Gower Optimal Algorithms Ltd.

Software Updates.

This page provides users with access to details of software updates to our products. These may be enhancements to the general releases or 'bug fixes' to problems which have been encountered. 

In December 2008 / January 2009 we released new versions of PALLETMANAGER, CARGOMANAGER and SLIPSHEET MANAGER. These versions are compatible with Windows Vista (and also work under Windows 7 Beta). No support issues have been raised.

[It should be noted that when writing to Microsoft Virtual Printers (Image Writers) in CARGOMANAGER then the PrintAll function (only) requires the more modern (free) Microsoft Download XPS Image Writer and not the older Office 2003 Image Writer.]

Support Issue - July 2008.

Whilst the November 2007 release works fine on Windows Vista, a recent Microsoft update has introduced an issue with those using Vista machine accessing some networked printers. This results in someone running the November 2007 release under Vista finding that the PM/CM application seizes when closing screens after selecting Print to a Network Printer. This appears to be a function of old Windows Printer Drivers which are not 100% compatible with Vista. This only happens on one or two screens in each application and the November / December 2008 release overcomes such problems.

Support Issues - November 2007:  

An early release version of CARGOMANAGER (CD dated 8/11/2007) sent to a small number of customers was updated to all with a new CD dated 21/11/2007. This was to avoid a possible error with users who had originally installed CARGOMANAGER in 2005 or earlier and had NOT utilised the cargo ITEMBASE. [A read error on ITEMBASE on entry to Screen 3].

Support Issues: November 2006:

PALLETMANAGER:

We have received 2 support calls from users of the STORE/Retrieve functions reporting an error: 'end of file - error 57 - program SA0700'. Whilst we cannot duplicate the cause (an issue with Microsoft Installer affecting we believe just a few machines), the simple solution is documented below.

Solution: If you use Windows Explorer to look at the installation folder (default PMNT) you will see a file PMCONFIG. If this file is of zero size (it is normally 1k) double click it and then open it using Windows Notepad. Using just the return/enter key place at least 4 empty lines at the start of the file and save it away. The problem should now be cured and will not re-occur when new installations / re-installation take place.

Support Issues: CARGOMANAGER:

The only support issue with this product is the need for a 32bit Color Quality (Display Properties) to be used in order to display box codes on screen. This is likely to be the standard setting on the vast majority of modern systems.

These installations, and all those CD's issued by us since 11th April 2005 utilise the 32 bit MSI Microsoft Installer for all systems. The change of installer has no effect on the software installed or on the rules applied when installing / updating files.

Some comments on why have moved to the new system and the advantages it offers for all can be found here.