The Backstage Area

The backstage area is accessed through the File page of the ribbon bar.  It contains the following three sections that are accessed using the tabs on the left side of the window:

  • Customers
  • Company Info
  • About

The Customers Tab

This is where you create new customer databases, open existing ones, import existing inspections from other software, and make backups of the currently open customer database and the global database.  The recent customers area contains the last several customer databases you have opened to allow you to quickly open any of them.

You have the ability to set the default folder for new databases and the initial folder when opening them.  When browsing for the location of a customer database, Aspect will always start with this folder.  If this value is blank, then Windows will decide on the initial folder--typically the last one that was used in one of the Windows folder or file dialog boxes.  To set this value, go to the Default Customer Location in the Settings window.

You can right-click on any recent customer to access a popup menu that allows you to show that customer database in Windows Explorer, remove a recent customer from the list, or completely clear the list.

The Company Info Tab

This is where you enter information about your company, or if you're a subcontractor, you may choose to use that company's name.  You may have an unlimited number of companies, which would be handy if you functioned as a subcontractor for several general contractors.  The information for companies can either be changed here or in the library editor.  Additionally, you can also set a default company here.  Since all customer databases must be associated with a company, all new and imported databases will automatically be assigned the default company.

Your company name will never be blank.  If you delete your company name, Aspect will use the company name attached to your license key.

The About Tab

The About tab contains information about Aspect such as the version number, and also displays licensing information including when your subscription will expire.

Your subscription will automatically renew approximately one week before it is due to expire.  You must be connected to the internet and run Aspect at least once during that week to allow the license to update.  Once the license has been updated, no further internet connection is required.