Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: ianhannaford on March 13, 2007, 10:52:15 am
-
Hi All,
Sorry its been so long since my last post but had a few personal problems that I have had to deal with. Anyway after all the comments and ideas that many of you had for the first release of WCP I have decided that to add all the features and functionality that you have all requested means that I need to rewrite from the ground up.
This leaves a great opportunity for me to gather all the requirements based on your personal experience of WCP and for everyone to send me there ideas and suggestions for new features or upgrades from version 1. So please feel free to email me directly ian@windowcleanerpro.com and send me any ideas / suggestions / updates that you think would make WCP better. (I already have many of your comments from users who have emailed me previously)
Poll
===
Since I am rewriting from scratch I need to decide how to write the application. What I need to know is how you would prefer to use WCP.
Standalone Desktop Application
This is currently how WCP is implemented. This is where you download an exe and run it to install WCP on your PC. All the data is located only on that PC. The main drawback of this method is that fact that updates are harder to integrate and the data can only be shared amoung installations by copying the DB from one install to another. It also means that the user is responsible for the data and making sure that it is backed up in case anything happens. You do not need to be connected to the internet to use but will do to get updates.
Web based application
This will be an application that is hosted by us. We control all the updates so everyone has the latest updates. The data will be held in a central location on our secure servers which means that you can access the application from anywhere and any device that has a web browser. Updates happen automatically but means you need to be connected to the internet to use the application. Also means that any changes you make from one computer will instantly and automatically be seen on any other computer.
I would really appreciate your feedback on this issue as I cannot start coding until this decision is made.
Thanks in advance
Ian
Window Cleaner Pro
-
Hi Ian,
good to see you back, hope all is well.
I sent you my thoughts before regarding reports etc.....
My view is web based is not for me, purely through security issues and who is able to view all my work if they hack into your server?
I have PC based software at present and that works fine.
Looking forward to your new creation.
Best of luck, Trevor
-
i have recently picked up the software and look forward to using it over the next couple of weeks, will probably need to ask a few questions when I get going.
thanks
-
A great many PC based stand alone app's have user preferences available, enabling choice to suit the best for their requirements and work-flow.
Would that still be possible with a web based system and what high end security would you employ because Ian made a very relevant point.
-
I voted Desktop Application, and suggestion for a new feature! would be able to use on a PDA!
I would have purchase your software months ago, if it had this available
Andy
-
i have recently picked up the software and look forward to using it over the next couple of weeks, will probably need to ask a few questions when I get going.
thanks
Hi Lawrence,
Thanks for trying the software. Any suggestions you have after using it please feel free to email me so that I can incorporate in the new version.
Ian
-
A great many PC based stand alone app's have user preferences available, enabling choice to suit the best for their requirements and work-flow.
Would that still be possible with a web based system and what high end security would you employ because Ian made a very relevant point.
Hi John,
User preferences can be made easily available via a web based solution. The main advantages to using the web based solution are:
Any device that has a web browser can use the system.
The database is central so you can use the system from multiple computers (home and office etc..)
Updates are handled in the background and are automatic
However I know how it is to have to connect to the internet everytime you want to use the system. As far a security is concerned there is no less security in having the application on your desktop as there is to having it on the web. There are many patterns that have been created to enable high security (banking systems) via the web which we would adopt if we went this route.
Hope that answers your questions
Ian
-
I voted Desktop Application, and suggestion for a new feature! would be able to use on a PDA!
I would have purchase your software months ago, if it had this available
Andy
Hi PoleMan,
This is the biggest question that I get asked and so is obviously the most important requirement of the new system. All I need now is to get everyone here to give me some feedback on how they would see it working in a real life situation.
Any help is much appreciated if you have any suggestions on how you would use it in your business i.e. what features should the handheld version have?
Thanks
Ian
-
Hi Ian, Done, Paid, (ceq or cash) next clean date, notes, new date of clean & ring day before customers (gates) or you could go with full spec on PDA, which does not have to be used but is there, if need be - think most would agree with this!
Andy
-
Personal speaking - I would pay more money for a better software - if it is going to save time and money but still incorporate ease of use
Andy
PS would be nice to mail merge customers details, for Xmas cards, letters, offers, and news letters
-
Hi Ian,
Reading between your lines, I think you'd prefer the web-based version. What extra charge would there be for storing backup "off-site" - just in case?
If any of the following haven't already been mentioned, I think they'd be useful . . .
The ability to split a day's work by employee - individual job-sheets from one day's total work.
To be able to differentiate who's taken what money from each client - a pay-in ID, if you like.
