RentalPoint

[Chris Hocking]

What are your thoughts on RentalPoint?

[strex]

Used to use Hire Point and found it a pain in the!@#$ .. Now using a great bit of software namely: Production Assistant. Written by an old boy of the industry .. He's a mate and I reckon it's worth you all having a look at http://www.productionassistant.com.au

Cheers

[Chris Hocking]

Thanks for the link.

I've downloaded Production Assistant and have had a bit of a play with it. User interface is very nice compared to RentalPoint. It's got that whole Office 2000 look to it - were as RentalPoint still living in the Windows 3.1 era.

Using FastReport Report Designer was also a very good move. RentalPoint uses external RTF editors, which is a pain in the butt.

The only problem I can see, is while RentalPoint may have a terrible user interface, bad error detection and is annoying as hell, it does have a HUGE list of features. Although I have only played with PA for a minute or two, it doesn't seem to have the same power as RentalPoint.

I think you should suggest to your mate to get a copy of RentalPoint (if you're not using it anymore, why not give him your copy?), and start compiling a list of the good features that RentalPoint has (that PA doesn't). For example, barcode connectibility would be nice. RentalPoint can generate so many different reports it's not funny (even Crystal Reports). Alternatives for each product is a nice function.

What would be REALLY nice is to have a product database which is maintained by the developer. Like the JuliusMedia equipment database, it could contain all the latest lighting desks, etc. with details (retail price, current software version, features, picture, etc.). That way, instead of companies all over the world typing in "we have a MAC2k which has these specs, etc.", you could just downloaded a kind of product template, which can update your inventory database. Get what I mean? You could also add a function that whenever someone adds a new product to their database it gets sent into the developer who can add it to the "shared" database. Would also mean that all the companies that use PA would also use the same product codes (better for the industry).

If the developer could add that kind of feature to his product, plus all the handy features RentalPoint has I could also guarntee that at least 10 companies I know would start using that software.

Has anyone used PA in an networked environment? Work well? What about over the Internet (for example, over a VPN)?

Web catelogue would also be cool - RentalPoint has it, although I've never used it.

Having "what an item travels in" would also be good to have. For example, PA could tell you that ROADCASE ID:1 contains 27 10AMP 240V 10m extensions. All of the cables need to be re-tested-and-tagged.

More advanced e-mail/fax support would also be handy. For example, you do a quote, press "GO!", give you an option of "Fax, E-mail or Post", and it's off...! (Post meaning it prints an envelope as well).

A more detailed contact database would also be nice. Microsoft Outlook 2000 has what you want. The more information the database has the capacity to contain - the better!

A Outlook-type calendar would be good too.

RentalPoint has a cool feature that when you use products, a message box can pop up reminding you stuff. For example, you're about to send the 408 out to a gig, the computer will ask you "Have you made sure the fixture libary disk is travelling with the desk?"...very handy. Notes for every product would be nice.

$0.02

What do companies like Bytecraft use? Big Picture? Staging Connections? etc.

[Chris Hocking]

One quick other thing...

Mark: you have to remove that clipart-looking dude with the big glass' from your main window background. Very unprofessional! Maybe make it so the background colours are also customizable (maybe even allow JPEG's, GIF, BMP's, etc.?).

$0.02

[strex]

I 'm with you Fergz with the clip art .. You raise some great points that I know have be discussed in the past .. Ie barcoding and shared online data bases ... Networking works fine ... I am using four copies .. I am sure Mark is lurking around here somewhere ... to read the comments ... Let's see what other operators think ... I think the price of of PA is brilliant ... That out to be taken into consideration ...

Cheers

Strex

[Gibbo]

Hi Strex, Fergz, All.
Thanks for the kind words and great suggestions folks.
I'll try to answer all of your suggestions as best I can.

