Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: ianhannaford on July 05, 2006, 12:52:03 pm

Title: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 05, 2006, 12:52:03 pm
In regards to a handheld version, before we start the coding we need to decide on 2 things, device and functionality. The functionality will be driven by the desktop application but I would like to hear your thoughts on the hand held devices this could possibly run on.

So far there are 4 ideas:

1) Palm Pilot running Palm OS
2) Newer PDA (iPaq etc..) running windows OS
3) Mobile phone version to run on java enable mobile phones (i.e. the ones you can play games on)
4) Window Cleaner Pro Device - This would be a small hand held similar to a palm but specifically designed and built for window cleaner pro.

Let me know what you think

Thanks

Ian
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: carl stanton on July 05, 2006, 01:04:21 pm
i use a acer n35 gps handheld running on   microsoft pocket pc 2003 os

i think back up is important though on pda! i think if you put a vote as to who runs what may help!
as for the set up same as desktop, maybe with a tick box to say cleaned.
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: David 'Duck' Clare on July 05, 2006, 01:13:14 pm
i think as George runs on palm - you should run on Window OS - then your product will run on a different platform and thus truly be a competitor to George and not an alternative

DC
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 05, 2006, 01:17:18 pm
i think as George runs on palm - you should run on Window OS - then your product will run on a different platform and thus truly be a competitor to George and not an alternative

DC

Hi David,

Thanks for the advice. Im thinking about creating a handheld version to run on each device as each one has its advantages and disadvantages, this poll is just to get an idea on the order of preference...i.e if most people have palms alrady (as they are cheap compared to MS OS PDA devices) then it makes more sense to code the palm version first.

Cheers

Ian
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: carl stanton on July 05, 2006, 01:21:29 pm
noooooooo! os first!!  :'(
makes sense to me ian!! follow the poll! as in palms! boo hoo i have os :'(
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 05, 2006, 01:24:33 pm
noooooooo! os first!!  :'(
makes sense to me ian!! follow the poll!

 ;D ;D It maybe a case of both at the same time.
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: Clear Vision on July 05, 2006, 02:18:57 pm
Hi iain. I run pocket george on my palm at the mo but would like to run a version on my pocket pc using os ;)

Thinking of switching to your software in the near future as there are a few things with george I don't like.

Personally I think your price tag of £97 is too deer. I would only purchase your software after it's all finalized but wouldn't pay more than £60 for it.

Clear Vision
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 05, 2006, 02:21:53 pm
Can everyone provide specifics about the device and os versions they are running.
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 05, 2006, 02:27:32 pm
Hi iain. I run pocket george on my palm at the mo but would like to run a version on my pocket pc using os ;)

Thinking of switching to your software in the near future as there are a few things with george I don't like.

Personally I think your price tag of £97 is too deer. I would only purchase your software after it's all finalized but wouldn't pay more than £60 for it.

Clear Vision

£97 for a piece of software to help you expand your business is not considered that expensive. To put it into perspective I had to purchase the software to develop WCP in which cost me £1,180 and on top of that I have to purchase another piece of software to enable me to code a version for windows os on a PDA which will cost a further £300  :'(

To me these prices seem high but they do what I need in order to grow my business, Im looking at the long term benefits of purchasing these pieces of software.

Just a thought...

Ian
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: Clear Vision on July 05, 2006, 02:37:25 pm
Ian,

Don't know if this helps but I'm looking at the system information on my pocket pc & it reads


Microsoft Pocket pc
Version 4.20.0

Processor: Intel(R) PXA255

Clear Vision
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 05, 2006, 02:40:34 pm
Ian,

Don't know if this helps but I'm looking at the system information on my pocket pc & it reads


Microsoft Pocket pc
Version 4.20.0

Processor: Intel(R) PXA255

Clear Vision

Thats exactly what I'm looking for.  I need to know what versions and manufacturers people are using so that I can code for these releases.

Cheers

Ian
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ronaldo on July 05, 2006, 02:43:53 pm
Sorry guys you,ve all lost me i aint got a clue what your on about  :-\
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 05, 2006, 02:48:36 pm
Sorry guys you,ve all lost me i aint got a clue what your on about  :-\

Hi Ronaldo,

I create a desktop application that helps you run your window cleaning business. I would now like to create an add on that runs on a hand held device. This way you can download your work list at the beginning of the day and maintain your jobs and debts in real time. Once you get back home/office you can then port the updates to the desktop version. Means you don't have to carry pen and paper anymore  ;D

Im asking for people what versions of handheld devices they have or would like to see the new software run on. If you want to know more about hand held devices then these are the biggest sites:

Palm OS : http://euro.palm.com/uk/

Microsoft OS: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/pocketpc/default.mspx

Hope that helps

Ian
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ronaldo on July 05, 2006, 02:54:58 pm
Thanks Ian  :o   i,m still a biro man and a calculator !
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 05, 2006, 03:00:40 pm
Thanks Ian  :o   i,m still a biro man and a calculator !

