Please read the full advisory below and the FAQs so you can have your questions answered.
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NOTICE OF DISCONTINUATION OF
ezChartWriter and Related Software
Effective March 1st, 2019 all support for ezChartWriter will end and all existing annual licenses will be converted to perpetual or “forever” licenses.
With the discontinuation of support for Windows 7 by Microsoft in early 2020, we will no longer have a stable, dependable operating system under which ezChartWriter can be guaranteed to work. Although ezChartWriter currently functions under Windows 10, there is a growing likelihood that some future release of Windows 10 will break compatibility of our software resulting in sudden and irreversible loss of function. The newest version of Windows 10 broke compatibility with Access 97, which is one step older than our technology (Access 2000). With the discontinuation of Windows 7 support (meaning security patches and updates will no longer be released by Microsoft), we can no longer offer a stable alternative if a future Windows 10 update causes the software to cease to function. Our software was originally written starting in 2002 for Windows XP systems, using the then state-of-the-art Access 2000 and was updated each new version of Windows as it came out. With Windows 10, the model for operating systems has changed and now all updates are done on a continuous basis (and cannot be blocked or rolled-back). There will never be a Windows 11, it will be Windows 10 continually updated.
In short, our software is becoming out-of-date and cannot be made to function completely without a total software re-write, which is not financially feasible. The amount of time and resources to maintain support for the current software cannot be maintained.
Link to online User Manual: http://www.ezchartwriter.com/UserGuide/index.html
Link to PDF User Manual: http://www.ezchartwriter.com/downloads/ezChartwriter_UserGuide.pdf
Download Software for Reinstall: http://www.ezchartwriter.com/downloads/ezchartwriter_legacy_setup.exe
FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTONS:
WILL MY SOFTWARE STOP WORKING?
No! It will continue
working as always, unless Microsoft releases an update to Windows 10 which
“breaks” our software. Right
now, a few minor issues have cropped up with Windows 10, such as some
fonts having strikethrough or screens displaying smaller than usual. Some
users have reported an inability to manually edit charts on certain
screens. But since Microsoft
releases regular updates (and they are automatically installed), even if
we know that an update is a problem there is very little a user can to do
to avoid the problem.
WHAT IF I KEEP
USING THE SOFTWARE PAST MARCH 1st?
It will continue to function as it always does, until it doesn’t. That
could happen in 2020, or in 2050. Since we are no longer offering support,
we will convert all existing users to Perpetual Licenses allowing you to
use the software indefinitely. The
only SAFE solution to using the software into the future is to install the
software on a Windows 7 machine that is completely detached from the
internet (because Microsoft will not be releasing security updates for
Windows 7, restricting access to the internet keeps your computer safe).
Using Windows 7 will allow you to always be able to access your data, even
if the software fails to work under Windows 10.
HOW CAN I GET MY
DATA OUT OF THE SOFTWARE?
You can use the Import/Export tool on the main screen to export your
demographics and/or reports. As always, it is recommended that you
continue to do backups weekly. Since the data is stored in a database
separate from the software, it will always be possible to pull your data
out (some other vendors already offer this service and list ezChartWriter
as a software they can easily import).
WILL I BE ABLE
TO DOWNLOAD THE SOFTWARE IN THE FUTURE?
As of now we intend to keep the software available for download. This will be at your own risk
and with no warranty as to fitness of the software. It
is recommended that you make a copy of the setup software and store
separately on a USB thumb drive so you can access in an emergency (such as
a hard-drive crash). You will
also want to download the user manual as it has networking and
installation guides.
I CURRENTLY USE
THE SOFTWARE ON WINDOWS 7 (OR XP, 8, VISTA) NOT WIN 10, WILL THIS EFFECT
ME?
We will no longer support the software on any system, however it
should continue to operate as it currently does.
I DIDN’T GET A
PERPETUAL LICENSE, WHAT DO I DO?
If you are a licensed (and in good standing) user as of January 10th,
you will be eligible for a perpetual license (no additional fees to use
the software forever). Just
email info @ ezChartWriter.com
for a perpetual license. If you are not an existing customer, we cannot
unfortunately issue you a license.
WHAT WILL I DO
IF MY DATABASE CRASHES AFTER MARCH 1st?
We currently offer a self-service method of repairing databases and a
link to this will be provided on our website. You can and should continue
making backups regularly. However, if you do not and the repair utility is
unsuccessful, there is no recourse and your data is permanently lost.
CAN I GET A
REFUND FOR FEES PAID?
No, unless we inadvertently charged you after this notice (January 1st,
2019)
CAN YOU HELP ME
EXPORT MY DATA?
Our software, as it has always been, is self-service model.
We will assist if you get stuck at some point in the data export
process with the utility we provide.
CAN YOU
RECOMMEND A REPLACEMENT SOFTWARE?
Not in the same price range as ezChartWriter unfortunately. However,
there are several good cloud-based systems out there which might be
affordable for small offices (you will pay a lot more but the service will
be higher level and you will have less worry about compatibility issues
with Windows as they typically run through a browser).
Three systems of note: RevolutionEHR,
LiquidEHR and MyVisionExpress.
WHY CAN’T YOU
JUST UPDATE THE SOFTWARE?
It takes many manhours of work to code a software of this complexity.
To rewrite it completely would be cost prohibitive (and the resultant
price increase of several hundred dollars a month in licensing fees would
not be welcomed by our users. The smartest choice is to shut down the
software now while it is still functioning and allowing doctors to migrate
to new systems (or take their chances running ezChartWriter on existing
systems).
WHAT IF MY
DATABASE CRASHES?
Use the do-it-yourself repair method that allows you to get back up
and running quickly. The instructions are attached. Unzip the file from
the link below into your ezHW_Data folder on the server computer. It must
reside there to work. The utility requires a one-time purchase of a
third-party program (AccessFix Pro, www.cimaware.com/accessfix-order)
to operate correctly.
Instructions: http://www.iccomplish.com/downloads/ezDatabaseRepair_Utility.pdf
Utility: http://www.iccomplish.com/downloads/ezDatabaseRepair.zip
Be sure to do an IMMEDIATE backup using the instructions below BEFORE starting the repair process. It's critical that you follow the AccessFIX setup steps exactly. If the repair utility fails on Step 2 (change database name, you probably forgot to exactly match the name the file should be save in (including the space).
WHAT IF I CAN’T
REMEMBER MY ADMIN PASSWORD?
The Admin password is set when you first setup the software. If you
have forgotten it, you can reset by clicking the "Forgot Password" link
next to the Admin login button. Enter the following code to unlock the
Admin Password: 316222 plus the rightmost 4 digits of your clinic
telephone number (as entered in software).
HOW DO I MAKE A
BACKUP FILE (TO MOVE COMPUTERS FOR EXAMPLE)?
Open the ezBackup utility to create a complete backup of your database
files. The ezBackup utility is found in your “C:\Program
Files\ezHealthWare 4.x\ezUtilities” folder. Do this on your Primary
computer (with the actual database files). Remember where you save the
backup. Leave the “Include Documents Folder” unchecked. When the backup is
done you’ll have a new file with a name like “Backup0616101451.zip” or
similar. This is the file you
need to save (ideally on a USB thumb drive).
I RECIEVED THE
PERPETUAL LICENSE FILES, HOW DO I USE THEM?
Copy
the license files into your C:\ezHW_Data folder (on the PRIMARY
computer). Then open Admin-> Software Account->License
Software->Import License File. Navigate to your primary database file
folder