SoftCom FAQ's

No, The Command Center can be customized to fit your needs. You do not have to use the buttons in the traditional light system way if you do not want to.

3. Is SoftCom sold based on the number of workstations I have?

No. SoftCom is not sold on a per workstation basis. You can install SoftCom on all workstations. SoftCom is sold on a per site basis.

4. Can I easily reset the button messages from the Command Center?

Yes. There is a Reset button on the Command Center. When pressed it will bring all buttons back to the up (off) state.

5. Is the trial version a fully functional program?

Yes. We do not disable any features in the trail version. The trial version expires in 30 days from the date it was installed.

6. If I install and setup the trail version on my network and then decide to buy do I have to re-install the real program and re-setup the Command Center options at each workstation?

No. Since the trial version is fully functional all you need to do is enter an activation code that registers SoftCom in your name.

7. Can I name each station with my own naming convention?

Yes. You can assign unique names to each station or use the default station names that install with the product.

8. How easy is SoftCom to install?

We designed the SoftCom installation process to be as simple as possible. This process has two phases: 1 - The SoftCom Server Installation and 2 - the Workstation Installation. Step-by-step instructions can be found on our website.

9. Will SoftCom run on Windows 95/98/ME/XP/NT/2000?

Yes. SoftCom was designed to be a "true" 32-bit application. You need to make sure each computer has the latest service pack installed for the above operating systems.

10. What are the hardware requirements for the server and workstations?

Please review the System Requirements.

11. When using SoftCom, can I reduce the needed screen real estate?

Yes, SoftCom "Quick View" option. This option will allow you to see and use the buttons and text messaging anywhere on your monitor.

12. Can I send text messages from the Quick View?

Yes. There is a To button on the Quick View that allows you to activate the message sending dialog box without having to use the Command Center.

13. Does the Quick View indicate that a new text message has arrived on the Command Center?

Yes. The Quick View has a TM (text message) button that flashes when a text message has arrived at the station.

14. Can I send a Priority message from the Quick View?

Yes. The Quick View has a P (priority) button that can be used without having to activate the Command Center.

15. Can I operate SoftCom from the System Tray (sys tray is the area next to the time on the start bar)?

Yes. The SoftCom has the option to display an icon within the Sys Tray area. You can do a left click on the icon to bring up the command center OR do a right click on it to bring up a menu of functions to operate the command center.

16. Can I change the background and font colors on the Command Center and Quick ViewTM?

Yes, the colors can be changed to fit your viewing preferences and the modifications are workstation specific.

17. Can I change the size of the Quick View?

Yes. You can scale the Quick View size.

18. Is the Quick View fully functional like the Command Center?

Yes. The Quick View is fully functional. You can depress buttons, change button label text, send text messages, reset the Command Center, send a priority message, and you can even hover the mouse pointer over a text label to see the long description of the button.

19. Can I change the background color of the Quick View?

Yes. The background color can be changed on the Quick View.

20. Can I reset the button message from the Quick View so that I do not have to bring up the Command Center to do so?

Yes. There is an R (reset) button on the Quick View that allows you to bring all the buttons back to the up (off) state.

21. Can SoftCom work with our existing Practice Management Program?

Yes. SoftCom can integrate or work along side any Windows application. Based on the integration capabilities of your PMP, SoftCom can automatically receive commands to depress the SoftCom buttons.

22. Can I add my own short text label to a SoftCom light button?

Yes. You can add one or many text labels to the light buttons. If you add more than one then you can change the button labels on the fly by simply doing a right click on the button to access the multiple text labels.

23. Can I have a long text description on each button?

Yes. You can add a long description for each short text label as described above.

24. Once I set up a button with text labels and long descriptions can I copy the buttons properties to all the other buttons?

Yes, you can copy one buttons properties to a combination of buttons or all buttons.

25. Can I utilize the “F” keys on my keyboard to operate the Command Center buttons?

Yes. You setup the Command Center buttons to operate single buttons or multiple buttons. You can even have one “F” key setup to operate several buttons at the same time.

26. Can the Command Center auto popup when a button state change occurs?

Yes, if the button is placed in the down or flashing state then the Command Center can auto popup. This is a workstation specific feature. Therefore, each workstation can be setup to use this feature or not.

