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Looking to upgrade Flexi

choucove

New Member
Hello again everyone,

I have been asked to get some estimates and find out which companies around sell/support FlexiSign software. In the past the business we originally purchased Flexi 7 and Flexi 8 gave us a real run around with prices and I believe just flat-out lied to us. Several years ago we were running on an old version of Flexi and were going to upgrade to the latest (then Flexi 8.0) The sign shop we ordered through said we had to purchase every version from the one we had up to the latest, meaning purchasing Flexi 7.4 and then doubling our cost to purchase Flexi 8.0. I find this very suspicious and would rather do some searching around before spending any more with that company.

First, what companies sell Flexi Sign software, and might also be able to give some help if/when we run into issues? We are looking to upgrade from FlexiSign Pro 8.1 and FlexiSign Expert 8.1 to FlexiSign Pro 8.6 and FlexiSign Expert 8.6. And does anyone have contact information for some locations that I can arrange for some price estimates?

Thank you very much for your input and your time!
 

choucove

New Member
Thank you for that quick reply! Both suggested companies look like good options, but I wanted to try and clarify something since I wasn't completely sure. If we were to go with the actual upgrade cost, we would be able to use the same hardware keys that we currently have for v8 on each computer, or would the upgrade also come with new hardware keys?

The fact that the upgrade option even exists and that the previous company we had purchased through made us pay brand new full price for each upgrade makes me even more convinced that we will never purchase through them again...
 

Steve Rife

New Member
Choucove,
To answer your question in regards to upgrading v8 to v8.6 and hardware keys... they are the same. You can upgrade your software, and keep the same keys.

...and Beacon Graphics does sell Flexi. What questions do you forsee with the software, I might be able to help there too?
 

choucove

New Member
The input on the hardware keys is very helpful, thank you! I think that should help smooth over the transition some. We have several people in both offices that are very very picky about their computers and panic anytime someone else even touches them, much less goes to make a change in their software.

The big reason why I was just wondering about someone offering a little support where we purchase through is often times if the software is not functioning properly before, we would try to contact the company we purchased through originally (as they stated that they would also offer some support for Flexi issues) but we were met with, "Hold on, I'll find out and get back to you" only to never get calls returned. I know it would also be a major help for the people in our Hays office that someone might be able to help answer questions since they are the ones with the Mimaki JV3 printer set up, and it was all installed by the Mimaki technicians so they really have no idea how to get it reconfigured with Flexi if need be.
 
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Steve Rife

New Member
Fortunately, there aren't too many differences between 8.1 and 8.6 to warrant a HUUUGE learning curve. The Mimaki JV3 you own has only 2 ports on it... LPT and Firewire. The software will have no problems communicating to your output device.
 

choucove

New Member
Yes, I was able to install the JV3 without much hassle when we upgraded the RIP computer there, and that required a new installation of Flexi as well. They are just very over-protective of it of course. I have got a lot of very good news from this thread already!
 

choucove

New Member
As it may still be a little while before we actually do move to upgrade our Flexi, I was just curious if anyone had heard if a newer version of Flexi may be released sometime soon. Additionally, has SAi said formally which versions of Flexi they will be supporting with Windows 7?
 

Steve Rife

New Member
As a former employee of SA International, I can honestly say that they will never stop developing Flexi as the technology and the industry advances and changes. Does that mean more free updates or chargeable upgrades by the time you upgrade the software, I don't know... it depends on the amount of additional features they can add to the program.

There have been no formal announcements in regards to Windows 7 since it is still in beta. I have run the 8.6v2 software on the beta OS and have not experienced any issues to date, but I am not in a heavy production environment. Just like any major changes, verify with your hardware manufacturer (Mimaki) before purchasing to help eliminate any downtime due to lack of communication.
 
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Robert M

New Member
Flexi upgrade

We sell and support Flexi and Mimaki out of Denver Colorado, toll free support in your time zone
Give us a call
Robert Maher
Signage Specialist Inc
800-328-1306
 

choucove

New Member
We are just trying to plan ahead on our upgrades is all. With Flexi v8.0/v8.6 having been out for some time, I know it is only a matter of time until a new version is released, as you stated Steve. We just don't want to be caught again in a situation where we spend several thousands of dollars upgrading all the computers to the latest Flexi v8.6 to have them turn around and release v9.0 or something six months after our upgrade and having to yet again plan another upgrade so soon.
 

mark in tx

New Member
You can also call Scanvec Amiable yourself, and ask exactly what your upgrade path is, then ask them to recommend a dealer to you.
 
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