ServiceDesk 4.4.85 Update 11/08/10

In the ServiceDesk ScheduleList form (F6), the box as normally used for the customer's name can serve an occasional alternate purpose.  If you want to make an entry indicating that a tech will be absent, for example, particular expressions can be used to fit the situation.  Historically, there was a quick-key shortcut for inserting these, but about eight months ago we made easy insertion available via a dropdown (see second description accompanying release of Ver. 4.4.55). 

Recently, we realized that our new dropdown should have included another special expression:

You can see our new addition (as the fourth/bottom item) in the dropdown illustrated above. 

The "Hlpng" expression has been a tool in ServiceDesk for a long, long time.  It's used where you're sending a second (or third or fourth) tech to a job, and need to make an appointment entry for that tech.  However, you want this entry to be distinguished in a manner that shows the involved tech's role is secondary -- one of merely "helping" the primary tech.  It also tells ServiceDesk that, in connection with that particular appointment entry, there should be no expectation of a PostVisitReport, and things of that nature. 

The fact is, any of these expressions could always be typed in.  However, the dropdown gives you an easier means of insertion, along with assurance that the expression will be inserted with precisely the spelling, as required (vowels eliminated), via which ServiceDesk will recognize the intended operative purpose.  In specific regard to the "Hlpng" expression, BTW, you will find it helpful to add (via your own typing) an applicable two-letter abbreviation for the primary tech who's being "helped" (for example, the full resulting text might read "Hlpng DS" where a guy named Dave Somer is the primary tech). 

Other:

Yes, if you check the prior release/version number, you'll see we did two whole releases with no announcements here.  Rest assured, there were indeed improvements -- just none that warranted particular descriptions here.  The more announcement-worthy improvements during this period have been on the Mobile side (for details, see our Mobile-WorkDiary).