• Student information now includes Start/Stop dates for school and transportation.
• Routes now have a RUN modifier instead of AM/PM allowing 30+ runs per route and dropoff/pickup on same route.
• Most MARSS code fields are included in database.
• Family screen has a second note field for private notes that do not print on letter.
• Added school to student lookup on family screen.
• The Intown and note fields are now accessible on Group Route. Now sorted by time and location.
• Contact list added to track business contacts.
• New Route stop add from family screen.
• Headstart and Medical Information Cards available under the PRINT CARD option on Family screen.
• Fuel log entries update Bus mileage properly.

• Multiple route stops per day per student.
• Trip scheduling and control into multi-user package.
• Master route table with start/stop times, distances, drivers and other pertinent information.

• Macintosh version of Busware
• Customizing Reports
• Pricing

Most new features this month prepare the way to handle unlimited stops per day per student with different stops depending on the day of the week. Easier, smarter lookups and more data for the operators and districts that want to keep census information in this system were also added.

The RUN route modifier replaces AM/PM routes. This means that you can have 36 routes per day for the same bus # but even more important a route is not only a pickup or dropoff route but can be a combination route with both pickups and dropoffs.

The student selection screen now shows school as well as grade information for students for easier selection. The list is now much larger for faster selections.

The group route screen now lets you modify the notes and the intown modifier for routes within the group route edit. The notes are accessed by double clicking the note field. This brings up an edit window where you can make all your changes. NOTE: When the word memo is all lower case there is no text in the note. When the word Memo is mixed case there is text in the note.

The family screen will allow you to add routes on the fly. When you edit a student and put a new route in, a popup window will ask if you want to add this stop to the route table.

Headstart and Medical information cards can now be printed from the family screen. These cards are formatted for 4x6 index cards that can be fed through most laser printers. Use the PRINT CARD button on the family screen, which will ask you which card you wish to print. For best results use the manual feed or auxiliary feed on your laser printers and print in small groups.

A simple contact database has been added to the system. A good place to keep non-employee phone contacts for maintenance, school contacts, bus operators, suppliers, emergency contact info or whatever contact information you want shared access.

We are going to do regular upgrades with set releases. There will be no additions or changes between revisions unless a serious bug is found. This allows planned development of the product and assures that everyone should be on the same release and simplifies support.

The next release will concentrate on three areas: Multiple routes assigned by day by student; Trip scheduling; Maintenance reporting

When is a Macintosh version coming?

A Mac version of Busware is under development. The biggest problem we are having is with the difference in screen/print fonts between a PC and a Mac. The program actually works under Mac but the fonts are not acceptable for release. A couple of possible solutions are under review. If you have particular interest in a Mac version please contact Bob to review your requirements.

Can I modify reports or create custom reports?

• Purchase a report writer.
• Modify the sort on existing reports.
• Create your own tools in Visual Foxpro, Visual Basic or Access.
• Export the data to another tool such as Excel.
• Request that we build the report as a standard report.
• Commission us to build a special report for you.

First a warning that these changes are done within a tool that gives access to all the data and ‘can damage your data’. Make a backup before attempting these examples or to modify reports on your own (Have you tested your backups to make sure they are working?).

The basic procedure is very simple:

• Select menu option FILE-SPECIAL-PROGRAMMER TOOL
• Type in REPORT FORM name_of_report FOR report_conditions TO PRINTER NOCONSOLE
  • This will select and print the report with the filter.
• ENTER key on blank line to close programmer tool.

Report Conditions are commands that will limit the report to the information you are interested in. A couple of examples:

• REPORT FORM child FOR lastname ‘MZ’ TO PRINTER
• REPORT FORM child FOR grade=’K’ TO PRINTER
• REPORT FORM child FOR schoolid=’SHS’ TO PRINTER

The second option will limit the report to all students in grade K.

The final option will limit the report to all students in school SHS.

The capability to filter or modify reports so that you can find specific information can save you time and answer questions that might take many hours of research to determine otherwise.

If you wish for more information please contact Bob.

What is the current pricing?

Effective March 1, 2000 pricing for Busware will change to reduce maintenance contract charges and fix a single price for purchase. Maintenance contract charges will be reduced by 40%. The system purchase price will include the software, 1st year maintenance, setup and training (some limitations apply).

Regular, multiple copies and keep at least one copy off-site. There are so many things from lightning, to fire, to computer viruses, that can destroy your data, that it is critical for these backups to be made. The data this program holds is the result of untold hours of hard work that no one wants to repeat.

When to buy

If you plan to purchase Busware, please purchase before summer. Preparing for next fall may require data transfers from your old system, the school data system or help from us. Additionally any staff training and special requests will take time. Now is the time for best results in the coming year.

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Wendy Laughridge (Faribault Transportation), Carol Matthees (Owatonna Bus Company), Lyle Hicks (Hicks Bus Lines), Jan Vanderwall (Roseville Schools), and Denny Clark (Clark Transportation) for their suggestions and advice on updates made for this month.

Current Versions

Busware 1.20.02
Tripware .90 Beta
Censusware .75 Beta