I've been working on some software for Outlook and Windows Mobile devices for service call tracking for a while now and will soon be looking for additional beta testers for it.

It uses Outlook Calendar events for service call tracking.

Features include:
Start, Stop and Pause of a call.

Detailed logging

Notes including pre-fabbed solutions list

Inventory input (can use Socket Bluetooth barcode reader)

Autodialing of phone number of call

Google Maps lookup

Automatically pauses for phone calls.

Can automatically create a new service appointment from a phone call.

All data is synchronized through Exchange server (although wireless carrier's wireless sync clients should work too - but for multiple techs Exchange or SoftalkShare server would be required).

Basically, when you get to the call you select it from your list of stuff to do and hit 'Start' - the clock starts running and your wireless sync updates it back at your office so your dispatcher can see where you are and have been and for how long.

System Requirements for beta testers:
Outlook 2007
A Windows Mobile device with an Internet Package
Patience, fair communications skills and good suggestions.

Count me in, I have a Treo 800w and use Outlook 07. Sounds cool.

I'll get with you on this in the next couple of weeks. I'm currently switching it over to Outlook 2007 and haven't completed a User Installation package yet.

Kyotech - I sent you an installation CAB for your phone via the email address listed in your profile. Did you get it?

If anybody's interested in looking at this go to http://www.dpi.bz/ttinstall.htm on your Windows Mobile 5 or higher device and download and install it.

It does require a decent phone. It will work on the Treo 700wx but not really on the 700w (not enough memory).

I'm still working on the Desktop application.

I will try to piece together a user's manual for the phone side in the next few days.

An update is now posted at
TimeTrack for Windows Mobile

The prior version is set to expire 7/1/2009.

The current version has several updates.

This product is currently in Beta testing and is may be used freely by anyone who wishes to check it out.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Scotty,

Outlook 2003 Add In now available for Download

TimeTrack for Outlook 2003

This add in for Outlook 2003 decodes TimeTrack appointments so that you don't have to view them on your PDA to make sense of them.

This is very much in the early beta stages.

PLEASE PROVIDE FEEDBACK

Some Brief Instructions....

The easiest way to install the Windows Mobile application is to browse to www.dpi.bz/ttinstall.htm on your phone and click the link to open it.

The desktop application has a regular Windows Installer package.

TimeTrack uses Outlook Categories to distinguish what it should be looking at. Only calendar items and contacts including the category of 'Business' are shown.

When you create a new appointment from the desktop, Outlook will ask if it is a TimeTrack appointment. If you choose 'Yes', the TimeTrack appointment form will appear and the new appointment will be categorized as 'Business' automatically for you. Choosing 'No' displays the standard Outlook appointment form.

New TimeTrack appointments can also be created from the Phone. This should be done from the TimeTrack application itself. If TimeTrack is set to 'AutoCreate' mode it will ask if you wish to create an Appointment after a phone call using Caller ID information. If the caller is in your Contacts it will poplulate the address, name etc.

Contacts that are marked with the category 'Personal' will not ask to automatically create appointments. (This prevents TimeTrack from popping up asking if you want to make an appointment every time your wife or another tech calls etc.)

While TimeTrack is idle, you can view details of appointments by selecting them from the list on the 'Agenda' tab. The name will appear just below the Start/Running Time/Stop area and the Address (if available) will appear just below the name. Clicking on the name will dial the customer's phone number (if available) and clicking the address will display the address on Google Maps.

The 'Log' tab is not editable from TimeTrack. It displays running details for the event - start and stop times, pauses for other phone calls, etc.

The 'Notes' tab is just what it says.

The 'Items' tab is for parts - it supports an Item Number, Quantity and a charge flag (if parts are included in a contract leave this unchecked - unless it is not covered (like they took a letter opener to the fuser etc...)

The 'Type' tab (the name of this tab will eventually be user defined) has fields that are user defined and have the option of being required before stopping the call. We use these for Meter readings to make sure the techs get them and Serial numbers if the call is non-contract.

To start a TimeTrack appointment, simply select it from the list on the 'Agenda' tab and press the 'Start' button. The appointment status will be updated to 'In Progress and the clock will start running. About every 5 minutes the appointment is updated.

You may press 'Pause' or 'Stop' at any time. Pressing 'Stop' asks if you want to add notes. If you say 'Yes' the clock continues to run until you enter your notes. You can only 'Stop' by saying 'No' to adding notes. TimeTrack will ask if you wish to mark it as 'Completed' - this will remove the appointment from your Agenda list.

We use Exchange and all of our technician's calendars are shared with the dispatcher. She can view all of the calendars side by side and see exactly where we are and how long we've been there. She can also move an appointment from one tech to another just by dragging it. This is useful when Technician 'A' can't finish the job - either because they can't figure it out or they just don't have the part. Tech 'A' stops his event. She drags the event to Tech 'B' and he completes the call. All of Tech 'A's parts, notes and log move with the event.