Time to Replace Your Excel Spreadsheets with an Online Database

There was a time when companies used to heavily rely on Excel and its expertise to formulate tables and charts on spreadsheets. Complex calculations, mathematical simulations, production of tables and graphs are what Excel is majorly popular for. Undoubtedly, it is an easy and widely-used program. However, it often makes the data handler work harder than smarter. Users often face Excel chaos when they are depending on it for data organizing and sharing with other stakeholders via email. Often, Excel files appear confusing with corrupted data, and may cost the company large sum of money & time and incorrect decisions.

Regular updates to Excel spreadsheets by multiple users make the file prone to errors and difficult to reconcile. Such chaos is detrimental to any organization which highly depends on database records. Many businesses have now outgrown Excel leaving many of its functions unexplored. Reasons provided are that it is a spreadsheet developed to keep numerical information, execute calculations and simulate a worksheet. Companies require something more than that – they need a proper database of their records. Considering the potential Excel chaos, here are the signs for when it’s time to replace your Excel spreadsheet with an online database.

1.Excel is not a Database.

First it’s important to know the difference between an online database and a spreadsheet. An online database such as SaaS can hold a greater bulk of numbers, texts, images and codes. It follows a pattern of logics and rules to keep the data organized. These rules enable the database to determine relationships between data, automatically update information throughout multiple departments, and permit queries to be created against the data. Excel on the other hand is not a database. It lacks the concept of data types and fails to enforce data validation. It is unable to colligate files and images with data. You cannot create relationship with another data set, and you can easily end up with clambered data. Replacing your Excel with a custom web-database would modify these situations for you. With SaaS online database, you can automatize data accumulation, changes, and distribution. It can handle multiusers and virtual databases of any size.

2.Uncontrollable Spreadsheets.

It’s time for you to move to an online database if you need to scroll through hundreds of spreadsheet rows to trace a mere figure. Spreadsheets become clumsy when they are handling large data reams. For such cases, online database is a wise decision which can find your buried and old data more quickly and easily.

3.Handling Sensitive Data.

The level of security Excel offers is very low considering the sensitive data companies share on working spreadsheets. You cannot do much to keep the Excel files from being sent outside your company. Due to feeble encryption of Excel, the internet is full of cracking programs that can uncrack a password-protected Excel file.

4.Multiple Versions of One File.

An excel file can be modified by one user at a time. A new user cannot make any changes and save it unless the previous user closes the Excel worksheet. One way to counter this confusion and inaccuracy is to copy an existing or save the new file and merge changes later. One of the most suited advantages of using an online database is that multiple users can share it at a time over a single network. They can update data which is accessible to all others in a company immediately.

5.Data Control.

In spreadsheets, users can enter any kind of text in data cells leading to useless and inaccurate results. With database rules, users are restricted to enter only a specific data type in the given field. This leads to reliable and cleaner results.

6.Customer-friendly.

One practicable use of online databases is that they grab information directly from customers, be it from their website or any custom web program. Database provides an online form which the customers are likely to fill in rather than entering their data into an Excel data cells.

If your company is one of those having to deal with these excel chaos, then it’s time for you to replace your Excel spreadsheet with an online database. An online database allows the spreadsheets to be imported and exported and converts your data into a custom web-database without any programming. It is time for you to make a move and start using an online database.

If you want to check the online database advantages, I recommend you to try leading online database platforms like QuickBase, TeamDesk or Caspio.

Low-Code Databases VS Enterprise Solutions

Have you considered bringing your database online instead of relying on traditional enterprise solutions? You may be wondering what the benefits are in using a Low-Code Database and how it may impact your business and processes as a whole. In many cases, moving to a Low-Code Databases offers some distinct advantages, and this article will list some key reasons business choose to rely on Low-Code Databases.

 

Reason 1 Cost:

Perhaps the most obvious reason for moving away from an enterprise platform, is to help your businesses’ bottom line; Low-Code Databases have lower costs than even some of the most economical enterprise solutions out there. The reason for this is, with an enterprise solution you have to pay for the license to use the software, which by itself is quite high, and then there are fees associated with software maintenance and development for customization. With Low-Code Databases, you are essentially renting the software, which does not have to be installed directly onto your hardware, so you will only have to worry about a monthly subscription fee. You are also able to control cost, as you can scale up or down and quickly adjust things like storage space or number of subscribers as needed.

