Ability to Set Custom Field Name Aliases for Selected Items
The system now provides the ability to set a custom field name for selected items. This change will allow you to rename selected fields within these tabs: Projects, Permits, Inspections, and Actions. Note, once you change a field name, this will affect all records and reports that refer to that specific field name. Also note that if you change a field name and there’s data already associated with that field, try to keep the name consistent with what’s already there (i.e. if the field name is currently “Completed Date” don’t rename the field to “Birth Date”).

First make sure you are on the correct tab for which you want to change the field name (i.e. Projects, Permits, Inspections, or Actions). Once you are on the correct tab, select Edit and double click on any blank space within the Edit dialog box. All of the editable field names will turn red. Click on the red field name and an input box will open allowing you to enter the new title.

Once you have made changes, you can always revert back to the original field titles by performing the above sequence of steps, but rather than enter a new field name in the input box simply type "RESET".

Ability to Set Custom Name for "Actions" Tab
We have added the ability to set a custom name for the Actions tab, as well as all references. This was added as some towns wanted to be able to refer to this tab as Planning rather than Actions. To rename the Actions tab, navigate to Utilities | Town Settings | System Settings. At the bottom of the dialog box, type in the new custom name under Actions Tab Label. You will need to restart the program in order for the change to be visible.

Ability to Associate Documents with Actions
You are now able to associate external documents with Actions. Select Edit while on the Actions tab to view/add/edit documents. The Documents screen displays the type of document that is associated, a document location, and any document notes. The Document Location field is a text notation field with which to designate a physical location elsewhere within the office (e.g. a drawer in the filing cabinet) or the actual location of a digital file on your computer/network (e.g. "p:\shared\buildingdepartment\file.doc"). The Notes field is for notes that may give enough information to alleviate the need to physically locate the document.

Ability to Set Custom PID Format
Note that this function should only be enabled in consultation with Avitar Software Support and in conjunction with your Assessing department. However, review the description below and please contact us if you and your assessors are interested in implementing a Custom PID format.

By using the Custom PID Format option, you can choose to change the system format to an eighteen character PID in a manner different from the standard six character map, six character lot, and six character sublot format. For example, you could elect to choose six characters for the map, three for the lot, three for the sublot, three for a building number, and three for a unit number.

To set the Custom PID format first you will need to have Avitar enable the change. Then navigate to Utilities | Town Settings | Custom PID. Check the box that says Use Custom PID Format. Below is a description of the corresponding fields that need to be completed in order to user the Custom PID format.

Custom PID Mask -- You must use the # symbol to indicate the placement of the individual PID characters within the mask. Then use another character (for example a space or a dash or a slash) to indicate the character you wish to use to separate the component sections of the PID. However, you can only use one character as the separator character.

Custom PID Description -- Enter a brief description of the entire PID (e.g. "Map/Lot/Sub/Bld/Unit"). This is the label that will appear on reports. It is best to use a capital letter for the first letter of each component and then lower-case letters for the rest. This will match the format of the rest of the program and the report heading will look consistent.

Custom PID Section Names -- You can choose to enter a description for each component of the PID (e.g. "Map", "Lot", etc.). The Custom PID Section names are only visible when you hover over the individual boxes throughout the program used to enter PID values on which to search.

Suppress Leading Zeros -- Check this box to suppress the leading zeros in each section of the customized PID (e.g. "1/2/3" instead of "000001/000002/000003").

Pad Separators with Spaces -- Check this option to add a space before and after each separator, making it easier to read in some instances (e.g. "1 / 2 / 3" instead of "1/2/3").

Ability to Associate a Specific Color with Each Post-It Category
The system will now allow the user to choose a color to be associated with each category of Post-Its. Using this, Post-It categories could be created for each user and a color associated with each. To apply a color to a Post-It category, navigate to Utilities | Configuration Options | Post-It Types. Click Modify for an existing Post-It category or select Add for a new category. At the bottom, there is a Color field. Double click inside the color box and select the color you wish to associate with that Post-It category.

When a parcel is selected that has a Post-It, the Post-It icon visible on the main screen will display the corresponding color for the Post-it. Note, if there are multiple Post-Its categories on a single property that have more than one color, due to space limitations on the screen, this icon    will be used to indicate multiple Post-It categories.

Addition of a Status Attribute for Actions
We have added the ability for you to add a status attribute to an Action (e.g. Open, Closed, Pending). For you to apply status attributes to Actions, you must first add status types to the database. To do so, go to Utilities | Configuration Options | Action Status tab. Here you will be able to add, modify, and delete any action status.

To apply a status attribute to an Action, select an existing project and choose the Actions tab. Once on the Actions tab, select Add for new action or Edit in the toolbar to modify an existing Action. Use the Status dropdown menu to select a status attribute.

Addition of Parcel Attributes on Action Tab
The existing Actions tab has been expanded to include the following parcel attributes with a corresponding Yes/No field:

• Wetland
• Shoreline Protection District
• Aquifer Protection District
• Flood Plain

To add a parcel attribute, select Edit from the Actions tab and then select the Parcel Attributes tab. Use the corresponding radio buttons Yes, No, and Unspecified to make your selections.

Note that these attributes apply to the parcel and are independent of any Actions that may or may not exist on the parcel.

Add Project Wizard Updated
The Add New Project Wizard process now includes a Back button to allow you to add, update, or review information on previous screens before completion.

Ability to Associate a Contractor with Each Inspection
There is now a Contractor field name within the Edit Inspections Dialog box for you to associate a Contractor with each Inspection.

Ability to View/Edit Contractor Details Within Permit/Inspection Dialog Box
You will now be able to maintain Contractor information in both the Edit Permits and Edit Inspections dialog boxes. The process for maintaining Contractor information is virtually the same in both the Edit Permits and Edit Inspections dialog boxes.

To add/edit a Contractor within the Edit Permits and Inspections dialog boxes, you will see the Contractor icon    to the right of the Contractor drop down box. If the drop down box is blank, select the icon to the right and you will have the opportunity to add a new Contractor. To view/modify an existing Contractor, use the drop down menu to select the desired Contractor, and then select the icon to the right.

Customize Body of a Specific Permit as Rich Text
You now have the ability to set the body section of any customized printable permit to Rich Text Format, allowing you more flexibility to modify portions of the text to bold, underline, justify, and/or change the font type. Using this, you can customize each permit to a specific format. To do so, select the Configuration Options from the Utilities menu. Within the Configuration Options dialog box, select the Permits Type tab. Once on the Permit Types tab, select the Customize Permit button in the lower right corner. This will open the Customize Permit Appearance dialog box, within which you can select the existing type of permit to be customized. After selecting the permit, select the text icon    on the left side of the dialog box. You will be asked if you wish to convert this portion to Rich Text Format. Select Yes to proceed or select No to cancel.

Maintain Applicant Information Within Permits
We have added the ability for you to maintain complete Applicant information (i.e. company, address, address2, city, state, zip+4, phone, email) right in the Edit Permits dialog box. If the dialog box is blank, select the applicant icon   to the right and you will have the opportunity to add a new Applicant. To view/modify an existing Applicant, use the drop down menu to select the desired Applicant, and then select the Applicant icon to the right of the Applicant Name field.

Renaming of Construction Type
References/labels used throughout the application that referred to "Construction Type" have been standardized to "Project Type". Previously these terms were used interchangeably and inconsistently.