If you have a question or problem when using any of out products, you may want to look first at the Troubleshooting chapter in our manuals. If you still can't find the answer, feel free to call customer support. Before calling, be prepared to explain your problem. Do a Print Screen of the error message or problem and fax it to us first. Try to duplicate it, then write down what happened step by step. Be at your computer and have the manual available.
(903) 561-6673 Voice
(903) 561-6228 Fax
73302.2643@compuserve.com E-mail
genesis@tyler.net E-mail

Every software program has some minimum requirements that it needs so it can operate properly. GTMS and EzBill+ is no different. The requirements listed below may have a comment associated with them if there is another way around the requirement.

IBM-PC, or equivalent clone that operates as a true IBM. A 486 or Pentium is recommended. MS-DOS or PC-DOS version 6.0 or higher. Windows 95 is suggested since EzBill+ will operate very nicely within a DOS window. 640K memory is needed as a minimum. Memory above 640K can be used. We suggest 2 meg. or more. EzBill+ can run in a minimum of 540K conventional memory, + 2 meg. of EMS. If your computer is not configured for EMS, it will not operate properly. If you need further assistance in this area, please see our MEMORY.TXT file that comes on your EzBill+ program disks.

Hard Disk: EzBill+ is designed for a hard disk environment. A minimum of 20 meg. disk is required. The basic EzBill+ installation will consume about 7 meg. of disk space. EzBill+ and one average system will occupy approximately 15 meg. We do suggest that with low hard disk prices, a new computer be purchased with a minimum if 1 gig. hard disk space.

Color Monitor: The program will operate with a monochrome monitor with a graphics card; however, the screens are much easier to understand and follow with a color monitor. EGA or VGA is suggested.

Printer: A HP Laser Jet or equivalent is highly recommended. If you have a dot matrix printer, a 132-column one is preferred since there are two reports that are designed for a wide carriage printer. An 80-column printer will work just fine. The Epson line of dot matrix printers is recommended.

Backup Device: It is a standard practice to have some form of mass backup for your computer. This could be a tape drive, an Iomega Zip or Jaz drive, etc.

Network: EzBill+ will operate on a network, if you have purchase that option from Genesis. Supported networks are those that use industry standard file locking semaphore conventions. Acceptable networks include, Novell, Lantastic (with some caveats), and Microsoft Network.

Communications Program: Your favorite program should work just fine to upload the SAIR, STEL and SLNG files from the central controller. This program can be used to capture dispatch usage files. See Program Notes for further information. EzSaveII is highly recommended.

Invoice Form: If you are using a dot matrix printer, Moore forms 17889, 17897, 17905, 17913 or equivalent will work with EzBill+. Order your forms with "no imprint" if needed. EzBill+ will print your company name and address for you. If you are using a laser printer, you might like to have your logo and if you like, all reports and invoices can print to plain paper. Please see our Invoicing section of this manual for samples that you can follow.

As of 8/96, if you are purchasing a computer, we suggest you keep the following in mind:

PC Clone Pentium 75MHz
16 meg. RAM
1 gig. hard disk
VGA monitor
Dot matrix; Epson DFX5000 series printer (parallel)
Laser; Hewlett Packard HP4+
3½ floppy drive
DAT Tape Backup

Every software program assumes you have a minimum knowledge level before you use it. It may be a simple program and only require that you can read! EzBill+ and it's manual will make a few assumptions about your knowledge level. If you do not meet these assumptions, don't feel bad or insulted. There is a lot to understand. It is well worth saying that you can operate this program with very little knowledge about a Motorola SMR system and little knowledge about a computer. However, more knowledge of the ins and outs of your trunk system and of a computer will help you get the most for your dollar.

You own, manage, or operate one or more Motorola manufactured trunking systems. The system does not have to have a CIT or MBX telephone interconnect system attached to it, but much of this program deals with the billing of interconnect usage.

You know how to turn your computer on and get to a DOS prompt. If you have a Windows environment, we assume that you can operate in that environment.

You can get around well in the IBM and DOS environments. You can copy files from one disk to another. If you have a hard disk you can create a subdirectory, change between subdirectories and move files between subdirectories. If you have problems here, consult your DOS or Windows manual. It is most helpful. We consult in this area for a fee.

You have a working knowledge of your trunk system software. In other words, you should know that GRD> means that you have signed on to the central controller and it says that it is ready for a command. If this is foreign to you, read the Motorola manual that came with the central controller. We consult in this area for a fee.

You have a working knowledge of your communications program. We have not attempted to include communications with this package of software. Currently, EzBill+ looks for you to "dump" your SAIR, STEL, and SLNG files to your hard disk. You should be able to do this. We can help with this over the phone if you have questions. Please see Program Notes for some communication limitations. EzSaveII, a companion program, will also capture the SAIR, STEL, and SLNG files for you. If you are using EzSaveII, you should know how to get these files.

You should have a working knowledge of a line or full screen ASCII test editor. Sometimes you will get a "dirty dump" from your central controller. This means that the phone lines have inserted unneeded characters into the SAIR, STEL, or SLNG files where they shouldn't be! This is not good. You should be able to edit the file and "clean up" its contents before you run the crunch. You can do this with popular word processors such as WordPerfect and Word Star. You can also use the DOS EDIT program that comes with MS-DOS 5.0 or newer.