Reason 2 Advanced Availability:

A distinct advantage to moving to an online database is harnessing the convenience and accessibility of the cloud. You can access your database and work from virtually anywhere, and from any mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. In addition, this ability for data to be accessed and exchanged from anywhere also enables you to connect your employees, partners, and clients, no matter where they are. Many businesses today use a global workforce, and an online database allows for an easy solution to the hurdles of communication and data accessibility.

Reason 3 Less Resources in Maintaining Tech Infrastructure:

As mentioned earlier, the lower cost is often listed as an appealing reason for businesses to switch from enterprise solutions. However, besides just limiting the amount of financial resources that need to be put into database solutions, having your database online also reduces the amount of time and labor required. This is because with online Low-Code databases, they take care of a lot of the heavy lifting for you. Updating, patching, and monitoring is done by the vendor. With enterprise, the responsibility lies on you, since you are essentially taking ownership of the software when you purchase the license. Moreover, most online databases offer some type of back-up service and secure storage in the event of hardware failures or server crash. Again, with enterprise, these solutions are solely the business owner’s responsibility.

As the technology and availability of cloud computing continues to increase, there is a growing number of Low-Code Database offerings that can meet the need of a variety of businesses. While there are some exceptions (such as in cases where the business does not prefer to rely on internet access for database management, or cases where only custom software would suffice for the business needs) a Low-Code Database is a smart solution.
You can create your online database using the following web-based platforms:

QuickBase

TeamDesk

Caspio

TrackVia

Zoho Creator

The Citizen Development Trend

I’ve got to tell you about a brilliant trend in application design. Citizen Developers—users— who are creators. There are employees with little to no knowledge of code, who with the nodding approval of their companies’ IT departments, are designing business applications with runtime environments. You see, even though they aren’t developers by profession, as citizen developers lack conventional coding skills, they still have a robust determination to build applications.

You might wonder, how did this citizen development trend come about? First, there was an increase in both accessible software and tech savvy employees. Secondly, they design applications that actually focus on tasks the partners and customers need right away, like asset tracking or joint project management. Thirdly, partners and customers are thrilled with these citizen developers, because they create applications faster than traditional coders. In other words, their applications give partners and customers access to unique information as soon as they need it…right away. Innovative businesses should leverage the creative force of these dynamic citizen developers.

As organizations modernize their workforce and launch products and services into new markets, leadership needs a tool that easily adapts to changing circumstances. Considering that workers in the business world have become smarter technically, and more tasks are automated, no-coding platforms are the evolution in efficiency and productivity. These no-code platforms empower managers, project leaders, and other workers with operational problems, to create fast solutions on their own. That’s why citizen development tools are such a hot trend among top corporations, including fortune 500 companies.

Low-code and no-code, drag and drop, cloud based tools empower users to make applications rather than code them. So companies are utilizing these low-code tools to create external-facing apps with broader accessibility. The era of coding, testing, debugging, and beta-testing has given way to citizen developers, with minimal to no IT expertise, creating business applications, ranging from CRM and ERP, to payment processing and customer support.

No-code and low-code solutions spearhead teams to make firm data-driven decisions in real-time. End users and their companies are excited about devising applications for their department, their company or the public using cloud computing and shared services, as well as fourth-generation language style development platforms.

The citizen development trend has ushered in an era where there is little difference between creators and users. And, though, professionals with coding and software development experience are still fundamentally important, many recruiters won’t just focus on those skills when filling development positions. Also, decisions about the technology a company uses, something that was once exclusively managed by IT departments, are now handled by basically anyone, from business analysts to salespeople.

If you weren’t already sold on the trend of citizen development, you will be when I tell you about another major advantage it brings—Cost reduction. Organizations are quickly switching from outdated legacy software to less expensive no-code, cloud solutions. Predicting what resources your business will need in the future, without overspending, is one of the most difficult aspects of running a company or department. However, most no-code solutions offer the benefit of a monthly subscription plan that’s immediately adjusted, scaling up to meet increased demand or scaling down in periods of reduced interest and activity. Also, they let companies control the number of users needed. By enabling businesses to delete users or decrease storage space to save more money, they only have to pay for what they use. Moreover, applications can be updated automatically to support the newest processes, eliminating time-consuming software practices that use to be part of standard software development.

