I cant use the new email facilities.

A new self contained e-mail system has been created within CaterBook which means it is able to send HTML and also function without using MAPI which relies on external email programs. This new method requires a file (DLL) to be installed on the target machine. It is very simple and can be downloaded here. (If you have Windows 2000 you need to click here) Save the folder to your desktop, open it, and double click on Installmail.

A message should appear saying 'DLLRegisterServer in vbSendMail Succeeded'

CaterBook will now use the email system correctly.

You can now delete the InstallMail Folder.

If you are unsure of how to do the above, call 0870 160 0611 and we will give easy directions.

The Dates on my calendar have disappeared!

An older version of the Microsoft Calendar control (MSCAL) has been installed over the top of the CaterBook control (Version.11). This is usually caused by installing an older version of Microsoft Office -earlier than XP -over the top of CaterBook. Click Here to download a setup file that will re-install version 11 over the top of the old one again. Save the file to disk and double click it to install.

The Microsoft Word Document feature is not working.

To use the Word Documents through CaterBook you require a Microsoft word component to be present on your computer. You can download an install for this component by clicking here.

Once this is installed, Click the one button and if a word document is printed, you will be able to use the Word Document option through CaterBook as normal.

How can I use CaterBook to improve my advertising spend?

The reference report will place all the bookings into categories of who referred your clients to you. Don't just look at the total number of people, look also at the spend value of the referees. This will help you decide which advertising is being most effective.

How do I produce a mailing list?

1. Use 'SEARCH' and select the parameters for the list you require.

2. Click 'EXPORT'

3. Use your favourite program to merge and print your list.

You will find pre installed merge documents on your computer for both Microsoft word and Corel Word Perfect in the following folder:

C:\Program Files\CaterActive\Data

you will also find the merged file EXPORT.TXT there too.

If none of this makes sense, call 0870 160 0611 and we will guide you through it.

How do I find out which of my customers spend most.

Use the Referrals to discover which referrer creates the most income.

Use the Nationality to find out the percentage spend of a national group.

Use the Reasons report to discover who you should be encouraging to come back.

Follow this by producing a mailing list as shown directly above.

I would like to know who did what in CaterBook. ie, was it me or Bob who cancelled a booking.

Use the settings (F10-establishment settings) to switch on security and then allocate a username and password to each member of staff. This will activate the CaterBook log-on security systems. You can then see who did what by using the 'Who Did What' report.

Those graphs are very pretty but I can't always read all the parameters.

The graphs can be spun around in 3D to adjust the view. Press and hold the control key and then Click and drag the mouse over the graph to spin your view of it.

We're fully booked, and I need to swap some of the rooms around.

Settings can be used to create a spare room, which will give you more manoeuvring power when swapping people from one room to another.

When I go to the Shuffle list, I get this month as a view, how do I view next month?

Click the calendar for the start date you want to view, a single click on next will move the display on one day, a double click will move on one week.

How do I move a booking from one room to another?

On the shuffle chart, right click the box you want to move and the change room options will appear. Select 'Move Room' and a box will appear requesting the destination room number. Type in the number and the booking will be transferred to the new room.

Can the room stay details be changed on the graphic shuffle list?

Yes. Right click on the booking block and options such as 'Add a day to end' and 'Add a day to start' will appear. Simply click the option you need.

We have several different prices for the same season depending on how many nights are booked. Can CaterBook handle this situation?

The settings section allows you to set up to eight automated prices per room during any of 12 given seasons. You can enter the number of nights for each price band to be used. We have no customers who have not been able to accommodate their tariff yet!

We change our tariff prices many times during the year, does your program work this out for you?

Yes, The tariff can store up to 16 sets of different prices which can be programmed to any periods throughout the year, you can have a different price every day if you wanted to! Contact us for full details to change your settings.

Can I have different prices for breakfasts & evening meals at different times in the season?

Yes. Use the Settings and each price band offers a separate heading for both parameters. Call our helpline on 0870 160 0611 if you're not sure how to do this.

How do I display the Euro price for a booking?

Select the booking and then press F9 The Euro price will appear below the grand total.

How do I put special notes for a specific booking - not just with the customer file?

On the customer details, you have 2 notes sections. Customer Notes remain with the customer record & Booking Notes are specific to that booking only

Can I print my Invoices and Confirmations in a format other than CaterBook?

Yes you can. If you hold down the Shift key whilst clicking the option you require, the information will be displayed on screen instead of printing. At the top of that screen is an option to export to RTF. (Rich Text Format). All word processors will be able to use this format.

I want to change my Tariff settings

Press F10 on the Keyboard whilst on the main screen. This will display all the information relating to charging. You will also be able to access the hotel parameters here.

