I'm happy v5 has finally been released and "Workflow" is a very nice feature (I have a few thoughts as to make it easier for users to approve or deny entries I will cover that in a different post.). I'm a bit let down however, I was hoping for a few things that has been asked for and echoed throughout out the forum for a long time.
- WYSIWYG for creating PDF's or some way to create customized PDF's per form is a no brainier need. PDF's now are too bland and practically useless. (The workaround for custom HTML in the DB is too cumbersome.)
- We could really use a subtotal break down. Lots of our customers are frustrated trying to figure out a cost break down before submitting the form and also seeing it in there confirmation email. One of the best places to put this in my mind the "Review Page" before submission of the form so the user is clear on the totals and breakdowns. Something like this...
Or even a new field that will detect price and the number fields that are enabled as a quantity fields and display it on the form.
It would also be great for it to become a merge tag as well like {subtotal} that way it could be added in a custom email.
- I've had tons of requests from our customers and users to be able to preview the attached files before submitting the form. Let me break it down.
In our institution, we utilize the "Save my progress and resume later" feature. So for instance, one user starts the form and another completes it or it goes through multiple users that sign off on the information before submission. Most of the time there is uploaded files or pictures that are attached to the form, but once they are attached/uploaded to the form there is no way for the next user or any user to view them (See link below). At most, the user can remove the attachment which is very powerful and can be problematic for others that may accidentally remove it.
In our case, being able to see what is attached to the form before signing off or submitting is crucial. It appears that the uploaded files are in fact already on the server with an added .tmp extension and once it submitted the .tmp extension is removed.
- One other feature that is essential is to have "Master Tables" via drop-downs that are able to be inserted on multiple forms. For example, we have drop-downs (personnel, equipment, products, etc…) that are the same on 20 to 30 forms that have to be updated individually which is painstaking. The ability to add dropdowns from other forms that are shareable among all forms is huge.
“Save my progress and resume later" ability to put multiple email addresses in the text box. Possibility of selecting email addresses from a pre-populated drop-down box or check-boxes.
Adding Inline, Batch or Popup editing feature that is a part of the current Kendo IU Widget that's used with-in the Entry Grid Report?
This would AMAZINGLY useful to be able to make changes to data (based on the user’s rights) on the fly without having to painstakingly go though each entry one at a time. See link below.
http://demos.telerik.com/kendo-ui/grid/editing-inline
The trouble is, there are great competitors that already have these features and many many more. (doforms, frevvo, etc…) Forms are being used for all types of data now days from basic data gathering to sales orders and very advanced calculations with free form tables and the ability to edit data on real-time reports (with proper access rights). I’ve used MachForm since v2 and have loved it from the beginning, but I feel that if it doesn’t stay up with its competitors it will be left out.
I hope that these features can be added in the coming releases.
Thanks,
Aaron