Furthermore, managers no longer have to guess their company’s needs. Business application platforms react to organizational requirements as they evolve. They continuously advance business processes. In the length of time that it would take a manager to plan what his department needs and then to compile a presentation to IT, they can develop and deploy the actual application they want to their team, instead. In addition to the empowerment of easily developing their own solutions, most no-code services offer users a dynamic third party system. That’s right, they deliver an ecosystem that consistently interacts and transforms with every element, to firmly connect employees to the tools they already use.

These days, citizen developers are adjusting and scaling their projects as their businesses change, instead of waiting on IT to produce a new solution or recreate an old legacy code. Due to this advancement, 56 percent of technology budgets are now controlled outside of the IT department.

However, many organizations still lean heavily on old-style inflexible methods like legacy code solutions or disconnected spreadsheets and an excessive cumulation of emails. Those approaches jeopardize the task of managing multiple versions and configurations of software systems overtime, leading to disorganization, errors, and aggravation. But, the Citizen development trend is met with resistance by some IT departments due to control, reliability, and data security issues. In fact, IT departments without defined, updated policies on these solutions might incorrectly label citizen developers as employees operating shadow IT activities. An assumption of shadow IT toward citizen developers would most likely prove counterproductive and even harmful to any business.

Most traditional IT organizations with rigid approval procedures require employees to present a compelling case before they’ll develop a new technology solution. In addition, even when a strong case is made and approved, it might take months before a solution is initiated because of the huge backlogs most IT departments have. Some Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) providers, for example, online database platforms like QuickBase, TeamDesk, Caspio etc are equally accepting of both the demands on business users, with their new capabilities as citizen developers, and the needs of the IT department to direct the company’s technology. These SaaS providers bridge the gap, offering a sought after middle ground for both custom solutions and IT security. They can also lessen the IT department’s backlog. Moreover, they can even provide IT with the control necessary to manage agile development, while still empowering business users to create, deploy and change their own solutions with little to no coding skills required.

TeamDesk

QuickBase

Caspio

Using SaaS Web-Database products like QuickBase, TeamDesk or Caspio is a smart, resourceful way to meet business needs, speedily and proficiently. SaaS products will play a significant role in maintaining a balance between IT departments and users as the citizen development trend continues to rise.

Advantages of Online Database Software

Businesses are increasingly taking up the option of online database management systems as it is convenient to incorporate into their operations. Other than the obvious benefit of having the database online, thus increasing the ease of accessing information from anywhere around the world, there are other benefits that are not commonly realized at first glance.

Advantages of Web-Based Databases

Investing in web-based database management software allows employees to maintain access and simplifies the tracking of valuable information on the database. The process of using such software involves access of a website to store, modify and manage data. For an organization that considers moving their database online, it is highly recommended that the benefits of the solution be at hand for optimum exploitation of this service.

Save Capital

Online database software saves organizations a great deal of money, as it is an alternative to buying a software program for the company. This method conventionally involves paying for a software program and an additional cost of licensing for every computer that uses it. This translates into high cost. Using an online database, however, is cheaper as computers used access the software online. In addition, the cost of investing in servers for storage of data is eliminated.

Flexibility

There is flexible use in online database software as a business only pays for the storage space they consume. This eliminates the trouble of purchasing new servers when there is growth or eliminating servers when they are not needed any more. This thus simplifies scaling up or down in an organization as one need not worry about extra costs from servers or database management.

Technical Support

Another benefit is that the burden of technical support is lifted from the company and goes to the organization offering the online database management software as a service. If there are any problems with the database management system, the organization is contacted and they are responsible for maintenance as it is always stipulated on the contract.  The IT department of the company receiving the service can therefore focus on other issues.

Easy and Collaborative Access

Using online database software allows all employees access vital information regardless of their location. Therefore, as long as one has access to the internet, work can be done at any time as information is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. An added benefit to this is that employees at different locations can work on a project seamlessly despite not being in the same geographical area.

Data Security

Having the company’s information on some specific hardware poses a huge liability for a company in terms of data security. The hardware can crash, or get destroyed by natural calamity, risking loss of a large amount of data. Having online databases, however, increases data security. Data can be protected on the cloud through passwords and high levels of encryption. They, therefore, eliminate finicky hardware that is unreliable, and sophisticated to implement.

