GENERAL - Attention! You don't have the permission to access the server from this machine. Contact your network administrator

ERROR CATEGORY: Shoper opening

ERROR: Attention! You don't have the permission to access the server from this machine. Contact your network administrator

OCURANCE: While opening shoper, after you enter the username, password and select the company

CAUSE: This error generally comes in the node machines where a Shoper server installation has been done. It is because of the server path not being accessed or improper rights to the user.

SOLUTION:

1) Goto 'My Network Places' and see if the node computer is part of the workgroup

2) Find out the shoper server computer name and type the following at Start -> Run:

\\(server computer name)\Shoper9

3) The server location must be opened at the node machine and you must have read/write permission to make changes in the folder which has opened

4) If the above two things fail to happen, contact your hardware person check the network setting and to give the proper rights and priviledges to all the users.

PRECAUTION:

Do not try to make changes in the IP address of any the PCs without the approval of your hardware person.

HOW TO AVOID THIS ERROR:

1) This error usually occurs in server-node installations when the network setting are disturbed. Ensure that your LAN cable is not disturbed and is connected correctly to the PC.

2) Ensure that your LAN setting in 'My Network Places' is in the "enabled" state.

3) Do not make changes in the IP address of any of the computers without the approval of your hardware person.

GENERAL - Security database is wrongly specified in the configuration table. Please connect it and login again!

ERROR CATEGORY: Shoper opening

ERROR: Security database is wrongly specified in the configuration table. Please connect it and login again!

OCCURANCE: While opening Shoper, after double clicking on the Shoper icon

CAUSE: Security database 'tspsysdb9' is missing or has become corrupt

SOLUTION:

1) Restore the last working 'tspsysdb9' database

2) This can also happen if you SQL server program has become corrupted. This can easily be checked.

Goto Start -> Run. Type 'services.msc'. This will open the services screen. Check if 'SQL server (SQLEXPRESS) service is running.

If it is not in start mode, try starting it.

PRECAUTION:

Restoration of the backup is a pretty easy activity, but care must be taken to ensure that the data file path are correctly entered.

If SQL server has become corrupted, then there is very little option but to reinstall the 'SQL server' program which means that even Shoper has to be reinstalled.

HOW TO AVOID THIS ERROR:

Database corruption usually occurs due to the two reasons mentioned below. Care must be taken to avoid their occurance which will ensure smooth Shoper operations.

1) Power Fluctuations - If your shop is in a area where there is regular load-shedding or there are voltage fluctuations, then you must use a UPS to avoid database corruption.

2) Proper Shutdown of your PC - The computer must be properly shut-down when you close during the night. Switching off the mains before shut-down or doing a PC restart when shoper is running should be strictly avoided.

GENERAL - Run-time error '-2147467259 (80004005)': Cannot open database requested in login 'shoperccc'. Login fails

ERROR CATEGORY: Shoper opening

ERROR: Run-time error '-2147467259 (80004005)': Cannot open database requested in login 'shoperccc'. Login fails

OCURANCE: While opening shoper, after you enter the username, password and select the company

CAUSE: Shoper database has become corrupt

SOLUTION:

1) Repair the corrupt database OR

2) Restore the previous working database

PRECAUTION:

Repairing the database is not always possible. It actually depends on the degree of corruption which your database has gone through.

Restoring the previous working database is the best possible option but it may cause some data loss as the last backup available would be of the last day-end. So, the transactions made today will have to be re-entered into Shoper.

Restoration of the backup is a pretty easy activity, but care must be taken to ensure that the data file path are correctly entered.

HOW TO AVOID THIS ERROR:

Database corruption usually occurs due to the two reasons mentioned below. Care must be taken to avoid their occurance which will ensure smooth Shoper operations.

1) Power Fluctuations - If your shop is in a area where there is regular load-shedding or there are voltage fluctuations, then you must use a UPS to avoid database corruption.

2) Proper Shutdown of your PC - The computer must be properly shut-down when you close during the night. Switching off the mains before shut-down or doing a PC restart when shoper is running should be strictly avoided.

BILLING: Product tax type XX - source tax type X - assigned to stock no XXXXXXXX not present in tax catalogue

ERROR CATEGORY: BILLING

ERROR: Product tax type XX - source tax type X - assigned to stock no XXXXXXXX not present in tax catalogue

OCCURANCE: In billing screen, after you scan or manully enter the stock number

CAUSE: Tax cataloguing of the particular stock number has not been done.

