The next generation of WinTOTAL
Just like every other previous version of WinTOTAL, we begin work on it while we continue to improve the current version in parallel. Aurora will continue to be our focus even as we work on the Armstrong.
What's going to be so great about the new version, codenamed Armstrong?
First and foremost, it's a complete, 100% ground up rewrite. Not a single line of old code is being used. The analogy of a house is a good one. You can upgrade, add on and remodel your house, but the underlying foundation doesn't change. And it's the foundation that makes everything else you do possible...or not possible. So in the case of Armstrong, we bought the lot next door and have laid a new foundation for a completely new house.
Programming in C#
Pronounced C Sharp, C# is the latest in cutting edge programming technology. And there are several very real reasons you'll be glad we're writing Armstrong in C#.
In plain English, there are two important things that make C# a fantastic choice. First, it handles memory better than Visual Basic (VB), which is what all the other versions of WinTOTAL have been written in. This amounts to a much faster, lighter and more stable final product. Other computer languages require programmers to manually allocate and deallocate memory. This is a manual process. C# makes much of it automatic, minimizing the chance for human error.
Another important thing to know about C# is that it has improved function libraries. This streamlines bug fixing and makes building the entire product more modular. For example, there are five ways to load an image into WinTOTAL. Currently, if there's a problem in one place, a programmer has to go fix it in all five places. With C#'s function libraries, the programmer doesn't write five ways to load photos. Instead he writes one "master" and plugs in references to that master in all five places. Then, if a bug needs to be fixed, it's fixed in just the master and distributed to all five references. There are hundreds of examples of this in any program, so streamlining this process is a huge step forward. And the net result is that you get a more stable program that's easier and faster to update and improve.
An all new forms engine
Previous versions of WinTOTAL, going all the way back to the DOS/Windows conversion have been built, layer upon layer, with the same forms engine. While Aurora was built using new pieces of .NET architecture and implemented SQL databases, it had that same basic underlying forms engine of previous versions. So the house, using that analogy, relied on the same foundation despite the numerous additions, remodeling and upgrades it's seen over the last 10+ years.
So why haven't we rebuilt it sooner? And what does the forms engine actually do? Rewriting a forms engine is expensive, laborious, and very complicated. The forms engine is what handles everything from the most basic (typing in a field) to the very complicated (transfers, calculations, physically painting the form on-screen). It's the brain behind everything, so tinkering with it isn't something you take lightly.
But, it's time. We can all agree on that. We're biting the bullet, and starting from scratch. We think you're going to be very pleased.
Secure Signing
In Armstrong, we're introducing a more secure signing method that incorporates not just the signature you're used to seeing, but an extra level of security in authentication. To make that work, we have to first get past the idea of "digital signatures" as we're familiar with them today. Traditional digital signatures are just pictures of the ink you put on paper.
Unlike digital signatures, e-signatures have nothing to do with that picture. They're an electronic method by which you can verify that the person doing the signing has proven who they are and that their signature is only valid in hand with the document it's attached to. They're easy to identify as fraudulent if they're attached to a document they shouldn't be, because the data associated with the report won't match what was recorded at the time of signature.
With SureDocs signing in Armstrong, you'll go through a one-time setup session that identifies you and proves that you're really you. Once you've done that, you'll use your password and digital key to sign your appraisal reports. Then, we'll store a snapshot of the key report data along with a link to your credentials on our secure servers. The report receipient can then authenticate the final report they receive against the escrowed data, thus proving the report is genuine!
Simplified design and user experience
Armstrong will sport a new, more streamlined and enjoyable user interface that makes all the right tools available to you at your fingertips. No more hunting through dozens of menus looking for that one function you need.
Early in the design stage, we contemplated building this version without any PowerViews at all! But, after talking with many of you and thinking through it we've settled on a design that DOES include some PowerViews where they make the most sense, and removed PowerViews that we felt took the focus off the form. (After all, this IS a form filling application right?) So, you can expect to see "Forms" and "Sketch" in this version. Tools like mapping and photos will occur naturally in the form view as part of your regular data entry, instead of requiring that you jump to a seperate view.
Why the codename of Armstrong?
It reminds us (and hopefully you) of what we're doing. Louis Armstrong often played in C# (according to Wikipedia), he was groundbreaking, smart and very, very cool. We think the codename Armstrong is fitting. We have no idea what its final name will be. Maybe we get away from the Greek god/goddess thing? Who knows?
Windows Certification
Aside from being totally re-written from the ground up, Armstrong will be the first version of WinTOTAL to seek the certified for Windows logo. Software that is certified for Windows:
- Is designed for ease of use and better performance
- Is tested for compatibility on Windows based PCs
- Adheres to and implements Microsoft security guidelines
- Protects your privacy
- Installs and un-installs reliably
- Ensures compatibility on 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows.
Standard vs. Enterprise
There are going to be two "phases" in the development and release of Armstrong, which is something we've never done before. We think you'll agree that this kind of evolution makes sense.
Standard Edition
Targeted for a 2008 release, our first step will be to release a Standard edition first. This version will be very lightweight and very basic, devoid of any bells or whistles. Armstrong Standard won't have databases so it will run much faster. We've also decided to leave out the Appraisal Desktop and the Digital Workfile. Think light, simple, no frills.
There's clearly a large demand for this kind of appraisal software. It's perfect for new appraisers getting into the business, trainees, use in the field, and for appraisers that only need to create WinTOTAL files part time. The learning curve will be as low as absolutely possible.
It's important to note, however, that just because it will have less tools, the tools it does have will still clearly be best in class. We're not going to take an existing feature and hobble it just to make it fit the "no frills" policy in Standard. Quite the opposite. If it's going to have a tool, it will be best in class or it won't be there at all. Take sketching, for instance. In Armstrong Standard edition you can expect best-in-class integration with our DaVinci desktop sketcher. It's tied right into Armstrong at the deepest levels, ensureing that you have smooth and fast sketching experience without having to wait for other programs to load or worrying about "integration issues" with other vendors.
Also important to note is that by doing the Standard version first, we're ensuring that the foundation is solid so that as we develop the Enterprise version and begin layering on features and functionality, the whole platform will be solid and the kinks worked out.
Enterprise Edition
Of the three levels of WinTOTAL currently available, Enterprise is by far the most popular choice of our customers. It's the most fully featured and robust. We won't begin development on the Enterprise version of Armstrong until after the Standard version has been released. That means that it will be late 2008 before it's our focus. By then, Aurora will be over three years old.
So what's going to be the big deal in the new Enterprise edition? You'll just have to wait and see!
