General > General Technical Chat
Electronic components/stash inventory system
elcrni:
hi all,
My name is Alek, i am new here. I am software developer by profession and long time electronics hobbyist.
So on to the point:
I own a small IT company for more than 18 years now and for years i've been wanting to make some online platform/inventory system, especially as my stash of components, tools and things grew and i was not able to keep track of anything any more.
I did a research and apart from a few very expensive online inventory systems, i did not find anything decent, easy to navigate or aesthetically acceptable. It has to be easy on the eyes!
So, i've finally put this into motion, basic idea has been worked out, most of the details as well and the team of developers has started the work. I've though now is the time to hear other opinions, thoughts and perhaps ideas, since we are at the start and a good opportunity to get comments and make the whole thing as good as possible.
Like me, most people will first ask about the price as that's a very important aspect, especially for something hobby related. Good and usable things are rarely free of charge so after a lot of math, we've come to a number that i think would be acceptable for both sides, the team that would be improving and servicing the platform, hosting and of course end user.
So the projected price would be USD $60-75 per year, paid yearly.
As for features and options, it would go as follows.
Platform would have OCTOPART API so adding new parts would automatically search Octopart library and get all the details for your part. Option to just insert a new part by hand/by typing values into every fields would be available as well. Custom fields will be available, so you could add new field for part description or whatever.
User would be able to sort parts by custom made groups, so you could just make a group RESISTORS, CAPACITORS... and than choose that group when adding new part. Once user access specific group, all the parts would be listed with option to export as CSV.
CSV bulk import will be available as well. Export of the whole inventory (by groups, categories or bulk) to CSV would be available at all times, even 14 days after user cancels subscription.
We are also thinking about labeling system, so once you insert the part, a label with basic data like NAME and VALUE will be created together with QR code. Then you simply print the label and stick it to the part storage or wherever.
For the first version, simple BOM option will be available as well, which would then get more advanced features later on.
Also, support for barcode scanners would be added so user can quick search, add, modify parts, quantities etc.
Now, my question would be, how interesting this is going to be to you guys?
Would there be anyone willing to be tester of the system and provide feedback on bugs or features? (with lifetime free access of course, as a way of compensation for testing the system)
Also, i am very aware of a number of other similar platforms that came and went away, so understandably many will ask how do we know this will last.
I am now into this and plan to keep it alive, even if just for internal use, but can't see it going away.
Also, trial period of 14 days would be available so no commitment to anything before user test the system.
Many thanks in advance,
Alek
H.O:
--- Quote ---Now, my question would be, how interesting this is going to be to you guys?
--- End quote ---
For me, personally, not at all I'm afraid.
Reason is simple, it's another online/cloud/whatever service that I'll have zero control over. Others may feel differently obviously and I wish you good luck with the project.
elcrni:
Thanks H.O.
Yes, thats a concern many people have, control over their data, and thats something thats not easy to guarantee or promise but rather earned by long term reputation.
The things is, i feel the same and at the same time, not sure that there is any mechanism to reassure potential users that all their data and hard work populating the database, would not be gone at some point without prior notice.
Apart from maybe making an app that could be run locally on a PC, Mac...
Thanks,
Alek
PlainName:
I'm interested and willing to pay for the right thing.
--- Quote ---So the projected price would be USD $60-75 per year, paid yearly.
--- End quote ---
But that kills it stone dead for me. I will not rent software, and particularly not something that holds the keys to my parts inventory. What if you get run over by a bus or I stumble upon hard(er) times? Sod that, I'd rather write it all down in a notebook - at least I know I'll be able to find anything if the worst happens.
I appreciate that you want an ongoing income stream. The way to do that is to sell more stuff I want. That could be a better version of your software, additional features or something different, but I ain't paying for the same thing over and over just so you can have a subsidised life and turn my life into never ending debt.
Two examples: Parts & Vendors (an Access-based version of what you're doing). The business closed down and the chap that wrote it sadly passed away a little while ago, but the thing still works and it's still my (perfectly usable) parts inventory. I paid quite a lot for the license but have never regretted it.
Living cookbook (a recipe and related functions database). The business closed down and the license server turned off. Lost all my recipes. I know of people that have lost 10,000 or so recipes because the software won't accept their license any more, and the slightest change to the PC causes an activation requirement (mine was caused by uninstalling Kaspersky). I used to like the program but regret every getting involved with it and judge it not just a waste of money but an active waste of time trying to remember all my recipes.
You probably gather I have strong views about this stuff :). Sure, a subscription is good for some people (businesses that don't want to own anything, for instance), but I think you're going to lose out on some people that want a solution they don't need to keep worrying about. Price per se isn't an issue as such - I once offered a developer the equivalent of 5 years subscription upfront for a non-subscription license, even though I would probably have stopped using it in that time. Potentially being left in the lurch is.
elcrni:
thanks dunkemhigh!
I certainly get your point and you are right but to some extent. I "rent" almost all the software i use, its not cheap, not so convenient and like all, i would like it to be free, but thats not how things work.
Now, if i am to offer "one time" cost for the thing, i cant price it at $5000 or even $2000 as no one would buy it, and if i offer it for $250, i am pretty sure the thing would go bust in 2 years as i would not be willing to pour in my own money into it, there are better ways.
"I appreciate that you want an ongoing income stream." somehow i doubt this would be an ongoing income stream, i already have a couple of ongoing income streams and they are all ongoing as a result of hard work, and i cant see this being just a quick coding task and then sit back and collect $$$
The idea for the cost here is to cover everything, if there is a leftover for me as an owner, thats nice, but no one sane would be spending money into something constantly and not even breaking even, that just makes now sense.
As for the part where i am being run over by a bus, you would still be able to view and export ALL of your work, your database etc, you would just not be able to add new parts, edit parts etc. Yes, i said you could do that for 14 days after license expired but nothing here is written in stone, hence this discussion as an attempt to find a better solution to what we have at the moment with other similar platforms and systems.
Sadly, there is no solution that fits everyone, even if it was truly amazing and free, someone would still find something to complain about :-)
"but I ain't paying for the same thing over and over just so you can have a subsidised life and turn my life into never ending debt." come on man, we're talking about one dinner out money A YEAR :-)
Thanks,
Alek
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version