Window Cleaner Pro

« **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
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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

« **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2007, 03:39:17 pm »

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

« **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2007, 10:12:57 pm »

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

« **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2007, 10:16:09 pm »

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.

« **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2007, 11:29:01 pm »

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

« **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2007, 08:22:35 am »

Quote from: lawrencemvc on March 13, 2007, 10:12:57 pm

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

« **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2007, 08:27:44 am »

Quote from: JohnL on March 13, 2007, 10:16:09 pm

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

« **Reply #7 on:** March 14, 2007, 08:29:52 am »

Quote from: PoleMan on March 13, 2007, 11:29:01 pm

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

« **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2007, 02:43:13 pm »

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

« **Reply #9 on:** March 14, 2007, 02:54:22 pm »

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

« **Reply #10 on:** March 14, 2007, 04:04:58 pm »

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!

« **Reply #11 on:** March 14, 2007, 08:25:17 pm »

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

« **Reply #12 on:** March 15, 2007, 08:42:34 am »

Quote from: david68 on March 14, 2007, 08:25:17 pm

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

« **Reply #13 on:** March 27, 2007, 08:23:41 pm »

Ian, how you getting on with the next version of WCP?

Andy

« **Reply #14 on:** March 28, 2007, 08:20:55 am »

Any update for us Ian??

« **Reply #15 on:** March 28, 2007, 09:08:50 am »

Quote from: PoleMan on March 27, 2007, 08:23:41 pm

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

« **Reply #16 on:** March 28, 2007, 02:58:22 pm »

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

« **Reply #17 on:** March 29, 2007, 01:43:32 am »

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.

« **Reply #18 on:** March 29, 2007, 01:48:36 am »

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'?

« **Reply #19 on:** March 29, 2007, 10:24:24 am »

Quote from: EasyClean on March 29, 2007, 01:48:36 am

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

Poll

Would you prefer WCP to be?