We are happy to announce that as of 3/5/08 MyFuelTax Version 4.0 Beta is available for download and customer testing.  We encourage you to put the product through its paces and to report your findings.  As end users you are in the best position to find those unique ways in which our program needs to be improved. 

 

1.  At this point the major feature for trial in myFuelTax version 4.0 is data integration with Microsoft's Mappoint mapping and mileage program.  In order to properly test this Beta you will need Mappoint loaded onto your computer.  A 60 day trial version of Mappoint can be downloaded from the Microsoft website using the link below:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ea1da1af-8d89-432a-9c61-e30d76b41307&DisplayLang=en

Beyond the 60 day trial period Mappoint can be actually purchased directly from Microsoft or from software retailers or even from Ebay.

A copy of the myFuelTax Beta can be downloaded here:

http://www.myfleettools.com/FuelTaxThankYou.htm

* For tips on how to use myFuelTax with Mappoint we have included some Help at the end of this  newsletter..

The Beta version of myFuelTax version 4.0 will run in demo mode.  That means that any IFTA reports will be limited to 5000 miles worth of data entry.  But this should not effect the Beta testing itself.  The Beta testing can  really be limited to the Mappoint interface and data integration.  We will welcome all feedback, including suggestions that would improve your user experience.

2.  Also new in myFuelTax version 4.0 is a new registration system similar to what we have introduced in Spinnaker Fleet Tools.  Essentially this new registration system eliminates the need for you to enter passwords upon initial registration or re-registration.  We think that any existing users of our programs can appreciate the beauty of this feature.

3.  In development we have plans for myFuelTax to also integrate seamlessly with major fuel cards to import fuel records directly into the Trip Entry dialog, just as Mappoint enters your miles.  But in order to accomplish this we will need to see samples of these files in either .txt or .csv formatting.  If any of you currently use a major fuel card, (i.e. Comdata, Fleet1, etc.), we invite you to send the data files to us and we will begin work on it.  If you need help sending the files please let us know that as well.  We'll be happy to help. 

4.  Finally (for now) we continue to work on the GPS logger feature of the program.  As we have announced before, this feature will let you log GPS coordinates, using a GPS receiver, right into a laptop in your truck.  The logger will create files that can then be run through Mappoint for Miles and Miles in State and entered directly into the Trip entry dialog of myFuelTax.  We are getting very close and will keep you updated in the next installment of our newsletter.

* Help for testing the myFuelTax Mappoint interface

Once you have both programs on your computer and after you created a userprofile and a unitprofile you should start testing myFuelTax by going to the Trip Entry dialog.  On the Trip Entry dialog you will notice a new button labeled 'Use Mappoint'.  First, open an existing data file or create a new file, whichever you prefer.  Clicking this button will open Mappoint and you will see the map of North America.  We recommend that if you are not familiar with Mappoint, you should try to familiarize yourself with its mapping features.  You can zoom in to any area of the US or Canada and select an area to start 'driving'.  You do this by a right mouse click, selecting 'Route', then selecting 'Add as Start'.  Then in similar fashion select other points along a proposed route to 'Add as Stop' and finally a location to 'Add as End'.  Then click 'Get Directions' to draw the map of your trip.  If the map directions that Mappoint selects are not your actual route, you can click on the green route line until it changes to a blue color.  Once the route line is blue you can drag the route to mirror your actual trip.  A trip can be as long or as short as you want.  And trips can be strung together as well.  Once you have your Mappoint route the way you like it, just click the 'Enter Trip in Fuel Tax' button and watch your entire trip or trips get entered automatically onto the Trip Entry dialog!