DTN Solutions Proposal
Refiner’s Information Management Solution
DTN RIMS™
User Guide
RIMS4
Refiner’s Information Management System
TABLE OF CONTENTS
System Requirements & Installation.........................................................................
2
Main Menu................................................................................................................
3
Options......................................................................................................................
4
Communication Setup...............................................................................................
5
System Configuration................................................................................................
6
Utilities......................................................................................................................
7
Site Maintenance.......................................................................................................
8
Authorizing a Site to Receive Terminal Price Blocks...............................................
9
Group Authorizations................................................................................................
10
Terminal Price Blocks...............................................................................................
11
Maintaining Authorizations for Terminal Price Blocks............................................
12
Products for Terminal Price Blocks..........................................................................
13
Defining a New Product............................................................................................
14
Daily Pricing Updates................................................................................................ 15-16
Communicating with DTN.................................................................................
17
Communicating with DTN Special Request......................................................
18
Groups.......................................................................................................................
19
Messages.................................................................................................................... 20-21
Global Messages........................................................................................................ 22-23
Reports....................................................................................................................... 24-26
Importing Terminal Price Blocks..............................................................................
27
Appendixes................................................................................................................
28
2
Welcome to RIMS4 for Windows
Refiners Information Management System
RIMS4 is a comprehensive Database that’s specifically designed to meet the needs of the refiner.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
RIMS4 is designed to run on a PC with a Pentium processor with at least 16 meg of RAM.
WARNING: RIMS4 runs very slow on pre-Pentium processors. RIMS4 uses approximately 20 meg of hard
disk space for programs and data files. This varies by user and increases as your databases grow.
If your PC has an External Modem, a 16550 UART Serial Card is required.
Installation of RIMS4
Locate the two diskettes labeled Disk 1 and Disk 2.
If installing over a previous version (3.97 or earlier), locate the Update disk.
This version is backward compatible.
ðPlace Disk 1 in your disk drive
ðFrom Program Manager click on File (START for WIN95)
Click on run
Type A:\WINSTALL or you can browse, going to the A: (or appropriate drive letter
for the workstation being used) drive and double-click on the WINSTALL.EXE.
ðThe install process will ask you for a password,
To obtain a password call DTN Client Support at 800-779-5775 Option 3
The install process prompts you when it is ready for Disk 2.
When Disk 2 is finished, place the Update disk in your disk drive.
Run the A:\ UPDATE.EXE (If installing over a previous version)
ðLaunch the program by using the RIMS4 icon. By selecting Options from the top of the main menu,
Setup allows you to configure RIMS for your application.
3
Main Menu
You may enter any of the areas by three ways:
1. Clicking on the button with your mouse.
2. Using the underlined letter “_” keys. Example: R for Reports
3. The “View” pull-down menu.
The nine buttons on the main menu
contain an underlined letter. Pressing
the underlined letter takes you into
that particular window.
S - Sites
T - TPBS
P - Price Changes
D - Communicate w/ DTN
G - Groups
M - Messages
L - Global Messages
R - Reports
X - Exit
The navigation bar above appears on some screens either partially or in its
entirety. If a button is in black it is available for use. The button functions
are defined as follows:
Go to first record.
Delete current record.
Go to last record.
Edit record.
Go to previous record.
Save any changes.
Go to next record.
Cancel any editing changes.
Add a new record.
You do not need to use any other key.
Refresh the display on your monitor.
4
Options
Setup
contains the “communication setup” and “system configuration” options on the System
Utilities Menu.
Utilities
contains Session File Management, Rebuild Data Files, Reset All Flags & Backup
Restore.
Custom
Remains in gray unless you previously had Custom Options installed.
Samples of the Setup Menus
A complete explanation of each follows.
5
Communication Setup
COMM PORT This is system specific. You need to know which comm. port your modem is
using.
DATA BITS
8 Pre-defined by RIMS4
PARITY
1 Pre-defined by RIMS4
STOP BITS
N Pre-defined by RIMS4
BAUD RATE
This is set to the highest available baud rate supported.
PROTOCOL
Contact DTN Client Support for your appropriate protocol.
LOGIN &
PASSWORD
DTN Client Support will provide this information..
PHONE_NUM The phone numbers for DTN’s Live Transmission System are provided by
DTN Client Support. No spaces or hyphens used. Commonly a “9,” is used prior
to the phone number to reach an outside line.