SOLUTION:

Follow the steps given below:

1) Goto Catalog -> Tax

2) Click on Add. Enter source tax type as the first option (e.g. if source tax type 0 is the error use the first option from the dropdown, if source tax type 1 is the error use the second option from the dropdown, and so on)

3) If destination tax type is also applicable then enter in the same way (e.g. if destination tax type 0 is the error use the first option from the dropdown, if destination tax type 1 is the error use the second option from the dropdown, and so on)

4) In the product tax type column, click on range and select the item which is showing the error (e.g. 01-Garments in this case)

5) In 'tax description field' click on 'same as product tax group'

6) In 'no of components' enter - 1

7) 'Effective from' will be the current shoper date

8) In the form below, the 'product tax group', 'tax description' and 'comp no' will get displayed automatically.

9) In 'component name' and 'component description' enter - VAT (in both places)

10) In 'type' choose the first option - Fixed

11) In computed on choose the first option - Value after discount

12) In tax rate, type the VAT rate applicable in your state (e.g. 5.00 or 12.50)

13) Click on OK

This will solve the problem for you.

EXCEPTIONS: In some cases you won't find your required 'product tax type' in the window where you need to check the corresponding tax box.

In such a case follow the following steps:

1) Goto Catalogue -> General Lookup

2) In the dropdown at the top select - Product-wise Sales Tax Group

3) Check if your required product is there in the list. If not, click on 'Add New'.

Enter the 'code' as the required product code and the 'description' as its description.

4) Click on 'Save'. You will now be able to see the product in the 'product tax type' box. Follow the earlier steps to catalogue the same and get over this error.

PRECAUTIONS: Please find out the exact tax rate for the product you are cataloguing as it may have tax implications in your other reports.

HOW TO AVOID THIS ERROR:

If you are a part of a chain, ensure that whenever a new PT file gets loaded, there are no new tax codes in it. If yes, then request for the tax masters as well.

If you are a one-off store, then take precautions during item master entry that no duplicates or unncessary tax codes are getting created. If still necessary, then this cataloguing needs to be done.

Some useful Tips while making a bill

1. You have come to the billing screen and clicked on new bill. Now, if you don't want to add the customer details and want to come to stock number field directly, PRESS F11 KEY.

This will bring you directly to the stock number field where you can scan the item.

2. Suppose you don't have a scanner or the barcode is unreadable, then PRESS F2 KEY.

This will open up a search option where you can search according to the stock number, product, brand, style, shade, size or balance quantity.

3. You can still search within this F2 search by PRESSING F3 KEY.

This will make the search as 'begins with', 'ends with', 'is' or 'contains' your required field. This basically searches using wild-cards like * or ?

4. F2 search also has advanced options like searching by analysis codes, retail prices, etc.

5. Suppose you have searched for a quality number which has many sizes and you have to bill all of them one by one, then press F2 Key followed by CTRL + INSERT. This will take you back to the last search wherein you can scroll and select your desired size for billing.

6. The same F2 browse/search can be used in stock number entry fields in inwards, outwards, stock taking, etc.

7. A bill once made can be CANCELLED/VOIDED only on that particular day, i.e. until the day close is done.

8. 'Return with bill reference' is used when the customer/user has the bill number of the original bill, else 'return without bill reference' is used.

9. In returns, clicking on EXCHANGE will open up a new billing screen where the goods which are being purchased today are to be scanned.

10. In returns, clicking on RETURN will create a CREDIT NOTE which can be given to the customer for future usage.

11. Note that after clicking on the exchange key, the bill cannot be aborted. Trying to forcefully abort it through the system settings will automatically create a CREDIT NOTE.

12. Reprinting of the bill can be done for a single bill or for a range of bills using the from & to range, providing the appropriate bill numbers.

13. F7 is the hotkey for full cash transactions while F8 is for multiple mode billing. F9 key is used for displaying the totals including the tax breakup before printing the bill.

14. ALTER PREFIX key is for changing the bill prefixes which should not be messed with as the it will make a new billing prefix with the bill number reset to 1.

15. Problems in taking bill prinout and the various errors associated with it is taken up in later posts.

Where and how can the Shoper software be used?