The only problem I can see, is while RentalPoint may have a terrible user interface, bad error detection and is annoying as hell, it does have a HUGE list of features. Although I have only played with PA for a minute or two, it doesn't seem to have the same power as RentalPoint. I think RentalPoint is great but a comparison between it and Production Assistant is a little unfair as we are aiming at different markets. RentalPoint is a great product and is very well featured but it is priced to match. You could outfit an entire office with PA for less than the cost of 1 copy of RentalPoint.
Production Assistant was specifically designed for much smaller businesses with much simpler needs. It has grown in features over the last few years and will continue to do so. I will also continue to support businesses down to the "micro" level with products such as PA2Free.

barcode connectibility would be nice This has been on the list for some time as strex will attest. It still hasn't gained real support as stories abound of companies going down this road and then abandoning barcoding at a later date. Again, it tends to only be popular with the larger companies too. As I said, it is on the list.

What would be REALLY nice is to have a product database which is maintained by the developer. This is a great idea in principle. It has been suggested before but the maintaining of a database of this type would be a large job in itself. I am still looking at ways of making this a more "community based" project. Suggestions welcome.

Has anyone used PA in an networked environment? Apart from PA2Free, most of my customers have a network of some kind. Some are using 7-8 workstations running PA. It is almost entirely SQL based so it works as well as any database over a network. The bits that aren't yet SQL will be soon.

Web catelogue would also be cool What is this?

Having "what an item travels in" would also be good to have The guys at Coda Audio also suggested this. I think it is a great idea and is on the list of things to do.

More advanced e-mail/fax support would also be handy. You can pretty much do this. You can send a quote/invoice etc via email or fax if you have faxing software.

A more detailed contact database would also be nice. What would you like to see?

A Outlook-type calendar would be good too. I agree. This is on the list for PA V3

when you use products, a message box can pop up reminding you stuff Also on the list for V3

I'm really hurt that you don't like my clip art man . he has been with me for a little while now.
V3 will feature a new look and maybe he won't be part of it!!!

Thanks again for your great critique of PA. it is very much appreciated.

Cheers, Mark

[Chris Hocking]

[Gibbo]

Hi Fergz,
Thanks again for your comments and suggestions.
Your original question was in regard to RentalPoint so I don't want to "hog" the forum but seeing the comments on it are a bit thin i'll continue.....

I DO actually like RentalPoint, even though I haven't used it for a while so maybe my memory is clouded. It obviously has its' drawbacks & faults, but all software suffers here to some extent. In my opinion, their biggest fault is the price although if I could charge what they do & still sell it, then I probably would too.

As far as the equipment database goes, I will definitely look into this further. It is something that I thought of a while ago but was scared off by the maintenance factor. I am a single person business at present and my time is best spent coding. There may be other ways of acheiving this as you have said so I will keep it in mind.

There is nothing stopping someone using PA2Free to access data across a network, albeit with a performance loss, but the licensing system will kick in if they try to have more than one copy running on their network.

I will take a closer look at the contacts section of Outlook & see what we can use for future versions.

Thanks heaps for the feedback Fergz, it is really appreciated.
I would now like to hear from the RentalPoint users regarding the original question. The response should be interesting.

Cheers, Mark

[Chris Hocking]

[Gibbo]

Hi Fergz,

I thought that you had done a bit of programming!

Yeah, I agree that the RentalPoint interface is a bit clunky. I've have to watch what I say about RentalPoint though for two reasons.
1. It is really, really uncool to bag the competition.
2. I don't want to tell them what they are doing wrong in case they fix it!

The database engine that I use can be used over the internet via TCP/IP though I have never tried it. It is on the list for V3.

Thanks for the compliments on the UI. It is something that I am happy with too. As far as lacking functionality, that is true but the feature list is growing with each release and I've managed about 2 updates per year for the last few years so things are constantly improving. I have another release just about ready for its second beta test & after that is done I will start work on a firm spec for V3.

Your comments have been seriously helpful and constructive. Thanks again.

Cheers, Mark

[stue]

Hey Mark good to see you in here.