PHONE_INIT This is used only if your phone system requires an initialization string.
MODEM_INIT You may or may not need an initialization string for your modem. If you are having
problems connecting with DTN an initialization string may be necessary. Contact
DTN Client Support for assistance.
6
System Configuration
Refiner:
This is your company name. User Defined for your reference only.
ID:
This is the same as your login from the Communication Setup page.
Next Transmission Session Number:
This field allows you to enter your next session number ranging from 0-999. It is maintained by RIMS4.
To run RIMS4 on a network you need to contact DTN Client Support for specific instructions. The
Multiple Users, “D," and “I” fields are all specifically designated for network applications.
Default Billing Department:
This field allows you to enter a default 6-character name to associate with any messages sent from RIMS4.
Price Change Options:
By placing an “x” or “Flagging” the appropriate field, these options allow you to select which prompts
appear during the Price Change function.
Price Change Default Sort:
This determines the default sort order of Price Blocks.
Global & Message Display Pages:
These fields have been predetermined by RIMS4. There is no way to alter these fields without first
consulting with DTN Client Support.
7
Utilities
When you enter Utilities from the Option menu, you can choose each of the utilities by clicking the
appropriate tabs at the bottom of the screen. An explanation of each follows.
Session File Management
This utility allows you to view and manage session, response, and command files that are
generated by RIMS4. You can also archive files that append to a zipped file named
SESSIONS.ZIP in your RIMS directory.
Rebuild Data Files
Clicking on this tab reveals the “Reindex and Pack Data” button. This button rebuilds RIMS4
indexes and packs the databases.
Reset All Flags
Clicking on this tab reveals the “Reset All Communication Flags” button. Do NOT use this
feature unless you are sure that you want to remove all user defined Comm Flags.
Backup - Restore
Backing up your data files is a terrific money and time saver. If for some reason your
databases ever become corrupt due to a hardware failure, etc., you can restore a backup of your
databases from this screen. It is highly recommended that all users perform a backup to
diskette on a regular basis. The default file name is “today’s date.ZIP”(i.e., A:\081797.ZIP)
8
Site Maintenance.
Authorizations for a particular site to receive terminal pricing or group messages are maintained from here.
Clicking on Terminal Block Auth (Alt-B) shows which terminals this customer is currently authorized to
receive. Authorizations are added or deleted for a particular site from this screen. After making changes to
a customers Terminal Authorizations you want to insure that you communicate with DTN so that these
changes are processed by the DTN system.
Authorizations are processed daily at 11:00 am CST.
To include a customer in a particular Group so that they may receive messaging sent to a grouping of sites,
click on Group Auth (Alt-G).
To submit all Site Authorizations in one easy step, click on the Submit All Site Auths button (Alt-S).
Adding a Site
1.
Click the AddSite button.
2.
The Adding Site window appears in the center of the screen. Enter the Site Number that was
assigned by DTN.
IMPORTANT:
All Site numbers are assigned by DTN.
Do not assign your own site number.
To obtain a number for a new site please contact the
Wholesale Database Administrator at DTN 1-(800)-779-5775 option 5
3.
4.
A conformation window appears stating “Site xxxx not found. Add it now?” If the
information is correct, click on “OK”. If the site number is already in use, it will ask if you would
like to “Edit it now.”
The cursor is now in the TID field. Complete each field provided, as you TAB field to field and
finally add the new site to your database by clicking the Save button.
ðSite: This is the site number provided by DTN. This is the only required field. All other
fields are for you reference only.
ðTID: This field is for the Terminal ID of the customer’s unit. This number is found on
the statistic page of their DTN unit. If for some reason their unit is upgraded or
replaced the TID will need to be changed.
ðCompany: This field is for the name of your customer’s company. It is for your reference only.
ðCustomer Id: This field is for any reference number you may have for this customer.
ðContact: This field is a reference for a current contact at this site.
ðDelivery: This is the device type that this site uses to receive the information from DTN.
(Satellite, Fax, Mailbox, etc. as a 2 digit code )
ðAuth Date: This field is controlled by RIMS4. It displays the last date this site was modified.
9
Authorizing a site to receive Terminal Price Blocks
Authorizing a Site to Receive Terminal Price Blocks
1.
