Directing Print Jobs

One of the more common questions I hear is how to direct a report to specific printer. Or, even more common, questions about why a report or document always prints on one printer when the customer wants it to print somewhere else. Hopefully both questions are now addressed on the latest entry to the FAQ page on our customer support web site. The topic is called "How to print (or not) to a specific printer?".

Entering Notes Without A Keyboard

In the next release of ZonePro we're going to add a new feature called Notekeeper. The point of Notekeeper is to allow users to enter notes in any of the databases without having to use the keyboard. From any Notes tab on any database screen you'll be able to click on a Notekeeper icon to see a list of topics that you have defined in maintenance. Once you select a topic the text associated with that topic is automatically copied into the desired notes field. You'll also be able to indicate whether you want the date, time, and your initials copied as part of the note entry. This feature won't replace the flexibility of typing in notes manually but it will speed up the entry of routine note text. This feature will be of special interest to those who use tablet PC devices, ZP Remote, or those who just hate typing.

Dealing with Very Large Scripts

We recently discovered that there can be a size limitation on scripts within ZonePro. We have a customer who is using the Contractor Screen to track privilege licensing and as such needed to have a long script for the fee list. The script was entered in the Fixed Fee Screen in Maintenance. In this case the fee list script was over 200 lines. Guess what? It didn't work. But we discovered several ways to solve the problem. Basically, the solution is to store the bulk of the script in an external file and then the actual ZonePro script is small and is used to read in that external file. I've thought of at least three ways to do this. The external file could be a program file that the script executes; it could be an XML file the script reads in; or, the solution we chose in this instance, a database file that the script searches. We were even able to set up the script to make it easy for the customer to edit the external fee database and add new fees as needed. As I often say, there is usually more than just one way to get things done in ZonePro.

Unfit Buildings Custom Application

We just completed a custom application for a county in West Virginia that helps them track dilapidated and abandoned buildings. It functions similarly to the Violations Application but has fields specific to its task including a section that calculates the economic impact of an unfit building. If you have an idea for a custom application or would like to try to demo of one of the ones we've already created, let us know.

Really Easy Photo Resizing

I just came across a free tool offered by Microsoft that makes it really easy to resize groups of photos at once. One of the problems with digital photography and the new mega-pixel cameras is that by default they create really large photos which in turn are really large files. You can fill a hard drive in a hurry with photo files. But the thing is, you don't need giant sized photos unless you're planning to frame them. Smaller images use less space and are easier to view with the Photo Module. When you install the Microsoft Image Resizer tool it becomes a right-click option in My Computer. You can select a bunch of photos, right-click on them and choose to resize the images to something smaller. Make sure you use the Advanced option that resizes the original instead of making a copy. That way you won't disturb the links you have defined in the Photo Module. This tool only works with Windows XP. You can download the Image Resizer at this link: www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx.

Deposit Log Alternative

In the previous post I mentioned a new custom application we had created to track deposit balances. If you don't want to go that route you can still track deposit balances easily in the Building Module. I would suggest creating a permit type called "Deposit Log" for the Project database. Don't add any Fee Details or Inspection Details. Now, when ever you need to track a deposit you can create a new record in the Project Screen and select "Deposit Log" as your permit type. Leave the Permit Number and Date blank to keep this record from showing up in reports as a permit. Use the Permit Link option to link it to the actual permit record. Then use the Fee Detail screen to add debits and credits as needed. To add a debit you just enter a negative fee amount. ZonePro will maintain the running balance for you. You can print out your Deposit Log using the Fee Detail document option. (I've added this post to the Tips & Tricks page of our ZonePro web site as well.)

Deposit Log Custom Application

We recently created a new custom application for a customer that provides a database for tracking deposit balances. The idea is that for some building permits the client is required to deposit a large sum of money from which various debits are taken as the permit process progresses. To keep the auditors happy, my customer wanted a better way to track and report on these deposit balances in ZonePro. The custom application we created allows the user to link a new deposit log to any building permit and begin adding credits and debits to keep a running fee balance. You can print a list of all the items in the deposit log at any time from the document screen. A report screen is also available to show all of the deposit activity that has been recorded. As I have mentioned before, custom applications are a great way to add to your ZonePro installation. Let us know if you have an idea for a new custom application or would like to try out one of the ones we have already created.