Infostar Conversion Program
Version 1.1

OVERVIEW

The INFOSTAR program is used to convert telephone expense transactions from an Infostar Phone System to be compatible with the TABS III Import Data from Data Capture Devices program. The INFOSTAR program must reside in the same directory as the TABS III programs in order to work properly.

The conversion program assumes that the Client/Matter number in the INFOSTAR data is a entered on the phone keypad as two numbers separated by either an "*" or a "#" character. For example, if the client/matter number in TABS III is 3394.00010, the number should be entered as 3394*00010 on the phone keypad. The conversion program will automatically supply trailing zeroes if they are not entered on the phone keypad. For example, if the client/matter number in TABS III is 0975.00010 and the number is entered as 0975*0001 on the phone keypad, then the conversion program will append the missing trailing zero and assume the number should be 0975*00010.

INSTALLATION

The INFOSTAR interface program (INFOSTAR.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 on the INFOSTAR Conversion Program disk.

To install the INFOSTAR Interface program on your hard disk:

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

        A:
        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 INFOSTAR INTERFACE PROGRAM


Use the following procedure for conversion:

1) Create a text file from your INFOSTAR phone records. The data should be output to a file named ACTDTL.PRN. Transfer the ACTDTL.PRN file to your computer's hard disk in the directory where your TABS III programs reside.

2) Invoke the conversion program by entering:    INFOSTAR

3) The first time you run the INFOSTAR program, you will be asked to enter the TABS III transaction code number that you use for phone calls.  Once you specify the transaction code number, the INFOSTAR conversion program will use that same number each time you run the INFOSTAR conversion 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 ACTDTL.PRN file containing the INFOSTAR data. If the ACTDTL.PRN file is found to contain data, the program will display the message "CONVERTING TRANSACTIONS" followed by a "." for each transaction read from the file. The files T3EXPKEY.REM, T3EXP.REM and T3EDESC1.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.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to clear the transactions from your Infostar device's memory to avoid duplication of data merged with your TABS III files.

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

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