3.
4.
5.
6.
After clicking on Sites from the Main Menu, you then click the Terminal Block Auth button.
screen.
On the right of the screen there are 4 buttons: Add Block, Copy Site, Add All Blocks, and
Delete All Blocks.
ðAdd Block: Use to authorize the current site to receive one or more TPBS.
ðCopy Site: Use to copy the TPBS’s from a specific site to the current site.
ðAdd All Blocks: Use to authorize the current site to receive all of your TPBS.
ðDelete All Blocks: Use to delete all TPBS from the current site.
To authorize a site to receive one or more TPBS click on Add Block. A list of available TPBS
appears on the screen, click on the appropriate TPBS. To choose more than one TPBS, hold the
Ctrl key down and select the each TPBS, or if you need to select a range of blocks hold the Shift
key and select the outermost TPBS.
To copy authorizations from one site to another, click the Copy Site button. A message asks you to
“Enter the site to copy blocks from” after entering that site number, click “OK”. It
verifies
that this is the site you want, click “OK”.
Be sure that the sites you have just entered have an “A” or “S” in the CF column. This indicates
that the sites are flagged to be sent. To complete the process, communicate with DTN.
Deleting a Site
At some time you may have a site that is no longer a valid customer. When this happens you delete that site
in RIMS4 AND YOU MUST NOTIFY THE DTN Database Administrator at
1(800)-779-5775 OPTION 5. If you do not, that site will continue to receive your Global Display pages.
ðEnter Sites from the Main menu. Go to the site you wish to delete then click on the “-”
minus button from the navigation bar. Confirm your action, click “OK”. The next time
you communicate with DTN these changes will be made.
10
Group Authorizations
Clicking on the Group Auth button reveals the screen above. Here users maintain authorizations for a
customer to receive group messages.
Adding Groups to Sites
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Select the site you wish to add to a group.
To add to a single group click “+” the plus sign on the navigation bar. This allows you to choose
the appropriate group.
To delete a single group auth. highlight that specific group and click the “-” minus sign from the
navigation bar. Confirm the action by clicking “OK”.
You may also want to use the Copy, Add All, and Delete All features for maintaining your groups.
To complete the process communicate with DTN. DTN must receive group
authorizations by 11:00 a.m. (CST) to be effective that day.
11
Terminal Price Blocks
This area sends customers pricing information. Each price block is four lines by eighty characters wide.
When using RIMS4, there is room in each price block for up to seven products. Each terminal location uses
one price block. The use of numerous price blocks is permitted if over seven products is required. TPBS ID
numbers are sequential and maintained by RIMS4.
Adding Terminal Price Blocks
1.
2.
3.
At the main menu, click on the TPBS button.
Click on the ADD button in the bottom left corner.
Enter the appropriate information as follows: Use the TAB key to navigate through the fields.
ðBlock Name - This is for your reference, a description or location of the terminal.
ðSPLC - Optional. Standard Point Location Codes these are available through the National Motor
Freight Traffic Association.
ðDelay Time - These fields should remain blank unless you intend to delay transmission of this
price block. Enter the date & time you wish the TPBS transmitted.
The time entered 0 - 24 CST (16:00 = 4:00 p.m. Central Standard Time)
Please contact DTN Client Support if you have any questions.
ðPrice Group - This field allows you link this TPBS to a specific price group. If you do not use
price groups, leave blank.
ðZone - This field allows you to determine to which zone this block belongs. If you do not use
zone pricing, leave it at its default 1.
ðSize - This field is used by DTN Client Support. Accept 1 as a default.
ðComm Flag - This field is used only when submitting this TPBS to DTN (Maintained by
RIMS4, users cannot modify this field.)
A = Add block. A new TPBS to add.
M = Modify TPBS Definition. The definition alone is communicated, NOT the prices.
S = Submit full information
B = Both the pricing and the definition have been modified. Both are communicated
to DTN.
IMPORTANT - After all the fields have been completed the price block must be communicated to
DTN. This adds the price block to DTN’s transmission system. This must be communicated
to DTN BEFORE YOU ADD ANY PRODUCTS or authorizations to this TPBS.
4.
Communicate the new TPBS to DTN.
5.
The TPBS is ready to have products and authorizations added to it.
