Synchro points of contention

[fuertecases]

since we started using Synchro we've had less than optimal performance. Any feedback regarding these issues will be greatly appreciated.

1. When synchronizing our computer slows to a crawl. Using any other programs slows it down even more, and we have fast machines.
2. Whenever an out of sequence order is placed and we have to reset the last order downloaded, synchro starts over and attempts to retrieve every
single order in Miva. It will not respect the last order number we input and even though the invoices already exists it can take several hours to go through only 400 orders.
3. We would also like the ability to name our retail customers in QB as last name, first name but also name our commercial customers by their company name rather than the name of the individual that placed the order. Anyone know if that mapping can be done?

Thanks.

Michael B.
http://www.FuerteCases.com
The Waterproof Case Company

[dotCOM_host]

1. When synchronizing our computer slows to a crawl. Using any other programs slows it down even more, and we have fast machines.
Michael,
As a point of reference, what do you consider a "fast machine"? Just wanted to see if this is related to the hardware itself, or software, or a combination of both. From my perpective, everthing I've been using in the past few months on the desktop has been at least dual-core, if not dual CPU systems, and it usually takes quite a bit to bring those systems down to a crawl. It might be an idea to get some specs pulled together to see if there are somehardware based bottlenecks...

[fuertecases]

Sorry about the delay. Well, as fast as we've had. The new machine we synchro with now is a Pentium IV Extreme, 1.5GHertz with 3/4 gig rambus (paired) and 2 60gig hard drives (120):)

[dotCOM_host]

P4 1.5GHz with 768MB RAM? I'd say that's an antique (sorry) and that might be your problem. Does anyone even sell anything below 3GHz these days? Your minimum RAM should be at the very least 1GB+. If you are shopping for a newer system, definitely go for dual-core solution (it's like having two CPUs in one - works much better than hyperthreading).

[fuertecases]

Works faster than anything we have already and all other applications run faster that humanly necessary. All we are talking about is text transfer anyway that should not have that much requirement. Besides, speed is not the issue. The main issue is that synchro does not respect the last order received number we enter and insist on reverting back to the the very first order. It also does not seem to matter whether the "detect out of sequence order" is checked or not as it does not give any alerts or report of such detection.
Thanks

[Hostasaurus]

Michael:

Do you have the most current version of Synchro? Regarding the speed, it has to look through the orders database each time even through it's only downloading the new ones. If you're storing orders in your Merchant admin, try removing the old ones, (then delete baskets and pack the store files)

[fuertecases]

Looks like we are using version 1.62. Is that the latest version?
Thanks

[Jimmy Cooper]

v1.63 is the current version of MIVA Synchro.

[fuertecases]

Okay. We can have that updated. Still, this was happening when 1.62 was the latest version. Are we saying that that was a problem then and this version will fix these problems?
Thanks

[Jimmy Cooper]

Hi Michael,

I believe that the issue you reports in #2, with the last order number, was an issue corrected in v1.63.

As for the speed, it's going to be dependant on the speed of your PC and also your internet connection. Since it is communicating directly with your admin, there's a lot of data being transfered online.

For the customer mapping, unfortunately there is no way to really filter out which type of mapping scheme is used for which type of customer.

[fuertecases]

thanks.

Where do we go to update to 1.63? That should be a .exe file, correct? the only file we found at downloads and patches did not do the trick.

Regarding the earlier mention of pc speed it is a 3&1/4ghz machine and we run on a cable connection. So plenty fast. It just took 30 minutes to bring in 5 orders!

Regarding the mapping I think that this would be a welcome feature by many to differenciate between retail and commercial customers without having to manually change the info. Seems like a simple option as in IF company name THEN or IF blank THEN last name, first name.

Thanks.

[Jimmy Cooper]

Hi Michael,

I sent you an email with the FTP info.

[fuertecases]

Thank you for the ftp info.

Well, we updated to v1.63 and everything is the same. No improvement. We have a past order to reset last order number to this morning and once again Synchro does not respect our entry to start at order number 6231 as we manually entered and instead reverts back to order 1001!

Total waste of time. We urgently need help getting this resolved.

Are we the only ones having this problem?

[Marianne Albano]

Hi Michael,

Would you provide more specific details on how you've configured Synchro and the steps you're taking when getting the last order number problem?

Specifically, right before you do the sync:

- What are your settings under the Orders window?
- What are the invoice (sales rcpt?) numbers in your QB file? (e.g., 6000-6230, 6235-6237) Just provide a sample of the invoices close to the order # that is giving you problems.
- What are the order numbers in your Merchant admin? (e.g., 6231-6137 ??) Again, just provide a sample of the ones close to the order that is giving you problems.

Also, what is the above info after you attempt the sync?

Regarding the slow performance, how many total invoices/sales receipts are in your QB file? How many orders are in your Merchant admin? Which version of QB are you running? What is the file size of your QB file?

Thanks.
Marianne

[Marianne Albano]

One more thing, Synchro comes with a small utility called "Retrieve Program Information". Look for it in the start menu, in the MIVA Synchro program group. This utility will retrieve data for read-only; it will not modify Merchant nor the QB file.

Try retrieving an order from Merchant that already exists in your QB file. Let me know if the time it takes to retrieve the data is negligible or significant.

[fuertecases]

Hi Marianne.

We just looked in the Synchro folders and we do not have this utility you mention. From start menu we have Synchro, Retireve Payment Information, Release Notes. No Retrieve Program Information.

- What are your settings under the Orders window?
**Synchonize orders created in Miva -checked
Detect out of sequence orders is -checked
Prefix is mm-
Last order number - Should be 6400
Sales Rep - House
Record orders as - Invoices
A/R acct - Accts Receivables
Terms - Used Fixed - Set to prepaid
Shipping - Don't set method is checked
Sales Tax - Allow QB to apply/ recalculate is checked
Line items Create line for Shipping is checked
Create line item for other (coupon) is checked
Shipping item is set to - Freight S/H
Other Item - is set to Coupon

- What are the invoice numbers in your QB file? (e.g., 6000-6230, 6235-6237) Just provide a sample of the invoices close to the order # that is giving you problems.
**Our exisitng Miva generated invoices start at mm-4384 through 6399. Any order can cause a problem when numbered prior to the last order uploaded.

- What are the order numbers in your Merchant admin? (e.g., 6231-6137 ??) Again, just provide a sample of the ones close to the order that is giving you problems.
**At Miva admin we have only mm-1003 through mm-1013 and then had them changed to mm-5801 through 6399. Our next order # should be 6400.

Also, what is the above info after you attempt the sync?
**We can set Synchro last order # to mm-6399 and it may (or may not) start retrieving order mm-1003. If order mm-6250 was skipped (for whatever reason) and we set to mm-6249, it may take it and then again it may revert to the very first order. Synchro will show that the last order is mm-1003 when it reverts to the first order, regardless of what we set it to be. (?)

Regarding the slow performance, how many total invoices/sales receipts are in your QB file?
**QB has 2158 invoices

How many orders are in your Merchant admin?
**approximately 460 orders

Which version of QB are you running?
**Wholesale & Manufacturing 2005

What is the file size of your QB file?
**a meger 52.7 mb

Thanks