The Desktop Dispatcher is the easy to use, affordable, dispatching software, for creating, printing, storing and tracking any kind of service call, appointment or customer list.
Products
Q: Which product and app combo is right for me?
Syncing
Q: How does the syncing of information work between TDD and iPhones or iPads in the field?
Q: Why can't I push work orders to devices in the field from TDD?
App
Q: If I have multiple techs in the field that need the app, do I have to purchase an app for each tech?
Q: Why does the app, sometimes, run slow?
Security
Q: Can I lock out a device that's been lost or stolen?
Q: Is the data being transmitted during syncing, secure?
Q: Can I keep my employees from unauthorized purchases on iTunes?
Pricing, Installation, and Instructions
Q: Do I get a CD with my purchase?
Q: Are there any ongoing charges to use the software?
Q: Why are there no printed instructions?
Custom Work
Q: Can we get a custom made program and app?
Q: How much does it cost to customize the software?
FileMaker Pro
Q: What is FileMaker Pro / why or when do I need it?
Products
Q: Which product and app combo is right for me?
A: To see specific features of each program, please refer to our website. We offer three products. TDD Lite, Reg and Pro. Each syncs with it's own app. TDD Lite syncs with iDispatcher Lite, TDD syncs with iDispatcher and TDD Pro syncs with iDispatcher Pro.
Syncing
Q: How does the syncing of information work between TDD and iPhones or iPads in the field?
A: Users can sync with TDD using WiFi or 3g signals. Once synced, a connection is no longer required. The tech, in the field, will have all the information they need, on the phone. Tip: Port forwarding through your router and firewall must be set up before you can sync. Basically, your computer sees an iPhone or iPad as just another computer trying to connect to your computer. For security reasons, you have to tell your computer it’s OK to allow the connection, (firewall) and then, your router tells the connection to connect to TDD. See our videos on the subject in the support section.
Q: Why can't I push work orders to devices in the field from TDD?
A: Syncing is initiated by the user in the field, with the app. Apple will not allow the pushing of the large amounts of data that TDD and the app sends and receives. If it did, it could cause an overage in your data plan. Tip: If you want to notify your tech of a new job, you can send a text msg by emailing the tech from TDD. For example, you can send a text msg. to an AT&T iPhone by emailing the number@txt.att.net
App
Q: If I have multiple techs in the field that need the app, do I have to purchase an app for each tech?
A: No. Tip: Apple licenses each purchase to work on up to 5 devices. If you are an individual acting in your personal capacity, you may download and sync an App Store Product for personal, noncommercial use on any iOS Device you own or control.” The full APP Store Product Usage Rules can be found at: http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/us/terms.html#APPS
Q: Why does the app, sometimes, run slow?
A: The app is a relational database, just like TDD. This means it uses key bits of information to populate fields on the screen. For example, the phone number is used to populate the address area and the part number is used to populate the description and price of an item. If you have multiple parts or addresses with the same part number or phone number, it confuses the app. Records with empty or missing information in these key fields are just as bad. Tip: Be sure to use unique part numbers and phone numbers. Do not create empty records or records that have missing part numbers, phone numbers or addresses.
Lastly, remember, the app is running on a mobile device, it's processing and memory are not what they are on your desktop. It takes time to render complicated screens and populate a record with multiple relationships from several related databases.
Security
Q: Can I lock out a device that's been lost or stolen?
A: Yes, all you have to do is replace one file, the plug-in, on the desktop version.
Q: Is the data being transmitted during syncing, secure?
A: Yes, it's encrypted by your carrier.
Q: Can I keep my employees from unauthorized purchases on iTunes?
A: Yes, in the settings of the device, you can lock out access to iTunes, YouTube and more.
Pricing, Installation, and Instructions
Q: Do I get a CD with my purchase?
A: No. The program is always a work in progress. We make changes so often, that by the time you need to reinstall, there will likely be a newer version. For this reason, we keep track of your purchase and provide free updates.
Q: Are there any ongoing charges to use the software?
A: No, we charge a one time, life time fee. Because you host the data on your own computer, there are no additional charges to use the software.
Q: How much to upgrade?
A: You only pay the current price difference between the version you have and the version you want.
Q: Why are there no printed instructions?
A: The software changes so often, it's hard for us to keep up with printed instructions. Instead, we try to make the software as easy to use as possible by using on screen tips and instructions all over the layouts. We also have a series of videos on our website, www.DesktopDispatcher.com
Custom Work
Q: Can we get a custom made program and app?
A: Yes, we can customize the software and recreate your existing work order, sales order, or survey.
Q: How much does it cost to customize the software?
A: It varies, depending on what you need. We discuss your needs, provide a written estimate for a one time development fee, and proceed with development once we receive a deposit. Custom built apps sold off iTunes, are charged $50.00 per device, per year.
FileMaker Pro
Q: What is FileMaker Pro / why or when do I need it?
A: FileMaker Pro is the software we use to create The Desktop Dispatcher (TDD). As a FileMaker developer, we are licensed to sell what's called a stand alone or runtime solution. It's just enough of FileMaker Pro for the program to do what it's supposed to do. So, if you want to network the software (multiple users at the same time) you will need a copy of FileMaker Pro for each computer using TDD.
If you want to change the way the layout looks on the screen or change field labels, you need at least one copy of FileMaker Pro. Tip: You can get a free 30 day trial version for free to make changes with. www.FileMaker.com