Well ill keep my comments nice and short as im busy working on a few shows. Ive used Production Assistant now for a few years (pretty close to the early beginings lol) and have found that the program has a lot more going for it that other currently available software on the market. it also easy to use and being an AUSSIE made product it is more compatable with our market.
_________________
Regards
Stuart Sinclair
Lighting Designer/Proprietor
Morning Glory Productions
2 Tingle Close Narre Warren,
Victoria, Australia 3805
stue@mgproductions.com.au
http://www.mgproductions.com.au

[Chris Hocking]

Apparently RentalPoint Software has released a MAJOR NEW VERSION of their product, RentalPoint2000.

Anyone seen or used it yet?

~fergz

[Gibbo]

I think you are probably referring to the ad in CX. It has been saying that there is a "Major New Version" for about 2 years! Time to update the artwork I think.

Just while I'm here... There will be a "Minor New Version" of Production Assistant very soon.

CYA, Gibbo

[Chris Hocking]

Hi Gibbo,

No I wasn't refering to the ad in CX actually. I read on their website, http://www.rentp.com, that RentalPoint2004 was being released, and I was even told at Entech that it was coming out soonish, but after looking again it appears the "press release" has been canned. Maybe they saw this thread and went back to the drawing board...

What have you added to Production Assistant? Anything exciting?

What I would personally love to be able to do is sepereate "factory" workstations from "office" workstations. For example, the staff in the office can do all the "production management", organise what equipment is needed, etc. and then the "factory" workstations will inform the staff that equipment needs to be preped, etc. It could tell you, "Please prep x20 PAR56's, and the Event 408; remember to pack an IEC with the 408, and 2 of the 20 PAR56's will need to be re-tested-n-tagged".

What I would REALLY like to see is "shopping centre" software/hardware converted to suit our industry. For example, every item that leaves the factory is barcode scanned and the software does the rest. There should be "office" workstations in the office (i.e. normal PC's that also can handle the web, MSOffice, e-mail, etc.). There should be "factory" workstations that act like "shopping centre" systems - ie. touch screen, simple interface, barcode capability, idiot proof, etc. And a few extras, for example, a "test and tag" workstation: you scan the old barcode, plug the device in to the test machine, press go, screen tells you the result. If it fails, then you hand it over to the techs, if it passes, the computer knows this and does the rest. The techs/service staff should also have their own system in which its only role is to keep track of broken equipment.

This kind of "network/user level" system would be perfect for ALL kinds of business'. For example, you have a small business, 3 staff maybe. Easy. You have 3 machines in the office, maybe worth $2000 each, which act as normal PCs - they can handle accounting, word processing, etc. Then you get a few old 486's or P100's in the factory, probably only worth $500 (with monitor), one for checking-out/in equipment, one for the test&tag station, and one for the service/maintenance station. For the bigger factories, throw in a few other 486's, a couple of VGA splits and a heap of cheap monitors, and then you can have "McDonalds" style screens all around the place telling you what equipment to prep. For example, one 486 could be designated to just display what "Vision" equipment needs to be prepped, tested, etc. Another can display what "Lighting" equipment needs to get prep for what show". Another for "Cable" land, etc.

What this industry needs is an idiot proof system. A 10-year-old work experience kid should be able to walk into the factory an within 10 minutes, know what to do in terms of the factory side-of-things. Create an good interface for the "office" side-of-things, a new production manager should be able to find his or her way around new software within an hour.

One of the things I think people like the creators of PA and RP should do is focus on creating "turn-key" systems as opposed to just software that kinda works. Personally, I'd much rather buy a whole new system that works as opposed to some software in a box that I have to install myself, and attempt to get working on all the different kind of PCs I've got running (all running different OS' of course!).

Just an idea!

~fergz!

[Chris Hocking]

Now this is "good software":

http://www.shortcuts.com.au/

We need a Shortcuts for the Entertainment Industry!

~fergz