jb-eye
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Posts posted by jb-eye
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6 hours ago, sixwheeledbeast said:
I agree it's no worse than loosing paper jobsheet printouts, but still in an age of data being digital the security industry need to set an example.
Just pointing out that a lot of people don't consider what is lost when engineers loose devices. It's depends on your policies and even then employees may not think that way.
They may take screenshots of jobsheets (intentionally or by accident) store customer/engineers codes, manuals and other media. Having an encrypted device is a catch all for any company data not just your database.
I asked some question today (I’m currently at home as a carer
). There is SFA by way of Data on the toughbooks. Everything by way of manuals is on the drive and Data is from our UDL. Of course that doesn’t stop irregular copy’s or pics albeit I don’t understand why anyone would. The PDA captures pics but again these are part of the job sheet retuned to customer records. CASH can produce forms (questions) which are as much use as paper document and involve manual input to serve any use. I was shot down for mentioning encryption as being an irrelevance, I was offered a lesson on what we encrypt and why. TBH it seems I am wasting everyone’s time.
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1 hour ago, sixwheeledbeast said:
It's muddying the water but it will still be on the device for a limited amount of time if the data is downloaded to the remote device, rather than parsing it remotely from a server.
Wouldn't be easily accessible but possibly recoverable from a missing device that wasn't encrypted.
Anything portable needs to be encrypted media IMO, too easy for it to go missing. Not to mention how bad it looks when you have ICO breathing on you when it's found and you didn't report it thinking there was nothing of importance to report.
Let start with the legal stuff:
What we do is compliant.
Now let’s go with the realms of probabilities:What we do isn’t likely to be breached.
Now let’s go with the very valid point you make:
It would be foolish to ignore any possibility, Our current system sends a job to a device. The Job contains very limited data. Job No., appointment, job type. The job info is pushed when the engineer accepts the job which would usually be in the morning and would therefore be on the PDA for the rest of the day until the job is returned (the risk period). The Data contained is the same as an engineer would have in paper format. No key holders, account info etc. IMO this is a safer option. Even a lost PDA only has current days unfinished jobs and then of course their is “periscope”.
Now my proposed system isn’t as secure BUT it is secure. The price of progress will hopefully not be too high.
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7 hours ago, james.wilson said:
As a side note the link between isnt direct, i wasnt brave enough. I use a combination of mysql (migrating to maria) and smb files. Totally keeping nothing on device, whilst the device has value outside of work, it wont have any work on it.
that is not the case for a lot of other systems
Id ask how do you know what the data share is public vs private vs proper ?
Q we asked back in the day. The comfort factor was there was far less risk to the written data we already used in fact there Is almost zero exposure as only the engineer can pull the job from the portal and nothing is left on the PDA once a job is complete.
However I have had to consider our exposure with our proposed system even controls with privileges the data will be live and accessible to an authorised user but not stored on the device in fact unlike our current system the data is accessible from any device with the correct authentication.
Funny enough as we’re talking data has anyone else been looking at Open Banking?
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39 minutes ago, MrHappy said:
Are their vans really big or are the engineers ebay power sellers ?
The way they work is all orders for a project are ordered against van stock, this would include everything even cherry pickers. Completely threw me but I eventually got my head around the system.
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5 hours ago, james.wilson said:
Ive done one that uses tablets linked to our DB, does the jobsheets (as pdf) uploads them to the db but need to be closed off by the office. Also tracks the tablets and stores location on job book on and book off. Automatically generates the time sheets. Has step by step guides on each mainstream task (this is an ongoing process) which gives menu access based on the panel type, dvr etc.
Still very much a work in progress but has become the training system and a comfort blanket. Has video guides as well but that is a bigger job for each one. Supports all our panels in use now.
Stores no data at all on device and communicates via open vpn with certificates.
Obviously the device can be locked out from the network if control lost etc.
I would have thought you would have opted for something like Pocket PC Creations and linked this back to your Dbase, all the maths, work flows etc are pretty easy albeit time consuming and it’s cheap.
Moving forward we have opted for PDA to be a user sorted via privileges.As an interesting side note I spoke with another CASH user (National) a couple of weeks back where he explained their ordering system is against van stock, he said it wouldn’t be uncommon for vans (cars) to have stock levels in access of £100k.
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8 minutes ago, MrHappy said:
gets the odd mention in
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FSNUK & https://www.facebook.com/groups/551971481621732
I'm probably in a similar spot,
I had a 40 something computer nerd in the other day for part time admin, I was think he'd probably do a better john than I tarting databases up ?