12
Maintaining Authorizations for Terminal Price Blocks
You have Site information in your RIMS4 database and you have defined your TPBS. Now you need to tell
DTN which price blocks each customer (site) should receive. Once you have entered this information
and sent it to DTN, you only need to maintain the information.
IMPORTANT - Authorizations need to be sent to DTN before 11:00 a.m. (CST) if you want the
your customer to receive their TPBS that same day. In the afternoon, DTN is handling pricing
messages and places' authorizations at the lowest priority.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
At the main menu, click on the TPBS button.
Click the mouse cursor in the Block # window, and use your up and down arrow keys to go to the
appropriate TPBS. Click on Sites.
A list of authorized sites appears, and you are able to use the navigation bar to add or delete sites
authorizations.
Adding - By clicking on the “+” plus sign on the navigation bar, a list of sites appears. You are
able to choose the appropriate site by clicking on it from the list. To get to the site quickly, you can
type in its name. It is added to the authorized site list with an “A” for add in the CF field.
Deleting - Choose the site you want to delete from the authorized site list on the left. Then click on
the “-” minus sign on the navigation bar. Confirm your action by clicking the “OK””.
You may also want to use the Copy TPB that allows you to copy all sites from one TPBS to
another. Add All Sites and Delete All Sites functions that effects only the current TPB.
Complete the process by transmitting to DTN.
13
Products for Terminal Price Blocks
Clicking on the Products button displays a screen that shows the products available at this terminal.
The user can also define, add, edit, or delete products from this screen.
Adding Products to TPBS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
From the main menu click on TPBS, then choose Products from the menu bar.
At the lower left of the screen click on Add Product.
A listing of open order numbers appears from which you may choose. Select 1-7 left to right
where you would like the product displayed in the TPBS.
A listing of defined products appears for you to choose from, click on the appropriate product.
Enter the current price of the product you are adding.
Click on the SAVE button to complete the process.
If more than one product is needed just repeat steps 2 through 6.
The products you just added will not appear in the TPBS until it is Updated. For more
information on “Update TPBS”...see Price Changes.
Deleting a Product
1.
2.
3.
4.
From the main menu click on TPBS, then choose Products from the menu bar.
Highlight the product you want to delete from this TPBS.
Click the Delete Product button on the lower middle of the screen.
Confirm your action by clicking “OK”.
14
Defining a New Product
1.
2.
3.
4.
From the main menu click on TPBS, then Products.
Click on Define Products at the bottom - middle of the page.
The Product Information screen appears and allows you enter a new product.
ðPROD_REC : These numbers assigned by RIMS4.
ðPROD_ID : This field is used for your reference and may contain any value.
ðPROD_NAME : This field is for the name or description of the product. This field appears
in the pull down menu when assigning products to a terminal.
ðPROD_HEADER : This eight-character field appears in the TPBS. This is what your
customers see on their price block.
To complete the process click on the “check-mark” save button in the navigation bar. This
saves the new product to your database. The “Exit” button will return you to the Products screen.
Resetting Effective Dates on TPBS
You may need to do this to keep all of your effective dates on your TPBS the same and current.
1.
2.
3.
From the main menu click TPBS, then the Reset Dates button.
The “New Date” box appears. Enter the appropriate effective date.
Confirm your action by clicking “OK."
UnSubmit All & Submit All
These buttons allow you to add or delete Submit Flags from All TPBS in one simple step. Just click the
appropriate button. All flags are flagged or unflagged in one quick easy step.
15
Daily Pricing Updates
These are the daily procedures for updating Terminal Price Blocks (TPBS). You use these procedures if
you are using RIMS4 Terminal Products feature to update your price blocks. You must complete the
instructions for setting up Products before performing the following instructions.
To accomplish your price changes, perform the following steps:
1)
Click on the “Reset changes to Zero” button. After all the change fields are set to zero, RIMS4
automatically goes into edit mode.
2)
Enter all price changes. If there is no change enter through the Change field leaving “0.0000”.
3)
Click on the “Price Change Report” button. The report is sent to your screen. This report
shows what your Terminal Price Blocks look like after you perform the update. If you
need a hard copy of the report, click on the printer icon at the top of the first page of the report.
Check this report for accuracy of the price change! Catching a mistake at this point can save
time and confusion.