Shoper is an all-inventory software which will help help a showroom, a distributor or a chain store setup to managed its inventory effectively. It helps you in tracking your stocks from the point of manufacture to the point of sale. It has got excellent features like barcode printing, customer mailer printing, pdt loading, extensive reports, etc.

The usage of this software, however, is not as simple as the Tally accounting software. But, once trained, I don't think it is so difficult to operate on.

The following excerpt is taken from the Tally website:

"As technology evolves, businesses like yours have to keep in step for sustainable results. Staying aligned with customer needs at the same time is often a challenge. We have designed Shoper 9 to handle lakhs of SKUs (items), thousands of transactions per day and even support hundreds of stores in a chain. So the modern retail business gets to leverage its core strengths. Combining unmatched retail expertise and a rich development, Shoper 9 represents the best of breed.

If it’s better control of promotions, or merchandising, or even a stock query that helps customers check on which of your outlets stocks a particular product, Shoper 9 is up to the task. This retail management software product convincingly addresses pain points such as data exchange between head office, warehouses and stores, providing a robust interface. Favoured by leading Indian specialty stores, Shoper 9 has catered to the apparel, footwear and textile segments with tremendous success."

As you already know shoper is available for three different environments:

1) Point of Sales (POS) - For retail shops

2) Distributor - For warehouses

3) Head Office (HO) - For head office of chain stores

We will discuss about this later in greater details.

One more thing which needs mention is that shoper is currently available in three different editions:

1) Shoper 9 Silver

2) Shoper 9 Gold

3) Shoper 9 Diamond

Again, I give reference from the Tally website for better understanding:

"• Shoper 9 Silver

The Shoper 9 Silver Edition allows you to install and run Shoper 9 POS. If you are a retail store, you can use it as a POS component or else as a Distributor component, if you function as a Distributor. The silver edition runs on a single machine.

• Shoper 9 Gold

The Shoper 9 Gold Edition allows you to install and run Shoper 9 POS on unlimited number of terminals in a LAN (but within the same sub-network). You can use it as a POS component or Distributor configuration on multiple terminals in a sub-network.

• Shoper 9 Diamond

The Shoper 9 Diamond Edition allows you to install and run Shoper 9 POS as well as Shoper 9 HO on as many computers in a LAN (but within the same sub-network). You can use it as a HO or POS component in as many terminals of the sub-network.

We provide you some examples of the combination of Shoper 9 editions that you can deploy for your business, in multiple ways:

A) Shoper 9 Silver at a single POS terminal in a POS location

Shoper 9 Silver at a single terminal in Distributor location

B) Shoper 9 Diamond comprising of many POS terminals, Distributor and HO at the Business HQ

Shoper 9 Silver at a single POS terminal in retail store

Shoper 9 Silver at a single terminal in Distributor location

C) Shoper 9 Diamond comprising of many POS terminals, Distributor and HO at the Business HQ

Shoper 9 Gold at several POS terminals

Shoper 9 Gold at several terminals in Distributor location

The deployment can be summarised as;

• If you are a large store with multiple POS terminals – Shoper 9 Gold

• If you are a small store with single POS terminal – Shoper 9 Silver

If you want to control the operations of the stores, distributors spread over a wide geography, then you need to install Shoper 9 Diamond."

Having given you all a summary of what Shoper is and the various environments it can be used in, I will dive straight into the support part.

Welcome to Tally Shoper Help - What is this site all about?

Hello Friends and Shoper Users!

This blogsite is dedicated to all those shoper users who want help on their Shoper software (Shoper POS, Shoper Distributor, Shoper HO). There are some times when getting to the authorised support executives is not possible or their processes are so time-consuming that your business suffers. Sometimes, it is just a small setting which can be done easily by the you but lack of knowledge makes you helpless.

This blog is dedicated to all such users who can get around small problems and run their business effectively without waiting for the expert to attend their problem.

Also, it has been observed, that users are not trained properly during the implementation/installation which complicates things further, where even a simple menu-driven change cannot be done by the user. This blog is an attempt to help all such users.

I will be starting off with an overview about the various menus in Shoper POS and then going more in depth.

Having said that, I may not be able to know all the problems the users are facing and so encourage users to mail me and let me know about their problems/needs so that it can be incorporated in the site.

I will be trying my best to incorporate the solutions to the problems but some problems may required back-hand changes using SQL queries which is best left to the experts.

Feel free to contact me through mail about your problems/suggestions and help me in making this site really helpful to all shoper users.