Gathering Information Online

Having the database online allows data to be collected through web forms with cloud computing solutions. Information can be easily collected from customers and employees, and then automatically entered as a new record into the database. These web forms come in several templates and companies can further customize them as required. Information can also be gathered through tables in emails. An online database therefore increases the number of ways information can be collected, stored, and simplifies collection of information.

Globalized Workforce

Several companies have gone global, while others have it in their long-term plans. Going global is accompanied with challenges on data exchange and global communication. Online databases offer a perfect solution through cloud computing. Data can be accessed from anywhere in the world, as long as there is an internet connection.

Increase Project Efficiency

Project management involves a plethora of individuals and tools to be effective. By having a pre-built application in a matter of minutes by using the online database allows projects to be deployed faster. These pre-built applications an easily be customized to suit ones needs thus increasing project efficiency.

Even the Playing Field

Small organizations face high competition from large organizations in the same line of business. With online database software, small organizations are at liberty to make use of some of the tools used by the large organizations, thus allowing them a fair chance at competing. They do not need to purchase big servers used by Fortune 100 companies that do not fit their budget. They simply pay for what they need.

You can create your online database using the following web-based platforms:

QuickBase

Caspio

TeamDesk

TrackVia

Zoho Creator

Salesforce Alternatives: Options for Small Businesses

Salesforce is credited as one of the best CRM systems out there. And probably – it is. The only thing is that Salesforce may be the best CRM system for Enterprise. On the other hand, for the small companies or individuals it is a sledgehammer to crack nuts. Moreover, you have to consider that companies don’t run on CRM alone. They need various pieces of business software to run their business properly. That's why the quest for Salesforce alternatives always has been and still remains relevant.

Too Small?

Lately, Salesforce tried to expand their presence in SMB by presenting three small business CRM solutions for $25, $65 and $125/user/month. IMHO, for startups and small businesses the price over $40-50 per user automatically makes affordability a great issue. So here is what you get from Salesforce for relatively reasonable $25:

• Up to 5 users, only 1 list;
• Automatic data capture;
• Customizable sales tracking for one list;
• Intelligent follow-up reminders;
• Contact auto-complete;
• Shared address book;
• Sent-email notifications;
• Smart mobile apps;
• Chrome extension.

Not impressed? So am I. Looks like while trying to win SMB Salesforce turned too "small". For that price, functionality is way too limited. Also, it's not flexible: you cannot customize it for your company needs. This means you'll probably have to change the usual ways of your business rather than adapt the system to fit your demands. What's more, the system inherited general Salesforce drawbacks:

• Complexity (there's a good chance that you'll need to hire someone to manage it);
• Hidden costs (third-party solutions from AppExchange may be awesome, but they cost money);
• Not too friendly UI.

For many SMBs, these factors are enough to start looking for Salesforce alternative.

Where to Seek Alternatives to Salesforce?

When seeking alternatives to Salesforce, you'll first have to decide what exactly you need – specifically CRM system or a comprehensive software to satisfy all your data management needs including CRM – like online databases.

CRM systems

At this point, everything is clear: you search for Salesforce alternative that is cheaper and simpler, right? Then you might want to take a look at these ten systems, which made it to my personal TOP:

• Base CRM (they have probably the coolest Android app);

• Highrise;

• Pipedrive (great for closing deals, poor for customer follow-up after the deal);

• Nimble;

• Insightly (integrated project management functionality is a huge plus);

• PipelineDeals;

• Nutshell;

• Capsule (arguably, one of the best CRMs for beginners);

• OnePageCRM;

• Really Simple Systems;

• Less Annoying CRM (nice name, huh? :);

• Stitch Labs.

Bottom line: these CRM software products all have couple things in common. First of all, affordability: they all have offerings under $25/user – even when you grow beyond a handful of users. Secondly, they obviously put MUCH effort in staying dead-simple to use.

Online databases

Before I get to online databases, I'd like to stress out one point that made me mention them in the post about Salesforce.com alternatives. If you are a startup or a small company you have to keep in mind that sales data is just one type of data you'll have to handle. Finance, marketing, legal, project management, and maybe even HR – you'll have to set this all up. You can't do it with Salesforce, which means you'll have to spend additional funds to buy corresponding software. Another option is to purchase the customizable software. And that's where online database steps in.

