Home Forums Discussions Problems Updox for AC java app killed MAY 21 2020?

I got a message from Updox that support for TLS 1.0 internet is being turned off THur May 21 2020 at 7am ET. They trialed this Monday morning May 11 and I couldn't log in using Updox for Amazing Charts desktop program version 2016.0.
After reading the shoutbox it looks as if others had same problem?

Anybody have some insight on this?
I have an email into updox support. (edit: Answer from support received: The Desktop application is a problem and it sounds like they have put it on hospice)

Looks like this may be due to Updox for Amazing Charts Desktop program use of the chromium browser (not chrome) Version 20.0.1119.0.

I just had a chat window with Updox support. It looks like they've been doing updates to the web app for some time, but because so many people are so loyal to the desktop version, few have been using it. They are doing this update next week, then by the end of 2020 the desktop app is being shut down and you'll have to use the web app.
My only bummer was that I'd be losing the edit documents feature, but apparently it just needs to be turned on in the admin account and it will work in the web app. So far, it does everything else the same as the desktop app, just the layout is a little different.

Trista,

You will be able to edit using the web app. I have been using the web app version for several years now, not a lot of difference once you get use to the layout, but the search feature is not as good as the desk top version, so my nurse likes the desktop version better for that reason, but has been using the web app version since we started secure texting over a year ago.

web version is missing keyboard shorcuts - critical.

desktop can start typing first letter of name hit return to select (rather than click), tab to category (rather than click), type first letter to select (rather than scroll and click) and hit return to send (rather than click).

they don't seem to get this. web verision requires more clicking.

we must protest.

Web version sucks
It is faster for just scanning the the faxes, but editing doesn't work as well, and there are lots of shortcomings as detailed above.
The worst thing for me is that it doesn't allow touch or stylus editing.
I depend on it for signing Medicare documents-- otherwise I have to print to paper, sign and fax.
Also can't change the font size in Web version.

I emailed them, they said they would fix it -- but that was a long time ago and nothing has changed.

I would really like to be able to turn this on. Can you tell me how? (There is a long menu of Admin things, but I see nothing about allowing editing).

Jon,

Click on menu tab, upper left, then click on admin, then users, click on your name, click on settings, make sure edit documents is checked

Hey, Tobin (from Updox) here. I just wanted to pop in to say that while we are disabling TLS 1.0 tomorrow (Thursday May 21), purposefully breaking the Java desktop app was not part of our plans. We believe we have taken steps to address the previous issue.

If the desktop app does not work after the switch, it will be treated as a production outage and we will address it as such (upgrading to a recent .NET version on your computers may be a required step). We appreciate your patience in working with us as we make the necessary changes to keep up-to-date with evolving security requirements and best practices.

As always, Updox support can be reached by email at support@updox.com, live chat at updox.com/support by clicking the icon in the lower right corner, or by phone with a dedicated line to reach our Desktop Team at 614-259-6648. Please reach out to us tomorrow if you are having issues.

Thank you Trista!
Thank you Jim!

How did I not know this?
My staff will be thrilled!

And Tobin... so glad that you are still around. Thanks for dropping in, especially with good news.
Now you can REALLY make us happy if you can dispel the rumor that the desktop app is NOT going to be sunset at the end of the year?

OK -- maybe no one else except our office does this -- but we use the "freehand draw" button to edit texts, using a stylus (if available) or a fingertip on a touchscreen.

This allows for limited freehand drawing, sometimes useful, but more importantly, allows creating a "wet signaturd" that Medicare and pharmacies will accept. The "signature" button simply applies a saved image of a signature that was previously created -- Medicare and DEA consider that a "stamped signature" and therefore not valid.

I have "chatted" with Updox about this -- they promised to fix it, but to date, have not. It's a deal killer if that function is not added and the desktop version goes away.

Recap -- the Web version of Updox needs to add touchscreen and stylus support to the freehand draw button. It doesn't work in several iterations of touchscreens and stylus screens that I have available.

Tom,

I just use my stamped signature and free hand the date with my mouse, not pretty but works every time and they can't tell my stamped from freehand sig. For the life of me i have no idea why an electronic stamped date & sig are not acceptable.

