Set up email reports

Supervisor parameters

To begin, some settings need to be set in the Supervisor module (this need only be done once):

1. Launch the Amlib client.
2. Go to Main > Supervisor > Installation. The Default Installation screen will open.
3. Select the Other tab.
4. Scroll down to set the following: E-mails are sent using the following method: (M)API or (I)nternal or (S)MTP. Set to S, I or M.
   
   Generally (S) SMTP is recommended, especially as it is simple and it has advantages over the others. It also means that the email client does not need to be open on the PC running the notices and allows greater flexibility with regard to setting up “from” and BCC/CC parameters.
   
   
   
   Then the following parameters should also be set (a full table is included below):
   • SMTP Blind Carbon Copy e-mail address: You can specify the BCC address to send a copy of all notices (so that you can verify that they have been sent).
   • SMTP sender e-mail address: The email address to display on the notice sent to the borrower.
     (For example: enquiries@amlib.com.au, it can be the same as the BCC address)
   • SMTP Server name: The address of the SMTP mail server being used. This might be a server address or an IP address.
   
   
5. Click the F3 Save button.
6. Once complete, you must exit and reopen the Amlib client to allow the settings to take effect.

The complete set of parameters to consider:

The above tasks create Sender and BCC for ALL emails generated by the system. However, it is possible to set up separate SMTP parameters (Sender and CC) for individual locations, modules and reports.

Set up individual email systems by location

1. In any Installation screen module, select Installation > Choose Location and choose a Location.
2. Repeats steps 2-5 above. If you would like to use the Default settings, then the relevant fields for each location should be left blank.
3. Once complete, you must exit and reopen the Amlib client to allow the settings to take effect.

Set up individual email locations, modules, and reports

We recommend leaving the email set-up for particular locations until after initial testing has been completed. Once the initial testing has been done, then:

1. In any Supervisor module, select Library Menu > LocRepSMTP. The SMTP Parameters by Location table will open.
2. Select the F1 New or F2 Insert button.
3. Using the drop-down boxes available in each column, select the Location, Report Screen, and Report Type.
4. Then type in the individual Sender’s Email and Carbon Copy Email addresses.
5. Click the F3 Save button when complete.
6. Once complete, you must exit and reopen the Amlib client to allow the settings to take effect.
   

 Note: It is not possible to alter a pre-existing entry in the SMTP Parameters by Location table. Entries must be deleted (using F4 Delete) and then re-entered.

Borrower settings

For borrowers to receive their overdue notices via email, the borrower record will need to have the following:

• Email address – for example: john.smith@oclc.org
• Use for Notices = Y (for Yes)
  

Edit the template

The email report templates can be customised using Report Writer (RepWin30.exe) – a copy of which can be found in the Amlib/Utility folder on your Amlib server (see separate installation instructions). It is also possible for Amlib Support staff to modify an existing report if necessary.

Start off with an existing System Report (for example: &odemail.qrp) and adjust the wording as required – see separate Editing Text in Reports procedure. Be sure to save this customised report with a new name (without the & at the front).

 Note: Do not add logos and keep the layout simple for emails.

Save the template

• Save the template into the Amlib/Reports folder on the Amlib server. This will make the template available for use to all users. Alternatively, you may save it into a local folder on your PC – but please be aware, that the template (once loaded) will only be available for use on that PC.
• Ensure that the template is saved with a name that clearly identifies it as a customised email template– for example: BRODEMAIL.QRP

Create report

1. Go to a Reports screen – for example: Main > Reports > RepCirculation.
2. Click the F1 New button.
3. Highlight an email template (for example: Email Overdue using the &ODEMAIL.QRP print template) and click Select.
   
4. Enter a Report Description – for example: Overdue Notices by Email.
5. If you would like the borrower record to retain a record of any notice sent, then ensure that Create Hist (Y/N) = Y
6. If there are replacement costs involved, ensure that the Create Acct (Y/N) = Y
7. Click the F3 Save button.
   

Where statement

1. Select the report from the list and click the F7 Where button.
2. The statement must include the following settings:
   • Bor Email Address IS NOT NULL (Paste without placing a value in 3)
   • Bor Use Email = Y
   • Additional parameters can then be added
3. Click the F3 Save button.
   

Order

1. Select the report from the list and click the F9 Order button.
2. Use the arrow keys to select fields to Order By – for example: Borrower Bar No.
3. Click the F3 Save button.
   

Start the scheduler

1. From the Report screen (Main > Reports > RepCirculation or RepReservation), select Application > RepStartSchedule.
   
2. The Report Scheduler screen will then open.
3. Select your printing options: Ensure Email is ticked.
4. Also decide If a report is scheduled by another user do you still want to print it? = Yes/No.
   
5. Then click the OK button.
6. After clicking “OK”, if you go back into the Application menu you will see that RepStartSchedule is now greyed out with a tick next to it – this indicates that the Scheduler is now running.
   

