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iAssist - GLM Seminar!

Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 September 2011 13:14

iAssist brings the power of the tablet to the GLM Seminar!

The need for detailed inventory reports to allow for dispute resolution and also to protect the integrity of a property through continual rental cycles is obvious - especially in the current context of mandatory deposit schemes. iAssist has been developed to address the needs of those who address that need – and that means it benefits those who use their services too. We employ members of staff that have worked in the Lettings industry and have made inventories and we felt it was high time that a more powerful and flexible solution was made available to meet the requirements of this important industry – one which would take full advantage of the most recent portable technology and allow for full business integration and division of labour – the kind of software that we would want to use.

Technology today is being brought to bear on existing problems very rapidly, as witnessed by the recent proliferation of Tablet Touch Screen technology throughout many professions. Within the property sector for instance, many energy performance assessors are using them, as are those who prepare floor plans. Tablets are the future for professional portable applications – they are actually very light weight and are designed for mobile working but they allow users to harness the greater storage, the higher processing power and better interfaces made possible through practical screen sizes - as compared to the rather more limited PDA technology.

In bringing the power of the Touch Screen Tablet to the market we have designed iAssist to be much more than simply a tool to eliminate unnecessary administration. For example, iAssist enables users to operate linked accounts. There are numerous significant implications to this - it will enable users to pick up and work on bookings that have been made by others, to view and email reports completed by others, to centralise the purchasing of credits, and to synchronise customisations and database settings – ideal for business or franchises that want to keep administration and control centralised and also for the clerk who frankly would rather be out doing inventories than spending time travelling to and from the office.

Moreover iAssist is an integrated suite of software - it comes with iAssist Business manager integrated, which allows you to manage your clients, invoices, accounts and process bookings – and seamlessly links bookings with report production. Some have suggested that we’re crazy to be including it as an additional benefit – it’s a software suite in its own right and licences could be retailed at four figure sums.

If this wasn’t enough iAssist also raises the standard of inventory reporting software in many other areas – we have integrated database and template customisation tools into the software to encourage personalisation and allow our users to bring their experience to bear. For instance, our users have the ability to not only select and apply preloaded descriptions and comments, filtered to be relevant to the particular item being described, but to instantly store any sentence they have used and associate it with an item for future selection - meaning that they are producing reports with much greater ease and consistency than ever before. This is also due in part to the unrivalled database devised with the aid of Letting Training Centre and our UK wide network of clients, which boosts consistency and accuracy.

At IT PROz we have considerable experience developing software solutions for the property industry and in helping property professionals improve their businesses through the intelligent use of technology. We’ve built a strong relationship with the Guild whilst working to ensure that our innovative inventory software complements Letting Training Centre’s “Inventories, Deposits & Disputes” course. Therefore we are particularly pleased to be exhibiting at this year’s GLM Seminar and it feels appropriate that we will be taking our newest and most exciting product yet – ‘iAssist’, to be showcased there. As this product is hot off the press and cutting edge, our presentation there will feel like an ‘unveiling’ for us and we’re very much looking forward to suprising all delegates and attendees.

As part of our association with the Guild and Letting Training Centre we will be distributing iAssist for FREE to all delegates at this year’s GLM Seminar with 10 FREE credits.

A word on our work with the wonderful Letting Training Centre, and on the GLM seminar - we believe that working together with this centre will help ensure that future clerks are well equipped to exploit the best technology available and make their businesses more cost effective. As regards the GLM seminar, - we would encourage all industry professionals to attend events such as the GLM seminar – its one of the best ways for all of us to keep our industry moving forward and ensure its future profitability for all. See you there!

 

IT PROz News Release

Last Updated on Friday, 24 September 2010 12:13

IT PROz ltd. in running for private rented sector Oscars.

London based software specialists IT PROz ltd. has been shortlisted for one national Landlord & Letting award.

The company has been shortlisted for the Software award(s).

The Landlord & Letting Awards are the premier nationwide private rented sector awards in the UK. Trophies will be presented by TV presenter, businessman and landlord Craig

Phillips, winner of the first ever Big Brother series, at a glamorous awards ceremony in Birmingham on Wednesday 17th November.

Amaad Qureshi- business development manager said: “It’s fantastic to be shortlisted for the awards and a testament to the professionalism; hard work and commitment of everyone at IT PROz ltd. Companies from across the UK enter these awards. My fingers are now crossed that we bring home a trophy!”

Oliver Romain, head Awards judge and editor of Landlord & Buy to Let magazine, the leading magazine for the residential letting sector, said: “The response to this year’s Awards was phenomenal and we received over 550 entries, so IT PROz ltd. has done brilliantly to get shortlisted. The private rented sector gets a tough time in the media, however, the vast majority of people have a positive experience and it’s great that we have the opportunity to recognise and reward the best in the industry”.

