[ianhannaford]

I have been working on a tool to automate most of the import of data from George to WCP.

Since there is some data missing from the export (Round names, statuses etc...) the best way I can do this is a 3 step process.

1) Make sure you are using the lastest Export Utility from George (V1.18), export your customer list, expenses and debts and email to george@windowcleanerpro.com

2) I will run it through a utility that will create the correct data structure and send the customer list back to you so that you can check and fill in any missing data (i.e the round names)

3) Once you are happy send me the updated file and I will import into WCP and send you the WCP db file that you can use to load into WCP.

if you would prefer to do the first 2 steps yourself I have uploaded some instructions on how to do this at www.windowcleanerpro.com/george.php

I know this sounds a little compicated but its the most sensible way :-D

Thanks

Ian

[Paul Coleman]

I have been working on a tool to automate most of the import of data from George to WCP.

Since there is some data missing from the export (Round names, statuses etc...) the best way I can do this is a 3 step process.

1) Make sure you are using the lastest Export Utility from George (V1.18), export your customer list, expenses and debts and email to george@windowcleanerpro.com

2) I will run it through a utility that will create the correct data structure and send the customer list back to you so that you can check and fill in any missing data (i.e the round names)

3) Once you are happy send me the updated file and I will import into WCP and send you the WCP db file that you can use to load into WCP.

if you would prefer to do the first 2 steps yourself I have uploaded some instructions on how to do this at www.windowcleanerpro.com/george.php

I know this sounds a little compicated but its the most sensible way :-D

Thanks

Ian

On the database that I use I do have a few extra fields to record other things about each job and was wondering if there are ways of doing it in WCP.  I'm not convinced that moving away from my database/spreadsheet setup is the best way forward for me but I would like to try out the software to see if it is an option.
I don't use George but I can adapt a copy of my database (MSWorks .wdb file) to supply the .csv file with the fields as you require them.

I would like to evaluate WCP alongside my normal setup during September because my new accounting year starts on October 1st.  I won't need 45 days to see if it feels right for me.

Is it feasible for me to do step 3 myself too, as I would prefer to keep my customer data private?  Presumably the adapted .csv cannot be imported directly into WCP ?  What do you use at your end to adapt the .csv file for importation?
Does WCP save data as an individual file that can be backed up and reloaded if needed (all from the user's end)?

Sorry about all the questions but this would be a big leap for me and I want to be sure that I would be doing the right thing.

[ianhannaford]

On the database that I use I do have a few extra fields to record other things about each job and was wondering if there are ways of doing it in WCP.  I'm not convinced that moving away from my database/spreadsheet setup is the best way forward for me but I would like to try out the software to see if it is an option.
I don't use George but I can adapt a copy of my database (MSWorks .wdb file) to supply the .csv file with the fields as you require them.

I would like to evaluate WCP alongside my normal setup during September because my new accounting year starts on October 1st.  I won't need 45 days to see if it feels right for me.

Is it feasible for me to do step 3 myself too, as I would prefer to keep my customer data private?  Presumably the adapted .csv cannot be imported directly into WCP ?  What do you use at your end to adapt the .csv file for importation?
Does WCP save data as an individual file that can be backed up and reloaded if needed (all from the user's end)?

Sorry about all the questions but this would be a big leap for me and I want to be sure that I would be doing the right thing.

Hi Shiner,

I use a utility that I wrote today Java that connects to the raw DB, since the DB is encrypted I need an third party application that does the encyption running for it to import successfully. Unfortunatley at the moment I can't think of a way round this. I may be able to include the utility in the next update but it would take a little time to get it working and tested correctly.

The database is stored in one encrypted file so you can backup and reload as you wish using the back utilities.

As for user data, I have no interest in the actual data and as soon as its been imported it will be deleted. We are also bound by the data protection act and so your data is protected under that i.e. misuse etc...

If you could get me the csv file in the format I require (with the additional fields) then I could import into WCP

Hope that answers your questions, give me a call if you would like to know any more

Thanks

Ian

[ianhannaford]

All,

I could put this into WCP with the next update so that you could do this yourself, however the only thing that I would not be able to do is put the jobs into the correct rounds. The best I could do is guess the rounds based on the due date i.e. put all the jobs that are due on the same day into its own round?

You could then change the round names and swap the jobs over once all the data is in WCP?

Does this sound ok?

Ian

[Paul Coleman]

On the database that I use I do have a few extra fields to record other things about each job and was wondering if there are ways of doing it in WCP.  I'm not convinced that moving away from my database/spreadsheet setup is the best way forward for me but I would like to try out the software to see if it is an option.
I don't use George but I can adapt a copy of my database (MSWorks .wdb file) to supply the .csv file with the fields as you require them.

