Legacy PAINTMANAGER^® Support

PaintManager software is the state-of-the-art tool for monitoring and managing the productivity and profitability of a paint operation, no matter the size of your business.

All computers shipped by PPG will run PPG software. Operating systems currently supported are:

Windows 7

Yes, the software can run on a network. This is outlined in the Networks section of this FAQ.

PaintManager software updates are sent out via CD 4 times per year.

The first line of support for any hardware problem is the PPG Computer Support Helpdesk located in Strongsville, Ohio  and can be reached at 800-647-6050, option 6. Please refer to the support guidelines for more information.

The first line of support for any software issue is the PPG Computer Support Helpdesk located in Strongsville, Ohio and can be reached at 800-647-6050, option 6. If the Helpdesk cannot resolve your issue, they will connect you with the correct assistance group.

Yes. Send special requests to the Refinish CSSS Team. This email address is checked periodically, so you can expect a response within 48-72 hours.

The yearly subscription is used to ensure that all customers are properly registered and receiving their updates in a timely manner.

This depends on whether the computers are networked or not.

Non-networked computers:

A body shop/repair facility can have up to three systems from a single CD.

A jobber/distributor can use a single CD for up to five systems.

All systems must be physically located at the same location (street address). Each location must have its own subscription.

Networked computers:

A maximum of five computers (networked) per subscription, unless verified by an IMS.

Report Viewer:

There are no limits to the number of machines that the Report Viewer can be installed on.

In all cases, if more than one CD is desired, then each CD will result in its own subscription fee. This is governed by the Configuration ID used installing/activating the software. All systems on a network must use the same PaintManager software configuration ID as the primary TouchMix hardware.

No. Each TouchMix system--consisting of a scale, touch screen and computer--must be its own system.

Yes, all computers using PaintManager software must be updated at the same time. The specific steps are:

1. Exit all PPG software on all networked computers. This includes:

• PaintManager software
• Report Viewer
• Paint Shop Interface
• Site Data Manager

2. Insert the PaintManager software CD in the CD-ROM drive of the TouchMix computer.
3. Run the update.
4. After the update is completed, repeat steps 2 and 3 for each of the other computers that use PPG software.
5. Once the update is completed on all computers running the PPG software, launch the PaintManager software on the primary TouchMix computer first.

This is the number at the top left of the PaintManager software screen that follows the CI: designation. It is a three digit number and helps determine various configuration settings that will be available within the software.

Typically, this occurs if the software expiration date is reached but the software has not been closed for a long time. A feature is the install code expiration warning. When the install code has 29 days remaining, a warning will pop-up reminding you to call the Help Desk for a new code. This warning will continue until the code is renewed or it expires. If the code expires, the software won't open until the code is renewed.

Yes. Contact the PPG Computer Support Helpdesk at 1-800-647-6050. They can assist with most questions and support issues. For scales, they will probably provide the contact information for the scale manufacturer.

This is a Windows Operating system issue. Windows detects the individual printer that is used during the initial software installation. Since the Dymo printers are shipped from a warehouse instead of the Strongsville facility, a different Dymo printer will actually arrive with the system. When you plug it in, Windows determines that the serial number is different and then will want to set up the printer again.

Other telephone numbers that are used in color hardware support are:

X-Rite (RapidMatch X-5 spectrophotometer): 800-647-9748

For RapidMatch X-5: 1 & 2 for hardware repair

Sartorius: 800-645-3108

Mettler: 800-786-0040

PaintManager software can do a lot more than just "look up color."
The following is a list of the more commonly used advanced features:

Formula retrieval: Lookup color mixes by OE Code or by Brand Code

Mix across the scale:

RTS/RFU: Bookmark commonly used products with their reductions and ratios
Advanced pricing: Set your cost and your selling price
Mixed inventory: Use previously mixed material, resulting in less waste
User management: Set Security and passwords for each individual by their job description
VOC tracking: Track VOCs using the National Rule, or set up a localized rule
HAPs tracking: Track the HAPs for the liquids used in a facility
Jobs management: Track the progress of jobs through the refinish process
Job costing: Identify areas of low profit and improve them
Inventory control: Manage your material turnover and ROI
Spectrophotometer interface: connect and use a spectrophotometer to return formulas
Custom formulas: create and save custom formulas in your own library
Label printing: print Dymo labels for any mix created
Reporting: display only the reports you need, including RO Invoice, Stock and Painter Efficiency
User Security: security is built into the application at the user and functional levels

NOTE: The help document included in PaintManager is an excellent source of information.