4)
As you make changes to your prices a submit flag “S” is set for each price. Clicking on “Submit
All” submits all Products whether they were changed or not. If necessary, “Submit” and “UnSubmit” buttons are provided to manually submit pages. If all products have the same change
amount you may wish to use the “Change All” button.
5)
Now that the products have all been updated you need to input them to the TPBS. Clicking on the
“Update” button writes the price changes to the TPBS database. It is important that you only
perform this action ONE TIME per session, performing it twice results in doubling your changes.
16
6)
After you have performed the update, exit to the main menu and click on TPBS. Once you are
satisfied with the changes written to the TPBS, you then submit them to DTN for
transmission. There are three ways to accomplish this action:
ðFor submitting only one block at a time, click in the Comm Flag field of the TPBS you
wish to submit. Make sure that there is an “S” in the Comm Flag field. Exit out to the
main menu, click on Communicate with DTN, then click on “4 Build-Transmit-Process”.
Only the flagged TPBS are transmitted.
ð To submit all TPBS within a Zone or Filter, you can click on Submit All. This places
submit flags on all active TPBS but it will not initiate the send to DTN.
ðTo submit all TPBS in one easy step click on “SEND ALL”. This flags and sends every
TPBS. Be sure this is your intent.
7)
After you transmit your prices to DTN, click on View Response File on the Communicate
with DTN screen. Check to make sure that there are no “Command Aborted” messages in the
response file. If you have any questions about errors or any step of this process please call
DTN Client Support at 1-800-779-5775, option 3.
17
Communicating with DTN
In most cases you will use #4 Build-Transmit-Process. This button is an automated combination of buttons
1,2, and 3.
#1 Build Command File: This button takes all the changes that you have made in RIMS4 and
converts them to a DTN command file.
#2 Communicate with DTN: This button starts RIMSCOMW the communication
software and transmits the command file that was previously processed.
#3 Process Response File: This button allows RIMS4 to process all the instructions that were
returned through the response file generated by DTN. Included is the command to
remove previously set comm. flags that have been processed.
5. Special Request option is explained on the following page.
Review Response File allows you to review the file that DTN sends back to you outlining the status of
your communication session. A “command acknowledged” means that command was
processed successfully and will be broadcast through the DTN Transmission System
successfully. A “command aborted” alerts you that the command line for that customer was not
processed successfully and the information for that customer will not be broadcast.
18
Communicating with DTN - Special Request
Clicking on Special Requests once you are in the Communicate with DTN segment brings you to this
screen. The top portion of this screen allows a user to delay the printing of specific zones.
Users may set delays during the update process that would bypass this screen.
The bottom third of this screen allows you to retrieve data from the DTN Transmission System.
This allows a user to request specific data from the DTN system and gives you a basis for
comparison to what you have in your RIMS system. Submitting one of these nine requests for
information will not transmit any data to any of your customers (providing you have nothing else
flagged/submitted for transmission). You will receive a response file during your communication
session containing the requested data. After your communication session is complete you can
click on Review Session File and review the requested data. Please contact DTN Client
Support for more information on these commands.
19
Groups
Entering Groups on the main menu brings you to the Groups screen. This is where you create a group of
customers. Once a group is defined you may then assign customer sites to the group or delete a site from a
group. Your group must have at least two sites to be valid.
GROUP_ID:
This field is maintained by RIMS4.
GROUP_NAME: This field is for your reference. Any name or description you wish.
COMM_FLAG: This field is maintained by RIMS4.
Creating a new Group
1)
Click on the (+) Add Group button on the Top navigation bar.
2)
Enter the name or the description in the GROUP_NAME field.
3)
The left pane in the lower portion of the screen contains a list of Sites to be authorized for this
Group. The right pane contains a list of Sites that are not authorized for this Group.
4)
Select the Sites that you wish to be included in this Group by clicking on them under the right pane
with the left mouse button to highlight and clicking on the arrow key in the middle of the screen
that points to the left hand pane.
Note: There must be at least TWO sites in a group to be valid.
5)
Transmit group maintenance authorizations into DTN.
Exit to the Main Menu, and select # 4 Communicate to DTN.
Deleting Sites from a Group
1) Highlight the Site you wish to delete under the left pane.
2) Click on the arrow key between the panes that points to the right..
3) This will de authorize that Site. Transmit this change to DTN.
