SQL
Scheduling/Accounting/POS Software
for Recording Studios

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the SQL in your name stand for?

SQL ( See-quill ) stands for Sequential Query Language. It is a cross platform standard for communicating with a database.

Is SQL the language you wrote the software in?

No. The program was written in C# for .NET 2 in Visual Studio 2005. SQL is used to indicate that we're using the Microsoft SQL Server Express database that you get for free with the software.

What's with the name swSQL?

swSQL stands for StudioWorks SQL.

Do I have to buy more software to run StudioWorks?

No. StudioWorks is a stand alone software program.

What operating system does the software run on?

Microsoft Windows XP, service pack 2. Testing for Windows Vista is under way.

What is Microsoft SQL Server Management Express?

It is a visual interface to Microsoft's SQL Server Express. The chosen database format of StudioWorks. With this optional tool you can setup network access, backup the database, create your own databases, and much more.

What does StudioWorks do?

It would be impossible to briefly explain everything StudioWorks can do. In a nutshell, StudioWorks is an accounting and point of sale software package written with the needs of a recording studio in mind.

Why is StudioWorks so inexpensive?

The developer owns a small, busy studio and needed a way to track finances. As a seasoned programmer, he decided to write the code himself. Since the program has proven to be indispensable to his studio, the decision was made to make it available to other studio owners at a very low cost.

Why is my payment sent to M&M Studio?

M&M Studio belongs to the developer.

Can I trust PayPal?

Most definitely YES. PayPal will never reveal your personal information to anyone. Not even to us. When you shop with PayPal you shop more securely than any other web service available.

Is the software hard to learn?

Not at all. Click a Studio Schedule Slot to allocate session time. When the session is complete, click the slot again to record the end time and payments made. Point of Sale is a breeze. Select the item and go, tax or no. Expenditures are as easy as choosing a vendor and the amount paid. Your personalized setup empowers the program.

The program started and it's asking me for contact information for my studio.

This is the Studio Info screen. The name of your studio is required by the program. None of your contact info is sent to anyone. Contact information is used for print outs, invoices, etc. If you don't want your address or other info to appear on documents that you print, leave the undesired fields blank. If you are required to charge sales or local tax on your services or sales, enter the rates here.

I've entered my studio info. Now the program wants to know about other studios.

These are the studios, or schedule columns that need to be setup. You may run 3 or 4 studios within the same facility, each with a different hourly rate. The program requires you to have at least one studio. StudioWorks is asking for the required studio. There is no limit to the number of studios you can setup.

What is a misc. studio column?

Create a studio with an hourly rate of $0 and check the Misc. checkbox. Use it to keep track of schedule entries that aren't billed.

We teach classes in Studio A. The hourly rate doesn't apply. Does StudioWorks handle this?

Yes. Assign a time slot to the class in Studio A and use Point of Sale for individual tuition. When you create a class, the equivalent sales item is created automatically.

We use Project Rates, as well as hourly rates. Can your software track this?

Yes. Setup your Project Packages and select one when scheduling. The hourly rate for the studio will be overridden.

Our state requires sales tax on our studio services. Does StudioWorks account for this?

Yes. Enter the tax rate in Studio Info and check the State or Local Tax check box when setting up your studios.

We have taxable and non-taxable items for sale. Can your software handle it?

Certainly. In Item Setup, use the State and Local tax check boxes. The tax rate is set in Studio Info.

We often make sales to Churches, non-profit organizations or over the internet. Does the software allow overriding sales tax?

Definitely. Taxable items can be sold tax exempt.

I want to see my studio's profit. Can I track net?

Yes. StudioWorks comes with many reports that follow the criteria you specify, including net.

Your program comes with all the reports and print-outs I can think of right now. What if  I dream up a report tailored made for my studio?

No problem. We can create custom reports for you at a reasonable fee. If you prefer to write your own, compatible reports can be written with Crystal Reports V 10.

I downloaded the free trial. This program is just what I need. It's telling me that the trial period has expired. What do I do?

After 30 days your trial period expires. You must purchase and register the program to keep using it. Click the link on the logon screen to go to the StudioWorks web site to purchase. Once you receive your unique registration key, enter it in the logon screen. Be sure to save your key as it entitles you to run the software on any number of systems within your enterprise. Please see the Software License Agreement.

I reinstalled the software after the 30 day trial period. Now the database won't open and the program still indicates that the trial period has expired.

Never reinstall the software without backing up your data. You must purchase and register the software to continue using it past the trial period. Attempts to run the software beyond 30 days without purchase is a direct violation of the Software License Agreement.

Free updates?  How do I know there will be updates?

StudioWorks is in use and constantly evolving. Updates to the current version are free up to V 2.9. Future upgrades are planned to V 5.0. Added features and bug fixes, as they become known, will be available on this web site on a regular basis.

What happens when V 3 or 4 is released? Do I still get free updates?

No, like most software, you'll be eligible for an upgrade package at a significant discount. Updates for the current version will still be available.