I want to send more than a month of availability to my web page.

Use F10 to access the settings. Select Establishment Settings and increase the number of days on the send availability option.

I would like to send my availability every day can this be done automatically?

Yes, go to the properties page and you will see a box called 'Auto SendTime' put the time in here (24 hour clock hh:mm) and CaterBook will automatically log on, send your availability and log off the internet connexion.

My prices are wrong! They are calculating at a price for 6 days when I want a full week

On the Tariff screen, check your No of Days (at the top of each price column - bottom right) is set for 7 nights and not 6 for example. You can set up to 8 different levels for price changes dependant on the length of stay.

How do I change the price for different times of the year.

Start on the 1st of January and set the code for the set of prices to be charged. On the next line down, enter the date the price changes and set the code of the new price set. Continue in the same way until your year is completed. Thus, if your price changes 5 times you should have 5 lines.

Can I set a discount if clients stay more than 5 nights.

Yes, you can have up to 8 different prices for different lengths of stay in each group. eg 2, 5, 7 (any number) of nights. The only thing to remember is to keep the values in ascending order... that is: 1, 5 & 7 is ok but 1, 7 & 5 is not.

Is it possible to have a weekend break price included in the tariff.

You can have up to 3 different set prices in each group included for advertised breaks and offers.

How do I set the security settings?

To enable the security, select the properties page and click security settings on. An additional option will appear allowing you to enter a name and password for each member of staff. Then select level 1, 2 or 3 security to define what parts of the CaterBook program the member of staff is allowed to access.

How do we change the length of stay for a booking?

Select the booking you are changing. On the Tab list (bottom right) click the line relating to how many nights b&b. Click modify and the line will appear on top and you will be able to modify the number of nights for the stay, less or more. Hit enter until the line re-appears below again. A notebox will appear saying 'CaterBook' has changed the length of stay.

My Guests are coming a day later how do I change the booking?

On the shuffle chart- unlock and double click the booking and select move to new date. Enter the new date of arrival and providing there is no conflict with an existing booking, the whole booking will be moved to the new date.

How do I add things to my customers bill?

Select the booking you are changing. On the Tab list (bottom right) click 'Add' and a set of boxes appear allowing you to choose items from your product list. Enter the code for the product and the quantity. You can change the price and the description as well if you want to.

I have some services (products) which don't appear in my addition list, can I add my own?

Select 'SYSTEM' & 'Products/Services'. This will give a listing of all your current items, use 'Add' and 'Delete' to customise your list as you require. You can add as many or as few items as you need.

I can't view the online manual videos.

Recent updates from Microsoft have altered the security settings of Internet Explorer and therefore block CaterBook from displaying videos creating a script error. To rectify this, place www.caterbook.co.uk into the trusted sites section within the security settings in Internet Explorer - you will also need to uncheck the server verification box too.

Full instructions on how to do this are shown at this link: Microsoft Support Site

After Starting CaterBook, A box pops up asking 'is this is the first time?'

CaterBook is failing to make a connection to the MSDE Database. If you have used CaterBook previously, make sure you have the MSDE database switched on- (a small grey box icon next to the time in your system tray)

If the MSDE system is running, make sure your firewall is not blocking access to the MSDE Server. You will need to check your Firewall settings and the methods will depend on which product you are using.

McAfee have acknowledged a problem with their 'Privacy Service' product being incompatible with Microsoft IIS (internet information services). CaterBook uses this system. The only known resolution is to un-install McAfee Privacy Service or to remove the LSP layer (see link below) which sometimes works. This may sound drastic, however until McAfee resolve this problem we have no other option. Alternative (and free) software products can replace the Privacy Service. we recommend Lavasoft - ad-aware personal CaterActive apologise for the inconvenience this causes, however it the problem is directly caused by McAfee, not us. We have attempted to resolve the issue with McAfee but have only been issued with the workaround posted below.

Microsoft are also aware of the problem: http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;Q295375

For more evidence and information of the problem Google 'MCLSP.DLL'

If you have McAfee privacy service, you may find a system called the 'LSP layer' can be removed. The instructions for this are here:

http://tools.mcafeehelp.com/doc.php?siteid=1&docid=71517&support=ts

Update CaterBook is saying website is not available

This message can be caused by CaterBook's FTP processes being blocked and unable to transfer data directly. To download the latest version, click Here and save the file to your desktop.

The file is a zipped copy of the CaterBook executable and the CaterBook.exe can the be copied to C:\Program Files\CaterActive

(In some cases Windows may lock this file after transfer. To release, right click on the zipped folder and deselect the locking option)