Field Reporting software coming soon for VA2
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Field Reporting software compatible with Visual Alert version 2 is in final testing and will be released in the first quarter of this year. It will have the same functionality as Field Reporting for VA1.
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| Welcome new users! | | |
Among the departments that
have recently installed Visual Alert are:
Hughesville Borough Police Department (PA)
South Williamsport Police Department (PA)
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Metro has moved!
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We relocated in October to
435 Devon Park Drive, Suite 510, Wayne PA 19087. Phone numbers
are the same:
Toll free:
800-658-5716
Local:
610-296-7450
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| Look for Update every six weeks | |
Tentative publication dates for 2011 are: March 1, April 12, May 24, July 5, August 16, September 20, October 31 and December 6.
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Register online now for Metro's 2011 User Conferences: March 22nd, 30th
 If you plan to attend one of Metro's 2011 User Conferences, you can register online now or download a pdf registration form to fax, email or mail. Registration forms will not be mailed to users. The Metro User Conference dates and locations are:
- Eastern PA: Tuesday, March 22nd, at Penn State Great Valley Conference Center in Malvern
- Western PA: Wednesday, March 30th, at the Regional Learning Alliance at Cranberry Woods in Cranberry Township
Come see what's new in the world of Metro Software and learn new ways to maximize the use of your computer systems. In addition to group presentations, the conferences will offer small group technology sessions and provide opportunities for small group discussion.
Sign-in starts at 8:30 a.m. and the conferences run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch, snacks and materials are included in the registration fee of $85 per person. We hope to see you there!
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Important notice on Court Costs
for users printing Citations
from Parking Tickets
Whether you are running Visual Alert version 1 or version 2, effective January 1, 2011, Court Costs for Citations have increased from $34.50 to $35.50. Please make sure Court Cost amounts on your Parking System Setup screen have been updated so the proper Court Costs are printed on the citations and uploaded to AOPC, for those departments who do so. Version 2 clients who are printing Non-Traffic Citations, please update the Court Cost on the "Non-Parking Citation Setup" screen, accessible from your System Setup screen. |
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How to resolve incompatibility when running Visual Alert 1 on Windows 7
It has come to our attention there is an incompatibility issue between the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system, both 32 bit and 64 bit, and the encryption process within Visual Alert version 1. Version 1 was designed for compatibility with operating systems provided by Microsoft from 2001 through 2009 prior to the release of Windows 7.
Our recommendations to remedy the incompatibility issue are as follows, listed in order from most desirable to least:
- Move to Visual Alert version 2. There is no incompatibility between VA2 and Windows 7.
- Downgrade the Windows 7 computer to Windows XP Professional.
- Download and install XP Mode and Virtual PC for Windows 7 from Microsoft. This is for advanced users. Information about XP mode can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/default.aspx
As a reminder, when purchasing the Windows 7 operating system DO NOT purchase the Home Edition, as it does not contain sufficient networking capabilities.
If you have any questions, please contact Support at 800.658.5716 ext. 3 or log into the customer only area at
www.metroalert.com to find additonal information in the Information Technology Forum.
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Users booking now for webinars and Visual Alert Training Center sessions
Users have begun signing up for Metro's two new training options: live webinar training provided over the Internet and classroom training in our new Visual Alert Training Center. Visual Alert 2 training and new user training are available, as well as refresher training on query language or any module.
Prices for training at the Visual Alert Training Center are significantly lower than equivalent training at client sites. Live webinar training is the lowest cost training option. Participants can logon to the webinar from any computer and interact remotely with the presenter.
The Visual Alert Training Center, located in Metro's Wayne, PA headquarters, offers the ideal learning environment. Groups of six to eight users can escape the distractions of their normal workday, settle into comfortable chairs in a modern conference facility, and focus on gaining the skills they need. Metro's experts do the rest, leading participants through hands-on training sessions using networked computers and high-end AV equipment.
To schedule training or learn more, email support@metroalert.com. |
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Software updates streamlined and release number format simplified
For those of you who may have missed the first issue of Update, we are streamlining our software update procedures.
This publication will be used to alert you to updates to Visual Alert. Exceptions will be made in the case of critical software updates, which will continue to be delivered immediately, and updates requested by a client to address an emergency situation.
We also have simplified our release number format. Release numbers for the software are found in the upper left-hand corner of the application.
The new format is three numbers separated by dots. The first number is the version of Visual Alert. That is followed by the update number or release number. The final number is the build. Example: Visual Alert 2.1.0 is version 2, release 1, and build 0.
Each update notice we publish will include a short summary of modifications or features added to the software as well as a link to download the update and the accompanying release notes. |
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Visual Alert version 1 customers: Update 1.16.727 available here
Version 1.16.727 is available for download. To download the update, click here. To download the instructions for performing the update, click here.
Below are the highlights of the modifications made in the release:
Incidents
- Corrected display of Incident screen when using 800 X 600 resolution.
- Corrected the source of the occasional message "Option is currently under development" or "A serious internal error has occurred which has caused your Visual Alert session to become unstable."
- Confidential Information button now appears on the Persons screen when a business is entered.
Parking Tickets
- Corrected the printing of Offense Time and Issued Time when printing Citations.
UCR Reporting
- Reporting of Homicide information has been corrected.
- Modified the month and year range to be unlimited.
Vehicles
- Corrected the occasional open file dialog box when opening the Vehicle screen.
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Visual Alert version 2 customers: Update 2.3.1 available here
Version 2.3.1 is available for download. To download the update, click here. To download the instructions for performing the update, click here.
Below are the highlights of the modifications made in the release:
Citations
- Miles Timed field allows for 4 decimal points.
- Created a new report under the Reports Menu called Citations by Person. Entering a name will produce a report listing of all citations for the individual, date issued, the offense and disposition, fine amount and any balance.
- Corrected issue with Traffic Citations under Quick Form where the program created 2 Persons folders for the same individual.
Criminal Complaint
- Corrected issue with missing or cutting off of printed information.
- Added a button on the Probable Cause section of the complaint for importing of the Main Summary/ Narrative of the Incident.
Fingerprints
- Added a refresh button to the screen to pull in charges in the scenario where the Fingerprint form was created first and the Criminal Complaint was added later.
Incidents
- Added an additional search function - Offense Tracking Number (OTN#).
- Search by UCR number will also include additional classifications.
Review Names
- Social Security Number (SSN) search now functions.
Vehicles
- AA500 Report: Added a vehicle color of Unknown (99) to the color dropdown list for Hit and Run situations.
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