Lash Dash - Platform Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Overview
• What Changed: Platform Upgrade Summary
  • From: Legacy Franworth System
  • To: Microsoft Premium Business Intelligence Platform
• Current Performance Improvements
  • Faster Report Loading
  • More Reliable System
  • Automated Data Updates
• Daily Data Refresh Schedule
• Common Performance Factors & Solutions
  • Browser & Computer Requirements
    • Recommended Web Browsers (Keep Updated)
    • Computer Requirements
    • Quick Performance Fixes
  • Peak Usage Considerations
• Troubleshooting Guide
  • If Your Report Won't Load
  • If Reports Load But Feel Sluggish
  • Common Error Messages
• Ongoing Platform Improvements
  • Current Work in Progress
  • Coming Soon
• Getting Support
  • For Technical Problems
  • System-Wide Issues
• Best Practices for Optimal Performance
  • Daily Habits That Help
  • Monthly Computer Maintenance
  • Smart Reporting Strategies
• Summary

Overview

The Lash Lounge has upgraded to a new, more powerful reporting platform that aims to provide faster access to your business data, more reliable performance, and better overall user experience for all franchisees.

What Changed: Platform Upgrade Summary

From: Legacy Franworth System

• Previous Setup: Older database system with limited processing power
• Data Access: Slower refresh cycles and manual processes that were not always reliable
• Performance: Frequent delays and timeout errors, especially during busy periods

To: Microsoft Premium Business Intelligence Platform

• New Infrastructure: Enterprise-grade Microsoft platform designed for large-scale business reporting
• Data Pipeline: Automated, streamlined data processing from MindBody to your reports
• Refresh Schedule: Fully automated daily updates
• Enhanced Performance: Significantly more processing power dedicated to faster report loading
  
  

Why This Matters to You: The upgrade means your reports will load faster, crash less often, and provide more reliable access to your business data when you need it most.

Current Performance Improvements

To ensure the best possible experience during this transition, we've made several behind-the-scenes optimizations:

Faster Report Loading

• What We Did: Applied smart data filtering to focus on the most relevant business information
• Result: Reports now load in under 2 minutes on average for large reports
• Benefit: No timeout errors when you need your data

More Reliable System

• What We Did: Moved to a premium, dedicated platform instead of shared resources
• Result: Consistent performance even when multiple locations access reports simultaneously
• Benefit: Your reporting works reliably whether it's a busy Monday morning or quiet Thursday afternoon

Automated Data Updates

• What We Did: Eliminated manual processes with fully automated daily refreshes
• Result: Fresh data available every morning without any action needed from you
• Benefit: Always working with the most current business information

Daily Data Refresh Schedule

Understanding when your data updates helps you plan your reporting activities:

? Pro Tip: For the fastest report loading, access your reports after 8:00 AM CT when all the overnight processing is finished.

Common Performance Factors & Solutions

Browser & Computer Requirements

Issue: Reports may load slowly or show error messages

Most Common Causes:

• Outdated web browser (the most frequent culprit)
• Pending computer updates that haven't been installed
• Browser storing too much old data (cache issues)
• Using a browser that doesn't work optimally with business platforms

Solutions:

Recommended Web Browsers (Keep Updated)

• Microsoft Edge (Works best with Microsoft business platforms)
• Google Chrome (Excellent alternative)
• Safari (For Mac users)

Computer Requirements

• Windows: Any version from the last 5 years with recent updates
• Mac: Any Mac from the last 5 years with recent updates
• Memory: At least 8GB RAM for smooth performance
• Internet: Reliable broadband connection

Quick Performance Fixes

1. Update Your Browser: This solves 70% of loading issues
2. Clear Old Browser Data:
   • Like clearing clutter from your desk - helps everything run smoother
   • Instructions: Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac), then clear "cached files"
3. Restart Your Browser: Close everything and start fresh
4. Install Computer Updates: Those notifications you've been postponing? Install them.
5. Try Without Browser Extensions: Temporarily turn off ad-blockers or other extensions
   
