As part of our on-going efforts to provide enhanced functionality, security and features we will be updating the .NET framework version that Key2 requires for its operation.
As of the 1st March 2011 Key2 will require the Microsoft .NET 3.5 framework to be installed on client PC’s that operate Key2 and on the servers where the application resides. This change will allow us to take advantage of the new features that Microsoft have made available in the .NET framework.
We are issuing this notification as part of Jaama's Effective Communication Policy, to provide customers with as much advanced notice as possible. From the 1st March 2011, to take advantage of a new release, you will need to ensure that the .NET 3.5 Framework has been installed on all the relevant machines. The .NET 3.5 Framework should be installed as part of your standard Microsoft Windows updates which means you should not need to take any action. You can check which version of .NET you are running by visiting http://dotnetcheck.key2hosting.co.uk/ using Microsoft Internet Explorer from the machine which you want to check.. The website will display which versions of the .NET Framework installed on the machine. If a version is listed starting “3.5” then you do not need to do anything. If a version starting “3.5” is not listed then you will need to contact your network administrator to have the .NET framework 3.5 manually installed.
.NET Framework 3.5 can be downloaded from the following location
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyId=333325fd-ae52-4e35-b531-508d977d32a6&displaylang=en
On Tuesday 4th January 2011 the VAT rate will increase from 17.5% to 20.0%. Key2 provides the necessary functionality to define different VAT Band rates and define the dates from which they come into effect.
To configure/view these areas in your live Key2 system (version 3.20.2 or higher):
- Change area to ‘Financials’
- Select ‘Accounts System Manager’
- Select ‘Tax Region’
- Double click on the Standard VAT Band
- Enter the new rate of 20% and the effective from date (4th January 2011)
- Click OK
If your version of Key2 is lower than version 3.20.2 and you need to make these changes or if you need any further information, help or assistance please contact Jaama’s Customer Support team on 0844 8484 333 or e-mail support@jaama.co.uk
Jaama have launched a significantly enhanced version of our Key2 Plant Management module to provide businesses with a totally integrated solution that stores information and actively manages, monitors and intelligently reports on all aspects of the plant hire operation.
The system is already being used by Amey, one of the UK’s largest public service and infrastructure management companies, to manage its 30,000 items of plant equipment as well as its entire fleet of 4,500 vehicles and workshops.
Key2 Plant Management is a comprehensive, complete business tool covering all aspects of plant, asset, stores management, the hire of both single items and plant packs, rehire, operator hire and management, sale items, ordering, quotations, contracts, equipment maintenance and invoicing and is available with an optional accounts module.
Click here to request a brochure
Rising demand for Jaama’s Defect Manager system comes as the Freight Transport Association has launched a campaign that stresses the need for monitoring and driver training in respect of daily walk-around vehicle checks, given their importance for road safety and legal compliance.
Jaama’s commercial vehicle defect logging reporting tool is a web portal within its Key2 Vehicle Management software system, which can be accessed remotely via a personal digital assistant (PDA).
The technology provides drivers, transport and depot managers with an online tick box check list so they can complete a walk-round appraisal of all vehicles as frequently as they wish.
The Association’s campaign follows a survey in which it asked 70 volunteer drivers to spot vehicle defects on a truck. The defects had been deliberately made to see how many of the items that should be spotted on a daily walk-around check were picked up. A total of 46% of the defects went unnoticed by drivers including a missing fuel cap, a rear light not working and a broken mirror.
Read how defect manager provides operational benefits to SIG
Jaama, has launched a new version of its Electronic Driver Services (EDS) module that enables employees who drive their own vehicles on business - the so-called ‘grey fleet’ - to record documentation online.
EDS is a risk management tool and a driver information portal within Jaama’s award-winning Key2 Vehicle Management system. EDS was launched last year having been developed in conjunction with a number of fleets already using the popular online fleet management technology including Manheim and SIG Plc.
Both ‘Grey fleet’ and company car drivers have always been able to compile and submit business mileage expense claims online through the system and driving licence information has also been available. But with the launch of version two, employees are now able to upload other key duty of care-related documentation including insurance details, proof of vehicle servicing and MOT certificates.
Built-in automated exception reporting then notifies fleet decision-makers of any drivers that have failed to provide the required information on schedule. The system also generates emails to drivers that updated documentation is required and reminders are sent to any ‘rogue’ employees highlighting the importance of submitting the requested information should they initially fail to respond.
Financial and administrative savings are among the projected benefits identified by Chelmsford Borough Council following its decision to install Jaama’s cutting-edge Key2 Vehicle Management system to manage its fleet.
The move comes at a time when all public sector spending is under the microscope following last month’s Government Comprehensive Spending Review with billions of pounds earmarked to be collectively cut from budgets across the UK, although the Council’s decision to implement the technology was separate to and made before the cuts announcement.
Gavin Sanders, Chelmsford Borough Council’s senior business analyst, said: “The Key2 management system was the best fit of all the systems we looked at against our business and technical requirements. I was also impressed by Jaama’s technical platform and its fit with the Council’s existing IT architecture.”
Mr Sanders said: “During the tender process we looked at which systems other councils were using. We visited Luton Borough Council and were very impressed by the system, how it had been utilised and by their knowledge of the technology.”
SCAS operates a fleet of almost 1,000 vehicles including lease cars, rapid response cars/motorcycles, ambulances and patient transport vehicles. SCAS also runs a total of five workshops and a vehicle commissioning unit, which is responsible for adding specialist equipment to vehicles.
When SCAS was formed from the three county ambulance services in Berkshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire together with Buckinghamshire from the Two Shires Ambulance Service, each county had its own fleet management system and none of them would ‘talk’ to each other.
Rick Stillman, South Central Ambulance Service’s head of fleet, said: “We wanted a standard fleet management software system across the whole of the service so that we could accurately gauge fleet costs and manage workshop parts much more effectively to reduce vehicle downtime. We wanted complete visibility across all parts of the fleet for all vehicle and workshop administrators.”
Vehicle leasing and fleet management company Fleet Hire introduced Jaama’s multi award-winning Key2 internet-based software in 2007 and uses its wide range of modules to manage its 6,000-strong fleet of company cars and light commercial vehicles.
Operations director Chris Joyce said: “As the economy emerges from recession fleet customers have become ever-more demanding. Fleet departments are under pressure from boards of directors to justify every pound being spent and consequently, they are becoming more demanding in terms of the management reports they require from suppliers.
“Fleet decision-makers want an over view of every facet of their fleet in terms of exception-reporting whether that is problems pertaining to vehicles or drivers. They want to know the exact costs associated with running a fleet and the quality of the reports we are able to deliver means that we can help them to justify their decision-making to their boards.”
Driving licence checks on all employees who drive on business should perhaps be as frequent as monthly after changes by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to the rules for revoking licences.
This month (November) new rules have been introduced by the DVLA in relation to drivers who have been informed by the courts that they have failed to surrender their licences to have penalty points added.
Drivers who receive penalties from the courts or the fixed penalty offices for offences that do not result in disqualification, are required to surrender their current valid driving licence for the endorsement to be added. However, the DVLA says that many drivers fail to surrender their driving licence and therefore it can be revoked as a last resort.
To read the full article click here
Jaama have renamed its Key2 DVLA Licence Checking service Licence2Check as it launches the service as a stand alone product for businesses without full Key2 requirements.
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