New Product Features

Below is a list of the newest features available for MDS Property Management Explorer.

 

9/7/07 – Cash Receipts Batches Now Have the Abilitiy to Not Itemize Tenants on Deposit Slips.

9/4/07 – View a Company's Cash Postion While Selecting Vouchers for Payment

  • Once you are in an AP batch, the Cash Position dialog will automatically appear near the top right hand side of the batch window.

  • If the Cash Position window is closed, click on the Cash Position button to make it appear again.
  • The Company and Cash Account will automatically change to the company on the voucher which is being selected from the batch window.
  • The Cash Position dialog by can be made smaller by clicking on Show Adjusted Cash Only.

9/1/07- Charge Tenants back directly from Accounts Payable Invoices

  • Clicking the Tenant Chargeback button on the voucher prompts for the tenant and amount to chargeback to the tenant.
  • Clickng the Process Chargebacks button allows a user with authority to:
    • Print and/or email chargeback letters which optionally includes an image of the invoice.
    • Update the chargeback to the tenants' Past and Future Charges and link the chargeback to the voucher.
    • Voucher No button has been added to the Past and Future Charges grid. Clicking this button drills down to the voucher linked to the tenant's charge.

8/31/07 – Send Mass E-mails/Rent Bills to Tenants Through MDS Explorer

  • Once MDS has been configured to access your email server, reports/letters/rent bills have the option to automatically email the applicable item directly to the tenant's email address as entered on the Tenant File.

7/2/07 – Send E-mails by Clicking on Tenant or Vendor E-mail Address

      • When you are on a screen on which an Email Address exists (such as the Email Address field on the Tenant File), clicking on the field will automatically launch your default Email client with the appropriate Email address filled in.

      • When this functionality is available, your mouse cursor will change to a picture of a mail envelope (image2).
      • You can also create fields that will launch the email client from User Defined Variable Maintenance by selecting Email Address from the Input Type drop down.
      4/20/07- Holdover Date Integration with Cash Receipts and Rent Bill Processing

      • Rent Bills will now print for tenants if the holdover date is in the future of the billing period. 
      • Cash Receipts may be entered for tenants whose holdover date is in the future.

4/17/07 – Partner Distributions can be Processed for Multiple Companies

      • When running the Partnership Distributions program, click on the menu item “Prepare Distributions”.  Then click on the item “Prepare Distributions for Multiple Companies.”

      • Select the companies that you want to process distributions for.  Note: Only companies that have Partnership Distributions records assigned will appear in the list of companies to select.
      • Enter the distribution amount under the Distribution column in the grid.
      • You may also enter the amount of Cash remaining for each company after processing the distributions.  The system will automatically calculate the distribution when using this feature.
      2/26/07 – Drill Down on General Ledger Reports

      • When running a General Ledger report to the screen, the user may now drill down on financial data.
      • This feature is available any time that you cursor turns into the pointer  icon.
      • To drill down on the data, single click and you will be brought down to the next level of detail for the selected transaction.  At this point, you may continue to drill down as you would from the Query General Ledger by Account screen.

      2/23/07 – AP Invoice Allocation Now Allows Vouchers to be Split by Fixed Amount

      • When running the Invoice Allocation application normally there is the option to split a voucher just on a percentage amongst entities.  Now when entering an invoice to allocate, there is an option to “Use Fixed Amounts.”
      • This button “Define Fixed Amount” becomes enabled when an Invoice Amount has been entered and the option is checked.  Clicking on the button will bring up the fixed amounts grid.
      If an amount of zero is entered then a voucher will not be created for that entity.

      2/9/07- Lease Renewal Worksheet for Fair Market Rent

      • From Other Tasks, select “Lease Renewal Work Sheet for Fair Market Rent”.  Select a period and buildings to process, then enter the desired 1 and 2 year offerings for the pertinent tenants in a spreadsheet format.

      2/08/07 – Work Order Approval Screen Color Codes open items based on the amount of the invoice.

      • From Work Order Approval, select Preferences > Price Break Color Scheme.  Assign different colors for the desired amount ranges and the Requested/Approved prices in Work Order Approval will be displayed using those colors based on which range a particular amount falls into.

      12/08/06 – Adding Equipment records can now update Inventory (in Purchase Order System).

      • In the Equipment File, enter Equipment Code Maintenance.  You will notice a new column called “Part” which is the part that will be reduced whenever an equipment record is created for the selected equipment code.
      • When you place the record in edit mode and click on the drop down button in the part column, a dialog entitled “Link to Inventory Part” will appear.  From here you can add, edit, or remove a link to a part.
      • Please note that you can not modify a link to a part if there are equipment records that are assigned to the current equipment code while the code was linked to a part.  In other words, you must delete the equipment file records which have been added for this code since the link to the part was created.

