Data Updates

How do I update my data?

Every time an update is available we send out an e-mail to all the users on our distribution list notifying them of the available update. If you would like to be included on this list please call (800)789-5323. Once you have decided that an update is needed, close StyleADVISOR. Go to www.styleadvisor.com and click on the Updates tab at the top of the page, you will be prompted for a username and password. The username and password are included in the email that you received, or you can call 800-789-5323 to get them.

Data updates and software upgrades are posted as both executable files (*.exe) and compressed zip files (*.zip). They can be run from our web site or downloaded to your local computer. We recommend downloading them to a designated download directory on your local system or to your desktop.

After you download the file, you must then open it. You will be prompted for a password - this will have been sent to you in an e-mail or can be obtained by calling 1-800-789-5323.

While running the update, you will be asked where StyleADVISOR is installed. Please note that you must direct the update to the location of your style.exe file even if the data resides in another location. The update will read an initialization file and will find the correct location for the data.

Also, data updates will also ask if you want to update data as well as initialization and license files. We recommend leaving everything checked unless directed otherwise by your system administrator.

Note: When data has been installed on a network server but the users have local StyleADVISOR executables the update must be run twice. The first update can be run to the folder where the data is stored, making sure at the installation settings prompt both the options Install Data and Update INI File and License files remain checked. After the network data has been updated each user must run the update locally. For the local update, the Destination Directory must be the directory that contains the file style.exe (C:\Style, e.g.). When the user encounters the Installation Settings prompt they must uncheck the Install Data option and leave Update INI File and License files option checked.

When are data updates available?

With the exception of the early index update, updates are released as soon as we receive the data from our vendors. We send out notification email to subscribers when the data is available. In general, following is the update release schedule:

Early index update: Third business day
Morningstar mutual fund update: Approximately the 5th business day
Final index update: Approximately the 7th business day
Separate account data: First release approximately 30 days after quarter end, second release 45 or 60 days after quarter end.
Other databases (stocks, hedge funds, variable annuities, et al) have differing schedules. In general, check when the previous month's or quarter's data was posted on our web site and add a month or quarter.

Also note that the early index update only updates a limited set of indices.

Which data updates should I run?

All StyleADVISOR subscribers receive the index updates as well as the Morningstar mutual fund databases. Most subscribers also receive a quarterly separate account database. Update notices are sent by e-mail as soon as the data is available. If you are on our update list you will receive and e-mail with the appropriate password for each of the databases to which you subscribe.

If you are not sure what data you receive, or if you want to receive emails about data updates, please call us at 1-800-789-5323.

Why doesn't my password for PSN work?

One of the most common errors we encounter regarding database updates is the Oops! Wrong Password error. This happens most frequently with the PSN database, which is available both quarterly and monthly. If you accidentally downloaded the monthly database (for which there is an additional charge) the password that you received for the quarterly database does not work. To avoid this error, make sure you have downloaded the correct database, most users get quarterly.

If you are certain that you have the right update and you still get this error, try saving the *.exe file to your hard disk and do not choose the option to run from current location. If you run from current location Microsoft saves the file in a temporary folder and will reuse the old file even if you have tried running the new one.

What if I can't download .exe's?

Each update has a zipped version located at the bottom of the page. Most setups allow you to download zipped files when executables are not allowed through the firewall.

How do you come up with passwords?

With the exception of some seasonal or special passwords, such as "frosty" one December and "gogiants" during the NFL playoffs in early 2001, generally our Database Specialist first thinks of a random letter. Then, he selects a word starting with that letter that, hopefully, will be easy to spell.