To make long story short, the custom online database is like Lego: you build precisely what you need of different software "blocks". Moreover, unlike Lego, you can shape the form of these blocks – add required or remove unnecessary functions. Thus, once taking some time to tune the system (if needed – with the Support assistance) you can develop not only a CRM alternative to Salesforce but accounting, estimation, project management and other apps. Generally, any other type of business software a small company may need.

And yeah, the vast majority of vendors offer the price per user per month from $5 to $20 with a minimum of three-five users to start. Here are several online database vendors you might want to consider if you have just realized that you'll need more than just CRM:

• Caspio is one of the leaders of the industry; probably that's why it's one of the most expensive as well;
• QuickBase is a bit complex, but good tool for team collaboration (or was a good tool?.. Little birdie told me that after Intuit had announced that it's selling QuickBase, many staff people are looking for another job);
• TeamDesk is minimalistic in design, but dead simple and at the same time surprisingly powerful and affordable one-stop shop for data management;
• TrackVia focuses on building quick, graphical apps;
• Zoho Creator lets you build advanced apps with scripting, but requires decent coding skills;

• Knack is a simple database builder for beginners.

The essence of online databases is that instead of spending thousands on multiple solutions for various tasks, they allow small businesses to invest in a single SaaS. This solution then lets companies build virtually any type of business software they may need, be it CRM, ERP, BPM, EAM, SCM, HR, or some other set of capital letters :). Thus, small companies save valuable time, money, and resources.

Pick Your Salesforce Alternative

Let me sum it up: you can replace Salesforce either with another cheaper and simpler CRM system or with a versatile tool like an online database that will deliver you more value beyond CRM. Both kinds of alternatives to Salesforce.com are more cost-effective. The choice is up to you to make!

Business Database Trends 2016 – What's Around the Corner?

The new year has begun, and this is a good time to look forward and try to see what the day to come is bearing for us. As since the area of my interests includes business data management, naturally, I'm focusing on business database trends that will intensify or emerge in 2016.

So here is my top of digital business trends in data management field.

1. Faster migration of business database to the cloud

Hosted databases have been around for years now (take TeamDesk, Zoho, Caspio, QuickBase, etc.), but for business moving a database to the Web still is more a trend than a conventional solution. Two major obstacles that halt transition process are the security concerns and cloud costs. Therefore, only 37% of U.S. small businesses have fully adopted cloud computing, according to Forbes. On the other hand, digital commerce trends demonstrate that cloud solutions will evidently become more secure, and the technology will be getting cheaper. Due to this, the number of businesses that will move their databases online is expected to reach 78% by 2020.

2. Shifting database for business to mobile

Moving to the Web will naturally trigger discovering new ways to access and work with data over smartphones and tablets. The reason for this is that today 80% of mobile devices owners use them to surf the Internet. And the role of mobile computing is increasing exponentially. And I bet that one of the most important trends in mobile - when it comes to databases – will be creating a reliable application that will function properly even when a network connection is unavailable.

3. Merging different database standards, e.g. SQL and NoSQL

Today's business environment is getting more and more data-heavy, and this data comes in a huge variety of forms that SQL is not always able to handle. Hybrid SQL-NoSQL database solutions combine the advantage of being compatible with many SQL applications and providing the scalability of NoSQL ones. Some steps to bridging SQL and NoSQL have already been made (NuoDB, Clustrix, VoltDB, etc.), but this is still the grey technology area where the biggest breakthroughs are yet to be made.

4. Managing, analyzing business sensors data in real time and converting it into 'Clean Data.'

Soon web-connected sensors will be inside all kinds of items around you. They will provide companies with all kinds of information about their customers, employees, and operations in real time. Furthermore, developers will be paying lots of attention to improving current and creating new ways of real-time data analysis to make better use of constantly incoming data (like Informatica does). From my point of view, the most likely outcome of these efforts will be transforming Big Data into Clear Data – the sorted data sets ready to be used like the out-of-the-box product.

5. Automated decision-making

Today data and analytics are just tools for decision-makers. But this will inevitably change in foreseeable future. It already is changing. The first step here was made quite some time ago with data-driven predictions and/or forecasting under specific conditions. My guess is that automated data-driven decision-making will be the next big step in database software for business development (check'em out: SAS, FICO, Scorto).