VERY few people understood the power of AM. Most purchased a posh diary insisting on using other product alongside. It is ineffective and wasteful.
I shouldn't look at the Facebook stuff as its soul destroying (bit like public on here). TBF does anyone make a living out of new intruder systems these days?
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4 hours ago, sixwheeledbeast said:
Your posting in it?
When you are "trade only" I believe you have to be added to each section/forum so you don't see the public side, maybe it's possible this one isn't in that list.
JW can probably check.
Makes sense. Obviously i found the topic via a link.
23 minutes ago, MrHappy said:ahh, I thought you where on about some AM / Cash database thingy not the CCTV product codes,
HIK code look like a helpful guide. ta
If i get the excel spread sheet i will forward it direct as its set up to simplify HIK parts direct to your DB.
Couple of pics (stock and calendar) of pending DB Most of the PDA will mimic what we already have. Why would i go for anything less:
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7 minutes ago, sixwheeledbeast said:
https://securitycamcenter.com/hikvision-naming-rules/
It's logical to have this sort of naming rule with products, I think a lot of manufacturers do you just don't realise/decode it.
Absoloutly! Unfortunately so many. in this industry are only interested in nailing the next bit of kit on the wall.
Can anyone tell me why I can't see this topic?
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9 hours ago, MrHappy said:
I genuinely don't know what the abbreviation HIK stands for
AM chugged away out of support for me, with little problems needing nothing more than a reset once in while, no known data loss/ problems
Google HIK product code explained, it saves me retyping.
I have requested an excel sheet to forward you which will import to AM simplifying cameras.
Where is the facebook page with AM users?
I've sorted many an issue with AM for others and feel sure all will agree that those issues were down to user knowledge rather than product. Why people insist on mashing things is beyond me.
Yesterday I spoke with an alarm Co that are moving to CASH where the overriding comment was that after 20 years they only learned to use AM in the last 2.. IMO opinion they haven't.
We have a fluent, comprehensive management system. It's outdated and is in need of an overhaul. I've look hard and in depth. I have found new ways of improving on what we have but nothing that does the whole system. My efforts to write my own have stalled. Mentor is a possibility but their PDA is a non starter.
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7 hours ago, MrHappy said:
can you dumb this down for me ?
I will get someone to write the HIK code explanation tomorrow. Why can’t I see this topic?
4 hours ago, PeterJames said:Bizarrely the phone ap is one of my favorite things about CASH.
You easily pleased? Don’t take my POV ask mentor, they fully understand the limitations of their PDA. Everything you mentioned is very basic and was always in AM. The PDA is the sole reason we haven’t gone CASH.
The other thing I find curious about AM is so many users continue to use the product without support, did the product stop falling over once support finished. Their latest issue is of course the final insult, Jan 22 integer stops user from entering jobs to diary. Not good.
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CASH was always a serious contender except for the PDA which is absolutely appalling. Worse is Mentor have no plans to fix that issue and therefore it’s a non starter.
I’m told all HIK codes are to a simple system. Messing about with part references will mess things up, Penny’s worth. Don’t buck the system.
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Jef, there is no need to try and trip people up, you just end up falling over.
I was just after advice, your AM issues didn't seem that big to me, you said they were a major issue so I questioned why you were happy with that. You then go on to replay that you never said they were major and I am using fixed issues to make your supplier look bad. God knows what you were on about, I'll just asume it was an off day.
I am always happy to work for a common goal, but I will also say when something is just not good enough. On this occasion I never said it wasn't good enough, I said the opposite, that it didn't seem like a major issue.
and I offered same:
No.1 stops YOU (as in not me) doing an SDP. IMO that's major as it rendered AM unusable for an entire week (as it took a week to fix).
Not trying to trip anyone up, just answered your Q.
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once again I'm failing to see your point, I thought I said something along the lines that I expected some issues to be highlighted, ongoing. I don't ever recal saying we had "major issues" never mentioned that issues identified effect what we do just advised not to upgrade as it would prevent others from xyz. You asked a q, I answered to the best of my knowledge, in truth I hesitated offering my knowledge concerned that you might use a problem solved as amunition against a supplier of ours that I'm quite satisfied with. I offered an exsplanation as to fact stuff doesn't actualy work out of the box in the real world and sited MS and Texecom. I went further and said i find this the norm in any WIP and would rather see the benefits and the resolution than wait for a final solution. I think WW1 is another good example. If I were to continue to wait for the perfect solution I may never get to know the product as the next version is already under development. Glass half full!Jef, take a Valium mate.
