Is PCRT difficult to implement?

[Encrypted Existence]

Hello all. I will begin construction on my website soon and I plan on hosting PCRT on my site. I was wondering if it is at all difficult to implement PCRT and get it up and running properly. I am by no means anything close to a code monkey. I have zero experience with that sort of thing. I am wondering if the installation/implementation of PCRT with require any of those type of skills. If anyone has any experience with this, your advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[dgiles79]

I use ShopManager, but I would assume the process to host it is fairly similar. I don't have coding experience, and it was relatively easy to get my site setup. I just followed the instructions that told me to upload some folders to my site, and tweak certain lines of code with your settings. Didn't take long at all.

Im also sure that either the creator of PCRT or some people on the forums could help you if you got stuck.

 

[16k_zx81]

1. setup for PCRT is very well documented, and the software is mature. It works out of the box if you follow the instructions, which are not rocket-science.

2. Luke is really dilligent at providing support. Im a moron at php and Im sure some of the questions I have asked have been absolute clangers, but he has always come to the party and helped out when I have needed it.

3. PCRT has an active user community in the form of a Forum. There's plenty of information there, and people prepared to assist if you get stuck, as there is here. Luke is also very active in the PCRT Forum. (he's a member here too)

I recommend it unhesitatingly. Its an excellent product, and the new features coming out in the next revision (due soon) are icing on the cake. Dont stress about the setup. Its not hard.

 

[Xander]

I had no trouble setting it up. I just added it as a sub-folder on my site. Any questions were answered quickly and clearly.

 

[16k_zx81]

README.TXT send via PM.

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[Encrypted Existence]

Thanks for the replies fellows!

 

[PCX]

I honestly cant stand using PCRT. While it is advanced in mature in many ways, it does look like a 2 year old created the application. mhelpdesk is by far the best thing I have found thus far.

 

[Encrypted Existence]

I honestly cant stand using PCRT. While it is advanced in mature in many ways, it does look like a 2 year old created the application. mhelpdesk is by far the best thing I have found thus far.

While I do thank you for expressing your opinion, there are many Technibblers who swear by PCRT. I have done my own research as well and I think that it will be a great fit for me. Thanks again.

 

[comprx]

I also baught PCRT and after installing and using it for a few days I stopped. I didn't like the look (not that big of a deal) but it was also missing a bunch of functionality I was hoping for. It has been almost a year now since I used it so I cannot remember specifics, but I could always reinstall on my server to remind myself if anyone is interested.

As a result at the moment I am simply creating an invoice and writing everything on it. Not the best system, but I found this to be better than pcrt. I am watching the "another repair tracker" thread in hopes that it melds better to my needs, but I am not holding my breath.

---Edit---
I just installed the newest version of PCRT. I still cannot remember what I didn't like about it but I think I have an entire folder of things I wanted changed back at the office. I will play with PCRT and look at that folder tomorrow

 

[16k_zx81]

I honestly cant stand using PCRT. While it is advanced in mature in many ways, it does look like a 2 year old created the application. mhelpdesk is by far the best thing I have found thus far.

Ah, the old chestnut of form vs function.

Its true, the aesthetics leave a lot to be desired. Its not pretty thats for sure.

However, I would venture to say that it might be more helpful for anyone interested in the current state of this type of software to know more about the feature/useability comparison between the two applications.

So far you have only said you like the look better, but is there more to your preference than this?

Some further explanation would be interesting...

 

[16k_zx81]

I also baught PCRT and after installing and using it for a few days I stopped. I didn't like the look (not that big of a deal) but it was also missing a bunch of functionality I was hoping for. It has been almost a year now .

The PCRT you used 12 months ago and the current version are probably quite different beasts.

It still looks ugly, but there have been several versions released in the last 12 months and lots of features added.

 

[Martyn]

I think it's all about suiting your needs. PCRT suits mine and I don't run a shop although it's something it was designed around. As Jim says it's different to a year ago in many ways. Btw I love the look of it but that is secondary.

It might be worth looking at the changes.log file for the last year as a lot of the changes won't be apparent from just running the software or looking in the admin area.

 

[TenYardFight]

I honestly cant stand using PCRT. While it is advanced in mature in many ways, it does look like a 2 year old created the application. mhelpdesk is by far the best thing I have found thus far.

I researched MHelpdesk, and my findings at that time led me to think it was better suited for a mobile tech, or a service only "help desk". If I'm not mistaken, there was no POS or inventory management. Maybe there was just no POS. I see you run a store. Can you tell me how you manage Point of Sale? Inventory? Thanks!

 

[scovilletech]

Shout out for PCRT

Just wanted to put my 2 cents worth in for PCRT. As far as the look and all, it doesn't really matter to me, it was built to be handy for touch screen displays, which I don't use. The things I like are that it is only a 1 time fee (unless you want updates after the first year, then you pay a small yearly fee). There are no monthly subscription fees. You get a discount if you are an ACRBO member. I do my business part time out of my home and it has been perfect for me to enter customer info, slap an asset tag on their system and prioritize my workflow and keep myself reminded of what's going on. The inventory management is great as I can look up parts from anywhere and the web setup was fairly straightforward. You don't have to know much code, just follow the instructions and you should be good to go. My customers like being able to check repair statuses online, so that is an awesome feature. For the price, it works great for me.