Announcing Changes to CRT Terminals and Other Serial Devices that Access ERA

Reynolds continuously evaluates the hardware needs of the ERA^® system as well as our ability to effectively support various ERA hardware devices. Based upon our findings, we will discontinue the use of CRT terminals (also known as TVI 955, TVI 965, "green screens", etc.) and other terminals that connect through a serial port as a means of accessing ERA in 2012. In an effort to minimize the impact and allow you to transition to networked PCs at your own pace, we will implement the end-of-life process in phases.

Why are we making this change?
CRTs and other devices connected by a serial connection inherently have characteristics that have caused us to plan for this end-of-life:

• The data moving between the ERA system and a CRT/serial device is not encrypted and creates a potential vulnerability in the security of your data. This is why our initial focus is on protecting the applications that access customer or employee Social Security Number.
• The processing power of a PC allows for more capability including the display of ERA-IGNITE, the new graphical user interface for ERA.
• Because CRT technology is dated, it is challenging for us to adequately support it.

Protecting your data
The first phase of this initiative will help protect customer and employee Social Security Numbers and other Personally Identifiable Information (PII) that is not currently encrypted when viewed on a CRT/serial device.

Phase one of the end-of-life transition means that the following functions in ERA will no longer be accessible from CRTs beginning September 20, 2011:

As noted below, in certain cases only subscreen access will be impacted:

1. Accounts Payable (A) and Employee (EP) subscreens of 0551. Also, the Admin (A) subscreen when accessed from the General (G) subscreen of 0551. The Accounts Payable (A) screen will also be restricted when accessed from other areas including 2140 (Vendor Information), and P.O. Entry screens 0680, 2710, 3810, and 4252.
2. After customer record is accessed then General (G) is selected, the Admin (A) screen only.
3. After customer and vehicle are accessed then General (G) is selected, the Admin (A) screen only.

What do you need to do?
You should promptly notify anyone who might regularly access these functions on a CRT. Ensure these employees have access to a PC so they can perform their job functions. Beginning September 20, users will be notified via an on-screen message when they attempt to access certain functions from a CRT.

When you are ready to replace CRTs with PCs, you are free to purchase from any vendor, including Reynolds, as long as the PCs meet Reynolds minimum PC requirements.

Please watch for future communications notifying you of any other changes applicable to CRT terminals and of the final end-of-life date.

If you need assistance moving from a CRT or serially-connected terminal to a networked PC connection, please contact Reynolds at 888.834.8685.

We have a team available to easily facilitate the switch from a serial port to a PC access into ERA.

Other Announcements

• For more news, visit the Announcements Archive

Stay Informed
Sign up for updates via e-mail.