Welcome to Masterpiece Version 8.0

We are now shipping the installation CDs for Version 8.

The installation is simple and quick. You will need to run the installation wizard on each computer running Masterpiece. We have kept most of the screen layouts the same so that the transition is quick and easy, however, there are a few things that have changed in the set-up; tax types, outgoing mail information for the improved email functionality, regististration of user name and password if using the QuickLink feature, and changing the background color or wallpaper. Instructions for each of these are below. Also, please run a backup of your data and reports before installing Version 8.0

New Tax Types:
In order to set-up all applicable tax types, start from the Top Menu, under Lists, then Sales Tax. Masterpiece can now handle Value Added Tax and sliding tax rates. Note, the Old Tax Type is only valid if upgrading from a previous version of Masterpiece, and then only as a reference.

Step 1: Please begin by selecting Taxing Authorities.

Create a list of taxing authorities. This list is maintainable by the user and it may include such items as: State of Colorado, City of Denver, RTD, Stadium District, etc. There are no sales tax rates specified here, it is simply a list of taxing authorities for whom the users must collect/submit sales taxes. A separate table of taxing authorities is required since more than one tax detail(see Step 2: below) may apply to a single taxing authority.

Step 2: Select Lists, Sales Tax, then Tax Details:

Create a list of tax details. Each detail points to a taxing authority. It also contains a name for display purposes (e.g., "State Sales Tax" or "Denver City Sales Tax"). Finally, a tax detail contains either one rate, or a list of rates by price. Taxing by price handles some special cases or luxury taxes. For most cases, the Applies To will be set to Any Price, with a single tax rate percentage entered.

Step 3: Select Lists, Sales Tax, then Tax Types:

Create a list of tax types. Enter the display names of applicable tax rates (e.g., "Local Tax" or "Out of State"). Each tax type contains a list of all tax details which apply. For instance, for "Local Tax" created for a gallery in Denver, the user could specify that "State Sales Tax", "Denver City Sales Tax". "RTD Sales Tax", and "Stadium District Sales Tax" details all apply to the "Local Tax" type. For each tax type shown in the list on the left, check all the tax details on the list on the right which apply. The above example shows that for a sale with a tax type of "Local", four different sales taxes are collected. The sales tax shown on the transaction screen is a sum of all taxes collected.

Outgoing Mail Server:

In order to send Email Receipts, Item information or broadcasts from Masterpiece V8, please go to Tools / Change Company Settings / Online tab, and fill out the information in the lower left of the screen:

The Outgoing Mail Server, Domain, Account and Password can be found in your Email program such as Microsoft Outlook, or from your Internet Service Provider or Network Administrator. The Connection Type of Permanent will be used for most DSL and Cable Modem connections and will not require a Dialup Entry. If the connection type is Dial Up, double-click in the Dialup entry field to locate the appropriate Windows file.

The Send Attachments As buttons apply to both Transaction Receipts and any Reports in Masterpiece you wish to send via Email.

Clicking on the Email Receipt Text will allow you to enter the text you wish to send with your receipts, e.g. Thanks for your purchase, please find your receipt/invoice attached.

Register QuickLink User Name and Password:

If you are using the Masterpiece QuickLink feature to maintain your web site, you will need to register your user name and password. In Tools / Change Company Settings / Online tab, simply click on the Register Connection Via The Internet button (see above image).

Background Color or Wallpaper Image:

To set the background color or use a JPEG, GIF or Bitmap image file for background wallpaper. Please go to Tools from the Top Menu, then Change Background Color.

Here, if you wish to set wallpaper, click on the radio button for Image File, then click on the button with the ... to locate and select the desired file.

To select a solid background color, set the radio button on Solid Color, then hit to Select Color button to get the palette shown, here either pick a color or use the Define Custom Colors tool.

Contact Details Record: Clipboard Button for Address and Phone Numbers - click on this button to copy address or phone number into the Windows Clipboard, you may then Paste this information into other parts of Masterpiece, Microsoft Word, or other text documents by right-clicking on selecting Paste in the appropriate area, or using the Ctrl, V on your keyboard.

Also, on the Contact Detail record, Transactions Tab, please find the New Sale button. Using this will start a New Sale with this Contact pre-loaded. Look for this also on the Item record soon.