      11/30/06 – View Legal/Dispo file from the Cash Receipts dialog that informs you that a tenant is on legal.

      • If there is a tenant on legal entered into a Cash Receipts batch, a dialog will appear verifying that you want to accept this tenant’s deposit.  On this window, if you click on the button “Legal/Dispo File”, MDS Explorer will automatically appear as the active window and then open the Legal/Dispo record for the current tenant in the Cash Receipts batch.

      11/13/06 – Query Utility Usage by any combination of Utility Categories.

      9/8/06 – Clone MICR Printer Properties
  • You can now clone all of the properties of an existing MICR Printer to either a new printer or to another existing printer
  • When you click 'New' from the list of MICR Printers you are automatically prompted to cone the properties of an existing printer.
  • When you are in the MICR Printer properties window you can clone properties by clicking the 'Clone' button which is located underneath the 'Cancel' button.
8/31/06 – Automatically Generate Email Reminders
  • Tickler codes can be setup to automatically generate a preformatted email reminder to users assigned to that tickler code.
  • This email includes:
    • The header of the tickler (Work Order number/L&T number/Tenant Information).
    • The notes of the tickler.
    • Any attachments currently assigned to the tickler.

 

    • 8/21/06 – Export Vendor Files to Excel
      • After clicking the Print button on the Vendor File dialog, the new option Export to Excel is available.

       

    • 8/21/06 – Query Refund of Security Checks by Tenant
      • From the Query Vouchers program, there is now a button with the caption "Query by Tenant." Click here to use this new feature and query any refunds issued to a tenant.

     

    • 8/18/06 – Optionally print GL Distributions on check stubs
      • The Cash Disbursements General Information form has a new checkbox captioned "Print Ledger Distributions on Check Stubs." When this box is checked, the check stubs will print GL Distributions on the stub as follows:
        • Account Numbers in Invoice Number column
        • Account Description in Invoice Description column
        • Distribution Amount in Invoice Amount column

     

    • 8/07/06 – NYC DHCR Guideline Management
      • This program allows you to enter changes in the DHCR Guidelines for lease renewals as they are released. DHCR Lease renewals refer to these guidelines and pick up the appropriate percentages based on the month and year that you are printing renewals for. This allows you to print Lease Renewals for different months without manually changing the guidelines for the month that you are printing.
      • To access this program, from the main menu, click Utilities>Define NYC DHCR Renewal Properties.
      • Click the “New” button and fill in the appropriate information. These guidelines will now be used for applicable expiration dates.

       

    • 7/10/06- "Vendor Created By" Added to Vendor Maintenance
      • .When a new vendor is created in Vendor Maintenance, the file will be stamped with the User ID of the person who created the vendor.

     

    • 7/10/06- Warrant Issued Field Added to the Legal/Dispo File
      • Legal/Dispo File has a new field entitled "Warrant Issued" which is located between the "Warrant Ordered" and "Warrant Served" fields.

       

    • 6/29/06 - Assign Multiple Workers to a Single Work Order
      • Work Order Maintenance now has a button at the bottom of the form captioned "Additional Workers." Clicking the button allows additional workers to be assigned to the work order.

       

    • 6/29/06 - Partially Paid Vouchers Recalculate Original Invoice Amount.
      • The original invoice amount on partially paid vouchers is now automatically recalculated when the net amount of an open voucher associated with the partial payment is modified. Under certain circumstances, the total will also be recalculated when a partial payment is voided.

       

    • 5/24/06 - Automatically Add Permanently Decontrolled Status
      • You can now globally assign a status code, which represents permanently decontrolled to all units which have been decontrolled for more than a year.
      • This application is located under Annual Tasks> Annual Rent Registration> Permanently Decontrolled Status Codes Utility.

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    • 5/23/06 - Export Reports and Letters to RTF (MS Word) Files
      • Reports that are run from the Run Reports menu can now be exported to .RTF or Rich Text Files.
      • To print to RTF select the "RTF File" option in the report Destination drop down box at the time of running the report.
      • RTF files can also be emailed when you select "E-mail RTF File" from the Report Destination drop down.

     

    • 5/22/06 - Upgraded Cash Position Screen
      • The Cash Position program within the General Ledger now displays a grid for multiple companies and cash accounts. You can view details on each row by double clicking on an item.

     

    • 5/3/06 - Find GL Account by Description
      • There is now a magnifying glass next to GL Account Description drop down boxes. When clicked, it will display a dialog which will allow you to search for a GL account by its description. You also have the ability to search by account number.

