Scheduling Tools

[dweebsonduty]

This thread has turned out to be something different then what I expected.. I had no idea that my program would spark interest and didn't even think to look for that.

So what I will do is make the program prettier and more customizable and once it is done, I will give a few away for free to some Technibblers and those first on the list are the ones who expressed interest in this post.

 

[dweebsonduty]

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

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

As far as apps, it works with Calendars, no matter if they are app calendars or regular.

As far as contacts, I never thought about that but I am very familiar with the Contacts API and could whip that up in a day or so.

But here is what I will do, the one I have written right now is very tied to me and my company. I will fork it off into a demo package and let you guys choose what else it needs. Those whos ideas get added will get the program for free.

 

[Joe B.]

All I can say is... wow. I'm impressed.

I've considered such a project for a while now, but would've never thought to go as in-depth as you did. Bravo!

 

[kagman]

Hey Dweebsonduty I sent you a PM.. Its a long message so take your time reading it. So far man good job. Personally I have no problems with you using Google.

And lets face it everybody, privacy has been dead for a long time. Just get used to it...

 

[Velvis]

Again include me in. Invoicing & client tracking is my least favorite thing to do related to my business. I'd love to have a google cloud based solution that pulls from my existing data (gcal and gcontacts) and have it synced anywhere (phone or web).

This sounds awesome.

 

[Xander]

Next best addition would be for it to be portable to keep on one's USB toolkit.

 

[kagman]

This poor guy has his hands full now... lol......

 

[dweebsonduty]

Next best addition would be for it to be portable to keep on one's USB toolkit.

The program is web based.

 

[Xander]

Dur, of course. {headslap}

 

[sjlplat]

The program is web based.

What language are you coding with? I've always written all my backend by hand. Never really thought about using the Google APIs, but after looking it over it seems like it would save a whole lot of work.

 

[dweebsonduty]

I write in PHP and Javascript.

 

[dweebsonduty]

I began writing the code so I can at least get a demo up and running so I will release it to some in the next few weeks.

My question is how much would you be able to pay for such a thing?

We are taking about a full featured scheduling program that can track financials as well as customers, jobs, employees, and inventory.

I wrote it because other companies wanted tons of cash for such a thing and being a startup I didn't have that cash so I wrote my own. So my goal is to make this affordable to every tech but I need to know what you would think something like this would be worth and what you could pay perhaps monthly.

I do have to charge because I do have to buy hardware to build it and I will probably host it for everyone so they don't have to worry about that.

Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[MrUnknown]

I do have to charge because I do have to buy hardware to build it and I will probably host it for everyone so they don't have to worry about that.

Many people on this forum do not trust outside people with their customer's information. I just wanted to let you know so you could take that into consideration.

 

[kagman]

Well since this is going to be web based and since you are going to be hosting this then yes you need to charge something. I mean it does make sense. How about charging a monthly fee for this service. something like 10 or 20 dollars a month for starters. You should see how other services do it. Some have a trial period, or a basic free version and if people want more features then they need to pay for them.

My advice is start out with a beta first. Get people here to test drive the thing for awhile. then go from there....

 

[dweebsonduty]

Many people on this forum do not trust outside people with their customer's information. I just wanted to let you know so you could take that into consideration.

Thats understandable but the problem is that most people don't know how to set up a web server (Computer Techs included) and this would make it hard for them to use and support would be a nightmare. If I can find a way around that I will.

My advice is start out with a beta first. Get people here to test drive the thing for awhile. then go from there....

Thats the plan, you cant sell something that people don't like, so I will be having a beta period and perhaps a free tier is a good idea.

 

[kagman]

Now for those of us that cant pay for your service, have them buy you dinner or something lol..

 

[K007]

Now for those of us that cant pay for your service, have them buy you dinner or something lol..

I can't remember where or what software it was, but it was a donationware.
Somehwere on the website was a link with a picture "By me a cappucino"
If you clicked on that link you would be taken to paypal, and you could select how many cappucinos you wanted to buy him. The price was something just about 3 US dollars for 1 cappucino if I remember right.

Here is a link to another one: http://www.fauglist.com/beverage/beverage.html

 

[sjlplat]

Thats understandable but the problem is that most people don't know how to set up a web server (Computer Techs included) and this would make it hard for them to use and support would be a nightmare. If I can find a way around that I will.

Build an appliance. Offer full hardware or virtual appliances. If you pre-configure them, it's simply plug and play.