20
4)
Messages
Clicking on Messages from the main menu brings you to this Messages screen. Guarantee that
Message Type, Delivery Speed & Page Number are appropriately marked before sending.
Note that Message Name is for your reference only, the file name is the name of the text file
you have created. Edit message launches a text editor for you to manipulate an existing message or
create a new one. Once your message is ready and you have selected the appropriate criteria, click on the
Flagged to Send box . You are now ready to Communicate the message to DTN.
Number:
This field is maintained by RIMS4. This is the message number reference.
Message Name: This field is user defined and for reference only. Any name or description you wish.
Flagged to Send: By clicking this field you can turn on or off the Comm Flag. By clicking on this field
RIMS4 places an X in the box. This means it is flagged to be sent.
Delay Send Date: This field is blank by default. Do NOT enter a date in this field unless you want this
message delayed until that date. It MUST be used in conjunction with the Delay
Time field. Use the “Reset Delay” button to set the delay time and date back to defaults.
Delay Time:
This field is 00:00 by default. Do NOT enter a time in this field unless you want
this message delayed until that time. All delay times are Central Standard Time.
It MUST be used in conjunction with the Delay Date field.
Billing Code:
This is an optional field and for your reference only. It allows a six-digit code to be
attached to the message and appears separate on your invoice from
DTN. This aids in keeping track of messaging cost.
Path:
This field references the directory on your PC or network where this message is kept.
The default is “MESSAGES\”.
File Name:
This field references the actual name of the file that holds your message. Names of
message files are maintained by RIMS4 but can be user defined. To make
managing the task of finding files easier, there is a File Drawer Icon that opens a file
manager for your convenience.
21
Message Type: This area lets you choose which Type of Message you wish to send:
ðList of Sites - As the name infers, you choose specific Sites to receive this message.
ðList of Groups - If applicable, you can choose specific Groups to receive this message.
ðList of Terminals - If applicable, you can choose to send to messages to every site that is
authorized for a specific TPBS.
ðTPB Price Group - If applicable, you can choose specific Price Groups to receive this message.
Delivery Speed - This allows you to choose Priority (Priority 1) or Non-Priority (Priority 2)
Please keep in mind that if you need a message to get to your customers ASAP please
send it Priority 1.
Page Number - This allows you to post the message to different display pages. Contact DTN Client
Support if you do not know how many display pages to which you currently sending
information. If you send the message to the Printer Only, it will not be displayed on the
customer’s screen. Customers who receive information over fax will not be effected by
which page it is sent to.
Authorizing Sites \ Groups
1) Choose which Message Type this message is.
2) Click the “ADD ____” button. The name changes with the Message Type.
3) Choose the appropriate Site or Group.
To Delete a Site or Group for the list, highlight the specific record and click on the “-” delete button on the
bottom Navigation bar. Confirm your action by clicking “OK”.
To help you find a message that has been previously set up. Use the “Search” button.
Creating or Editing Text for a Message
RIMS4 provides a text editor. You can also use ASCII text files created using other editors.
1)
Click the “Edit Message” button. This opens the text editor.
2)
Type your message as you wish it to be seen. Page Size for a normal printout is 80 columns wide
by 25 lines long. Any messages wider than 80 columns are printed in compressed print.
3)
Click File + Save. Click File + Exit.
Control Characters
Within the text editor you can insert unprinted Control Characters for the following functions:
^S - Reverse Video - Allows you to create strikethrough text on DTN satellite screens.
^N - Page Tail - Allows you to stop the display of a message. Everything after the page tail
will not display on a DTN satellite screen. This function could be used
to send certain information to the display page and other information
directly to the printer, without first being displayed on the DTN unit.
^L - Form Feed - This is used to break a message up on different printed pages.
Global Messages
22
Global Messages go to all of your customers that have a valid customer site number for your DTN
segment. They are usually directed to the Display Page and often act like a “cover page” for your segment.
Since Global Messages are created in ASCII characters (*.TXT), no graphics are allowed.
Number:
This field is maintained by RIMS4. This is the message number reference.
Name:
This field is user defined and for reference only. Any name or description you wish.
Flagged to Send: By clicking this field you can turn on or off the Comm Flag. By clicking on the field
RIMS4 places an X in the box. This means it is flagged to be sent.