   

Peak Usage Considerations

When You Might Experience Slower Performance:

• Monday mornings (8:00 - 10:00 AM CT): Everyone checking weekend and week-start numbers
• End of month: Higher activity as locations review monthly performance
• During morning data processing (7:00 - 8:00 AM CT): System working hard to update your data

Smart Usage Tips:

• Plan your regular reporting reviews for mid-morning or afternoon when possible
• Bookmark your most-used reports for quicker access
• Consider downloading important monthly reports for offline review

Troubleshooting Guide

If Your Report Won't Load

1. Check the Clock: Are you trying to access reports during the morning update window (7-8 AM CT)?
2. Test Your Internet: Can you access other websites normally?
3. Try These Quick Fixes:
   • Refresh the page (F5 or click the refresh button)
   • Clear your browser's stored data (see instructions above)
   • Open an "incognito" or "private" browser window and try again
   • Switch to Microsoft Edge if you're using a different browser

If Reports Load But Feel Sluggish

1. Use Smart Filtering: Apply date ranges and location filters to work with smaller data sets
2. Close Extra Browser Tabs: Each tab uses memory - close what you don't need
3. Close Other Programs: Free up your computer's resources for better performance

Common Error Messages

"Resources Exceeded" or Similar:

• Wait 5 minutes and try again (system may be busy)
• Clear your browser data and restart
• Contact support if this keeps happening

"Connection Timeout" or "Page Won't Load":

• Check your internet connection
• Try accessing during less busy hours
• Make sure you're using an updated, supported browser

Ongoing Platform Improvements

We're continuously enhancing your reporting experience:

Current Work in Progress

• Smarter memory management for even faster repeat visits
• Mobile-friendly report versions for on-the-go access
• Additional filtering options to help you find exactly what you need

Coming Soon

• More frequent data updates throughout the day (where systems allow)
• Enhanced ability to dig deeper into your numbers
• Continued focus to add more customizations to dashboard tools for personalized views

Getting Support

For Technical Problems

• Support Portal: Submit a help ticket through freshdesk via this portal, or email help@thelashlounge.com
• What to Include: Screenshot of any errors, which browser you're using, type of computer
• Response Time: We address technical issues within 48 hours during the week based on urgency

System-Wide Issues

• Emergency Problems: Reach out to your FBC directly and they will be sure to get in touch with the appropriate IT resource to escalate. 
• We Monitor: Our team watches system performance and addresses issues proactively

Best Practices for Optimal Performance

Daily Habits That Help

• Access reports after 8:00 AM CT for fastest loading
• Keep your browser updated and restart it once a week
• Use specific date ranges instead of trying to load "all data ever"
• Bookmark your frequently used reports for quick access

Monthly Computer Maintenance

• Install those computer updates when prompted
• Clear your browser data weekly (like digital spring cleaning)
• Restart your computer regularly
• Keep some free space on your hard drive (at least 10% free)

Smart Reporting Strategies

• Develop a routine for when you check your key reports
• Use the filtering tools to focus on what matters most
• Download copies of important monthly reports for your records
• Share report links with team members instead of emailing screenshots

Summary

This platform upgrade represents a major improvement in how you access and work with your business data, but we have only just begun. We've seen improvements in speed and reliability, but there are a number of areas we plan to improve through the remainder of 2025 and beyond.  Through this period, your experience will continue to get better but please be sure to maintain and update your systems and follow our best practices.

Key Points to Remember:

• Reports now load much faster (under 2 minutes for large reports)
• Fresh data is ready every morning by ~8:00 AM CT
• Keeping your browser and computer updated prevents most issues
• Busy times may require a little patience, but performance is much more consistent now

The Bottom Line: This upgrade gives you faster, more reliable access to the business insights you need to run your location successfully. 

Your experience matters to us. Please let us know about any ongoing issues so we can keep making improvements that help your business succeed.