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Please read the full advisory below and the FAQs so you can have your questions
answered.

_________________________________________________________

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In short, our software is becoming out-of-date and cannot be made to function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,
www.cimaware.com/accessfix-order) to operate correctly.

http://www.ezchartwriter.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