I would like to evaluate WCP alongside my normal setup during September because my new accounting year starts on October 1st.  I won't need 45 days to see if it feels right for me.

Is it feasible for me to do step 3 myself too, as I would prefer to keep my customer data private?  Presumably the adapted .csv cannot be imported directly into WCP ?  What do you use at your end to adapt the .csv file for importation?
Does WCP save data as an individual file that can be backed up and reloaded if needed (all from the user's end)?

Sorry about all the questions but this would be a big leap for me and I want to be sure that I would be doing the right thing.

Hi Shiner,

I use a utility that I wrote today Java that connects to the raw DB, since the DB is encrypted I need an third party application that does the encyption running for it to import successfully. Unfortunatley at the moment I can't think of a way round this. I may be able to include the utility in the next update but it would take a little time to get it working and tested correctly.

The database is stored in one encrypted file so you can backup and reload as you wish using the back utilities.

As for user data, I have no interest in the actual data and as soon as its been imported it will be deleted. We are also bound by the data protection act and so your data is protected under that i.e. misuse etc...

If you could get me the csv file in the format I require (with the additional fields) then I could import into WCP

Hope that answers your questions, give me a call if you would like to know any more

Thanks

Ian

OK Ian.  Thanks for your concise answers.
I'm a bit busy over the next couple of days but I will make the adapted .csv on Sunday and email it to you.

Regards ...

[Balvindaa]

Hi Ian
           I have sent my data to you I had to do it in 3 seperate e-mails one for each section. I used open office calc for the file. I hope that is alright.
I'm of to bed now. Shall check my e-mail in the morning.
           Thanks Mate 

[Chris Cottrell]

Ian I have sent you the george files too

Many thanks for your help

[ianhannaford]

Ian I have sent you the george files too

Many thanks for your help

No problem, I'll get them transformed asap as you will need to add Round data to the file before I can import it correctly.

Ian

[Paul Coleman]

Another question Ian (sorry !! ) 

Does WCP have the facility to export all the data as a .csv file ?  If not, is this likely to be added in the future?
I ask this because if I do end up using it as my regular software, I would like the facility to be able to use it in another database in case I wish to manipulate the data in a way that WCP wouldn't permit.
Also, it would make it easier for me to cover my bases if I wanted to switch to another program a few years down the line.

[Moderator David@stives]

Hi Ian

I have some confusion regarding following the instructions on your site, do you have to create "aditional" columns, company name , and house name, after surname and rename Adress 1 to No Adress 1 or is that a third colum to be created

You have 
  Title, Forename, Surname, Address1, Address2, Address3, Address4, Post/Zip Code, Phone, eMail, Price, Frequency, Next Due

To be replaced by

Title, Forename, Surname, Company Name, House Name/No Address1, Address2, Address3, Address4, Post/Zip Code, Phone, eMail, Price, Frequency, Next Due, Round Name, Status

As you can see you have comma,s, then an hyphon then the confusing one is No address 1

[Moderator David@stives]

or is House Name/No Address1   one column renamed

[ianhannaford]

or is House Name/No Address1   one column renamed

Hi Dave,

Yes my mistake...They are 2 separate columns.

Let me know if you need anymore help

Ian

[Moderator David@stives]

Also do you realy need to create a  status column as George gives you the option of just exporting live jobs ?

[ianhannaford]

Also do you realy need to create a  status column as George gives you the option of just exporting live jobs ?

You dont have to if you dont want to. It was more for people that have suspended jobs with debts attached as George does not export the status and I have been told that you can export live and completed/suspended jobs but there is no status?

Again you can leave this column blank and it will default to Active

Ian

[Moderator David@stives]

So you need these three columns  between
Surname  and address 2

Company Name,                     House Name/No,          Address1
With company name , and house name / no, being the 2 additional lines  ?

[ianhannaford]

So you need these three columns  between
Surname  and address 2

Company Name,                     House Name/No,          Address1
With company name , and house name / no, being the 2 additional lines  ?

Yes that is correct

[Moderator David@stives]

ou are lacking a comma on your website 

[Moderator David@stives]

What is the turn around time in sending the data back ?

Dave

[Chris Cottrell]

What is the turn around time in sending the data back ?

Dave

I'm interested in that too Ian

[ianhannaford]

All,

I have decided to release a separate utility that will do the import from George rather than having to send me the files.

To do this I need create a user interface and that will take a little time. I will try and get the download ready for tomorrow.

This way you can do the import yourselves, rather than having to send me your data.

I hope this is ok

Ian