Fred Office Release 4.7

Database downsizing

A new service will remove older unused data from specific tables, to help reduce the overall size of the database. This will happen during maintenance hours overnight.

Settings are found under Tools > System > Options > Maintenance.

Adjust the Archive Age slider to select how much historical data you want to keep within Fred Office and then click Apply.

Archiving will run a backup of Fred Office and place it in the same location as the Updates backup.

This backup will only run when the nominated Archive Age is passed.

For example, if the nominated Archive Age is set for 3 years, Fred Office will only create a backup once every 3 years to ensure data from the nominated length of time is retained. The first archive backup occurs on upgrade to 4.7, if this was done in 2021, the next backup will be in 2024.

If you change the Archive Age range, Fred Office will use this new value to determine whether a backup is needed.

The data will be backed up to the default backup location (see Update tab in screen below), using the naming convention: FredOffice-Archive-YYYYMMDD.bak

In the unlikely event you need to access the data in the archive, contact Fred Support.

Preparation for new release method

In Fred Office Release 4.8, we will be moving to a new release platform to improve the release process. To prepare for this change, a new service will be installed as part of Release 4.7. There is no impact to users.

TLS 1.2 supported

Transport Layer Security (TLS)Closed Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a computer network security protocol used to secure communications between web services. Its predecessor was the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol. 1.2 is required for some email providers. 4.7 is now TLS 1.2 compliant.

New columns in Drafts and Orders

Two new columns can now be added to Drafts and Orders using the Column Chooser.

  • On Order. The On Order column shows the quantity of that item on sent orders. If you include this column on your Drafts, it will help ensure you don’t accidentally order too much.

  • Multiple Qty. The Multiple Qty column displays the multiple quantity requirements that have been set up for a particular supplier. See Multiple and Minimum Order Quantitiesfor details.

See Add a new column to a grid for details.

What's Fixed in Fred Office 4.7?

This release comes with the following general fixes and improvements.

  • Ordering. A Version Conflict Error seen at some sites while using Ordering, has now been resolved.

  • Scheduled Class. There was an issue whereby the Scheduled Class was not correctly updating in the item form. This has now been resolved.

  • Drug Matching. Improvement to Item matching when an unmatched drug is dispensed for the first time. We have improved the auto item match/create process to ensure possible matches are found based on the drug code or alias.

    If not found, a new item will create as current process. See Unmatched Drug Enhancement.

    This feature will now be set to default on for stores.

  • Usage Graph. In a previous release there was a change to the Usage Graph on the Item Summary pane that made some values unreadable. There is now an option to hide chart values.

    Select Tools > System > Options > Look and Feel, then clear the Show chart values checkbox and OK.

  • Statements. In a previous release, the option to display script type for Work Cover (WC) or Transport Accident Commission (TAC) was removed. This option has now been reinstated.