Desktop applications - Background
The applications comprising the total system include both web- and desktop-based installations.
Web-based
QwikTeam and QwikDesk are web-based and you use a web browser to work with them.
They send requests to an Internet Service Provider (ISP)- or locally-hosted server installation. The server installation is typically called the server side. That server may be a computer on your company's internal LAN (local area network), or it may be through a remote host - an ISP - like GoDaddy.com.
Desktop apps
For the most part, you use a browser to interact with QwikTeam and QwikDesk.
However, to provide a complete solution to your organization requirements, there are certain functions you that run as applications directly from your computer. These are often called client side apps and they will reside and run specifically on your computer. Particularly:
1. QSync Synchronization: QSync is downloaded and installed on your computer and is used to automaticlly synchronize designated emails and appointments from your personal Outlook folders into the central, online database.
Typically, even though QwikTeam has built-in emailing, it's convenient to continue to use your desktop Outlook installation for emailing and appointment management.
QSync will read your Outlook emails and appointments and send and sync selected ones to the online QwikTeam database.
You can use both Outlook and QwikTeam/QwikDesk for your email needs.
Once installed and set up, QSync runs in the background on your computer. You likely won't need to do anything further.
For more information, click here.
2. QReport Report Designer - Custom Reports: Used to create custom report designs on your desktop, and store those designs on the central server for access through your browser.
This is provided by the desktop Report Designer, QReport. Report design is not an easy task, so it's best carried out by people experienced with design tools like Crystal Reports.
The custom report designs are created using the client-side, desktop application, QReport, then uploaded to the central database and run through the Reports module. They can then be set to run privately by you only, or publicly by other registered users.
Alternative: Query Builder online ad hoc reporting
For most purposes, it's not necessary to go to all the trouble of using the offline, desktop-based report designer since the online system includes the module, Query Builder.
Using QReport is much mor complex than using Query Builder, since QReport involves working with objects in a design workspace as well as linking them to various data sources.
Query Builder provides extensive, ad-hoc, online reporting and analytical functionality. Hundreds of different analyses and reports can be prepared quickly to meet most information demands. For most purposes, Query Builder will provide the information you need, quickly and efficiently.
The difference between Custom Reports and Query Builder is that Custom Reports are typically strongly formatted, with headings, bold/non-bold, positioning and many other characteristics typical of fixed-style reports where Query Builder reports are typically column/row structures, similar to familiar spreadsheets.
Also, many modules that provide list views have basic query functions built in so that you can quickly do basic analysis and printing.
3. QImport Import Manager: Using QImport, you can easily import contacts, notes and other information in one of several available formats.
Synchronizing emails and appointments
By installing the synchronization manager, QSync, and specifying certain of your own email addresses, you can automatically synchronize your Inbox and Sent items folders and appointments in Outlook with the central database.
Installation of the synchronization manager can be found here. Using a single Outlook installation on one computer in your company and syncing everyone is discussed here.
Please note: Synchronization does not support Outlook Express. You must be running Outlook to use the sync manager.
Additionally, QSync can be set to gather emails from any email server, like GMail, Yahoo mail and others.
For complete information on using Q Sync, click here.
Synchronization starts when you start your computer, although you can also start it by selecting Start > Programs > Dalco > QApps > QSync Outlook sync. You can stop synchronization by restoring the app from the system tray, and clicking [Close].
Client-side Report Designer - click here for more information
The client-side report designer QReport will be familiar to those who have experience with Crystal Reports or other contemporary report designers.
Reports can be designed and tested on your desktop computer, then uploaded to the server for access at any time, from anywhere, by you and others.
A special remote database is provided for design and testing purposes. Access to the actual central database is not permitted until the report has been uploaded to the server computer.
For more information on importing, click here.