I know you recommended we didn't upgrade, when did I say otherwise? Still doesn't make sense why you didn't notice the SDP/items flaw for weeks, as busy as you are I assumed you would of needed to create at least one SDP.
Not sure what that has to do with anything but we run Windows server 2012, desktops run W7 and latest office.
I assume when I buy product it works, nothing more. Yesterday it was a major issue for you, today it isn't. At least I'm consistent.
I am still awaiting details of your out of the box solution. Perhaps it's not released after all this time because it's not quite perfected, in which case I will continue to use the best I can find until I can see the light.
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i recommended to you weeks ago DO NOT upgrade yet. And the same still applies because I still think their is more to fix and I don't think the benefits warrant this unless you need the latest fix and improvement.. A lot of people are quite happily working without upgrading, I'm just keen to get some newer features loaded. We will continue to test until we think it's ready.You could improvise, but that's a fair point. How did you only notice this last week, when you have been on 305 for ages?
How do they overlook stuff like that and why do you take it so well?
Take it well! Why wouldn't i? I have a working system and WIP doesn't effect me. If feature enhance what we do that's a bonus and we will embrace but only when the time is right. You sound like one of our guys who expects everything to work out of the box, he has a major strop with W8 because it's not compatible with 2003 server. Thinks everything is sheite. I live in the real world and my glass is half full.
Thought as a Texecom user you would be used to waiting for developments to work.
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No.1 stops you doing an SDP. IMO that's major as it rendered AM unusable for an entire week.See I agree those are not the end of the world and seem to be quickly fixed.
I just don't want major issues.
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We record everything in the day book, I can't recall if we can locate the supplier from the list or if it's just documented in the notes.
Jef, can you detail any outstanding issues with 305? I'm keen to upgrade before I decide if moving is the best idea or not.
By day Book I assume your referring to telephone log/ day book? pretty sure we don't record anything here as its self populating. Telephone calls, printed invoice, emails sent, engineer booked, accepted, arrived, job complete etc.
In regards to Outstanding issues this is not exhaustive rather on-going. Below are my issues from last week which are now confirmed as fixed. I feel quite sure I will have a new list by the end of the month which again I expect will be quickly fixed if not already. Remember these are issues with new versions effecting new and existing features. From the day I first installed AM had I understood its quirks I would have operated it differently, now I understand its logic we get along just fine and If I was you i wouldn't upgrade until its been run by others for some time.
if I wanted an easy option I would have used access and worked at 10% productivity
1) When adding an item there is no option to choose what the item is set as - e.g. access, alarm etc.
When the item is added the drop down appears as below but when you click ‘edit’ it then disappears again.
FIXED
2) When trying to add circuit readings the boxes are covered by a new box that didn’t previously appear and so can’t be entered as shown below.
FIXED
3) When you try to change the item sequence a drop down box from underneath appears above the sequence box:
FIXED
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obviously messed up on stock I have -17 fobs. which means we haven't raised a PO to ourselves, I know I have maybe 1000 in stock. Only posting these to assist others to gleam how AM works apologies to those already doing this. Note our parts reference are a download from the ADI DBase. And note how this part is added to the SDP. And code 99 means ungraded which allows this items use for any SDP.
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Most round here use winsimms by aca systems
used to keep an eye on that. not looked for a few years.
Some latest updates to AM:
1. Stock screen can now show item images, as it does in items
2. Supplier Invoice – check added for duplicate invoices (gives warning – does not prevent processing)
3. Sage Code Invoices and Credits now support Sage Projects (previously only Supplier Invoices)
4. Default Report Layout PCData moved to Calibri
5. Edit Contract re introduced block on none Alpha numeric Sage codes – certain codes caused issues with Sage 21
6. As Built excel now records when sent out and when processed on return (AS_BUILT_XLS table)
7. QuickFix30526; added code to populate Manufacturer table from items
8. Planner refresh times can now be set for individual machines, if set to zero the refresh is stopped.
9. As Built – added function to re sequence Zone/Panel – corrected screen layout.
10. PDA Stock added element to amaster.ini PDAFolder := ReadString('System','PDADocsFolder',OpenCal.docsdir) this can then be used to
send the PDA Docs directly to the MDS folder for sending to PDA. After initial run the correct path needs adding in place of the
OpenCal.docs path used to create the line.
11. PDA Stock button added to Stock screen (below new images) – save having to go to System Ref Data to update PDA tables.
12. Book Service – restructured form and tidied the TAB order
13. Book Job – caption for Budget Sub Con can now be edited using captions line 155
14. PDA – no of records in AsBuilt sent to PDA now set in system line 244 (Check before changing this as PDA project may still only support 50
items.