No problem. You should download and try our software. There is a trial period and it will save you having to do all your accounts and manage your debts each month  ;D

Ian
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: Clear Vision on July 05, 2006, 03:59:42 pm
Ian,

I just got back online. Had to do a re-format.

Please can you post the download link to your software.

Cheers

Clear Vision
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 05, 2006, 04:03:52 pm
Ian,

I just got back online. Had to do a re-format.

Please can you post the download link to your software.

Cheers

Clear Vision

www.windowcleanerpro.com/download.php

Here you can download the quick start guide and the full program

Im in our online chatrooms if you have any problems.

www.windowcleanerpro.com/support.php

Cheers

Ian
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: Clear Vision on July 05, 2006, 04:11:37 pm
Thanks Ian  ;)


Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: carl stanton on July 05, 2006, 06:28:11 pm
Personally I think your price tag of £97 is too deer. I would only purchase your software after it's all finalized but wouldn't pay more than £60 for it.
so what do you say to those customers you give price to and they say i think your price is to high i think your 10 clean should be 6!! just a thought!   ;D
what an old woman i am!!  ::)
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: carl stanton on July 05, 2006, 06:37:04 pm
ian, hi hope your well!
if i buy WCP for the desktop will i have to purchase an up grade later on? if you know yet
Carl
 to all, with us putting all this info of people, our customers on a computer how are we affected by the data protection act!?? just a thought  ???    8)
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 05, 2006, 06:40:42 pm
ian, hi hope your well!
if i buy WCP for the desktop will i have to purchase an up grade later on? if you know yet
Carl
 to all, with us putting all this info of people, our customers on a computer how are we affected by the data protection act!?? just a thought  ???    8)

Hi Carl,

To answer your first question, no all updates are free for life  ;D

Secondly we are finding out about the Data Protection act as I think you will all fall foul of it. I know we do but its only £35 a year. Ill let you know tomorrow after I speak to them.

Ian
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: carl stanton on July 05, 2006, 06:43:33 pm
thanks ian, i will hav ea look also, i think we may have to ask the customer for consent by sighning a form, i put out a news letter type thing every so often and ask for customer records update, hard getting all to do though!
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: www.mrgutters.co.uk on July 05, 2006, 07:36:30 pm
i have

a pda ipaq 3850 as i bought it to run george but george only runs on palm

would be good to see the product launched to use on a pocket pc .

shawn
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 05, 2006, 08:32:31 pm
i have

a pda ipaq 3850 as i bought it to run george but george only runs on palm

would be good to see the product launched to use on a pocket pc .

shawn

Good news all you pocket PC users. I have gone and bought an ipaq pcoket pc and the development software today and so hopefully can start coding this soon. I have a few more changes to make to the desktop version and after that I'll start.

Thanks

Ian
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: carl stanton on July 06, 2006, 11:08:19 pm
woo hoo!!!!!  ;D
windows os is coming out tops so far!
though later on could fall flat on my face saying that  ;D
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 06, 2006, 11:22:20 pm
woo hoo!!!!!  ;D
windows os is coming out tops so far!
though later on could fall flat on my face saying that  ;D

Hi Carl,

I just bought all the software to develop the windows os version. I have a few changes to make in the desktop application tomorrow to enhance the features and then will start to code the lite version  ;D

Ian
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: master cleaner on July 06, 2006, 11:38:16 pm
i run a palm zire 31

gary
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 07, 2006, 12:29:01 am
i run a palm zire 31

gary

Although we have decided to concentrate on softare that will run on the more upto date pocket pcs, we are also looking into a version that will run on palm and mobile.
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: carl stanton on July 07, 2006, 12:43:13 am
just brough wcp!!  ;D and cant wait for the handheld version!  8)
it will make the tax person and my wife happy, bad at book keeping!
but i do it with ease now thanks to wcp [cornee!"]  :P book keeping that is!!
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: beefy on July 07, 2006, 01:00:37 am
hi ian, at the moment i have george on a palm zire & i find it brilliant but all competition is good but you should keep ia as simple as poss- i have no idea what any of yr data means- i  if i hadnt found this site i wouldnt know pda's existed & it took a while for me to buy 1 and george cos i didnt think id understand them(  it took a bit but im ok now)
so whatever you decide keep in mind those of us who are ok at turning it on but then struggle ;D
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 07, 2006, 01:07:19 am
hi ian, at the moment i have george on a palm zire & i find it brilliant but all competition is good but you should keep ia as simple as poss- i have no idea what any of yr data means- i  if i hadnt found this site i wouldnt know pda's existed & it took a while for me to buy 1 and george cos i didnt think id understand them(  it took a bit but im ok now)
so whatever you decide keep in mind those of us who are ok at turning it on but then struggle ;D

