDetails, which we query on the basis of a subid, we also have added the parent to the response.

Token for REST API

From MultiPress 5.2, it’s now possible to create a token for API security. The method of username and password is deprecated and will be removed in a future version.

Changes to API field names

To ensure consistency, there have been a couple of changes in the API.
- Subpurchasing table: ‘type’ has been renamed ‘type_id’
- Subpurchasing invoice table: ‘type’ has been renamed ‘type_costs’

Workflow

Impose

The Impose module has been redesigned in MP 4.2 due to new technologies within 4th Dimension. This has resulted in a considerable increase in speed. There is no longer a delay when moving to the next or previous tab. However, it was not possible to perform a conversion for the impose settings. So if you have moved the colour bar, this will need to be done again for the current orders.
The JDF export from impose, if available on JDF (imagesetter), has been modified in MultiPress 5.0.01 and has been tested with an ApogeeX workflow. The old version never worked and was a test for the Harlequin RIP/JDF Enabler. Unfortunately, this product no longer exists. If you have developed your own link based on this export, this should be investigated.
From MultiPress 5.1, the option to export to the EFI hotfolder application has been removed. EFI hasn’t supported it for quite some time and it hasn’t been used in MultiPress either.
For customers who use the Impose module and have the colour strip set to centred, from MultiPress 5.1.02 the horizontal distance is calculated along both sides and is truncated at a full block.

JDF

The JDF module has been partially redesigned due to new technologies within 4th Dimension. Extensive testing has been performed with Heidelberg and Agfa, but we cannot rule out all contingencies. As we know how important JDF is for your organisation, we have a trial version of MultiPress available that allows you to test business-critical processes before updating. Please contact us for this trial version.
On the ‘extra info’ tab for orders in MultiPress 5.1, the ‘reprint’ pull-down list has been changed. The ‘order’ and ‘inventory’ options have been removed because they had become less relevant. As for JDF, jobs now only appear as related if they are unchanged.
Customers with Heidelberg and a link to Pressroom Manager cannot upgrade to 5.1.02. Heidelberg needs to fix a bug first. This relates to figures that no longer come through correctly.

Check & Repair

The separate check & repair client no longer works with the Windows or Mac username and uses the internal MultiPress user instead. This ‘Preflight client’ no longer uses an ‘Office licence’. You should log in using this special username. The password is the same as that of the system administrator. When you log in, a status screen of the activities appears. Note that the dropdown list in the settings has changed to a checkbox. This is applicable from MultiPress 5.0.

Reset button

From MultiPress 5.1, the Reset button now has two distinct functions – with or without Shift. This means that you may or may not place the printing sheets back in their original positions.

Change by Kodak NexPress

Kodak NexPress has made a change to do with paper selection for its system 21. There was previously a ‘Brand’ setting in the media, but this is now under ‘DescriptiveName’. No fallback has been provided. Unfortunately, this can’t be done via ProductID. From version 5.2.xx, this will be possible. They also now support searches of the normal paper catalogue as defined by CIP4. This has also been incorporated into this version. So if you’re migrating to 5.2.00, it’s crucial that you also switch to Kodak’s system 21. And conversely, if you install Kodak’s system 21, you should also install MultiPress 5.2.