AyaNova 6 has been released by Ground Zero Tech-Works.  Here I will summarize the release, it's purpose and variants, and upgrade considerations for existing customers.

First things first:  This is a free upgrade! Major version upgrades cost money (such as version 4 to 5), but this is an exception to that.

There are a lot of fixes, new features, and even a new variant called AyaNova Lite.  Let's start with that.

Why did they rev it to AyaNova 6?

It appears that the major version rev to 6 was mostly to synchronize with the release of AyaNova Lite.  Unlike previous major version releases (such as 3 to 4, and 4 to 5), this is a free upgrade for all AyaNova 5 users.

I just paid for an upgrade to version 5!

This is a free upgrade - unlike all other major version releases, this one is a free upgrade for version 5 users.  If your installation is hosted with HaveAByte, we always do the upgrade work for free.

AyaNova Lite

AyaNova Lite is a $49, single-user local installation.  More info here.  When using the trial, you can actually switch back and forth between the Lite and Full versions to fully explore both.

Can HaveAByte host an AyaNova 6 system, or upgrade ours?

Yes!  If you're already hosted with us, we can upgrade your installation to AyaNova 6 from any previous version.  Upgrade work on the HaveAByte servers for your installation is always done at no charge.

If you have a local installation and are considering our hosting service, and think the new version is a good opportunity to switch over, it is.  Contact Us to discuss your needs.

So what's New in AyaNova 6?

The full changelist of new features is here:  http://www.ayanova.com/AyaNova6webHelp/index.html?how_is_ayanova_6_different_fro.htm

Here's a summary of the changes:

• A handy link to a quick start guide on the expiration popup dialog when starting the trial version
• Performance improvements for large numbers of records, particularly for Microsoft SQL Server configurations (Note:  HaveAByte's hosted AyaNova service uses SQL Server) utilizing database specific optimizations for the first time
  • Notable performance improvements with:
    • The Clients Grid when Banked Service is used
    • Searching
    • Saving objects with lots of text
    • Opening service workorder items and their subsection grids
• Timezone relevance - users can override time zone if their location is different than the location of the database server.
  • Particularly useful for hosted HaveAByte installations with users in any time zone other than PST (GMT -0800).
  • Particularly useful for dispatchers scheduling service in time zones other than their own
• Contract name and expiry date field added to all levels of workorder service grids and in detailed service workorder report dataset
• Forbidden security group items will no longer appear at all on grids
• Various grid performance improvements especially in situations with thousands of records
• Delete button improvements on data entry grids
• Help > Check for Updates function
• Various inventory improvements specifically when creating POs
  • Automatic workorder updates when a purchase order receipt for part requests is saved, creating a workorder item part based on the part request and also select the serial number correctly if applicable.  No longer need to take the manual steps of deleting the 0 quantity, nor remove the part request except set the part record to used in service
  • Parts not received will be removed from PO when PO is closed, the parts On Order will be updated to that revised amount on order, and quantity of parts ordered will reflect those actually received.
• Reports improvements by removing unusable sub-datasets to make report design simpler and less confusing
• Unit's Text1, Text2, Text3 and Text4 fields are now available in a Preventive Maintenance detailed report template
• Can now print from Client Notes and also can select specific note(s) to print by clicking on the row indicator
• Performance improvement on workorder Part screen when many thousands of parts are in the system
• Grid column selector form now available for the workorder items grid in a service workorder entry screen so that now you can right-click on a column in the workorder items grid, and select/deselect which columns to show or not to show.
• SMTP encryption support - TLS, SSL or empty for no encryption
• Bolded dates indicating the presence of something on a date on the Schedule mini-calendar no longer appear to improve performance
• Better schedule screen support (navigation, width control) for more than 10 scheduleable users
• Better schedule screen view persistence/memory when logging out and logging in (does a better job of putting you back where you were)
• Graphical printing of the Schedule screen will now default to printing for the schedulable users showing.  It's no longer required to make a selection of resources just to filter out users not displayed.  The Graphical Printing will also show Schedule Makers with a frame around them and also display Priority Flags.

As the days and weeks go on, keep an eye on this blog for more information!