Original publication date: November, 2006

This is Really the End of Softshare Vista

2007 is fast approaching and with it comes the end of Softshare Vista. As highlighted in the March 2006 issue of Softshare Times, WinCATS will no longer support Vista as a communications component beginning January 1, 2007.

What does this mean to you? If you're one of the many programs that has already abandoned Vista in favor of e-mail communications and exclusive management of the Bid Match program from WebCATS, this news is non-news and there's no need for you to read the rest of my column this month.

But if you're one of the few programs still performing bid-match-related edits in WinCATS or if you are still faxing or mailing bid matches to clients, the discontinuation of Vista has a big impact on your operations and you should definitely keep reading.

To prepare your program for the loss of Vista, Softshare strongly recommends that you take the following steps as soon as possible:

1. Send Softshare an e-mail address that we can send confirmation messages, bid match bouncebacks, tracking reports, and other bid-match-related e-mails to. This e-mail address can be a public e-mail queue that is accessible to several people or it can be an individual's e-mail address. Whichever works best for your program—just as long as mail for this address is opened frequently, and opened by someone who is knowledgeable on Softshare's Bid Match program.
2. Convert all fax and mail delivery bid match clients to e-mail delivery. We recommend the mybidmatch.com e-mail delivery format in particular. If you're not familiar with this delivery method, check out our mybidmatch.com brochure. As discussed in step #3, don't make the conversions in WinCATS—it's time to start getting used to using WebCATS.
3. Start using WebCATS for all Bid-Match-related functions. The next version of WinCATS will not allow you to create, edit, activate, or inactivate profiles. Nor will it let you edit bid-match-related fields such as delivery method or e-mail address. You'll only be able to do these things in WebCATS so it's best to retrain yourself earlier rather than later.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us.

© 2012 Softshare, Inc. All rights reserved. This article is part of an archive of Softshare newsletter articles dating back several years. Some of the screenshots, procedures, or information contained within this article may no longer be 100% accurate or relevant, as Softshare's software and services are very fluid. Thank you for your understanding.