One of the new features of 2012 is the ability to customize the screen sized of each form when it opens. This is great since we all have different monitors, fonts, and vision. The easiest way is to go to the Window menu and select Cascade. This will allow you to adjust each form a little easier.
Another enhancement that I love is inside a customers invoice. When you type a partial description, you now need to hit the Enter key instead of the Tab key. This brings up a more enhanced menu.
These minor changes, along with others, were in keeping with the way Microsoft is making their programs and operating systems look and feel. The major benefit to you is that it has enabled us to deliver consultant product order forms automatically (when you are on the premium Product Update Service); develop our Avenue application for the iPhone/iPad (releasing in just a couple of weeks), and then we will be working on an Android application.
For a complete listing of all the new features and enhancements in Boulevard 2012 after installation, go to the Help menu and select What’s New.
To add an invoice message for a specific customer:
Open the Customer Profile for the customer.
Click on the Notes tab.
In the text area, type the message.
Select the message text.
Press <F9> to insert the codes <invoice></invoice> on either side of the message.
Click OK to save.
Consider this feature to be your virtual sticky note on the invoice! You can note things such as directions to her home, preferred delivery times, or even the details of her next automatic reorder. There are plenty of ways this feature can be used and we’re certain you have creative ideas of your own. Let us know how you use this feature so that we can share with other Boulevard users!
We added this awesome new feature and designed it to be as simple as possible. Have you ever had one of those great weeks/months where you’ve held so many parties you can’t even keep all the new customers straight? Now there’s a solution! Take a picture of your new clients after you’ve given them a makeover and when you enter their information into Boulevard (or we do it for you with our Virtual Assistant service), you can add the picture to their profile too! Plus, with such a personal business, it’s nice to have a face in front of you even when making phone calls. Seeing your customer’s smiling face may trigger memories from previous encounters that help you to best service her and suggest the products that meet her needs.
Here are a few tips to help you select the right pictures:
The maximum allowable size for each picture is 600kB. To check the size of a picture, browse to its location on your computer then right-click and select Properties.
If the picture you want to use is too large, you can use image-editing software on your computer (E.g. Microsoft Picture Manager) to compress or reduce the size of the image.
If you intend to use the original picture for anything else (E.g. printing), we suggest making a copy of the picture before cropping or compressing.
Once you have cropped and compressed the picture to Boulevard’s specifications and the image view you would like, you’re ready to upload to Boulevard.
Open the Customer, Recruit, or Address profile.
Click the Main tab.
In the top right section, click the image box.
In the dialog box that appears, navigate to the location on your computer containing the image file you want to add.
Click the image and click the Open button or double-click the image file.
In the Customer Profile, click OK to save.
Boulevard will scale the image to the allowable area in the profile for you.
There are so many reasons why this addition to Boulevard is so great! We know you’re as excited as we are. Let us know how this has helped your business and if you’ve taken some of our suggestions and tips. Your feedback helps us to make sure we continue to provide the tools that work best for your business. You never know – your idea may appear in a future Product Update Service newsletter!
In talking with ProPay®, we have learned they have a service available called ProtectPay™. ProtectPay allows users to store credit cards within ProPay’s system, for a fee, and then submit charges when applicable. Because the information is not being stored on the merchant’s computer, the merchant does not have to be PCI or PA-DSS compliant. Instead, ProPay is and their systems ensure the security required by the credit card industry. However, ProtectPay as it is available now is not what ProPay recommends for the Mary Kay community.
ProPay tells us that phase 1 of their Virtual Terminal ProtectPay is expected to be released mid-July. The Virtual Terminal ProtectPay service is designed for micro merchants – AKA Mary Kay Consultants and Directors. Phase 1 will allow users to save the cards in ProPay’s system, creating a unique identifier for each card, and charge them for subsequent orders similarly to the regular ProtectPay. During a later phase, Virtual Terminal will allow for the user’s Boulevard to integrate and process against stored card identifiers.
Main Street Software empathizes with each of you in this transition period. We, too, have had to make changes in our own Mary Kay businesses to store card information for customers who have requested this. Our company has a history of making sure we do what it takes to do the right thing, to not step on any toes, and, above all, not break any rules just for convenience sake. Main Street Software will continue to communicate with you regarding every development.
Thank you for your understanding and stay tuned for updates as they occur.
With the Avenue™ application for Windows® Mobile and Blackberry™ devices, you have the ability and freedom to take the most important Boulevard information with you. Why not have your business information at your fingers tips whenever and wherever you need it, even when away from your computer?
Access profile information for Customers and Address list contacts along with the ability to view up to two years of their purchase history. Need to know the production or contact information for a consultant in your team or unit? With Avenue you’ve got that too.
Dial any phone number directly from Avenue using your device dialer. And if your device has email capability, email directly from Avenue application. These convenient features make it easy to stay in touch with customers and stay on top of the details even when you’re busy.
The Trip Log is an excellent tool that allows you to record business mileage while you’re out and about without having to write anything down. We didn’t stop there. Would you like to have your inventory at your fingers tips? How about the ability to create an invoice for those spontaneous on-the-go sales we all love to get? With Main Street Software’s handheld application, that’s possible, too!
Once home, just synchronize your device and everything is updated between Avenue and the Boulevard software on your computer. No internet or browser connection is required to run or synchronize Avenue with your computer. Safe, secure, and convenient – Main Street Software makes business mobility easy!