Hey Beefy,

The guys who help me design the system really struggle with computers...it took me 15 mins to get him to put a website address into IE  ;D

I know it may seem over whelming at first which is why I produced the quick start guide and think I have made a thorough job with the help guide. The best way to learn is to play around and share the knowledge, tell people things you discover on here on on our forums. I am also going to start some master courses where we will over one subject at a time and walk through it step bu step so that people are really getting the most out of the system.

Using newer technologies allows the user interface to be more friendly and familiar, especially as its based on microsoft products. I am always here to help and really don't mind spending the time with people via email, online chat or phone to help them so if you need any assitance just ask.

Thanks

Ian
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 07, 2006, 08:20:54 pm
My new PDA arrived today (very excited...i love new toys  ;D), hopefully development environment should be set up tomorrow which means I can start coding the pocket PC version...yah
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: beefy on July 07, 2006, 10:33:40 pm
hi ian ta for the answer iwill have a play with yr stuff but what i mean is -- i dont know what you mean by IE simple i ve no doubt; but if you dont know  >:(
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 07, 2006, 10:43:32 pm
hi ian ta for the answer iwill have a play with yr stuff but what i mean is -- i dont know what you mean by IE simple i ve no doubt; but if you dont know  >:(

As with any new system there is always a learning curve. My intention is to help you guys out where I can, thats why we have the live chat rooms. Im gonna start running some master classes on using WCP so that you know your getting maximum benefit.

If you need any help at all beefy then I would be more than happy to help you out either via email (ian@windowcleanerpro.com), online in the live chat rooms (www.windowcleanerpro.com/support.php) or via the phone. Let me know how you get on.

There are quite a few people using the software now and so if you ever want to know how to do something then just ask. Perseverance is the key to success  ;D

Cheers

Ian
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: carl stanton on July 10, 2006, 07:24:40 pm
sooo ian, how is the programing going!! any thoughts,

how is everyone getting on with the program??

i'm nearlly finish putting all my work on it!  :P
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 10, 2006, 07:27:01 pm
sooo ian, how is the programing going!! any thoughts, how is everyone getting on with the prohram, i'm nearlly finish putting all my work on it!  :P

Hi Carl,

The handheld version is coming on ok, had a bit of a breakthrough today and so it's full steam ahead.

I'd also be interested to know how others are finding the program?

Ian
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: Chris Cottrell on July 10, 2006, 10:09:23 pm
Ian
I have downloaded the trail version 1st impression looks good
Q. is there a way of importing the database from George to save me having to input 1000's of jobs

probably asking a lot but it would save an awful lot of work

Chris
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: carl stanton on July 10, 2006, 10:12:29 pm
or from exel!!
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 10, 2006, 10:17:35 pm
Ian
I have downloaded the trail version 1st impression looks good
Q. is there a way of importing the database from George to save me having to input 1000's of jobs

probably asking a lot but it would save an awful lot of work

Chris

Hi Chris,

I'm glad you like the software  ;D

As for importing the data from George, I don't quite know how that would work legally but I suppose you own the data. I don't think I could write a utility that would obtain the data from the other system directly but I don't know if George has an export utility that you can get the raw data in excel or CSV (comma separated values)??

If you sent the data to me I maybe able to convert it ian@windowcleanerpro.com

Cheers

Ian
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: Chris Cottrell on July 10, 2006, 10:45:50 pm
Ian
By using the Geoexport facility you can export the relevant info to a csv file

How can this be converted into useable info?

Chris
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 10, 2006, 10:47:30 pm
Ian
By using the Geoexport facility you can export the relevant info to a csv file

How can this be converted into useable info?

Chris

Hi Chris,

Thats should be ok, If you send it to me Ill take a look.

Thanks

Ian
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: carl stanton on July 18, 2006, 10:40:50 pm
how is it going with the hand held?

im really benifiting from the program now, as i am used to using it
top stuff!  ;D
Title: Re: WCP Handheld Version
Post by: ianhannaford on July 19, 2006, 06:53:11 am
how is it going with the hand held?

im really benifiting from the program now, as i am used to using it
top stuff!  ;D

Hi Carl,

Thats great to hear. The handheld version is taking longer than expected since there are some additions that I am adding on to the desktp version first. Things like reports and more flexible notifications.

Ill keep you posted on the progress of the handheld version though

Cheers

Ian

Ian