     

    • 4/24/06 - Automatically Adjust Tenant Balances
      • While in Cash Receipts Screen 2, you can now toggle the adjustment amount (if applicable) to the selected charge in the grid by clicking on the Adjust Line to Zero button. The description for the adjustment will be populated from the Default Adjustment Description drop down box.
      • Clicking on the Adjust All to Zero button will adjust all open balances for this tenant to zero.
      • Clicking on the Undo All button will restore this current tenant's balance to its original state.

     

    • 4/18/06 - Update Vendor Terms Directly From the Utilities Menu
      • Access this feature through Utilities> Code Maintenance> Vendor Terms Maintenance

     

    • 3/22/06 - System Administration and Permissions Update
      • You can now assign “As per group permissions” on an entire section when you are viewing permissions in the Users Mode.

     

    • 3/22/06 - Print Equipment File to Excel
      • The Equipment File can be printed or exported directly to Excel. From the Equipment File click the Export to Excel button.

     

    • 3/21/06 - Manually Update Legal Status When Entering Events
      • When you enter a new Event, select an Action Code that is not linked to another table. (Note: You can modify the Action Codes from Tickler Action Code Maintenance.)
      • A new dialog will appear which will prompt you to enter in the new Legal Status for the tenant. You can keep the current status, use the default status, or enter a custom status manually.

       

    • 3/2/06 - Display Work Orders Directly From Voucher Maintenance.
      • If a voucher was created from a Work Order, you can click on the button with the picture of the drill next to the Work Order field under the Tenant Information tab. This will bring you directly to the relevant Work Order.

     

    • 2/28/06 - View Tenant Balance from Dispo/Legal File
      • Tenant’s Balance Due with drill down has been added to the form.

 

      • The header of the report generated when printing directly from this window now contains the Company, Subsidiary, and Account Number/Description.

 

    • 2/8/06– Generate Automatic Legal Charges
      • Charges can be automatically generated for tenants for whom certain legal actions are initiated. The pertinent Automatic Legal Charges must be configured as described below (see Define Automatic Legal Charges).

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    • 2/8/06– Define Automatic Legal Charges
      • Implemented the ability to Define Automatic Legal Charges. These charges can be automatically created for tenants when the pertinent legal action is initiated.

       

    • 2/6/06– MDS Legal Gateway Update
      • Eliminated the prompt for Additional Base Charges and added the ability to exclude specific charge codes for the arrears calculation. The program now uses the Base Charges as configured via Charge Code Maintenance.

 

    • 1/17/06– Report Generator Input Templates
      • The user may now create Input Templates for any type of Report which can store all of the input data to disk which can be used at a later time.
        • Run any report from the Reports > Run Report menu in Explorer.
        • When the Report dialog appears, enter as data into the field as one would normally do when running this type of report.
        • Click on the File > Save Template As menu item.
        • Fill in the required data (typically Template description and Report Period) and click OK.
        • The input information can be restored from the menu File > Open Template.
        • Templates can be also modified after they are opened by clicking on the File > Save Template menu item.

         

    • 1/10/06– Tenant Billing Address can be copied from the tenant to the tenant’s corresponding vendor record (for use with 1099’s)
      • The user may copy the Tenant Billing Address from the tenant to the tenant’s corresponding vendor record as follows:
        • Select a vendor that is a tenant
        • Click the “Import Address” button
        • You can choose to import only the address for the currently visible tenant, or for all tenant-type vendors

         

    • 12/30/05 – Retained Earnings Account can be saved for automatic recall when Initializing Opening Balances for General Ledger
      • The user may now permanently save the Retained Earnings Account so that it can be automatically recalled whenever the General Ledger Initialize Opening Balances program is executed. To save the Retained Earnings Account, do the following:
        • From the General Ledger tab, select Chart of Accounts
        • Switch to the appropriate Chart of Accounts (if necessary) by clicking on the Switch Chart button
        • Click on the Categories button
        • From the G/L Account Categories window, click on the Special Accounts button
        • Enter the Retained Earnings Account and click OK when finished
      • When the General Ledger Initialize Opening Balances program is executed, the appropriate Retained Earnings Account will be automatically recalled and utilized by the system.


    • 12/23/05 – Maintain Base Charge Description Codes from the Building Information window
      • The user may now add/edit/delete Base Charge Description Codes by clicking on the ellipsis button (the ellipsis button has the “…” caption) to the right of the Base Charge Description code fields while working on the Building Information window.

       

    • 12/23/05 - View Vouchers from Work Order Screen
      • The corresponding Voucher that was created for a Work Order can now be viewed directly from the Work Order screen. Click on the button with the drill icon, which is next to the Work Order drop-down.