   

Smart Phones and PDA Inventory Systems

Last Updated on Saturday, 04 September 2010 20:26

PDA and smart / super phones (collectively referred to as Smart Phones) have come a long way since the advent of advanced and powerful phone technology for the iPhone, Android and Microsoft platforms. There is a phenomenal market for software developers with the availability of a multitude of applications for this market. The devices are mobile, powerful and deliver a wealth of solutions.

However it is important to analyse the smart phone’s appropriateness within the context of it’s environment and purpose.

For example would it be plausible to use a smart phone to produce and format a book. Yes, it is certainly possible; however you would probably agree that it’s not the most efficient tool for the job.

When considering smart phones within the context of property inventory software; a number of limitations become apparent. Because of the limitations, a number of key features have to be made less efficient or are simply impossible to implement on the phone. To put these limitations into perspective we need to reflect on an alternative which can deliver a better quality of service. We will use tablet technology in this case as the alternative.

The fundamental issues with smart phones are:

Screen Size: The screen sizes are small when compared with Tablet PC technology. Imagine you wanted to have a complete overview of a room, it’s furniture and the status of each item with photo’s. With a smart phone It’s simply not possible or requires a great deal of navigation, which loses it’s fitness for purpose because it’s no longer an overview. Inventory software processes have to be drawn out across multiple navigational clicks which in turns slows down the usage. Features like the overview have to be displayed with limited information and simply cannot compare to Tablet PCs. Power: The iPhone and Android platforms use lightweight mobile processors. They aren’t built to do intensive processing when compared to a tablet PC’s technology. The full richness, speed and power of Windows (or Apple) applications cannot be used on smart phone platforms.

Limitations caused by fundamental issues:

Report Generation:
Using your smart phone to prepare a report and generating a report preview on the smart phone is difficult and require much more time to implement. Imagine even a short inventory of 15 A4 pages; reviewing it on a smart phone would simply be impractical. You would have to generate it and email it to your PC. Furthermore the time taken to generate such a report on a PDA would be slow due to the processor power required to complete the operation. This limitation doesn’t impact Tablet PCs
System Backup:
Backup solutions for smart phones’ inventory applications are not supported unless you send your data to the application provider. In that case, how can you guarantee your data is safe?
Volatile:
This risk is as simple as dropping your phone in the toilet. How quickly can you recover your business? Any PC platform can be used with iAssist and all of your reports and diary can be synced back to your unit. You can also restore your system from any local backups made.
Interface Richness:
Windows and Apple platforms provide a wealth of interface gadgets and features. Not all of these gadgets and features can be adopted on smart phones because they are simply not practical, or are limited in their use.
Security:
Theft or loss can affect both Tablet PCs and Phones. The question is are you more likely to forget your phone or a Tablet PC?
Utilisation:
Operating your complete business and personal life from a phone can be a very difficult feat. Consider the following tasks 1. Book keeping / accounts 2. Invoice, refund, credit note and receipt production 3. General internet browsing 4. Writing messages on internet forums 5. Reviewing documents and Reports and 6. Word Document Processing. Some of these tasks are extremely difficult others are possible on a smart phone but when compared to using a Tablet PC all can be achieved simply and efficiently. Compatibility: Can you install your favourite software onto your smart phone platform. Lets take your favourite DVD or MP3 player with your numerous playlists. On smart phone platforms, DVD playback is likely to be impossible without doing some kind of file conversion. For MP3 related applications you would need to use their bespoke playing software. None of the detailed problems would be presented on the Tablet PC platform.
Accessibility:
Usage of smart phones can sometimes be tricky depending on the interface. Entering information by finger or pen can sometimes lead to misinterpretation by the operating system or pressing the incorrect key or button. Due to the size of the tablet screen it is easier to overcome these problems.
Printing
Smart phones do not have viable printing facilities for property inventory reports. On completion of a job, providing you have accessible printing facilities available (portable printers are smaller than your average Tablet PC) Tablet PCs can print your document, allowing you to review a paper version of the report or hand the report to your Landlord or Agent.
Storage
Due to limit space storage it's difficult to store high quality photographs, historical report data and in depth inventory dictionaries together on a smart phone. Even where this is possible in a limited capacity, the access speeds are much slower than your average Tablet PC. This can be a big "No" when it comes to performance comparison. Would you honestly want to choose the slower solution?

