Back Print

---

 

1. Migrating your data from GA2 & GA3 into GA4

---

The upgrade process will convert all of your GA2 or GA3 data into the new formats used within GA4, this process is completely automated, but can take some time.  However, it is important to note that backup files from GA4 are not backwards compatible and cannot be imported into earlier versions (due to new data formats).  Therefore,  we strongly advise that you evaluate GA4 using the trial version to ensure you are happy with it, before deciding whether or not to upgrade.

The migration process to bring your data from GA2 or GA3 is time-consuming, this is unavoidable.

We are unable to provide an estimated time since it will differ for each system, depending on both the speed of the computer and also the amount of data to be migrated.

Step by step instructions can be found here: Upgrading to GA4 from GA3 or GA2

Note:  The time taken to perform the upgrade is a one-time process, future updates for GA4 will take a fraction of the time

 

2. Compatibility

---

GA4 does not support/work on Windows XP, Vista or Mac OSX 10.9 Mavericks and below.

 

3. New & Improved Features

---

GA4 is a complete rewrite of our system from the ground up, everything has changed in one form or another but should still feel familiar to existing users of GA2 and GA3

 A list of New & Improved Features can be viewed by clicking here

 

4. Changes / Deprecated Features

---

The following is a list of changes / removed features that we feel need to be brought to your attention prior to deciding whether or not you wish to upgrade to GA4.  

Of course, there are more changes than listed below (see new/improved features) 

Changed -  Colour Scheme Options:

---

GA4 colour schemes are now set on a per-user basis rather than system wide.  
After upgrading from GA3 or earlier, you may find that the colour theme is unsuitable since it will import a theme based on what was selected previously.  This was brought up recently by a customer who thought we had made the system too bright and hard on the eyes, it turned out it was due to the imported colour.  

To change these, head over to Admin > Configuration > User Accounts and either select a more desirable colour, or press X next to the colour selection to reset to the default dark grey's used in GA4.  Whilst there, it may be worth checking out the new options available for account restrictions too.

Changed -  Account Credits:

---

GA4 uses a combined credit pool instead of separate for SMS and VRM lookup credits, this makes it easier to top-up and manage your credits.  To implement this change, we have made the following adjustments:

• VRM Lookups cost 1 credit, the same as previous versions
• SMS Messages cost 0.5 credits, this makes them marginally cheaper compare with GA3.

When upgrading to GA4, your credit's will be converted and combined appropriately into a single credit pool, for example:

If you had 50 SMS Credits and 50 VRM Credits, in GA4 you will now see 75 Credits.
75 Credits will allow you to perform 50 VRM lookups and send 50 SMS messages, or variations thereof.

Changed - Online Booking:

---

The online booking system has been enabled for use without a subscription, although the subscriptions are still available as previously.  If you are currently subscribed, your subscription will remain active.

If you are not subscribed, you can use the system based on credits.  
For each downloaded booking, 1 credit is charged to your account.  If you have no credits, the online booking system will turn off automatically, providing your contact information for a customer to make a booking by contacting you instead.

This means you can try/use the system without risk.  If you don't take a booking, then it won't cost you a penny. 

Changed - Entering Inc VAT figures:

---

If you are not vat registered, this will have no relevance.

Previous versions of Garage Assistant allowed you to enter a price including VAT by choosing Inc VAT from the tax drop down list, however, with the changes to GA4 allowing you to define your own tax rates, this option is no longer available.

However, there is still a way to enter a price as inc vat in GA4 and have it backward calculate to a Net figure:

•  Enter the unit price followed by an asterisk,
  i.e:  120* will result in 100 + vat.
• GA4 will see the * and recalculate the unit price to be a NET figure automatically.

 

Removed - Landscape Invoices / Estimates / Job Sheets:

---

Landscape Invoices / Estimates & Job sheet layouts are no longer available.
These landscape layouts where extremely restrictive when compared with their portrait counterparts, allowing only small line item descriptions and limited item quantities.

 

Changed - Backups & Exports:

---

GA4 stores backups and exports in a more organised folder structure on your system.

For Windows, this is located:

C:\GA4 User Data\
C:\GA4 User Data\Backup Files
C:\GA4 User Data\Sage Exports

For Mac, this is located:

Macintosh HD/Documents/GA4 User Data/
Macintosh HD/Documents/GA4 User Data/Backup Files
Macintosh HD/Documents/GA4 User Data/Sage Exports

You can also specify your own primary backup location and a secondary location which can be used for redundant offsite backups.  As with previous versions, backups are performed locally to your machine.  It is your responsibility to keep off-site backups.

Changed - Sage Exports:

---

Sage exporting now includes a number of different options, as such we recommend you review the available options before proceeding with a new export.

Each export now includes the field names as header rows, unlike previous versions where you had to map A, B, C, D, E etc to the relevant fields in Sage, you now have to make sure you tick the option in Sage for '"first row contains headings"

You will also find an option to export using a 'simple export format'.
This allows you to export the entire document as a single record, rather than a breakdown of labour, parts, etc.  Using this simple format restricts each invoice to a single nominal code, but may be preferable for some companies due to being much easier to make sense of in sage.

 

 

Print Back to other articles