Having just set up another BB2.0 system, I am reminded that the following areas of development are going to smooth the process significantly:
1. An easier way to kill session data on-the-fly without having to log off and back on again.
2. A more fluid permission granting process which allows the admin user to log in as another user, experience their permission blocks and then simply add the required permissions as they arise.
3. A replacement forms engine which allows for more bespoke add/edit forms based on a user's profile.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
BlueBox2.0 Blue Sky Strategy
Part of this blogging process is to produce the space for 'blue sky' or creative startegy which will allow the team at BlueBox to 'sharpen the axe' - to quote a cliche.
This week I have applied my mind to what 'sharpening the axe' for BlueBox2.0 really means. What are the 'blunt edges' of our business that we pound out day after day, getting less and less effective as time goes on?
If we can identify just a few of these areas, and we then act upon those thoughts, we are sure to start a refining process that leads to business process optimisation.
So here are my top 5 'sharpening' wish-list items for BlueBox2.0:
1) Intuitive SQL Report writing:
A tool that will allow us to build sql statements visually, while also allowing for the creation of a filter for various elements of the query. The results will be tabular, but can easily be switched to widget/graphic mode.
2) Better GUI interface for tablulated data:
A neater way of tabulating data so that we can sort, filter, search, include columns, exclude columns, export, import, print, dump to pdf etc.
3) Better visibility for bbsettings
These settings are so critical to the running of BB2 systems, but very often the settings and the options they provide are hidden from view. It would be great to see what is available for any module as you view it.
4) A forms designer
A dragable form designer which allows us to layout the input/edit forms which are currently quite rigid in their layout. This engine would take into account required fields and allow different forms to be stored for each user group/business unit as required.
5) Updade the FCK Editor to the latest version.
6) A better PDF rendering engine
7) A better page-to-print feature
8) A 'print template' editor which makes designing the output/print view of modules easier.
This week I have applied my mind to what 'sharpening the axe' for BlueBox2.0 really means. What are the 'blunt edges' of our business that we pound out day after day, getting less and less effective as time goes on?
If we can identify just a few of these areas, and we then act upon those thoughts, we are sure to start a refining process that leads to business process optimisation.
So here are my top 5 'sharpening' wish-list items for BlueBox2.0:
1) Intuitive SQL Report writing:
A tool that will allow us to build sql statements visually, while also allowing for the creation of a filter for various elements of the query. The results will be tabular, but can easily be switched to widget/graphic mode.
2) Better GUI interface for tablulated data:
A neater way of tabulating data so that we can sort, filter, search, include columns, exclude columns, export, import, print, dump to pdf etc.
3) Better visibility for bbsettings
These settings are so critical to the running of BB2 systems, but very often the settings and the options they provide are hidden from view. It would be great to see what is available for any module as you view it.
4) A forms designer
A dragable form designer which allows us to layout the input/edit forms which are currently quite rigid in their layout. This engine would take into account required fields and allow different forms to be stored for each user group/business unit as required.
5) Updade the FCK Editor to the latest version.
6) A better PDF rendering engine
7) A better page-to-print feature
8) A 'print template' editor which makes designing the output/print view of modules easier.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
BlueBox South Africa Seminar 2011
The BlueBox 2011 Seminar has just concluded and it was great fun to have customers, partners and staff all under one roof for a great lunch and some lateral thinking.
We covered a bunch of topics, from Web Apps to Biometrics... and there was lots to chat about. Our new Quality Assurance Module attracted a bunch of attention too, specifically in the light of moving towards a Quality Control platform for manufacturing.
Videographer, Keith Farr from Crosspond, is busy preparing our 3 minute out-take as I write this, which we'll publish next week.
So... what made the biggest dent in everyone's psyche? Two things... firstly we were all blown away by Dan Pink's 'Drive' video, supported by amazing animation by RSA Animate. This is a total game changer for us... and really made everyone think differently about motivating creatives.
Secondly, from a technological point of view, seeing as one of our focus areas was Mobile Apps, we loved Mozilla Lab's 'Seabird' - a Community Driven Mobile Phone Concept.
We covered a bunch of topics, from Web Apps to Biometrics... and there was lots to chat about. Our new Quality Assurance Module attracted a bunch of attention too, specifically in the light of moving towards a Quality Control platform for manufacturing.
Videographer, Keith Farr from Crosspond, is busy preparing our 3 minute out-take as I write this, which we'll publish next week.
So... what made the biggest dent in everyone's psyche? Two things... firstly we were all blown away by Dan Pink's 'Drive' video, supported by amazing animation by RSA Animate. This is a total game changer for us... and really made everyone think differently about motivating creatives.
Secondly, from a technological point of view, seeing as one of our focus areas was Mobile Apps, we loved Mozilla Lab's 'Seabird' - a Community Driven Mobile Phone Concept.
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