Visual Pricing™ is a generic application framework that can take many forms. This article deals with the USB flash drive version of our estimating system. The drawing interface resides on any number of remote sites, accessing data on a server through an internet connection for data and software updates. No internet browser or other middleware is needed, and nothing is written to the host PC or laptop computer.
Visual Pricing can be run on a finger-sized portable USB device called a "flash drive." Flash drives work exactly like the hard disk drive on a PC or laptop. A flash drive will fit on your keychain. It is about the size of a lipstick or a penknife. A flash drive plugs into the USB port, the little rectangular socket now seen in the front of new PCs and laptops. Visual Pricing, installed on a flash drive, will run when the flash drive is connected by plugging it into the USB port.
This allows users to take the USB flash drive estimator with them wherever they go, and plug it into any PC or laptop, and have Visual Pricing at their fingertips.
When deployed on USB drives the ViPr system does not interfere with the PC or laptop in any way. The OS treats it like another hard drive, and it is entirely self-contained. Upgrading and maintaining the Flash Drive Estimator is done by clicking the "Web connection" control. ViPr connects to its server account and downloads data and software updates. ViPr reminds users to do this at least once a month to keep pricing data up to date.
Making the online connection does not use the PC or laptop to store any files from the internet. The USB flashdrive estimator only uses the computer's online connection to transfer files directly to and from the USB drive where ViPr is installed.
Visual Pricing™ flash drive estimator provides a full, working version of ViPr at the Point of Sale, letting your customers price your work from scale drawings exactly as you specify.
As an example, in some configurations Visual Pricing flash drive estimator is being offered on subscription basis at $50. per drive, per month. A Server Account is required ($99./mo) to support up to five of these units. This includes data configuration (up to two different product lines) and staff training (up to three people). Other restrictions may apply, pricing subject to change without notice. See our fee schedule page.
The author had been a solid surface fabricator in the 1980's, and went into the software business in 1992 with the first pricing system to price directly from drawings, Countertop Fabricator™, later known as CostPoint™. This program is still in use in many shops across the country. Visual Pricing™ 2.0, built on the earlier technology, is now available. Call (802) 368 2809 for Evaluation copy
Copyright 2004 Peter Barus all rights reserved