So to make the most of your online database software, keep an eye on the latest digital business trends we've marked out. The future may be much closer than you expect :)

Online Custom Database vs. Custom Developed Database

From time to time all throughout my professional activity I run into people who totally mess up web database terminology. One of the most glaring examples is confusing terms 'Online custom database' and 'Custom-developed database'. They are frequently labeled as synonyms that basically indicate the same thing.

Though, for outsiders, these terms may really sound pretty much similar to each other, as a matter of fact, they represent two diametrically opposite approaches to a custom database development.

The first one is applied when the matter concerns a hosted customizable database software, which can be modified by the USER at any moment. On the other hand, when a custom-developed database is the subject, it is usually said about the software that was built according to a client's specific requests but is supported and can be modified only by the VENDOR.

For better clarity in understanding the difference, here is the table comparing these two custom database solutions.

Custom Database Solutions

Online Custom Database	Custom Developed Database
Getting started
Start is fast. You can create a database from a scratch or just upload your existing spreadsheet. Moreover, professional support as IT consultants for new users is provided by most vendors. Some of them can even create a database for you for free.	Traditional approach when the client is separated from developers by formal methods of development is applied. Every modification of original design has to be discussed and approved. Thus, you have to wait until a vendor presents a ready product.
Functionality
You only use functionality necessary for the present moment. But at any moment you can modify the software in a real time, adding functions you need or removing the ones you don't require anymore.	The developer implements customers business processes according to your requirements. But any workflow change takes time to carry out, and the database may be not available during the upgrade.
Cost efficiency
The majority of hosted custom database providers have pretty straightforward pricing policy and don't charge extra for changes made within packages. That means you control all development costs.	The initial cost is usually higher, and additional expenses can happen when your requirements change.
Interface consistency
Vendors use standard intuitive elements to build your application’s interface. At the same time, they can be fine-tuned to satisfy a particular operator – by operator himself or by the vendor.	The interface is developed according to your given specifications.
Business process changes
In case your business process changes, you can easily adapt your database software to precisely fit your modified needs. Or you can address support for assistance, that is usually delivered in 24-48 hours.	To change workflow process, you must make a request to the developer and wait till it's applied. Changing process can last from couple days to several weeks or even months, depending on complexity.
System usage and support
Due to a high competition and client's ability to change vendors in no time, providers value their customers more. Because great help service makes more clients, support teams try to take care of all problems ASAP.	The customer depends on the developer greatly, because it's the vendor who holds the keys of your software. The developer resolves problems according to the type of support agreement. Extended support costs more.

Which Custom Database Software Do You Need?

Summing it up, I can say that customizable online database will fit your needs the best when you run unique business with ever-evolving workflow processes in agile markets and know that you're going to expand and scale your business periodically. In my honest opinion,

On the other hand, you should better use the custom-developed database when you know for sure that one ready-made database solution fits your needs right from the box. Then it will serve you for years without the need for major changes.

Personally, I prefer online database - it’s more flexible. If you decide to go with online database, I suggest you choose one of the following: QuickBase, TeamDesk, Caspio, or Zoho.

At the same time, as you can see, both solutions offer building custom database software tailored to your needs. But the devil is in the detail. So, know the difference – the right choice can save you lots of nerves and energy that you need to run your business.

Quickbase fails

Recently Quickbase customers experienced service outages repeatedly. It has been really an unexpected surprise for Quickbase users.

Recent outages brought QuickBase uptime for the past 90 days to as low as 95% level:



And even though they were assured the problem is temporary, the number of service failures exceeded acceptable limits. You can check out the retrospection of problems reviewing Intuit's Quickbase Fails Days After CEO Pledges Fix.

Quickbase official blog states the situation is unacceptable. As an apology Quickbase offers one month credit to all users, so you can check out their official letter to Quickbase customers HERE.

Anyway, this situation has brought QuickBase service reliability into a question, and many customers have lost their trust to this vendor for good. Even worse, some customers' databases are still broken, leaving them in a real frustration. That's why the competitors don't waste time and have already made their special migration offers to Quickbase customers.

So far, the following vendors offered their platform to be used as a reliable QuickBase alternative:

• Check out Caspio special migration offer HERE.
• TeamDesk special migration offer you can review HERE.

Vendors ready to help DabbleDB customers

As long as Dabble DB is out of the game now customers must be looking for other place to move their data.

