Some CounterPoint version 7.5 users might not be aware that as of CounterPoint version 7.5.3,  Radiant System stopped supporting the SIQ Report Writer program.

This was due to a number of reasons which included the fact that manufacturer, IQ Software Corporate stopped both sales and development of the product, and changes in software technology.  While the product may still work with your current installation, Radiant is no longer providing data dictionary updates or printer driver updates.  This is fast becoming a more critical issue as Counterpoint has file structure changes with each new release, and printer technologies are rapidly changing.

What options do you have regarding this issue?

If you don't already have the option, both Windows and Unix CounterPoint users can purchase the "SQL Connection Option".  This registered CounterPoint option provides you licensed drivers and data dictionaries which allow you to directly read your CounterPoint data files using any software application than can use ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) technology.  The following is just a small list of applications that can do this:

• MS Excel with MS Query

• MS Access

• Crystal Report Writer

• Goldmine, etc.

This allows you to greatly extended the data-mining and reporting capabilities of the standard software without having to resort to custom software programming. Some examples of the type of queries/reports that you could create are:

• A  list, spreadsheet, or file containing email addresses of customers who purchased a particular item during a specific data/time frame.  - Use this to create targeted email lists.

• A list, spreadsheet, or file containing address of certain customer types who belong to a particular association, who have certain hobbies or interests -  (e.g. For an automotive store - All Senior Citizens who belong to AHRA, whose favorite hobby is Drag Racing).

If you are interested in discussing the SQL Connection Option or the Crystal Report Writer product, please contact the CCS Retail Systems Marketing Department.