SOAR

This upgrade primarily pertains to Cub Scout Packs.

Thanks to our friends at Troopmaster Software Inc. we have a number of great additions to the SOAR PackMaster Import features.

These include:

• Single click export of a single file from PackMaster 2008
• Date file encryption
• Short website account usernames
• Individual Progress Report is now available on your website.

We are pleased to announce immediate availability of the following upgrades and new features.

Single Click Export

If you get the latest patches for PackMaster 2008 (V4.00b or newer) you will find a new menu item available to you

File -> Export -> SOAR

All you have to do is select a file name to export to. Gone are the days of exporting multiple files and selecting multiple options for each export. This should make the processing of synchronizing your PackMaster data with your website much easier.

The single file that is exported contains

• Scout and Parent data
• Adult Leaders data
• Scout Achievement summary data

Under Administration/Import you will see a new set of icons specifically for PackMaster 2008.

Data File Encryption

The new data file that is exported is also encrypted to provide further security for your unit data. Only SOAR has the encryption keys to access the information.

In addition, social security numbers and drivers licenses have been removed for additional protection.

Short Usernames

The new PackMaster Export provides SOAR with unique record ids for all scouts, parents, and leaders. This allows us to start matching data on these unique keys vs. unit member names. We can now provide you with the ability to use shorter usernames in the format

<first initial><middle initial><last name>

Under Administration/Import/PackMaster 2008 a new icon called Short Unames is available to convert your website to shortnames.

NOTE: You need to perform a PackMaster 2008 Import prior to using the Short Unames icon.

Once you have performed your first PackMaster 2008 Import, use this function to convert your website account usernames to the short version.

• This will convert all existing website accounts to short usernames
• It will create a system setting so that all new PackMaster 2008 Imports will create short usernames
• Accounts set to Active will receive an email providing them with their new short username
• Passwords for all accounts will remain the same
• Account usernames will be created in the following format
  <first initial><middle initial><last name><# to make unique>

• You will receive a message of Active accounts without an email address that you will need to notify manually

Individual Progress Report

Included in the new PackMaster 2008 export data file is enough advancement information to display the Individual Progress Report for each scout on your website. This report displays the following advancement information:

• Dates that Cub Scout badges were achieved
• Webelos Activity Badges that have been completed to date and their date of completion
• Requirements completed towards a Scout’s next badge
• Requirements necessary to complete a Scout’s next badge

Import Settings

Your Troop website will no remember the PackMaster 2008 Import settings. This is useful so when you next run an Import, the settings from the previous Import will be available to you.

Do I need to do anything?

If you are a Cub Scout Pack, are using PackMaster software and the SOAR PackMaster Import feature - you should

1. Upgrade to PackMaster 2008 (www.troopmaster.com)
2. Make sure you have the latest PackMaster 2008 patches (V4.00b or newer)
3. Run an export from PackMaster 2008
   File -> Export -> SOAR
4. Import the file into your SOAR website
5. Decide if you want to convert to short usernames