Phone Transaction Conversion Program
Version 1.2

OVERVIEW

The EXPORT program is used to convert telephone expense transactions from a custom telephone data capture unit to be compatible with the TABS III Import Data from Data Capture Devices program (TABS III Version 3.4 or later). The EXPORT program must reside in the same directory as the TABS III programs in  to work properly.

Field 3 is used for the TABS III Client/Matter number, field 4 is the extension number, field 5 is the telephone number and field 8 is the cost of the telephone call.

The EXPORT program assumes the TABS III Client/Matter number is entered without a period on the telephone system. For example, TABS III Client/Matter number 200.03 would be entered as 20003. 200 is the client number, 03 is the matter number. Leading zeros do not have to be entered before the client number, but must be entered for the matter number.

INSTALLATION

The EXPORT interface program (EXPORT.EXE) must be transferred to the directory on your hard disk where the TABS III program files reside.  This is done by using the INSTALL program.

To install the EXPORT Interface program on your hard disk:

1) Insert the EXPORT Interface program master disk into floppy disk drive A and enter the following commands:

        A: (then depress the Enter key)
        INSTALL

2) Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software onto your hard disk. The Install program will locate your TABS III software on your hard disk so that the interface program can be transferred to the same directory as TABS III. After the installation process, the message "Installation Complete" will be displayed.

EXECUTING THE EXPORT INTERFACE PROGRAM


Use the following procedure for conversion:

1) Transfer the data from your telephone data capture device to your computer's hard disk. The data must be in an ASCII file and must reside in the TABS III directory.

2) Invoke the conversion program by entering:    EXPORT

3) The first time you run the EXPORT program, you will be asked to enter the TABS III transaction code number that you use for telephone expenses and the name of the telephone cost data file (i.e. EXPORT.DAT). Once you specify the transaction code number and data file name, the EXPORT program will use that same number and file name each time you run the EXPORT program.

4) Next, you will be asked "Is it OK to continue? (Y/N)". If you enter "N" the program will be aborted. If you enter "Y" the program will look for the EXPORT.DAT file containing the telephone cost data. If the EXPORT.DAT file is found to contain data, the program will display the message "Converting Transactions" followed by a count of each transaction read from the file. The files T3EXPKEY.REM, T3EDESC1.REM and T3EXP.REM will be created which can be merged with the main TABS III data files. You must then startup TABS III and run the Import Data from Data Capture Devices program.

NOTE: If you are not using a demo version of the program, the EXPORT.DAT file will automatically be deleted when the conversion is complete to avoid double-posting of the data.

NOTE: You may change the transaction code in the future by deleting the file EXPORT.PRM which is created in your TABS III directory during Step 3 above. This will enable you to go through the setup procedure described above in Step 3 as a first time user of the program.