Also option to note money received by bank transfer as well as cash and cheque
The ability to alter the due back date from it's normal schedule, so that all jobs would still be in their usual sequence - say six weeks instead of normal four if you close down over Xmas or away on holidays.
PDA (Palm) for me too. Key in as you're going, and HotSync it all to the PC when you get back - job done!
-
Hi Ian i am currently using your version 1.
Which way you go on the next version, will i be save updating from version 1.
Dave
-
Hi Ian i am currently using your version 1.
Which way you go on the next version, will i be save updating from version 1.
Dave
Hi Dave,
There will be no problem upgrading from version 1 to 2. I will personally help everyone that is currently using WCP to upgrade and make the transition as smooth as possible.
Ian
Ian
-
Ian, how you getting on with the next version of WCP?
Andy
-
Any update for us Ian??
-
Ian, how you getting on with the next version of WCP?
Andy
Hi All,
I am still gathering the requirements and putting together a functional spec so that I have something to follow. I want the next version to contain all (or most) of the suggestions from everyone so consequently there is more work to do! I finish my current contract at the end of the month and then will start the coding.
Ian
-
Good to hear :)
Some of us are VAT reg, so maybe a function to help with are VAT returns, and a print off for our accounts (end of year)
Andy
-
Any chance you can list the jobs alphabetically (like George) instead of numerically by job no. Also, is there any way we can back up to the internet in case of computer crashes similar to George.
-
Can you enable a daily print out list of 'jobs done' (including non/payments), not just the 'to do' or 'totals for the day/week/month/year'?
-
Can you enable a daily print out list of 'jobs done' (including non/payments), not just the 'to do' or 'totals for the day/week/month/year'?
Hi EasyClean,
Thats a great idea. I will certainly add that into the list of things to include. Thanks
As for your other question above if you click on the headings i.e. Address the list will sort either ascending or descending. Is that what you mean?
Thanks
Ian
-
Hi Ian,
are you going to include the reports like we discussed last year?
Regards,
Trevor
-
Hi Ian,
are you going to include the reports like we discussed last year?
Regards,
Trevor
Hi Trevor,
I certainly will. I think that you had some excellent ideas that will really be a benefit to a business as they are trying to grow and become more efficient.
Ian
-
excellent news!!
Like I said before, I really do believe you will be creating the leading software for this industry, I for one think it is excellent!!
Its great to be able to tell you what we are all looking to be included before the re-lauch.
Trev
-
where can you get this software from, I would love to give it a try?
-
Steve,click on Ians avatar and his website is in the profile.
Thats where u get the software from :)
Pete
-
thank you, will take a look ;)
-
wow - nearly £100.......think I will give it a miss because if I do use it and it's good I won't be able to justify spending that much as my round isn't that big..! (saving for a 16m fishing pole at the mo!).
-
As for your other question above if you click on the headings i.e. Address the list will sort either ascending or descending. Is that what you mean?
Thanks
Ian
Hi Ian, I never realised before reading this thread that I was able to click on the 'headings' bar to sort the lists, so thank-you
One other request: can you make the 'font' (letter) size bigger for daily 'work to do' print outs as it's a bit small to glance at whilst driving (not that I do of course).
-
Ian, I clean several holiday homes and would like to see on the new upgrade if possible: 2 addresses for one job (place of work) & (invoice address). Wayne
-
hi Ian,
Mine doesn't work, trying to use the schedule or accounts buttons causes the program to crash. ???
WCP2551
-
hi Ian,
Mine doesn't work, trying to use the schedule or accounts buttons causes the program to crash. ???
WCP2551
Hi Lawrence,
This will be to do with something called visual styles. To run WCP you need to be using windows XP with visual styles enabled.
I have sent you an email on how to enable.
Ian
-
thanks
core blimey what a bloomin hero. thats gorn and fixed it up good 'n' proper guvner. I shall ave the old trouble up the apples and on the job in no time. :D
-
Invoicing!
Would like to drop a word file in, so I can amend when in your software, & when each one is printed off it moves up one number (invoice numbering) I am on invoice number 1978 so this can be move up to which number I would like. I do like to print off 2 invoices one for me (hard copy) and one for the customer
Screen shots! of your new pocket software (when done)
Many thanks :)
Andy
-
Hi Ian.
new version would need to be pc based, (for me at least) because i cant get broadband where i live!!!!
two invoice addresses as suggested above would be usefull, and being able to group a number of houses under one invoice address.
pda version needed very very much.
other than that and the other suggestions made on this thread, its a great program.
i recommend it to anyone. its even better than george, and ians customer support is second to none.
regards kevin campbell.