       

    • 12/23/05 - Create User Defined Vendor Forms
      • User Defined Vendor forms can be created from the Form Designer utility.

       

    • 12/22/05 - View Vouchers from Select Vouchers for Payment Screen
      • When selecting vouchers for payment, click on the Drill Icon to view the details of the voucher.

       

    • 12/22/05 - Past and Future Charges Batch Entry
      • Past and Future Charges Batch Entry has been added to the Other Tasks menu. This feature allows the user to more conveniently enter many Past and Future Charges items quickly. There are 2 types of batches that can be created via this utility:
        • Speed Entry – In this mode, the user enters the same Override/Add-To, Effective Date, Charge Code, Reason Code and Comments for all Past and Future Charges items. In Speed Entry mode, the Amount is the only information that is entered uniquely for each tenant.
        • Full Data Entry – In this mode, the user may enter any information that would be entered via the normal Past and Future Charges window. The user may supply default values for Override/Add-To, Effective Date, Charge Code, Reason Code and Comments, which can be accepted or overwritten for each item added into the batch.

         

    • 12/17/05 - General Journal Adjustment Batches
      • Templates can be utilized for General Journal Adjustment Batches. This allows the user to easily enter & reverse recurring journal entries.

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    • 12/16/05 - Work Orders Linked to Equipment File
      • Work Orders are linked to the Equipment File. When a Work Order is completed, the user will be prompted to update the Equipment File for a specific Equipment Code. To link a Work Order code to the Equipment File, follow the directions below:
        • Go into Work Order Maintenance Codes from the MDS Explorer. (Utilities > Code Maintenance > Work Order-Related Codes > Work Order Maintenance Codes.)
        • Either create a new Code or modify an existing one.
        • In the detail window for the Code, enter the Equipment Code in the corresponding field. This code will be used by the Equipment File when the user completes any Work Order which uses this Work Order Code.

         

    • 12/15/05 - Equipment File Shortcut Key
      • The shortcut to the Equipment File under the Tenant Views menu is now Ctrl+Q.

       

    • 9/12/05 - Report Auto-run Scheduling
      • Schedule reports to automatically run to a printer or to be emailed on a one-time or recurring basis. Contact your MDS Customer Support Representative to get started using this feature.

       

    • 9/8/05 - Bounced Check Automation Program
      • This feature allows the user to select a bounced check from a list of checks received by a tenant. After selecting the check that bounced, the system automatically reverses all of the appropriate charges. In addition, the system now allows bounced check fees to be set up on a building wide or global level. Once bounced check fees are set up, the user will be prompted to charge the tenant a bounced check fee directly from the NG Checks batch.
      • Before setting up the Automatic Bounced Check Fees, check with your system administrator to make sure that the Bounced Check Fee Special Assignment has been assigned (Utilities > Code Maintenance > Charge Code Maintenance > Special Assignments tab).
      • Once the Bounced Check Fee Special Assignment has been configured, set up Automatic Bounced Check Fees by first opening the Cash Receipts Batches screen. Click Preferences > Automatic Bounced Check Fees.
      • Notice that you can define a Bounced Check Fee for the Global, Building and Tenant level. Fill in the appropriate information and click the Close button. Your changes have been saved and the system will now automatically charge tenant’s that bounce a check. These charges will appear in Past and Future Charges and hit the tenant’s ledger once the End of Month has been run.

       

    • 9/1/05 - · Electronic File Attachments
      • This feature allows you to attach Electronic files to various parts of the MDS System. It is useful in logically storing things like tenant correspondence and building inspection certificates that have been scanned.
      • Anytime that a Paperclip Icon appears in the system, a file can be attached. Paperclip Icons can currently be found on the Tenant File, Legal File, Work Order System and Voucher System.
      • To attach a file, click on the Paperclip icon > Grid Options > New. You can now browse your network and attach files. The attached file will appear in the list whenever the paper clip is clicked on. Double click a file to open and view the attachment.

       

    • 8/14/05 - Pop-Up Reminders
      • This feature allows pop-up reminders to be set for you, other system users or groups of users.
        • Contact your system administrator to be sure that User’s are set up with a Tickler Assigned To code (Utilities > System Administration/Permissions > System Administration. Edit users by right clicking and selecting a Tickler Assigned to Code for this user. To create a code for this user, click the Create a New Tickler Assigns To Code button.)
        • To create a pop up reminder, Create a new Tickler from the Tickler File (Grid Options > New). Select an Action Code (Action Code must be a reminder type code) and an Assign To Code. Check off the Reminder box and select a date and time for the “Assigned To” user to receive the reminder.