Delay Send Date: This field is blank by default. Do NOT enter a date in this field unless you want this
message delayed until that date. It MUST be used in conjunction with the Delay
Time field. Use the “Reset Delay” button to set the delay time and date back to defaults.
Delay Time:
This field is 00:00 by default. Do NOT enter a time in this field unless you want
this message delayed until that time. All delay times are Central Standard Time.
It MUST be used in conjunction with the Delay Date field.
Billing Code:
This is an optional field and for your reference only. It allows a six-digit code to be
attached to the message and appears separate on your invoice from
DTN. This aids in keeping track of messaging cost.
Path:
This field references the directory on your PC or network where this message is kept.
The default is “MESSAGES\”.
File Name:
This field references the actual name of the file that holds your message. Names of
message files are maintained by RIMS4 but can be user defined. To make
managing the task of finding easier, there is a File Drawer Icon that opens a file
manager for your convenience.
23
Creating or Editing Global Messages
RIMS4 provides a text editor. You can also use ASCII text files created using other editors.
1)
Click the “Edit Message” button. This opens the text editor.
2)
Type your message as you want your customers to see it. Page size for a normal printout is 80
columns wide by 25 lines long. Any messages wider than 80 are printed in compressed print.
3)
Click File + Save. Click File + Exit.
Control Characters
Within the text editor you can insert unprinted Control Characters for the following functions:
^S - Reverse Video - Allows you to create strikethrough text on DTN satellite screens.
^N - Page Tail - Allows you to stop the display of a message. Everything after the page tail
will not display on a DTN satellite screen. This function could be used
to send certain information to the display page and other information
directly to the printer, without first being displayed on the DTN unit.
^L - Form Feed - This is used to break a message up on different printed pages.
Suggested uses for Global Messages:
ð Identify your company, perhaps creating your company logo out of text characters.
ð Numbers to call if they are experiencing problems with receiving messages. This would be a
good place for DTN’s Customer Service number - 1-800-779-5779.
ðDisplay information on your pricing policy. For example, whether prices include superfund or
if they should receive a pricing message every day.
ð Holiday schedules or normal operating hours.
ð If you are having any type of problems and pricing will be delayed.
24
Reports
The following information provides you with a definition of each of the reports available in RIMS4.
Here are some brief tips about running reports:
ðChoose where you want the report to go to after it is done compiling the information.
1. Display to screen. This is recommended if you do not know which report you want.
2. Write to a Text File. Give the complete path and file name. Default - \RIMS\Report.txt
3. The printer, if so which printer port. Choose LPT 1-5 by highlighting it.
ð Click on the report that you wish to run. It automatically runs.
ð Click on Custom Filter if there is specific information you wish to draw from the report.
If you have any questions about selecting report or filtering information please contact DTN Client
Support at 1-800-779-5775 option 3.
ð A definition and example of each Report follows on the next two pages.
25
1. Current Price Report - Listing of all the current prices of the products by TPBS.
Block Id: 0092 ACME OIL CORP
SPLC:
07/29/97 RFG 87
07/29/97 UNL 87
10077
0.8828
0.9027
2. Price Change Report - Listing of the price changes by TPBS number. This report defaults to give only
the changes for the TPBS that have changed.
Block Id: 0092 ACME OIL CORP
SPLC:
Product Header / Id Old Price Change Current Eff Date
RFG 87
0.8883 0.0055 0.8883
08/25/97
UNL 87 10077
0.9102 0.0075 0.9102
08/25/97
3. Site Listing Report - Listing by company name.
Site# Customer Information
----- ---------------------------1234 1WAY OIL
BUD
PO BOX 123
AK 10000
Voice: 111
Data:
Delivery Type:
TID
-----FOOD
4. Site Auths with TPB names only - List of all customers in RIMS4 by company name with the names of
the Terminal Price Blocks. (Name of TPBS only)
Site Id: 1234 Cust Id:
TID: FOOD
1WAY OIL
PO BOX 123
AK 10000
BUD
111
0004 A-HEADER BLOCK
0092 ACME OIL
5. Site Auths with TPB Text - List of all customers in RIMS4 by company name with the names
of the Terminal Price Blocks.
Site# Customer Information
----- --------------------------1234 1WAY OIL
BUD
PO BOX 123
AK 10000
111
*** SPECIAL NOTICE ***
TESTING TESTING
IF ANY PROBLEMS RECEIVING THIS TRANSMISSION, CALL DTN
AT 800-779-5779.
