Program Overview

If you start clicking and try to enter data before you read the Program Overview, The Truckers Helper can almost guarantee you will:

• Make mistakes.

• Find The Truckers Helper program hard to use.

• End up frustrated.

If, however you take a few minutes to read the Program Overview you will:

• Get it right the first time.

• Find The Truckers Helper program easy to use.

• End up satisfied.

To use the online Help System effectively click the links. Some links display a pop-up window that defines a term, and some links navigate you to another topic page.

How The Truckers Helper Program Works:

• If the text is highlighted with a yellow band it is important.

• If the text is highlighted with a red band it is critical to the operation of The Truckers Helper program.

1. The Truckers Helper Main Window has several Program Flows and a variety of icons to access the many features of the program. The Truckers Helper program uses Command Buttons to direct the program what you want to do. Review the command buttons so you are familiar with their functions.

2. The Truckers Helper program also uses a number of different types of Dialog Boxes for entering your data. Be sure to read the dialog boxes.

3. The Truckers Helper program also uses a variety of Message and Error Boxes that you MUST read and understand.

4. You MUST click the New Trip button or the Add button before you start entering data or your data will not be saved.

Note: When you click the New Trip button or Add button the button  changes to a Cancel button.

4. If you need to exit the window before completing a record click the Cancel button to reset your record. The Truckers Helper is setup so only the correct buttons are available when you go to a window. If a button is grayed out it is not available.

5. Use the Enter key located on your keyboard to move through the fields. The fields are set up to perform certain operations when you enter data or skip though them, but this feature only works when you use the Enter key to toggle through the fields.

Note: Do not use your mouse to toggle through the different fields.

6. The current field you are working in changes to a pink background when activated. To get help on any highlighted field hold your cursor in that field for a few seconds and a description of that field is displayed.

More Tips Before You Begin:

• Getting Help - To access Help on any window click on the Help button located on the bottom toolbar. If you cannot find an answer from the Online Help System check our web site support area for the latest help on problems and solutions. You can go straight to our web site from The Truckers Helper program by clicking Web Tools from the Truckers Helper Main menu bar.

• Basic Concept - The Truckers Helper program has been designed for versatility. The program works equally well for the company driver and the small fleet owner. Companies or individuals can tailor the program to their specific needs by entering the data they want to track. If you find that you need features that are not available in the version you own, you can upgrade to a higher version at any time. You receive full credit for the version you currently own, and pay only the difference to upgrade.

• Enter It As It Happens - The Truckers Helper program works best if you enter events in the order they occur. For example, when you spend money for a reimbursed expense, or purchase fuel on a company card, enter the transaction in Income & Expenses or Trip Sheet. This data is available to Settlements when you are ready to process a settlement. While it is not necessary to enter everything in The Truckers Helper, the program is designed to give you the best results when used fully.  The more data you put into the program the more complete the reports you'll be able to get back.

• Required Information - The yellow highlighted fields are required fields. You MUST fill them in no matter what type of operation you run. These fields are required by Reports and other functions of The Truckers Helper program.

• ProNumbers - The ProNumber is the key field in The Truckers Helper program. The ProNumber can be any 12 digit number or letter combination, and is used by the program to tie all trip and expense data together. (Also referred as the trip number, dispatch number, or load number.)

• Navigating Around The Window - Use the Tab key or the Enter key located on your keyboard to move through the fields. (It is best to use the Enter key.) The fields are set up to perform certain operations when you enter data or skip through them, but this feature only works when you use the Enter key to toggle through the fields. The Tab order has been set to move you through the window in a logical order. You can only move forward with the Enter key. To move back, hold down the Shift key and press the Tab key (Shift + Tab).  You can also move to a particular field by clicking on the field with your mouse. Remember to watch for the pink highlighted field so you know where you are in the window.

Note: For best results use the Enter key located on your keyboard to move through the fields. The fields are set up to perform certain operations when you enter data or skip through them, but this feature only works when you use the Enter key to toggle through the fields.

