Product Update

November 21, 2000

New OpenAir services and features launched today:

  1. Add on services: create new clients, services, etc. in the new Palm Computing® Platform release and new OpenAir Wireless enhancements.

  2. Accounting integration: OpenAir now integrates with online accounting service Intacct.

  3. Proposals: new reports and automatic Proposal numbering.

  4. Suite wide features: set up customized fields and run reports against them.

  5. Project Tracking: reorder phases and tasks, view percent task completion in Gantt view.

  6. Online help: use keywords to search online help.


1. Add on services: create new clients, services, etc. in the new Palm Computing® Platform release and new OpenAir Wireless enhancements

Last week, OpenAir launched the second update to OpenAir for the Palm Computing® Platform in as many months! Last month, we included new features that enable users to create TimeBills, TimeSheets and Envelopes on the Web site and then download them into their Palm OS® device and vice versa. This month, we release version 1.52 that enables users to create new clients, expense items, services, etc. while using the Palm device and then upload those new items to the Web site so both accounts are synchronized.

We have also updated the OpenAir Wireless interface to enhance usability. To enable OpenAir Wireless, sign in and navigate to Time Bills>Account>Users>[select user]>Access Control>Data Exchange access. Then, the enabled user, using his/her WAP-enabled phone, navigates to wap.avantgo.com/oa, signs in and logs time and expenses as usual.

2. Accounting integration: OpenAir now integrates with online accounting service Intacct.

OpenAir has partnered with online accounting service Intacct to provide a seamless exchange of data between OpenAir and the Intacct general ledger. Administrators can manage account information in Intacct and reflect these changes in OpenAir. They can also manage time and expense information in OpenAir and automatically transfer it as appropriate to the accounts receivable or reimbursement modules in Intacct. To find out more or sign up to use OpenAir and Intacct together, email sales@openair.com.

3. Proposals: new reports and automatic Proposal numbering.

We have launched reporting functionality in Proposals to help you keep track of Proposal submissions, content and new client business more effectively. In addition, when users create new proposals, each new proposal is numbered automatically. However, if users prefer to disregard this pre-populated number, then they can edit the number as needed. The Proposals module does not allow duplicate proposal numbers in order to ensure data integrity.


4. Suite wide features: set up customized fields and run reports against them.

Last month, we launched the ability for administrators to create user-defined fields in the User, Client, TimeBill, Receipt, and Project screens. Administrators navigate to My Account>Company>Custom Fields>[Select Custom Field in the Create:New Entries dropdown list]. Then, choose to create a new field in the User, Client, TimeBill, Receipt, or Project screen. Choose the type of field required: numeric, currency, date, text, checkbox, radio button, or dropdown menu. Select a name for the field and the appropriate dropdown or radio button choices if applicable. The next time users log into your OpenAir account, they will have the option of logging data in the new field.

This month, we provide the ability for administrators to report on any of the user-defined fields added to the OpenAir suite. All the customized fields are included in the detail reports in each of the relevant modules. So, now your company can turn OpenAir into a customized data gathering application to meet your specific needs. For more information on how to use this feature, please contact our customer support and professional services staff at support@openair.com.

5. Project Tracking: reorder phases and tasks, view percent task completion in Gantt view.

We appreciate your continued feedback on the Project Tracking module and have introduced two new features to meet your needs. First, administrators and power users can now easily reorder tasks and phase layout in the Outline View with easy-to-use up/down arrows. Second, administrators and powers users can also view the task percent complete in the Gantt view.

6. Online help: use keywords to search online help.

Now users can more easily find the help topics that they need. We have implemented a keyword search engine in the OpenAir online help. To use the feature, click on the Help link on the upper right hand side of the OpenAir screen, once in the new Help mini-window, click on the search icon in the upper right hand corner and then type in the keywords of the help information you need.