What should be in the SOFTWARE

Okay, maybe I can participate in here in another way... then again, maybe not.

As jumpers, DZOs, DZ people, manifesters, etc...

I'd sure like to get this dicussion going, if anyone is willing!

The software Skydive Dallas uses is pretty good... 1. With a rolling clock for 'Call' times for loads on monitors throughout the DZ.

2. Excellent reporting for jumpers - I can request a parameter query report by weeknd, month, etc. to review my jumps to make sure I've logged them all, how much I have on account, etc. It would be a benefit to both the jumpers and the DZ if those queries could be done via web access instead of bothering the manifest folks or even email you your manifest report in .rtf from the previous weekend.

3. It has a reserve repack cycle inquiry where if I haven't jumped there in awhile... it automatically queues manifest to ask for my reserve data card.

4. One great marketing tool it could have would be; when someone calls to make an inquiry about skydiving or tandems etc... THe person taking the call could input that prospects email address... the application would send reminders to them about their inquiry and after they made a jump, autogenerate a thank you email frmo the DZ along with any 'Come Back' Promos, i.e., 'Congrats on doing your tandem!!! IF you call and sign up by 'X' date, you're first jump course to become a skydiver is 'Y' dollars off. Or YOur next Tandem by 'X' date is only $99.00

Something that helps with team manifesting.

I like to have the software export to a local TV network and show the load coming up, who is on it, and how much time till it leaves the gate, shows the current and next load. Easy manifesting for team instead of individual names I would rather it say 'Team'(4) or 'Team'(5) ( substitute 'Team' with team name, 4,5 depending on if there is camera or not), When manifesting the entire cost should go to the Team account, let the team figure out how much everyone should pay.

Skydive Deland has a great system, whatever they use I am very impressed.

Some people just use a Excel spreadsheet, not as effective.

Skywriter and JumpRun, based on my personal experience using both, each have separate advantages and disadvantages, but they essentially perform the same functions, and anyone using either can set up teams this way.

Teams are big at some DZs and non-existant in others. Team Builder manages teams slicker 'n snot on a glass door knob. You can create temporary teams or permanent teams. Permanent teams can have an 'account' or not as the user selects. If they have an account, all jumps are book to the team account. This is in 2.0. In 3.0 you have the same functionality, but it goes a step further. If they have an account, you can also designate to have the jumps booked to the team (money), each jumper's log reflects the jump, you can set up the account to charge each team member OR you can set up the system to ASK the manifestor at time of booking if the charge is to be set to the team account OR to each jumper on the team. Also, 3.0 uses 'additional services'. Like video. When booking a team with an additional service, you are prompted to apply the additional service charge to ALL team members, or to split up the charge to each team member, depending on the service. Team Builder has a dedicated screen to show you all your teams and the members on each team with stats. Team accounts are accessed like any other account, and from the account screen you can also display the list of team members.

Does this help?

See response to Shane above for SKyView reveiw - would appreciate your feedback.

As for team manifesting, I've wrestled with this. I'm going the way of each individual name. On the manifest, however, there is a second line (optional display-user configures) that allows you to see the team name under each jumpers name if they were booked from a team. As for team accounting, see above.

Thanks Jonathan, great ideas!

Dallas uses SKyWriter.

The rolling clock for on call times is a good idea. SKyView shows (if configured by the user that way) the on call status. as for throughout the DZ, that's up the DZ budget. I think Dalls is using a BETA version of SKyView.

I agree. The whole WEB thing is out there waiting to happen. I wish I knew a web developer to team up with.

I've included a note at time of manifest option allowing a note to appear on the screen when the jumper books. The system also has warnings at time of manifest if the reserve is out of date.

SKyWriter 2.0 is admittedly lacking in prospects. The new functionality hopefully covers this. I'd be very interested in starting a dialog on prospects with people here. I wrote a custom routine for Sebastian that includes a pic of the tandem and let's them generated follow ups, but I'd love to include something in the new version.

Jump Run is a great system from what I've heard. SQL server is fast and reliable.

Yup!

Thanks, RL!

Yeah, but some programs use comma to separate entries, outlook uses semicolon I think. It could work though. Has to be in a format most users can copy and paste I think.

It can open up a can of security issues though. But some simple queries shouldn't be difficult. I'm not sure about setting up a windows web server and interfacing with access. Like I said, I'm a LAMP kinda guy. But I know people are doing all that with windows. If you need a contact of someone who *really* knows the ins/outs of windows database/webserver admin... holler

Outlook Express uses both semi colons and commas. I am not sure about full Outlook, I find it too annoying to use.

Agreed. I've gone so far as to check each em-addy for at *least* the char

but MAYBE I should allow the DZ to input the separator, huh? Thanks for the reply!