The TAM Windows 7 Resolution Problem

Ben Thoele · February 18, 2013, 11:25:51 AM

We have a bit of the problem. Because of the way Microsoft changed the display options in Windows 7 our staff can't read their TAM screens without major eye strain.

Here is some background. Next year, on April 8th Microsoft will no longer support Windows XP with security updates. http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/endofsupport.aspx Because of this our agency is in the process of upgrading our fleet of desktops to Windows 7. Windows 7, has less display options than Windows XP. A typical Dell computer running a Dell LCD monitor may only have four display options. Many of ours have 4 options. In Windows 7 it's (recommended) to use the maximum resolution. This will give you the clearest text. This will also give you the smallest text. We have tried using other display options but we end up with a number of other problems including text that's still not big enough and blurry. The best solution we have found with our fleet of 17" monitors is to set the resolution to the Windows (recommended) setting and then use the Zoom feature. This results in a display that is very clear and has text font that is readable.

This feature is not supported by TAM. If you enable this feature in Windows 7, TAM activities will cut off text and you will lose data! We discovered this problem Friday and realized that we losted data as a result, a major problem. We worked with support to remedy the problem but we still have a long term problem. We're also disappointed that Applied Systems didn't fully test its software with the changes in Windows 7 and notify its customers that certain settings would impact TAM is this way. Yes i know, Waaa, O.K. We know that this wasn't a supported setting but like many unsupported settings the question is always "why".

The demographic of our staff is probably very similar to many other agencies across the country. Also the hardware and software, Dell and Windows is also very similar to other agencies. I would think that many agencies would be experiencing this same problem now.

The solutions we have identified so far are to purchase a new fleet of larger 19" monitors (expensive) or change management systems (expensive and a massive project), or run Windows XP past April 2014 (unsecure, and it creates future budget problems). Support mentioned that this is a known problem and may be fixed in TAM 13, more than a year away.

Has anyone else found a solution to this?

Jim Jensen · February 20, 2013, 09:39:08 AM

Topic split - being my first time at splitting, I moved Jan's response without intending to do so. Her response:

QuoteHmmm...we have Windows 7 and 17 Inch monitors...and we don't have display issues.. we are using 1024x768 and Windows Classic.

Jan Regnier

Coral · February 20, 2013, 10:25:18 AM

I'm using 1280 x 1024 throughout the office. I'm not getting complaints. What resolution would you prefer to use?

Ric · February 20, 2013, 10:38:31 AM

Same res here. 19" LCDs

Quote from: Coral on February 20, 2013, 10:25:18 AM
I'm using 1280 x 1024 throughout the office. I'm not getting complaints. What resolution would you prefer to use?

Bob · February 20, 2013, 11:28:53 AM

I'm using several 22" wide screens at 1680x1050 just fine.. Fills screen completely and for me easy on eyes. Everything is nice and crisp.

Gene Foraker · February 20, 2013, 11:45:52 AM

Maybe I have old eyes, but I use 1152 X 864.

Bob · February 20, 2013, 01:38:51 PM

How things are viewed are 2 steps, not just resolution which we often stop at. While I use high res 1680x1050 on wide screen, under display in control panel I have things set to 125% and everything fits perfectly, larger and uses entire widescreen. Changing resolution alone not enough and I think if Ben plays with a higher res and view of 125% he would find peace. Everything works just fine and easy on the eyes. Don't use the 150% if you're not constantly scrolling I find here we lose some fields in disbursements.

I would go to the higher recommended resolutions then change display in control panel to 125% and think you'll be happy as well as your users. Increased display is only helpful in higher resolutions. If not done right combo you can lose some fields in cash disbursements from my testing here. Hope this helps..

Gene Foraker · February 20, 2013, 01:59:56 PM

Quote from: Bob Connor on February 20, 2013, 01:38:51 PM
How things are viewed are 2 steps, not just resolution which we often stop at. While I use high res 1680x1050 on wide screen, under display in control panel I have things set to 125% and everything fits perfectly, larger and uses entire widescreen. Changing resolution alone not enough and I think if Ben plays with a higher res and view of 125% he would find peace. Everything works just fine and easy on the eyes. Don't use the 150% if you're not constantly scrolling I find here we lose some fields in disbursements.

