Ok, I’m going to tell you all what I want to program. I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time now, and I hope to start it this year (with Platypus integration).
I want a simple web site AND an app that pretty much does the same thing. The interested customers goes to web site and downloads the app or creates an account online (preferably logging in with Faceboog/Google etc button). That starts the ‘step’ process. The App/site pretty much takes over from there. They input their information, the app tells them what’s available. They chose what they want and digitally ‘sign’ the agreement. That kicks off the App/site to notify them that install is pending. The crew, using the SAME App/Site in ‘installer’ mode gets notification that there is a pending install. They have put in their availability, so one of them can accept the task and is now responsible for completing it on time. If this step involves the customer then they will have already put their availability on the App/site and the customer will chose from an available time. In my case there are several pre-steps for installing fiber with two or three different crews, so this gets passed around the members or crew chiefs by the App/site until it’s complete. The customer get’s notified by the site/email and/or App during the various stages. During installation, the installer can ask the customer to finalize by going to the App/site and paying etc. etc. Then it turns on the internet, the installer leaves and the App/site goes into Support mode. Now if the customer has an issue they can report it through the site/app via phone or tablet if their internet isn’t working. Again from a pool of available tech support people, it can be accepted and acted upon. Also if there is a network wide problem affecting several, the App/site can alert with ETA. All of this technology is basically SQL database stuff with some middle software to tend to events. Nothing hugely complicated, and can integrate with Platypus or another CMS/Billing at the database level easily. Once developed, should be highly adaptable for all of us. And basically reduce staff required to track all of this crap to virtually none. Who’s with me?? From: Af [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ty Featherling Sent: Monday, August 24, 2015 3:54 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [AFMUG] Platypus + paperless We are trying hard to reduce/eliminate all of the data entry of entering new customers after installation. Currently they fill out a paper contract form, collect payment for the installation, and turn that in at the office. We then process them individually using the customer wizard to create a new customer in Plat and then manually fill in all of the data, create invoice for installation, and set their billing rates. We would much rather have the installer fill all of that same data from the contract out in digital format that can then be imported somehow into platypus to do almost all, if not all of the customer creation steps. As we grow faster and faster the paperwork is getting to be a serious load. Has anyone else solved this problem with Platypus? If not does anyonw know of an avenue I might look into? We hope to turn this solution into a way for the customer to sign their contract digitally but that is secondary to the main task. -Ty