27. Can the Command Center auto popup when a new text message arrives?

Yes, when a new text message arrives the Command Center can auto popup. This is a workstation specific feature. Therefore, each workstation can be setup to use this feature or not.

28. Can I continue typing in my other applications when the Command Center pops up with any type of new message (button or text)?

Yes. This feature allows the SoftCom Command Center to popup on your screen but allows you to continue typing in your current application.

29. Can a station monitor/view/delete text messages that are sent to another station?

Yes, you can setup any station to monitor another stations messages. This is helpful you have a roving staff member. The roving staff member now only has to manage one inbox and not multiple inboxes.

30. Is there an Online Help system that matches the Users Guide?

Yes, there is a complete online help system that is an exact copy of the Users Guide.

31. Can I upgrade my 16 Button Command Center to the 24 or 32 button system?

Yes. There is NO purchase penalty. Just pay the difference before your version and the version you want to upgrade to.

32. Can I customize the Priority button to fit the needs of that particular station?

Yes. The priority button can be modified with the text message of your choice and the buttons that get depressed in the down or flashing states.

33. Can I send a Priority or Emergency message to all stations indicating that I need immediate assistance at my location?

Yes, the priority button will broadcast a user defined set of buttons and a text message to all workstations.

34. Can I customize each stations behavior based on that stations or operators needs?

Yes. Via the Setup button on the Command Center you can change how that particular Command Center will behave.

35. Can I add sounds to the Command Center based on events that occur with the Command Center?

Yes. There are many sound options to choose from. Some sounds are system wide and some sounds are workstation specific.

36. Can I have individual sounds on each button?

Yes. You can add sounds to each button. You can even add different sounds to each button state. Down and Flash and when a text label changes on the button.

37. Can SoftCom play my own sound WAV files?

Yes, sound files are installed with SoftCom or you can record your own WAV files using any 3rd party recording application and assign the file or files to SoftCom.

38. Can a particular sound play on the receiving station based on “WHO” its from and/or “WHO” its to?

Yes. The receiving station can play a sound based on who the messages is from and/or who the messages is to. The feature is helpful to those offices that have a need to ONLY look at the screen based on what tone is heard. The option is setup within the SoftCom Administration program.

39. Can I preview/hear a sound file before selecting it?

Yes. You can preview/hear the sound file before implementing it.

40. Can I change the font size of the text message area?

Yes, simply clicking the Setup button on the Command Center can change the font size so you can see the text message from across the room or operatory.

41. Can I delete all text messages that are sent to a station rather than individually deleting each text message?

Yes, there is a delete all feature.

42. Can I send a text message with the click of just one button?

Yes. You can have a button on the Command Center setup to send a pre-defined text message to an individual station or a group distribution list.

43. Can I easily reply to a text messages that is sent to my station?

Yes, there is a reply button on the Command Center text message area.

44. Can I create Group Distribution lists to send message to?

Yes. You can create Group Distribution lists. This feature is very useful when you find yourself sending text message to the same set of workstations over and over again.

45. Can I easily move between unread or read messages?

Yes. The Command Center text message area has VCR/Radio style buttons that allow you to easily move between messages.

46. Can I auto delete text messages?

Yes. There is an option that allows you customize when to auto delete all text messages. For example, at the end or the start of each working day SoftCom can auto delete any text messages that were left over from the previous day.

47. Can I auto mark a message as read and then have it auto advance to the next new message?

Yes. This is useful when you are a heavy user of the text message feature and are looking for hands off functionality to be notified of any new text messages.

48. When sending a text message can I request a read/confirmation that the receiver read the message?

Yes. There is an option when sending a text message that you can select that will send the sending station a confirmation message indicating that the receiver has read the text message.

49. Are the text message stamped with From, To, Subject, Date and Time?

Yes. This information is stamped on each text message.

50. Can I add a variable/merge field to a pre-defined text message that will indicate where the message was from?

Yes. Even though the text message area already shows a From field this feature allows you to have the from field automatically appear within the text message. This is useful when you have increased the font size for the text message so that you can easily see the text message from across the room.

51. Can I send a private text message to a workstation?

Yes. There is an option when sending a text message that allows you to mark the message as private. When marked as private the body of text message does not appear. The receiving station must then click a “see private message” button. This is useful when you have a patient in the chair without having a staff member present.