I don't know if Im missing something, but the layout is beyond confusing, Im still not sure I have the database setup correctly, it is dog slow when I have a part model on the screen, & I still have not figured out how to tell PCDMIS how to access the database. Im trying to make Dataview style reports out of it, but Im finding it next to impossible to do. Why they did away with the File...Edit...View...toolbar at the top, I dont know.
I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself, my name is Ping Fang and I am the Product Manager for DataPage+/DataView+. In addition, I would like to address your concerns and maybe shed some light on some of your questions.
First, I understand your frustrations with the new user interface. Going from legacy DataPage/DataView to the DataSuitePlus is not easy just like you go from PC-DMIS v3x to v4x. In this case, we had to rewrite the software completely since legacy DataSuite was created back in the early 90s. We wanted to address 2 major issues with the v4.0 release. One is the OS support, as some of you have indicated that legacy DataSuite is not functional is Windows Vista or Windows 7. Secondly, most of the companies have global presence now so we must have a way to allow users to switch languages just like PC-DMIS. Lastly, we tried to improve some major issues expressed from the user base; such as database locking up, no ability to customized the reports, no able to rotate CAD or solid models, and etc.
Overall, I think we had done a good job on addressing these issues. This is not saying that we did not miss some functionality that you use on the daily basis. We are addressing that as well with the v4.1 release. If we take an objective view of the entire product, I think the new platform is better. It has more flexibility than the legacy product and it has tools that legacy product do not have.
Regarding to setting up the SQL database, I would strongly encourage you to reach out to our Technical Support group and/or your IT personnel for support. SQL is designed for a true multi-user environment so you will not have lockup issues going forward. Unfortunately, most of us are not SQL experts so setting up the initial database is not simple since it's very system dependent base on your network and permission settings. Hence, your IT support is crucial with the initial setup. The good news is this is an one time process then you don't need to worry about this going forward.
Finally, if you have specific questions please reach out to our Technical Support group for help and any inputs you have to improve the product are welcome always. By working together, we can make this product better each release. By the way, you can use legacy DP and DP+ simultaneously which will not effect your daily process. This was designed to ease your transition with the product provided you are still running XP.
Regards,
Ping Fang Global Product Manager - Web Reporting Wilcox Associates
No attempt was made to at least TRY to make it "familiar"? Why make something harder than necessary? You knew what you had made was not going to be easy, yet all the advertising touts the 'ease of use' and no attempt was made to make it easy? Coding is coding, your coding makes it look the way it does, makes the interface the way it is, so what if it is "new" coding? Was it impossible to make look like it did? Impossible to put the same things in the same menu areas? Impossilbe to make it "easy"? Oh, wait, the NEXT release will make it 'easy', well, easier, at least a little, then the one after that, well, Oh Boy will it be better..... WHAT?
The platitudes and the "wait until next time', especially when you already KNOW that what you've made will be hard for ALL the people who have to use it is unacceptable. YOU work for US since WE are the ones paying the SMA money so YOU can get a paycheck, and yet you give us something "not user friendly" and you know it when you give it to us.
I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself, my name is Ping Fang and I am the Product Manager for DataPage+/DataView+. In addition, I would like to address your concerns and maybe shed some light on some of your questions.
First, I understand your frustrations with the new user interface. Going from legacy DataPage/DataView to the DataSuitePlus is not easy just like you go from PC-DMIS v3x to v4x. In this case, we had to rewrite the software completely since legacy DataSuite was created back in the early 90s. We wanted to address 2 major issues with the v4.0 release. One is the OS support, as some of you have indicated that legacy DataSuite is not functional is Windows Vista or Windows 7. Secondly, most of the companies have global presence now so we must have a way to allow users to switch languages just like PC-DMIS. Lastly, we tried to improve some major issues expressed from the user base; such as database locking up, no ability to customized the reports, no able to rotate CAD or solid models, and etc.
Overall, I think we had done a good job on addressing these issues. This is not saying that we did not miss some functionality that you use on the daily basis. We are addressing that as well with the v4.1 release. If we take an objective view of the entire product, I think the new platform is better. It has more flexibility than the legacy product and it has tools that legacy product do not have.
Regarding to setting up the SQL database, I would strongly encourage you to reach out to our Technical Support group and/or your IT personnel for support. SQL is designed for a true multi-user environment so you will not have lockup issues going forward. Unfortunately, most of us are not SQL experts so setting up the initial database is not simple since it's very system dependent base on your network and permission settings. Hence, your IT support is crucial with the initial setup. The good news is this is an one time process then you don't need to worry about this going forward.
Finally, if you have specific questions please reach out to our Technical Support group for help and any inputs you have to improve the product are welcome always. By working together, we can make this product better each release. By the way, you can use legacy DP and DP+ simultaneously which will not effect your daily process. This was designed to ease your transition with the product provided you are still running XP.
Regards,
Ping Fang Global Product Manager - Web Reporting Wilcox Associates
No attempt was made to at least TRY to make it "familiar"? Why make something harder than necessary? You knew what you had made was not going to be easy, yet all the advertising touts the 'ease of use' and no attempt was made to make it easy? Coding is coding, your coding makes it look the way it does, makes the interface the way it is, so what if it is "new" coding? Was it impossible to make look like it did? Impossible to put the same things in the same menu areas? Impossilbe to make it "easy"? Oh, wait, the NEXT release will make it 'easy', well, easier, at least a little, then the one after that, well, Oh Boy will it be better..... WHAT?
The platitudes and the "wait until next time', especially when you already KNOW that what you've made will be hard for ALL the people who have to use it is unacceptable. YOU work for US since WE are the ones paying the SMA money so YOU can get a paycheck, and yet you give us something "not user friendly" and you know it when you give it to us.