I would go to the higher recommended resolutions then change display in control panel to 125% and think you'll be happy as well as your users. Increased display is only helpful in higher resolutions. If not done right combo you can lose some fields in cash disbursements from my testing here. Hope this helps..

Ah, I think that is on Win 7. I am still on XP here. Last I heard from Applied is that it was a no no to mess with font size for TAM. Has that changed?

Bob · February 20, 2013, 02:06:30 PM

Not changing font size but magnifying everything proportionally. If you change the system font, you'll blow up. Changing view to 125 with High res, TAM fits nice and functional in all areas. Again in my testing must use max res then use display at 125% and it's nice fit extremely easy on eyes. Lower res doing this, you'll lose things. Going to 150% same results. Perfect blend with my experience is highest res possibly supported and view at 125% under Display in control panel.

Ben Thoele · February 20, 2013, 02:11:16 PM

Quote from: Bob Connor on February 20, 2013, 02:06:30 PM
Not changing font size but magnifying everything proportionally. If you change the system font, you'll blow up. Changing view to 125 with High res, TAM fits nice and functional in all areas. Again in my testing must use max res then use display at 125% and it's nice fit extremely easy on eyes. Lower res doing this, you'll lose things. Going to 150% same results. Perfect blend with my experience is highest res possibly supported and view at 125% under Display in control panel.

Bob, that's what we did and we lost data. We were running 17" square monitors, max res 1280 x 1024, 125% and activities were getting cut off. We will have to try if certain combinations work.
The original text was "This is a sample renewal activity on which I will type a paragraph of text to test whether it gets cut off when I click okay and save it. On the others that I tried today, I see all of my text while typing but when I click...

Bob · February 20, 2013, 02:20:43 PM

I think physical screen size, aspect ration plays in our differences. I recreated what you posted and everything fit and wrapped just fine.. 20-22" widescreen with high res and 125% works nice. Might be consideration later for those making the move over. It's not perfect but 99% works great and users happy. Anytime you change res or view want to close tam and go back in so it adapts and removes scrolling bards that initially happen when you do this.

Ben Thoele · February 20, 2013, 02:36:17 PM

Quote from: Bob Connor on February 20, 2013, 02:20:43 PM
I think physical screen size, aspect ration plays in our differences. I recreated what you posted and everything fit and wrapped just fine.. 20-22" widescreen with high res and 125% works nice. Might be consideration later for those making the move over. It's not perfect but 99% works great and users happy. Anytime you change res or view want to close tam and go back in so it adapts and removes scrolling bards that initially happen when you do this.

When you type the activity in the "Add Note" field using the Zoom 125% it looks fine, it allows you to type in the text, the problem is when you review the submitted activity in the "Existing" field. That's when it cuts off what the user thought they submitted.

P.S. We would love to use the 125% to have larger clearer text in all Windows applications but TAM appears to be the roadblock.

Jim Jensen · February 20, 2013, 02:49:57 PM

Huh, I have 17" monitors with 1280x1084 and never have a desire to make anything bigger - I leave it set at 100% on Windows 7. Could be a difference in distance to the screen, too. Mine are less than 24" from my face.

Conan_Ward · February 20, 2013, 03:05:18 PM

It hasn't changed, it still breaks some parts of the system, just like changing the DPI did in older versions (as far as I can tell, its the same option). I'm not sure how it's working for Bob, but, it's not something I can recommend from where I sit. I'm not sure why this is a roadblock from a development side, but I know there have been several enhancements over the year entered due to the reality that the average age of insurance agents/brokers tends to be going up faster than younger blood is entering the industry (not that I'm calling anyone here old, but I've read a few articles citing it as a concern for the future of the industry in general).

Jan Regnier · February 20, 2013, 03:14:43 PM

and you are using Windows Classic setting, correct? We did have issues if we didn't.