It's not pleasant to discover one day the service you relied on let you down. But the good thing is some vendors are eager to help DabbleDB customers to make the transition faster and easier. Special offers make the process less painful.

So, lets check out vendors ready to help with their special offers.

Here I made the list of web based systems for moving the data:

Company	Offer
Caspio Bridge	Free 14-day trial Free first month of Value Package (regularly $39.95) Free migration consultation Free instructor-led training Free unlimited support 20% off custom development services
TeamDesk	Free automated migration using Dabble DB backup file Free Technical Support Free Trial
QuickBase	3 Free Months while you migrate your database applications 2 Free Hours of migration support and consulting
Zoho Creator	Free migration Unlimited Support

I wish all former DabbleDB users to make the right choice this time.

Keep in mind specifics of QuickBase form rules.

In Quickbase your forms can behave differently based on specific conditions. You set the condition and tell system what action (or actions) to perform.

Let's check how QuickBase funciotns. Each rule contains 2 parts: conditions and actions are to be done, when the condition is true.

QuickBase supports following variants of conditions:

• Field condition (for example, when the Status field is "completed.")


• When the record is opened/saved.


• When current user has definite role.

There is also a possibility to set multiple conditions in case the user needs to check several conditions.


Within the Action section, tell QuickBase what you want the program do when data in the form meets your condition(s).

Quickbase supports such variants of actions:

• change a field to a particular value or the value in another field


• hide/show a field or section


• make a field required or not required


• make a field read-only or editable


• display a message

You can combine multiple actions in one rule if needed.

In case you'd like to specify the peculiarities of the implementation you can check it here. There is also a real life example of the setup and one can see it here.

Conclusions:

Quickbase form rules work well and really allow implementing everything in a pretty simple way. There are some peculiarities though I'd like to specify.

Quickbase form rules run in a user's browser and within data-entry FORMS only, not in grid-edit. So, if you try to implement any business logic with its help, don't forget to turn off spreadsheet-like editing of the report.

Maybe it's just me, but the setup when two or more form rules show or hide the same element looks a bit complicated (you should combine them into one rule, using the Multiple Conditions selection).

In case you have different forms for different kinds of users be ready to create form rules in each form and support its consistancy as each form has its own set of rules.

Let's check the situation with some dynamics in forms. Can users count on it?

I am about to test the ability of web based systems to control column behavior depending on data in other columns. For example, such options as hide, show, mark as required or change column value when some condition on other columns are met.

So, lets find out the peculiarities of such functionality in Quickbase, Caspio, TeamDesk, DabbleDB, TrackVia and Zoho Creator. We'll try to look into the specifics of its implementation and if there is such possibility at all.

Update

Sabina Iseli-Otto from Dabble DB:

"Well, you get a short answer from us: we don't support dynamic column behaviour at all."

Update2

Matt Strenz from TrackVia:

"The ability to have dynamic data entry forms that will show different fields or options based off results in another is not something that is currently available in TrackVia but this is on our roadmap of enhancements to make in the future. We’ve done this at no cost to customers on a case-by-case basis for Website Forms."

Which web based databases have native client for iPhone?

Don't want to disappoint you, but most web based systems don't offer native client. They rely on iPhone almost full Safari version as web browser and that's it.

DabbleDB officially confirmed the system didn't have native app. Therefore this affects the possibility of working within the system through Safari web browser in their knowledge base.

Zoho Creator announced they had optimized web layout for iPhone and even created special mobile version.

I've also found indirect confirmation on TrackVia forum the system works on iPhone.

I guess Caspio, TeamDesk and WorkXpress are also available through web browser on iPhone and iPod touch.

Check out the good news now.

Recently Intuit guys have announced on their blog their partner MCF Technology Solutions presented new iPhone application in called PocketBase. Instead of accessing QuickBase via the iPhone’s web browser, MCF Tech has leveraged QuickBase’s API to present QuickBase applications with native iPhone functionality. Currently the application doesn't allow to add/remove records, you can view it only.

I think this is the step in the right direction, because working with such an app is far better than through browser. Anyway mobile devices have a way smaller screen and require other approaches to resolve this issue.

What do you think?

Update from Andrew Catton:

Dabble DB pages are optimized to work both with iphone and android (we think this is the right way to do it, as the pages interfaces are much better suited to a small mobile screen than the core app, and you're more likely to be quickly entering data or checking a pre-defined view in this scenario). More details here.