 Note: If you need to restart the scheduler at any point, you will need to log out of all Report screens (Ctrl + L) and start at the beginning of these instructions.

Schedule the report

1. With your report highlighted, select the F6 Print button.
2. A Print box will display where you can select from the following options:
   1. From:
      • Database (to search the entire database)
   2. To:
      • E-mail (to email it to patrons)
   3. Frequency:
      • Once Only (if this is the only time you’re going to print this report)
      • Daily (if you plan to send it every day)
      • Weekly (if this is a once a week item)
      • Monthly (if this is to be printed every calendar month)
      • Every ___ days (if you want to set a specific schedule
   4. Schedule:
      • First Print Date (the day you want this report to begin its schedule)
      • First Print Time (specifies the exact minutes the report will run)
   5. Selected Printer:
      • You can specify any active printer on the network to print to – including virtual printer drivers such as a third party software that allows you to print to PDF (For example: CutePDF Writer).
        
3. Once you have selected all of your settings, select the OK button.

Check print progress

1. You can check the progress of your reports at any time by going into Main > Reports > RepPrintProgress.
   
2. If your library uses the scheduler for a lot of reports, you can select a frequency type from the Filter drop down menu at the top.
   
3. You can also click through the three tab options at the top to see the ones that are Waiting, Running, or have already been Printed.
   
4. Your report will show up in “Printed” when it is complete.
   

Email address validation rules

When email reports are being sent a certain amount of validation is going on. Email addresses are rejected if illegal characters are found.

If the email address is invalid and if the barcode of the patron can be found by the process, the Borrower ID is written to a saved Borrower File, which can be checked later.

If the barcode of the patron cannot be found, no file can be created but an error message is written to the amdberror.log in the Amlib folder.

If the SMTP protocol is being used then any errors encountered will be logged. Neither MAPI nor the internal method support error reporting in an accessible way.

• Must be at least 5 characters long. Shortest theoretical address is a@b.c
• Must contain an “@”
• Must have one or more characters before the “@”
• Must contain a “.”
• No more than 4 characters after the last “.”
• No “_” after the “@”
• Only one “@”
• No invalid chars – the following ranges are invalid:
  • Less than ASCII 48 (except 45 and 46)
  • ASCII 57 to 65 (except 64)
  • ASCII 90 to ASCII 97 (except 95)
  • ASCII > 122

     Note: Note: 45 = "-", 46 = ".", 64 = "@" and 95 = "_"

The formatting of the email is checked against these rules, but the address may it still be invalid.

Troubleshooting

Some users may experience some initial problems with SMTP emails not being sent. This can be the result of your anti-virus agent blocking programs that relay (mass) email or your mail server blocking relay (mass) emails.

There is now a complete Setting-Up Email and Troubleshooting Guide.

Borrower Subject interests report via email (&BORINEM.QR)

Emails the items included for the Interests set in Borrower > XReferences > Subject Interests. The Borrower email address and Use for Email details need to be entered in the Borrower window. Where parameters can include a Borrower Type (for example: T for Teachers) and Received Date (for example: > Current Date – 1 month).

Letters (&1NADDEM.QRP)

It is possible to change the text of the letter and send it out to selected borrowers. It could be useful for advertising promotions, notifying staff, welcoming letter, confirming opening times etc.

1. To change the text of the letter click on the Text for Letter button.
2. A dialogue box will display where the text of the note or letter can be typed.
3. Select the F3 Save button when complete.

    Note: The F5 Query button can be selected to return the screen to the display at the last save. Therefore any changes made after the last save will not be retained.

The template for this email report has to be set to use the Type of Name & Address x 1 across Email.

Inter-Library Loans

It is possible to email inter-library loan reminders via email. The External Libraries table (select Application > StockExternalLibs) in the Stockitems module would need to be updated with the email addresses.

Email Order with GST defined (&OSEGST.QRP)

A number of reports may be produced regarding order status. Email of Orders is now possible.

Email Reservations

• File Name = &RESEML.QRP
• Report Entity = Reservations
• Report Type = - Email
• Update Entity (Y/N) = Y

Reservation statuses assist in Reports. When an item with reservations on it is returned, the reservation for the first item in the queue changes to a status of RETURN.

Reservation reports can be run with the Update column set to Y, which when used in relation with the F6 Print button updates the status to PRINTED.

This ensures that the next batch of Reservation reports are only sent to those people where the item is newly RETURNed. For those items that are on the Shelf when reserved, it would be wise to use the RESGET memos (set in Supervisor > Locations > Borrower Barcode for Memos) to alert staff to get them the reserved items from the Shelves and wand them through Returns. Alternatively, a pick list may also be run in the Reservations report screen.

Damaged Item Notice &STKMRR.QRP and E-mail (&STKMRRE.QRP)

These most recent return reports are for sites who return items from the Borrower's records when they are damaged but still want to bill people for the costs of the damaged item. It will display the LAST borrower who had the item. If a site does not return the item when it is damaged (and keeps the item on loan), then Circulation reports can still be used.