Scheduling Tools

[dweebsonduty]

I was wondering what you guys use for job tracking.

I wrote a program that integerates with Google Calendar,Google maps and Paypal

I wrote the front end in Javascript and the back end in PHP and use a mysql database.

The workflow is as follows:

Call comes in

A search is done to see if it is an existing customer or a new customer

If it is a new customer that info is added to the database and the option pops up for you to create a job.

In the job creation section, you can see which tech is closest by clicking a button and that sends a query to the google maps api and sends back the techs in order of proximity to the customer.

Then you click a button to see which tech is available and when and that come from the Google calendar API, once you have agreed upon a time with the customer you click on the link provided by the availability lookup and then that appointment is added to that tech's google calendar and an email is sent to them.

Then the tech can add notes as needed and take paypal payment by a dynamically created button that shows up after the total amount due.

It was fun to write and I wanted to share it with you.

If you want to tackle something like this and need some help let me know, I love solving programming problems.

 

[kagman]

Dude you wrote a program..?? Nice... and chance you wish to share this wonderful software with the rest of us

 

[dweebsonduty]

I thought about open sourcing it, it will take some time but it is definitely a possibility. I guess in a way this post is a way to seek interest in such a thing.

 

[kagman]

Just one thing.. Please make it simple and easy. can you post some screen shots for us?

 

[dweebsonduty]

I recorded a video I will have it up shortly, I will try to get a demo site up in the next few days.

 

[kagman]

Great.. cant wait... If you want send me a PM...

 

[dweebsonduty]

Here are 2 videos that I recorded, if you need any more info let me know.

I also apologize if the audio is off sync near the end, you should still be able to follow it.

http://www.dweebsonduty.com/podcasts/db.wmv

http://www.dweebsonduty.com/podcasts/db2.wmv

 

[kagman]

Hey had no idea that you where the guys that had a podcast.. cool.... Only listened to like 5mins of it the other day, but I will listen to the entire episode.

 

[dweebsonduty]

Yea, if I had to recommend an episode it would be 5 or 7.

5 because we interviewed the CEO of superantispyware and 7 because I finally found a format that I liked.

 

[kagman]

Great now i need to add you to my very long list of podcasts.. lol... You should have some of us the show... PICK ME!!!!!!!!!

 

[dweebsonduty]

Anyone can call in we do it live Thursdays at 7PM Est. The call in number changes so watch our twitter or facebook stream for the number.

We usually do 2 posts before we go live with the number.


http://twitter.com/dweebsonduty
http://facebook.com/dweebsonduty

 

[kagman]

cool will need to look out for you guys.....have not yet had the chance to look at the videos yet.. will look at them when i get home..

 

[K007]

cool will need to look out for you guys.....have not yet had the chance to look at the videos yet.. will look at them when i get home..

Had a look at them.
It looks promising but is work in progress.
Myself I don't like using Google for any personal data.
No matter what guaranties Google makes, I am responsibile for my customers data like tel. no, name, address... wow, that's a lot to worry if something goes wrong.
Just imagine the list of telephone numbers of all my customers was sold to one of those companies that charge you on your telephone bill for services you never requested.... brrrrrrr, don't even want to think of it.

The way it works is Google covers their ass in case your data is compromised.
Your customer has nothing to do with Google, he comes after you.
Caveat Emptor!

 

[dweebsonduty]

@K007 Customer data is not sent to Google, only the city of the call is added to the calendar.

If google was to go out of business or go down, it wouldn't matter as everything is backed up on my database as well. The only issue would be that you wouldn't be able to see the distances or the availabilites.

 

[K007]

@K007 Customer data is not sent to Google, only the city of the call is added to the calendar.

If google was to go out of business or go down, it wouldn't matter as everything is backed up on my database as well. The only issue would be that you wouldn't be able to see the distances or the availabilites.

Let me see if I got this right.
If everything is backed-up in your database, then where is the working database, on Google's server right?

 

[dweebsonduty]

Let me see if I got this right.
If everything is backed-up in your database, then where is the working database, on Google's server right?

Nope, guess I forgot to say that. I have my own webserver that I run that holds that data.

 

[K007]

Nope, guess I forgot to say that. I have my own webserver that I run that holds that data.

Oh, that's a whole different story.
I guess would be OK even with me (I am a paranoid freak)
But no calendar on Google. I would plot the coordinates into the HTML frame using google API for maps.

 

[Sn@Ke]

Nice

I've coded something very similar for a building company (house building), it keeps track of all the houses under construction, subbie login and get plans to quote, upload their quote. builder updates job progress, uploads site photos, system emails client with payment dates, uses google map api, blah blah

You should consider selling it on something like http://codecanyon.net/

You can make a lot of cash from a script like that, you could adapt it for many trades other then just Tech's.... Check your PM's, I'll show you mine and what it sold for.. you'll be suprised.


edit:
I used to use this one for awhile:
http://codecanyon.net/item/ultimate-client-manager/47626

It's pretty good, but its mainly for people to manage webdesign clients

 

[Velvis]

I am downloading the videos now so I havent seen them, but it sounds very cool.
I have been using gtime and would love a way to integrate it in to using google contacts automatically and make it like an cloud based CRM using google apps would be very cool. I really like the idea of using gtime for billing as appointments exist in one place and can be accessed from anywhere (most importantly my phone). Gtime isnt quite as useful as Id like it to be.

Anyways looking forward to trying out your software.

 

[Xander]

It was fun to write and I wanted to share it with you.

Gotta link? Sounds interesting. I, for one, would like to check it out.

Two questions: Google Apps support? and Google Contacts support?