README FILE FOR THE AMERICAS - VERSION 5D

GENERAL
* This is version 5D - '5' for the fifth year of production (of the classic spreadsheet) 
  and 'D' for the fourth release this year. 
* Updates will be distributed approximately every two weeks, timed for the middle and 
  end of each month.
* If an interim release is made, to fix an important bug for example, it will be given an 
  identifier of 'a' or 'b' etc. in the Excel and Zip file names - after the version number.  
* The availability dates of the tool will be adjusted for the timing of any new xSeries 
  product announcements.
* Feedback and any problems with the configurator can be reported to:- 
  psg_configure@uk.ibm.com.
* This version is for Microsoft Excel and it will run on Excel '97 and 2000.
* The configurator will not run with Excel viewer - a full version is required.

SOME PROBLEMS FIXED/CHANGES MADE IN THIS RELEASE (5D):-

* Quote Export now working correctly with Excel XP. 
* Font sizes now the same in both sections of the quote screen.
* Discount percentages now enterable to two decimal places.
* x330 MXT Model now included in the Wizard - only compatible memory options 
  are selectable for the model being configured. 
* From 26th February 2002, products announced as withdrawn will remain in the 
  configurator for a period of approximately 90 days after the 'withdrawn effective'
  date. They will be flagged as 'Withdrawn' either in the Description, or the Price 
  Field, or both.
* x232 and x342 descriptions have been shortened so that the differentiating 
  factors can be seen more easily.
* A number of other minor changes and corrections have been made.

KNOWN PROBLEMS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION:-

* If you close down from the S/S after first 'Adding to Quote' in Wizard - the file 
  apparently closes without asking if you want to save. In fact it doesn't 
  close - it is hidden. This seems to happen with Windows '95 only.
* Focus problems in the Rack Module - you have to click on Rack Cabinet sometimes to 
  select it and to enable the 'Add' button, even though the cabinet is highlighted.
* Configurator hangs when used with Win NT and Office '97.
* Pricing format is wrong for Netherlands when configurator is used with Excel XP 
  and Win2K.
o Import file - have to exit to Spreadsheet and return to Wizard to view imported 
  data.  
o ServicePac content to be improved.
 
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
* At the moment the Terms and Conditions can be found by clicking on Help on the 
  Home Screen.
* For the purposes of definition, the Home Screen is where either xSeries, 
  IntelliStation, Rack or Find-a-Part is selected.
* The System Selector screen is where xSeries product families and models can be 
  selected, for example.

OVERALL INSTALLATION AND USAGE
* Double-click on the zip package and extract the file to a sub-directory of your 
  choosing.
* Either run the file under Excel or double-click from Explorer and the configurator 
  will start.
* The first screen that appears ask you to select either the classic spreadsheet 
  interface or the new wizard module.
* You can tick a box before doing this, so that if the file is subsequently saved, 
  this first screen will not appear again.
* When in operation, look for onscreen messages that are either present all the 
  time or appear when you take an action.
* Also look for guidance from the Help selection at the top of each screen (not 
  all screens have help at this time).
* 'Model Specification' on the System Selector screen, will give more details of 
  your selected system unit.
* When in the options screens - rightclick on an orderable option to get more details.
* The 'Find out more about...' and '....Homepage' links on System Selector screen 
  use Internet Explorer.
* The 'Feedback' link on the Home Screen uses a declared Mail Client such as 
  Microsoft Outlook.

CLASSIC MODE
* This mode selection takes you to the spreadsheet where there are buttons for 
  navigation between the various sheets (Go-To button).
* There is also a button on the Main sheet for changing your country selection, 
  which enables loading of your required country data. 
* After the country selection, configurations will be made using that country's 
  part numbers and prices.  
* Within a product sheet, start by selecting a system unit model (enter '1' in 
  the Qty column), then scroll down to select options.
* Enter quantities against the required options - look for advisory messages 
  that are either already present or appear.
* Also check for guidance on the righthand side of the sheet.
* When a configuration has been completed, clicking 'Add xxxxx values to Quote' 
  will copy your selections to a separate Quote sheet.
* The Quote sheet can be copied and pasted out to another spreadsheet, or printed.

WIZARD MODE
* This is the new user interface for the configurator and provides a more guided 
  and controlled route to achieve your configuration.
* The sequence of options categories is similar to the classic, but invalid 
  selections are highlighted or not allowed.
* Operation should be intuitive - look for the next step and any onscreen messages.
* More function is provided for the Quote than in the classic and other configurator 
  functions are improved.
* New features such as the Find-a-Part lookup function and the File Import facility 
  are also provided. 
* The Help content and the information in this Readme file will be improved over 
  the coming weeks.

In the meantime - Questions and Feedback please! to:- psg_configure@uk.ibm.com