• Audits - Most windows have audits that check all required data is entered and correct. If you attempt to exit a window without having entered the required data, the data is incorrect, or text is displayed in a number field, you receive an error message dialog box informing you of the problem. You are prompted to exit anyway. Click Yes to exit the window and cancel the entry. Click No to return to the window and correct the data before exiting. If you are browsing through the various fields and try to exit the window, a message dialog box displays a message "The record has not been completed". Click OK and then click Yes to exit, this will not cause any problems.

• Help Conventions - Each window has its own help pages. These pages contain information specific to that window. Each field also has its own help page that follows the following format:

Entry Formats:

• Dates - When entering dates enter as 1/1/98, or 1/1. When entering dates in a year other than the current year you must enter the year. The Truckers Helper program assumes that any date before 1930 belongs in the next century and assigns it to 2000. To enter a date before 1930 use the 4 digit number for the year.

• Numbers - When entering numbers enter any valid number. Fractions are not valid numbers. To enter fractions use decimals. In certain cases only whole numbers are accepted. Numbers entered as decimals are rounded to the nearest whole number.

• Text - When a field is listed as (20 spaces) this is a text field and can contain any combination of letters and numbers up to the number of spaces listed.

• Reserved Characters - Do not use the apostrophe ( ' ) anywhere in your data input. When naming Accounts, all characters other than letters and numbers are prohibited and the program will not accept names containing any other characters.

• Program Options - If a feature icon  has an OFF Sign icon over it you need to turn it ON from The Truckers Helper Main menu bar.

1. From The Truckers Helper Main menu bar choose Utilities.

2. From the Utilities pulldown menu choose Program Options. The Preferences window is displayed.

3. See also Program Options for complete details on program settings.

Common Mistakes:

Here are some common mistakes people make when first using The Truckers Helper.

• Loads - Pickup and Delivery order is used only when you have multiple pickups or deliveries. If you have only one Pickup or Delivery The Truckers Helper program identifies the pickup or delivery as Pickup Order 1 or Deliver Order 1. Enter pickups and deliveries in the order they occur, and the program automatically numbers each order.

• Brokers - Do not use the Broker as the Billing Customer, Pickup Customer, and Delivery Customer. The Billing Customer is the person you bill for the load. The Pickup Customer is the person you pickup the load from and the Delivery customer is the person you deliver the load to. There is no limit on the number of customers you may have in your database. You can delete customers when you start the new year if you do not want to keep them permanently in your database, but this data must remain in your database for the current year.

• Mileage - Do not enter the town at the next state line as your destination. Your destination (To Location) is the next place you pickup or deliver. Do not start a New Trip for state line crossings. State line crossings are Added to the current trip. You must start a New Trip only when your ProNumber or Status change.

• Income and Expenses - Add payment accounts, checking accounts, charge cards, etc. before you start entering expenses. See also Open An Account for complete details on adding accounts.

• Negative Signs - The Truckers Helper program assigns a negative sign to the dollar amount whenever the Paid By Account displays Cash, Checking or Savings. Accounts Receivables are also entered as negative numbers. If you go back and change the Paid By Account the program will not change the sign assigned to the number, you MUST change the sign manually.

• Income - When entering Income enter N/A in the Paid By field. Income is received not paid.

• Tutor - Click the Tutor button for sample entries of each module. The Tutors should greatly reduce the time it takes you to learn The Truckers Helper. You can access the Tutors from the main window.

1. From The Truckers Helper Main menu bar choose Help.

2. From the Help pulldown menu choose Tutorial.

3. From the Tutorial pulldown menu choose a topic item.

Important Facts:

1. You MUST add a truck to Maintenance before you can enter that truck number anywhere else in the program.

2. You MUST enter your Header Information (Company Name, Address, Phone Number, etc.) before you begin. To enter your Header Information choose Utilities from The Truckers Helper Main menu bar. From the Utilities pulldown menu choose Edit Header.

3. If you purchased the program at a Truck Stop Store please Register The Truckers Helper.

• You cannot get support unless you are registered.

• You cannot get updates unless you are registered.

• You cannot get credit towards upgrades unless you are registered.

4. Register The Truckers Helper today.

Getting Started:

To get started using The Truckers Helper program we suggest you select the area you wish to start. It is highly suggested you start by opening your accounts in Income & Expenses.

We encourage you to watch the Tutors and review the help content. Click the Tutor button and the Help button located on the bottom toolbar of each window.