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scheduling in a desktop

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    #16
    Re: scheduling in a desktop

    Finian

    You mention the right environment as though it is something limiting and almost unique.

    Why is Outlook one of the most widely used diary/schedule pieces of software on the planet.
    Is it not because people have a need?

    Name me an industry worth pursuing where you couldn't introduce a software tool to manage people and resources.

    Click on any of the following and see what less than 100 bucks buys you.

    http://www.winpim.com/introduction.htm

    http://www.efficientsoftware.net/pim/screenshots.htm

    http://www.technozeast.com/top-3-bes...softwares.html

    Hopefully through sensible discussion we'll be able to find a solution.

    Thanks for your input

    Kind Regards

    Alex
    Database Software Solutions Limited
    www.dbasesolution.co.uk
    http://www.precise360.co.uk
    PRECISE360 -
    LYNCHPIN -

    Comment


      #17
      Re: scheduling in a desktop

      Name me an industry worth pursuing where you couldn't introduce a software tool to manage people and resources.
      Answer = The NHS.
      I think its all been done Alex. No point in reinventing the wheel just because Alpha doesn't have a scheduler.

      As that old boat captain said in #13, you can link in JS and HTML if you can find the free stuff.
      I don't see much of an AS market to bother with developing such a scheduler.

      Rays one is very specific ( I forgot that I offered to test it!) and not the sort of generic one you are after I fear.
      You might just have to get your hands dirty, or retain the old 'sea salt'.
      Might be worth contacting him as he seems to know what he's talking about.
      See our Hybrid Option here;
      https://hybridapps.example-software.com/


      Apologies to anyone I haven't managed to upset yet.
      You are held in a queue and I will get to you soon.

      Comment


        #18
        Re: scheduling in a desktop

        Alex:

        In my experience, most Alpha developers who have been around a long time and who depend on Alpha for their bread and butter are able to do so only because their clients/customers perceive an absolute need for an application tailored to their specific environment. It's generally the customer's experience that the commercially available products for their industry, whatever that industry is, do not meet their requirements. Hence their willingness to commit time and money to have something unique to their world.

        Such customers, if they view scheduling through that same prism, as many doctors do, will not be satisfied with an off the shelf calendar package. They will, rather, evaluate the capabilities of the integrated scheduler as a major part of the decision on practice management software.

        Looking at the screenshot that Ray posted, it's extremely unlikely that his client could ever get that display from a commercial package. That's the sort of thing that keeps Alpha developers in business.
        Finian

        Comment


          #19
          Re: scheduling in a desktop

          The important thing - unless the whole client centre of focus is a calendar - is seamless integration with the workflow in all areas of the business.
          The kind of examples that I looked suggested in the above links can be created without too much trouble in Alpha, but that is also a bit like applying every client to the standard calendar.
          I have written a calendar for motor workshop bookings that raise jobcards and record parts and other schedule events. A practice of consultants with upwards of four or five techs, the list can go on and on - would not be best served by a common page a day calendar. Again integration is key to eliminating manual processes.
          My favourite quote
          "when all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail"

          Comment


            #20
            Re: scheduling in a desktop

            Originally posted by Ted Giles View Post
            ( I forgot that I offered to test it!) and not the sort of generic one you are after I fear.
            You might just have to get your hands dirty, or retain the old 'sea salt'. ...
            Yes Ted - and I forgot to thank you, so we are quits - I am onto the next phase scheduling security guards, billing from schedule and blah blah you know the drill.
            In the words of Monk - its a jungle out there.

            Comment


              #21
              Re: scheduling in a desktop

              No thanks necessary. Just stop feeding your dog fireworks.
              See our Hybrid Option here;
              https://hybridapps.example-software.com/


              Apologies to anyone I haven't managed to upset yet.
              You are held in a queue and I will get to you soon.

              Comment


                #22
                Re: scheduling in a desktop

                Hi Ray

                I would be interested in talking about your motor workshop calendar.

                We have implemented our Lynchpin product into 37 commercial vehicle repair operations in the UK.
                http://www.dbasesolution.co.uk/Lynchpin

                Developed exclusively in A5V5 to A5V11, we have a scheduler, but it is all text based.

                Kind Regards

                Alex
                Database Software Solutions Limited
                www.dbasesolution.co.uk
                http://www.precise360.co.uk
                PRECISE360 -
                LYNCHPIN -

                Comment


                  #23
                  Re: scheduling in a desktop

                  First Contact - Booking in - calendar looks like this (shortened in length) scrollable forward and back one week at a view.
                  I'm happy to discuss collaboration - your website indicates areas that you cover with your system.
                  Attached Files

                  Comment


                    #24
                    Re: scheduling in a desktop

                    Hello Barry
                    Thanks for your input. However, we have been developing with Alpha since 1993 and see no reason to change. It would be like divorcing your wife because she mislaid your fishing rod!

                    Kind Regards

                    Alex
                    Database Software Solutions Limited
                    www.dbasesolution.co.uk
                    http://www.precise360.co.uk
                    PRECISE360 -
                    LYNCHPIN -

                    Comment


                      #25
                      Re: scheduling in a desktop

                      We had an issue where our workers would schedule clients for interviews or any other type of appointment. They would schedule them in OFFICE calendar. Our receptionists would need to print the calendars for each day. Other workers would e-mail the front desk with appointments. The receptionists could also make appointments, but through an excel spreadsheet, and that had its own issues. I searched for some type of scheduling program that I could incorporate into our system to no avail. we wound up developing a reasonable scheduling system that uses our customer information system to build a table of appointments. For non-customers, appointments can also be scheduled. We now have one place for reception to view or print appointments. On the view dialog, I have given the user the option to mark the arrival time, who was contacted, or even if it is a "no-show". For one specific type of appointment, we have only a limited number of slots available per day, and those are also part of the appointment schedule. Because we can have an unlimited number of appointments per timeslot (except the above mentioned specific appointments), our table is fairly simple, and it does the job for us.We now have one consolidated place to look for any incoming appointments. The system will show who was here, when their appointment was, who was contacted to take the client, and when. Appointments can be rescheduled if necessary.

                      Tom
                      Last edited by Tom Henkel; 11-08-2013, 11:42 AM. Reason: typo

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