Calculator to compare prices of web based systems

Now you can compare prices and choose the solution easier.

Just with one clik the calculator I've added to the blog shows which web based system is more affordable for you.

Update:

Recently TeamDesk has changed their prices. The calculator is updated as well.

How does QuickBase make data available to largest possible audience?

With recent Caspio Bridge announcement of new SEO deployment method I wondered how many vendors out there catch up with that. Apparently, QuickBase has something to show us in this respect as well.

I asked QuickBase support if there was any chance to accomplish it in QuickBase and this was the answer Kirk Trachy provided me with:

"QuickBase customers have been managing their web content with QuickBase for years. In fact our website is littered with content that originates in a QuickBase database and is presented dynamically on our website via PHP SDK and our native QuickBase API. SEO is naturally built into the content as our web server renders dynamic pages. This is standard use of our free API and you can use any of our six SDKs to do it - free. You can use PHP, VB, Ruby, JAVA, C# and Pearl and if you want to do client side stuff you can use JavaScript."

The screenshot shows the look of QuickBase backend database:


The content is created and edited in QuickBase application. Then on Intuit servers the results are published on QuickBase web site using Quickbase SDKs and API:



Data is dynamic – including text, graphics and SEO. The benefit of managing web content in a database like QuickBase are many. Now contributing team members can update the content they are responsible for and updates to titles, text, graphics and tags including SEO keywords is immediate and without the delays and bottlenecks of waiting for the webmaster to make these changes.

Along with good news from QuickBase there are several moments you should take into account in case you consider QuickBase as back-end database for your web site. Even though the use of API is free, QuickBase's cheapest license costs more than Caspio: their minimal payment is $249/month $299/month. Note, in case you need more space for images or videos additional 100MB cost $100/month.

Update

QuickBase has recently changed their prices. Now minimal payment is $299/month with 1 Gig of file attachment space and unlimited applications. You can add additional gigs for just $25/month.

Calculating working time. Let’s sum up.

I’d like to sum up the results of testing in one place to make the picture of calculating working time capability more clear so users could see at once how good the system is solving this issue.

This is a brief description of what we’ve got trying to calculate future date or time duration within web based systems:

TeamDesk

TeamDesk almost completely managed to implement our task. The system’s only shortcoming was End Date calculation if working hours fluctuate every day. Nevertheless, it is the best result so far among the vendors pretending for a "no-coding" technique.

Caspio

Caspio Bridge’s capability of executing customer’s own code on server using SQL triggers opens wide horizons for implementing complex business logic in applications. The only problem is that you should be quite familiar with SQL in order to use it to the full extent. There also one more point that draws my attention: though I don’t know how data isolation is implemented in Caspio, but I think that possibility of running own code on server could present higher security risk of unauthorized data access.

TrackVia

TrackVia can perform complex calculation, but the system is not able to calculate End Date while accounting working days (not even talking about hours). The main problem is that the function weekdays is not designed for worldwide usage.

Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator proofed to be able to calculate End Date and Duration, correctly accounting working days and hours. I had no doubts in this tool even before starting our tests since "Deluge Script", which Zoho is based on, is actually nothing less than a programming language.

Dabble DB

Unfortunately, DabbleDB does not offer the ability to calculate duration for arbitrary "work hours".

PerfectForms

In PerfectForms behaviors are just another way of programming through flow charts. Besides, it’s more difficult to see complete app logic picture as each particular behavior distorts it. On the other hand "behavior" provides users with some flexibility so you can program business logic and calculations of the form.

QuickBase

As testing showed variable hours of operations and the weekends different from Saturday and Sunday can't be implemented with built-in QuickBase functionality. I think it’s possible in QuickBase, but only in case we always have 8 hours working day with Saturday and Sunday as weekends. To calculate working time and you will have to do some coding through one of six SDKs or HTTP XML API.

Taking into account all the peculiarities of calculating working time we can say it is not such an easy task for web based systems. If go programming way as Zoho Creator does the task is not that difficult, but it requires different skills. There is another option to implement through setup. In this case you should keep in mind that capabilities of these systems are pretty limited too. Of course, some of them can manage it better, this time TeamDesk proved to be the most advanced system calculating working time.