ACME OIL
#2 OIL LS DIESL K-1 KERO
Change: 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
08/22/97 Price: 0.2816 0.2941 0.5496
NOTE: KERO OUT.
6. Terminal Price Block Report - Listing of your TPBS by block number.
26
Submit Submit T P C
TPB# SPLC P/G Terminal Name
Date Time Z C F
------- ------ ------ ---------------------------------------- ------ ------ - - 0092
ACME OIL CORP
00:00 1
1
RFG 87 UNL 87
Change: 0.0000 0.0000
08/22/97 Price: 0.8828 0.9027
7. Group Membership List - Listing of groups by number with site numbers and customer names.
Group
Number Group Name/Description
Site# Company Name
---------- ------------------------------------ --------------------0004 UPPER MIDWEST
0151
0480
0618
0622
0872
1102
1234
WELLEN OIL & CHEMICAL INC
GANT OIL CO
GATE FUEL SERVICE INC
GARY FIELDINGS A1A OIL
GATE FUEL SERVICE INC
GARY'S FUEL
1WAY OIL
8. TPB Auths with Site names - Listing of each TPBS with all Sites Authorized.
Block SPLC Price
Number Origin Group Description/Name Site# Customer Information
---------- ------ ------- ---------------------- ---- -----------------------------0092
ACME OIL CORP
1234 1WAY OIL
0306 A & A FUEL OIL CO
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Importing Terminal Price Blocks
If you are importing your Terminal pricing you will not need to use the Price Changes option on the main
menu. Click on TPBS on the main menu, then click on File from the menu bar. Click on the
Import Blocks option.
File Type - Select which type of file you are importing.
Import Type - Defaults to “by Block ID” of the TPBS. You may want to use “by Block Name” for
importing by alpha order of TPBS.
In most cases the only information you update is Text Lines 1-4.
Import Blank Fields - Checked if you periodically use the fourth line of the Price Blocks for
messages. Importing blank fields would then over-write text in a previously
occupied field with the blank record.
After specifying the FILE PATH and FILE NAME, clicking on the Import button initiates the import of the
specified file.
SEE APPENDIX - for further information on import files.
28
Appendix
Import Terminal Price Block Specifications
File Type 1 - ASCII SDF (Fixed)
File Name
Length
Block ID
04
Block Name
40
Submit Date
08
Submit Time
05
Time Zone
01
Printer
01
Command Flag 01
Line 1
80
Line 2
80
Line 3
80
Line 4
80
Price Group
01
SPLC Code
06
Positions
001 - 004
005 - 044
045 - 052
052 - 057
058 - 058
059 - 059
060 - 060
061 - 140
141 - 220
221 - 300
301 - 380
381 - 381
382 - 387
Comments
Right justified with 0’s. This field is required.
May be left blank.
MM/DD/YY
HH:SS
(0,1,2,3)
“P” or “N”
(B)lank, (D)elete, (S)ubmit
Optional
Optional
If the field is blank, the positions need to be filled with spaces.
File Type 2 - ASCII SDF (Delimited)
“Block ID”, “Block Name” , “Submit Date” , “Submit Time” , “Time Zone” , “Printer” , “Command Flag”
“Line 1” , “line 2” , “Line 3” , “Line 4” , “Price Group” , “SPLC Code”
If you do not want to import a field, Just put the comma in. If the field is left blank, then just supply the quotes.
File Type 3 - dBase III+
Field Name
Block_ID
Length
04
Type
C
Comments
Right justified with 0’s. This field is required.
BLOCK_NAME
40
C
May be left blank.
SUB_DATE
08
D
MM/DD/YY
SUB_TIME
05
C
HH:SS
TIME_ZONE
01
C
(0,1,2,3)
PRNT_CODE
01
C
“P” or “N”
COMM_FLAG
01
C
(B)lank, (D)elete, (S)ubmit
TEXT_1
80
C
TEXT_2
80
C
TEXT_3
80
C
TEXT_4
80
C
PRICE_GRP
01
C
Optional
SPLC
06
C
Optional
If the field is blank, the positions need to be filled with spaces.
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Notes
For future reference, please make notes concerning system configuration, changes and
updates.