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Table of Questions
What equipment will we need to run Flexquest? Flexquest will run on almost any Pentium class PC regardless of speed, but it does require sufficient memory (RAM). 64Mb is the minimum RAM required and the more RAM available the faster and more efficiently it can operate. Screen resolution of 800x600 or greater is required. Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000 and Windows NT are all supported. (Some versions of Windows 95 may not support the implementation of rich text in printed letters, but there are alternatives available.) A Windows compatible laser printer is recommended, but Windows compatible inkjet printers are also supported. Local area networks are supported for multiple-user's simultaneous access–Windows NT Server is recommended. How can we be sure Flexquest
is right for us before we buy? You can talk to
existing users by requesting our referral list. You can also
view a simple program demonstration sent to you on a CD-ROM upon
request. This demonstration lets you view sample screens and reports
for most of the system. Finally, you can request a full-functioning
trial system including practice data and the Guided Tours and complete
FlexHelp so you can review the system in detail. And, we are always
happy to discuss Flexquest with you over the phone–just call us on our
toll-free number 877-700-7079 to speak with a knowledgeable product
representative. How long does it usually take from time of order until we can start using Flexquest? You can generally expect to receive Flexquest within a few days after we receive your order and payment. You will be able to activate the system immediately. How much time does a new user typically invest to learn Flexquest? This varies from user to user and also depends on the complexity of what your organization wants to be able to do with Flexquest. Generally, we find most users can run basic functions after spending just two to three hours in the Guided Tours and then become proficient as they continue to use it over the next few weeks. Learning Flexquest is much like using any sophisticated program–you can easily do a few things intuitively, but to take full advantage of the program you will want to use Guided Tours, FlexHelp, and the Practice Data. How often do you update Flexquest? Flexquest is updated annually each November. All users are notified when a new version is available and have the option to update to the latest version. While you are not required to participate in updates, we include substantial enhancements each year as suggested by users from across the country. We also continue to make technical improvements in every update for optimal performance. Click here for features of the current November Update. When you update Flexquest, how much time does it typically take to learn the new features? We try not to make any changes that would significantly change the look and feel of Flexquest since we know users are basically satisfied with the friendliness of the program. Most of our changes add new capability–expanded data, new reports, and additional functions. We send a list of features and changes with our updates and we also document any new complex features in the updated FlexHelp. Click here for features of the current November Update. How fast is Flexquest? Very fast! For example, we have run Flexquest up to well over a million records and it still can retrieve any donor's entire record within a fraction of a second. And, some of our users report doing complex automated functions in minutes that literally took them hours on other systems, even on mini-computer systems. However, the speed of Flexquest depends heavily on the amount of memory in your computer, with memory size being of more importance even than processor speed. Incidentally, Flexquest's superior speed has been achieved by optimizing virtually every routine to take advantage of Microsoft's unique and proprietary FoxPro Rushmore technology. What are the typical satisfactions with Flexquest? Most users are very satisfied with the flexibility and breadth of the system. They also appreciate the speed at which the system operates, especially after using other slower programs. Once you learn to do some basic operation, Flexquest is very consistent throughout in its look and feel so you don't need to learn another similar process a second time. Many users also have commented on the well organized menu structure that makes it very easy to locate any particular routine or report within nested menus. Mostly, users are impressed with our personal responsiveness to their mission, and the high level of support we provide to make sure they stay productive. What are the typical dissatisfactions with Flexquest? Most dissatisfactions we find are from users who bought more capability than they need. For example, the Fund Raiser level of Flexquest takes more time to master than the Modular Series, and it would be a bad choice if you don't have someone on staff focusing most of his or her time on fund raising. And, if you don't process pledges frequently, they might be better managed in a card file so you don't need to learn how to use the pledge form. In general, don't buy any modules or advanced capabilities you don't need. We've gone into more detail on this and related issues elsewhere if you're interested. Click here for an in-depth look at the reasons why Flexquest may not be right for your organization. How quickly can we expect answers to our support questions? We strive to provide support as quickly as possible, and our existing users can attest to our responsiveness. Naturally, there are times when our support volume may be unusually high, but we always do our best to reply within one business day. We've also tried to make it very easy for you to request help, and have included our proprietary Help Wizard right in Flexquest. This Wizard helps you frame your question progressively by your answers to a series of questions that move from the general to the specific. You then have the opportunity to add comments before the Wizard emails us or prints a fax for you to send. But remember, the Tours, Cue Cards, and FlexHelp are so comprehensive that you should only rarely need to contact us for a special question. What is your experience with users outgrowing Flexquest? So far, we have satisfied the growth requirements of every organization using Flexquest, and we do have several large organizations with record counts in the hundreds of thousands that have been using Flexquest for years. We have also accommodated numerous special programming requests, and will work with outside programmers if necessary to provide support for your own enhancements. Flexquest is built on Microsoft Visual FoxPro, an industrial strength database system that can handle the demands of dozens of simultaneous users accessing millions of records. Finally, our open architecture policy allows for an experienced database programmer to manipulate data files directly when necessary. Do you take custom requests for additions
to Flexquest? Can Flexquest be "personalized" to our unique organizational requirements? Yes. Flexquest can be personalized in numerous ways for umbrella groups or for national organizations and their local affiliates. So, your organizational group can have its "private label" Flexquest that incorporates your own unique requirements and features. Please note that this is done without the need for costly re-programming since, as the name implies, Flexquest was designed from the ground up with personalization potential. We will be happy to discuss your organization's requirements with you to explore how Flexquest can accomplish your unique purposes.
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Smart Machines Toll-free 877-700-7079 info@flexquest.com Smart Machines and Flexquest are registered trademarks of Interaction Dynamics Systems Inc Updated April 07, 2005 |