The problems associated with Tablet PCs
Cost:
In the past, Tablet PCs have been expensive. However Tablet PCs are now cheaper than ever – with the android smart phone costing between £200 and £600 against the Tablet PC which cost from £340 - prices can be very comparable when selecting an appropriate Tablet PC unit.
Weight:
In the past Tablet PCs have exceeding 1.5 KG. However Tablet PCs can now weigh in as little as 300 grams.
Portability:
Tablet PCs come in a range of sizes, some comparable to laptop sizes and some much smaller. The Archos 9 tablet is approximately 20cm by 11cm, which is tiny when compared to your traditional laptop size but more appropriate for the job when compared to all, if not 99.999%, of smart phones available for Property Inventory Software. So which provides the best platform for your inventory business? Tablet PCs are leading this battle at the moment and for the foreseeable future.
   

iAssist Product Review

Last Updated on Tuesday, 31 August 2010 19:42

September 2010 - iAssist Product Review

iAssist Property Inventory Software - Innovation in Inventories

In this document PC, Tablet, Tablet PC, Laptop are used interchangeable as a PC Platform.

The changing dynamics of the property market requires lettings agents, clerks and landlords to keep their focus on the ball. Maintaining a qualitative service and competitive edge is of the up most importance as well keeping costs down.

The past decade has shown the Inventory niche explode into a lucrative industry because of the Tenant Deposit Scheme aimed at protecting the Tenants.

Accurate reports in concise formats with a higher level of quality and detail are needed. On top of this Inventory Clerks are expected to deliver the reports at a quicker turnaround.

Now is the time to make the transition from manual, audio and PDA based systems to tablet, and laptop based solutions. None of the others can really compete with the power of the PC platforms. With the latest technology on tablet PCs weighing less than half a kilogram the property inventory software applications of today deliver great performance. Screen sizes are larger, the software is faster and the data is centralised on your PC.

This article key focus is on iAssist.

ADVANTAGES

iAssist is a Property Inventory Software website platform which has been develop with the expert in the property inventory market using the most streamlined process for completing an inventory ensuring that anyone completing inventories can increase productivity while maintaining quality.

FREE SOFTWARE

iAssist is FREE - it comes with a FREE invoice, client and property manager. Is that all? No, it also comes with a FREE book keeping tool. Anything else? It also has a FREE diary tool. WOW, essentially iAssist is a one stop shop (mind you - a FREE shop) for inventory clerks or anyone wanting to do inventories. However, the only cost to the users are on a 'report production basis' and these are highly competitive and I'd like to say even cheaper than costs charged by property inventory software on PDAs. FREE Property Inventory Software.

INCREASING SPEED WITH TEMPLATES

Imagine entering a property and knowing certain details before even entering that property. It has 4 bedrooms, semi detached with modern decor and furnishings - iAssist can automatically generate a property with modern decor, furnishings and bathroom, bedrooms, kitchen, etc even before you've entered the property. What's that? You want to customise these templates... Well iAssist comes with a library of templates to speed things up, but of course they're all customisable.

EASY TO USE AND INTUITIVE

The human eye picks up and recognises colours and images faster than text. The user interface has been designed to be intuitive to the eye as a result every item in the library (e.g. handle, toilet, lock, etc) has an icon with specific colours to represent them.

REPORTS

The report shows as much relevant info per screen as necessary so that you don't have to jump from one step to the next - as is common in PDA based software. PDAs have a lack of screen space which limits the information they can provide the user with. Through streamlining the inventory process, clerks can complete inventories up to 50% faster when compared to manual inventory services. Once an inventory is completed, any follow on jobs on that property can be completed 50% faster than the initial job carried out.

UNIQUE CUSTOMISABLE REPORT TEMPLATES

iAssist has the newest report standard and sets the new benchmark for inventory reports. It has eliminated the need for appendices, with a row of photo's shown and referenced coherently beside each photo. Reading the report doesn't require page turning any more it's simply clearer and insightful. The report is customisable; allowing you to control branding, colour, font and textual decoration. You can control or customise your disclaimer, license, and terms & conditions agreements and enable and disable certain aspects like key information according to your template specification. With iAssist you have full control over the software.

CONTROL YOUR OWN DATA

One of the problems with other property inventory software providers is that the user doesn't have control over the inventory data. iAssist saves all your data on your PC, so you are 100% in control. Be in control!

TEAM BASED AND POWERFUL WEB PORTAL

iAssist has been designed for inventory groups, allowing multiple tablet pcs to operate under a single iAssist account. This allows groups to share various reports with controlled allocated to the account manager.

CONCLUSION

iAssist is simply cutting edge and if nothing else go to their website www.iassist-online.co.uk and try it out - after all it's free software. iAssist is designed to streamline your business assist you in performance and productivity. Lastly, iAssist is user driven, the web portal has a development section which allows you to suggest and vote for iAssist updates. The software is developed with the user in mind and user consultation. So take advantage of this new innovative FREE software.

   

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News Flash

iAssist - 03/12/2010

iAssist is now available for use please go to www.iassist-online.co.uk to download the product.

Read more about The Property Inventory Software or go to the iAssist Property Inventory Website.

Why are PDA or Smart Phone limited?

 

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