Yes, I have done that. But it is a pain, and very ugly.
They can, in fact tell if the signature is "stamped" -- and I have had them rejected.
You can buy little stylus pads that hook up with USB that will be recognized as a "mouse" but allow for more precise drawing, but that's just one more piece of clutter to get lost.

It can't be that hard to recognize a touch screen or stylus -- very simple online drawing programs do it. And they already are halfway there with their "freehand draw" button.

@JBS – Unfortunately, we’re still planning on retiring the desktop app. Believe it or not, it turned 10 years old this earlier this year! It’s built on pretty old technology and as you all have noticed now, even keeping it up-to-date with evolving security concerns is difficult.

For us, this thread is actually a treasure trove of what our customers are doing in the desktop app that doesn’t translate well to the web app. Over the years, we’ve spent significant time trying to identify and minimize those differences, but hearing directly from customers is very valuable. We aren’t done trying to address the issues.

It will obviously never look/feel exactly the same, and nobody likes change, but we do want to do what we can to minimize the lost features/productivity when our users transition to the web app. Obviously, there are lots of benefits to a web-based application as well. I won’t try to convince you all of that right now, but I hope you do understand that we care very much about you all; you’ve been with us for so long and you honestly have a special spot in my heart.

So, please, keep the feedback coming. We will definitely be referencing this thread as we proceed through the rest of the year.

Thanks for everything.

Tobin -- thanks for the response.
You haven't addressed the issue of touch and stylus -- why is that hard to implement in your Web version? Most web pages on most other sites are touch-sensitive when appropriate..

The other really nice feature of the desktop version is the ability to edit multiple faxes on the desktop, then print or send them all with a single click.
Seems like you have to edit and send,save or print each fax individually in the Web version.

I have to finally use updox web version. I imported the faxes into patient's chart as usual and none of the faxes were found in imported items in patient's chart. I use server based AC. Do webbased updox and server based AC communicate? Now I have print all imcoming faxes into pdf and import them manually.

yes they communicate however updox central on server probably needs to be reconfigured, updox support can do it by remoting in give them a call

Tried out the web version of updox this afternoon. It seems to be working much faster than the desktop app. Since the app was updated for me the desktop app has been much slower with a few second or so delay between actions. Maybe the security fix for the app has inserted a subprogram to get around the TLS 1.0 security which is causing a delay? ( I don't know what I am talking about, just speculating)

Will try using the web version for a while. It is importing to updox just fine.

I finally got everything working on the Web version -- mostly it is faster and clearer than the Java-based desktop app.
Buttons are in different places and it takes a little getting used to.

The "edit" function isn't enabled by default, and you have to search a little to figure out how to get the edit screen when you first sign on. You can't scroll through the selected edits - have to go page by page by hitting forward and back. But it loads faster and saves faster.

One really annoying problem is that pen and touch isn't enabled for the "freehand draw" button -- you can sort of draw with your mouse, but it makes a very ugly signature. Medicare and some others require a hand-drawn signature; they won't accept the "signature" button which applies a saved signature image.

Funny thing is that it works with Android -- just not with Windows 10. Updox support told me they didn't think it was a critical issue, what with Covid-19 and all and they might not get to it for a while. So I have to use the Desktop app to edit faxes from Home Health and DME and nursing homes.

Desktop still works, but they hid the program files -- you have to ask Support for them if you add a new device.

That is all good news... maybe with time I will become accustomed to the web version and it will not bother me so much...

As to the "freehand draw"... I have found that with a good scanned signature, (staying in the box with a clear background) it is very rare that anyone notices this is not my "real" signature. When they do, I typically say "what do you mean... that IS my signature" and that usually works. Maybe once a year I have to actually free-hand a signature.

Thanks Jon.
I have been using the scanned signature recently, and I guess whoever monitors this has become less picky.
I haven't had any recent complaints.

Actually, the more I use the web version, the better I like it.
Also seems like you can be signed in on more than one computer -- couldn't do that with the desktop version.

With the web based updox the default is to allow the staff to items to patients imported items section without me signing off on them. Is there a way to change this default? Also is there a way for me to look for unsigned imported items globally.?