15. Custom Jobsheets and Invoice Prints replaced method for saving printer setting for multiple copies when printing batches.
16. Print Purchase Order – Update Stock Prices code added to only allow price changes for if user can review PO's and then and only if the
price is not protected in ITEM_RATE.
17. Changed Jobsheet field MILEAGE to be integer – was short integer so if anyone put the full vehicle mileage the process would crash.
18. Edit Contract – Camera Capture – images can now be marked as ‘SITE’ so these can be selected for use on reports.
19. Jobsheets cannot be closed with NC COMP (No Charge Complete) + other status when the user has no authority to raise invoices.
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Your right to be cautious although how much time do you waste being over cautious. LOL to looking forward to retirement. I tried it once and it didn't suit at all. Normally I have it easy enough unfortunately recently I'm having to do a proper job. This gives me a better in site to how some of you fellas manage. On site and doing the office from the van isn't IMO realistic for a balanced lifestyle.
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here here !!!!
I wonder how many are wondering/looking for the "best way". I would be happy to run things almost identically to everyone else if we were all gaining from it. There must be something around the corner surely!! You know a package that is so much clearly better than the others.
Our Db is Access based as is Clik, I think so much more can be done with access than we or Clik (or James Wilson and the other hundreds?.? of co's using homemade Databases) have done. I know Access is slagged off by some, but it seems to have the capabilities to do what I want. There is just nothing put together that does it all.
I know naff all about access or alternatives, but there must be a better product coming along soon enough!
Chris, you clearly live in a bubble. Nothing stands still, its growing or dying. access! Do MS still support this? As for round the corner, the AM Dbase I use today is not the same product we used 10 years ago and I trust it wont be the same in 10 years as it is today (leave it).
Your access have Tapi, Maps, Time sheets, budget tracking and cost, activity logs, stock, purchase orders. Like many your to close and make a crust by working hard, use your education and try working smart.
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I saw this:
We have the sign field populated by AM.
And then this:
We use one of the user fields for signature, so it is just populated with users name that is logged in at the time.
And thought I was going to learn something new until I saw this:
We don't sign them, we populate the signature field with the user details.
Using the preparedby fieldSurprised the GMP allows forms not signed they are really anal about this stuff. don't let them find out your not using their form.
I looked at Mas with Mathew and to although its a very clever bit of kit it misses some of the features we have and if it were to be included I don't have that budget. I'm all ears for anything that makes our small operation slicker.
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That's ******** Jeff. We rarely use tech support, but I don't rate AM compared to the alternatives I've seen. That has nothing to do with having ti merge our own documents, we have about 30. I don't think we ever used any of their 1980 4737 documents that are included.
There are lots of core things about the software I don't like.
They do lots of things we need to do with the stats etc. but they are so off the mark compared to other stuff that's out there.
Can I ask when you last looked around at the alternatives?
The last time I looked at an alternative was Mentor, which to me is supposed to be free which I don't think so. then of course I did ask you to keep me up to speed with your findings. there are lots of core stuff about everything I don't like so that's no different to me having a mix of alarm panels in one product.
You mentioned you use Signatures for AppF from log-on fields in AM. now me not being perfect I had another look and all I can do is bring in Name and Job Title. seems I may have to call customer support after all but I doubt they will have missed this gem you have found.
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you have to read between the lines. Those that think buy it and it will make a brew. Those that have every manufacture tech support on speed dial (and if your not sure who I'm referring to, if your on first name terms with tech support then your **** at your job).I dont think so. Its easy to do what Mr H wants AM to do, Im just a bit surprised that the "industry leading software" is making such a meal of it.
Im only making the point because of several other such topics which have cropped up here over the years about AMs functionality.
Those that think they could do it better. Those that never made a mistake ever.
I measure by what I get right not by what i get wrong. AM scores high for me but it was a big learning curve.
You still have me lost about populating a police word protected template in word. AM have our template and it works for us. Not so sure AM can claim by forwarding it out their that everyone else will be as happy as me. They will probably drive them mad because signatures aren't included.
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you lost me. Apendix F is a standard word document for the police. All the data is there it's just populating a police template provide to installers in word.I dont think anyone would buy payroll software which didnt provide basic output.
My point is that (programatically) its not difficult to provide a template which will deal with all the data in Appendix F, without having to mess about with mail merge into Word.
Cash for Windows
in Business Management Software
Posted
I have absolute confidence for reasons I shouldnt disclose. We do not store relevant info on devices. I appreciate your concern it prompted me to ask the q even though I felt pretty dumb by the response.