Home Forums Discussions General Discussion How did you get 6.5?

It seems like a lot of people on the forum already have 6.5. How did you get it? Were you all beta testers? I'm on 6.3.3 but I really need some of the features in 6.5. I've asked AC if they can put us in the queue to get the update, but I was told they don't have a system of who they're picking first for the update. Do ya'll just have the right connections within AC??

They are beta testers. The official release will come out as soon as everyone says it's ready. They just want to be sure there are no major bugs.

Thanks, Sandeep. I just signed up to be a beta tester for the next release.

The official release is coming soon. They have already added the video tutorials V6.5. I would take the high number of users on 6.5 as a good sign. Lets you know they are extensively testing the product before a public release.

We were notified that 6.5 was fully released, but because it seems to need tech support to guarantee a good installation they wish to phase it in over the next several weeks, and so may be notifying practices in batches. You might call and ask if you are in a hurry. We are choosing to wait a bit, let all the "beta-plus" testers check it out.

I am completely with David and Serene. I have been completely confused and hope that AC will make an announcement on the board. This is the first version ever where it was coupled with statements that led me to believe that I can't install it myself.

If this is due to SQL, it seems easy enough to uninstall SQL 2005 and install v6.5 which would automatically install SQL 2012. Or maybe the data needs to be changed somewhat to accommodate 2012.

Anyway, I am completely confused and would likely install it first on a different computer first.

This is another reason I don't like the transparency of beta testing. This issue has come up before. I have been a beta tester for companies and have used a ton of software. Either I was a beta tester and sent my feedback to the company or I wasn't and was told when new releases were out.

At no time did anyone using the product even know a new version was being beta tested. Here, I am going along happily with a version, and I suddenly start to hear about certain features in a new version or hear about it in general.

To be more concise, I am used to simply being emailed that there is a new version, and I decide whether to use it or not. I have also never been told that in order to download and use the new version, I have to make an appointment with tech support to do so. I guess that is strange as I am sure that with the many upgrades I have done, one would think one would be so complicated as to need support. I guess there was just ample documentation. Don't get me wrong, I think it is admirable that support would be offered, it just scares me a bit.

Again, I hope that AC support could post something about this.

To all,

I am beta testing 6.5 and would since AC is not forthcoming with info, I thought I would pass along what I know. AC released to the beta testers last week what they THOUGHT would be the RELEASE version, but one of the beta testers who had installed the "RELEASE" version, found a significant bug, thus sending it back to AC for another fix.

I highly commend AC for taking the beta testing so seriously on this version. We have found and reported at least 15 bugs/enhancements for this release. Some of you would have been VERY upset if the beta version HAD been released.

The latest that I heard from AC is that the fixed BETA release will be released this weekend to the BETA testers and HOPEFULLY, if nothing is found, it will be released for general release SOON after that.

I asked the same question earlier this week to AC. This is the response that I received:

Although version 6.5 is in its released phase we are organizing our time by doing a staggered upgrade system. This means you will need to wait to receive an email stating it is your turn to setup an appointment. The email you received today with the newsletter will describe that in a little more detail but unless you received an alternate email with confirmation to make an appointment we cannot get you on 6.5 just yet.

Please resource this link for more info: http://amazingcharts.com/index.php?...g_Scoop_Spring_2013&utm_medium=email

From what I can tell, they have to help you with the download as the upgrade.

It is very frustrating because this was mentioned almost 2 years ago at the User's Conference.

Rick
Pittsburgh, PA

I'm not sure why tech support is needed for the upgrade. Other than one small glitch during our install to our brand new server, installing 6.5 was the same as installing any of the other versions. Thankfully, I haven't hit the major bug that was mentioned here yet. Now I'm crossing my fingers that I don't trip up on it. But I don't think people should be too worried about the new release being a headache to install. So far with the betas, I've only had 2 total installation hiccups (the aforementioned on my new server, and on the version before that on one of my clients).

I think most people will be pretty happy with the final version, once released.

Shankar
Family Med
Lawrenceville, NJ

They are letting practices sign up for current Beta version and that's perhaps the only way to get 6.5. They scheduled our practice for next week.

How did you "sign up for current Beta"?? Did you just call AC? I did that last week but was told I'd just have to wait until we're selected to update.

Serene,
AC selected us, just sent an e-mail telling us we could make an appointment. If i could give you my slot somehow, I would. On second thought, you sound like a nice person, so maybe I wouldn't.

I used to get surveys from drug companies that went "When a new drug is released do you want to use it A) before it is released; B) as soon as it is released; C) after a few of my colleagues have tried it; D) when it has been out for some time....." I used to want to be the first kid on my block to have done it. I think that urge has been burnt out of me. Even my tolerance for pain is only so big.

There is a big difference between 100 practices using something and 1,000 practices using something. Remember thalidomide.

I signed up for Beta 6.5 on AC website by filling out the request and they sent me an e-mail today.

dgrauman, yeah, I know I'm jumping the gun. But we have lots of problems where AC's solution is "wait for 6.5," so I'm hoping the benefits of early adoption will we worth it.

Bert, any idea if we can do a sandbox version someplace? I sure hate to walk in to a full office schedule with an unfamiliar program.

We're putting up a private instance for testing and analysis - drop me a line if you want access to view it.

To be clear - this was an offer to a particular board member known to me from previous interaction, to allow him to view the 6.5.x release and consider it's utility and suitability for his practice.

There appears to be some small section of the Interwebs who misconstrued the post to be free copies of the 6.5.x installer for anyone; they are incorrect.