The percent sign is used as a wild card character for searches. For example, if you wanted to look up the Honda code NH701M, but were unsure of the last letter of the code, searching NH701M% will yield the four results - NH701M-C, NH701M-S, NH701M-H and NH701M-L. This is especially useful for Honda colors. Note: you would get the same result if you enter %H701M%.

Yes. All products, color, clear, primers and sealers can be mixed for more than one RO. The easiest method is to select the multiple ROs you want to mix to from the Main Screen.

Delete the mix by going to Production Management - Details, highlighting the mix and clicking on the delete button. The mix can also be re-assigned to the correct RO from this screen by clicking on the Transfer button and selecting the correct RO.

PaintManager software is intentionally programmed to permit duplicate ROs per customer request. This can create issues if care is not taken. If an RO already exists, a warning message will display.

Yes. PaintManager software has the functionality to create and save any custom formulas.

Yes. On a networked system, any information entered will appear on all systems on the network running PaintManager software.

es. The best way to accomplish this is to use the record as mixed capability. With "Record As Mixed" enabled in the Utilities - Option setting, on the formula screen do not click on the weigh button. Instead, click on the Record As Mixed button. This is usually on the second page (click on the More Options button).

Yes. On a networked system, any information entered will appear on all computers running PaintManager software. It is recommended that changes to a bookmarked coating (ratio/product) be done only when the affected coating is not being used on the system.

Engine Bay codes typically fall under non "Motor Manufacturer" Source Types. Changing the Source Types dropdown from Motor Manufacturer to "All Source Types" will provide accurate results.

Yes. Contact the PPG Computer Support Helpdesk at 1-800-647-6050 for assistance. Motor Manufacturer to "All Source Types" will provide accurate results.

Yes, there is a comprehensive security system within the User module of PaintManager software. This information can be found on the PaintManager software help document.

Markup is how much an item is increased in the selling price over the cost. The margin, or profit margin, is how much profit is made after the cost of the product is subtracted from the selling price. The easiest way to think about it is that margin is based on selling price while markup is based on cost.

Margin: The percentage margin is the percentage of the final selling price that is profit.
Markup: A markup is a percentage of the cost price added to get the selling price.

Yes, PaintManager software has an add-on program called Report Viewer. It is packaged with the CD and can be installed as such.

There are over 40 reports currently available in the PaintManager software. Examples are:

• Shop Cost per Refinish Hour
• Employee Cost per Refinish Hour
• Product Usage by Repair Order
• VOC Details with Booth Emissions

Yes, any report can be printed.

Most likely, Adobe Acrobat is not installed on the computer. To install Adobe Acrobat, download it from the Adobe website. This is a free download. Get it here.

Please send an email to the CSSS Team.

Make sure you are on the latest release of the software. If you are, please send an email to the CSSS Team.

This is a relatively simple process. The easiest method is to ensure the network cable is in place and then contact your IMS or request an IMS by sending an email to the CSSS Team. If you want to set up the network yourself, please download and review the setup instructions.

Yes. This will allow you to provide reports from either machine regardless of which machine the product was mixed on. As long as one TouchMix computer provides the source data, this will result in a single set of data no matter where you mix the material.

Yes, but whenever possible, a wired network is recommended. The primary limitation is that wireless networks are slower than wired networks. Even with an excellent signal, in most cases the fastest wireless network offers half the speed of a standard wired network. Security is another potential problem.

1. Properly close/shut down the computer.

• a. If on a network, make sure everyone else is out of the program before doing this
• b. Exit all programs
• c. Click on the Start button in the lower left corner of the screen and select shut down
• d. Wait about five minutes and then power the computer back up

2. Close any jobs that have left the shop (and been paid for). Do not archive these jobs if you may need to re-open them later!
3. For networks, exit the PaintManager software on all the clients, then exit and re-enter the PaintManager software on the TouchMix server
4. If the slowdown is sporadic, it may be caused by multiple people entering data at the same time.

Typically this will occur during one of two situations.

The first is if you are on a client machine (office computer) on a network. This indicates that the networked computer cannot communicate with the TouchMix computer. Common reasons for a lack of communications are:

• The TouchMix computer is not turned on
• The drive mapping is unmapped
• A cable is unplugged or the connection is bad
• The router/hub is unplugged
• A conflict with the network addressing Contact the Help Desk, your IMS or the Shop network person for assistance in resolving network issues.

The second may occur if you launch the software twice on the same machine. The solution is to look at the task bar at the bottom of the screen. If it is listed twice, just exit the second instance of the program.

Contact the PPG Computer Support Helpdesk at 1-800-647-6050. They can assist with Report Viewer and reporting support questions and issues.