When we become accustomed to performing a task in a certain way that is both convenient and timesaving, it can be difficult to give it up. Main Street Software, Inc. knows you would prefer to continue to process credit card charges from your Boulevard software. We know how convenient it is for you and your customer to keep their payment information on file. However, each of us also knows how often information is stolen and how insecure the Internet can be. Security is of utmost importance and we are confident you want us to look after your best interests.
Therefore, come July 1, 2010, no matter what version of Boulevard software you are using, you will no longer be able to submit credit card transactions directly to ProPay.
ProPay is being required to change the way it allows any company to submit transactions to them directly. Propay is seeking to find another way to have interaction between Boulevard and them that will meet the industry requirements.
As new information becomes available, we will be sure to post the information here on our blog, via email, or as a NewsFlash message. When you upgrade to Boulevard 2011, all credit card information previously in the program will no longer be stored. Prior to installation, we recommend one of the following to keep track of preferred payment methods for your customers.
Option 1 – Pop Up Message:
For all customers who choose to pay by credit card,
Open the customer profile.
Click on the Notes tab.
Type a note. (E.g. Prefers to pay by Credit Card or Credit Card)
Highlight your note using your mouse.
Click F8 on your keyboard.
Click OK to save the note.
You can use the same steps for customers who prefer to pay by check, cash, or who you allow to carry a balance and make payments. This option is flexible to meet your needs.
Option 2 – User Codes:
If you would like to be able to pull reports based upon payment preferences,
Open the customer profile.
Click on the Recruiting tab.
Select one of the available User Code fields. You will use the same field for each whom you are designating a preferred payment method.
Type your note. (E.g. Credit Card or Cash)
Click OK to save.
Now you’ll be able to retrieve a report based upon the information you have entered into the field.
The next time you talk to your customer, just let him or her know their financial security is important to you and you can no longer store their credit card number on your computer. For sample words to use when informing your customers, please visit Keeping You & Your Customers Protected – Part 1.
Security is an increasing concern with regard to identity and financial information. As a small business owner, you should be aware of some changes that will affect how you run your business. Effective July 1, 2010, changes will be in place that will affect how you process credit card transactions for your customers and the information you are allowed to store.
For your convenience, please refer to the following chart to ensure you comply with VISA’s Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requirements if you choose to continue to store credit card data for your customers.
As a software vendor, Main Street Software, Inc. was required to make modifications to comply with these new regulations, too. At this time, we are approaching the new security regulations in two steps. The first step was to ensure the latest version of the software, Boulevard 2011, met the standards and expectations for maintaining cardholder security.
With the installation of Boulevard 2011, existing users must agree to the terms of the End User License Agreement (EULA) which specify that cardholder data previously stored in the provided credit card field(s) in Boulevard will be wiped out as this feature is no longer offered.
New users installing Boulevard 2011 will not have the credit card fields previously included in the software.
Users will no longer be able to submit credit card transactions from Boulevard to ProPay™ (US & Canada feature only).
Credit card numbers can no longer be entered as a payment method in Avenue and any credit card information entered into payment method in the Palm® application will be lost during synchronization.
These steps were taken for our users’ protection as well as ours. Boulevard users who choose not to upgrade to Boulevard 2011, who choose to store credit card data on their systems, or who choose to store that credit card data in other areas of Boulevard are solely responsible for any breach in security they may face. Main Street Software, Inc. is not liable for any fraud or security breach on its users’ systems.
Here is a sample of what some of our employees are telling their customers:
Dear Susie,
I want to let you know about some changes I have to make with regard to your account security. As you know, thousands of people every day deal with identity theft and credit card fraud. There are some new regulations that affect me as your consultant.
From this point forward, I am no longer able to keep your credit/debit card on file. I’m sure you can understand I want to comply with these laws and ensure your information is secure. I’ll note your account as preferring to pay by card and that way I can get the information each time you place an order.
Thanks for understanding!
Subsequent to the changes made to the Boulevard software for the 2011 version, Main Street Software, Inc. will continue to work with ProPay to find an appropriate future solution, if possible, to integrate payment submission. We want you to know that we are committed to a high-quality product that simplifies processes within your business. However, we are also committed to maintaining the integrity of Boulevard and complying with laws and regulations surrounding small business owners including security and fraud prevention.
Keeping your program updated with the correct sales tax helps to ensure your customer invoices and company product orders are calculating properly.
If your tax rate is not accurate in Preferences, your invoice and order totals cannot calculate properly thus your tax records will not be accurate.
You can read all about setting sales tax from inside your Boulevard software. From the Search tab in Help, search topic Set Preferences for invoices and orders.
If your tax rate decreases, contact Mary Kay® or a tax consultant in your area to determine if you are eligible to reclaim some or all of the difference in tax. Our customer service representatives can then help you retrieve the applicable information from Boulevard.
One of the new features of 2012 is the ability to customize the screen sized of each form when it opens. This is great since we all have different monitors, fonts, and vision. The easiest way is to go to the Window menu and select Cascade. This will allow you to adjust each form a little easier. 
In talking with ProPay®, we have learned they have a service available called ProtectPay™. ProtectPay allows users to store credit cards within ProPay’s system, for a fee, and then submit charges when applicable. Because the information is not being stored on the merchant’s computer, the merchant does not have to be PCI or PA-DSS compliant. Instead, ProPay is and their systems ensure the security required by the credit card industry. However, ProtectPay as it is available now is not what ProPay recommends for the Mary Kay community.
