| RTIFACTS is best explained by the following commonly asked questions and answers.
What is RTIFACTS ?
RTIFACTS is a database based on the Dabble DB internet system developed and supported by Smallthought Inc.
How do I access an RTIFACTS database ?
All you need is a desktop, lap-top, notebook or PDA with an internet browser and access to the internet. You can connect to your database from anywhere in the world that has access to the internet. You browse to your unique URL, type in your email address and password and within a few seconds you can see your data with facilities to browse edit and update.
What information can I store in the database ?
Whatever information is relevant to the task in hand: contact name, address, telephone numbers, email address, communication log, interests, financial summaries, date last contact, category, etc. You can also upload documents. Each database is designed specifically for the subscriber.
How is the information put into the database ?
Apart from manually typing record contents you can also transfer data from other sources such as spreadsheets, text files and other databases (TRACS for example). We have a great deal of experience in this type of data transfer.
Is the data secure ?
Yes - each database is self-contained and separate. Security back-up copies are made automatically at regular intervals. A complete copy of the database can be exported to a local data file by you at any time. Access sessions with your browser can be SSL encrypted if required.
Who can gain access to the data ?
The subscriber plus any additional users paid for under the Dabble DB contract. Each user is identified by their (unique) email address and a password. New passwords are only transmitted by email to the email address identifying the user so, unless a user divulges his/her password access is secure. Each user is given access permissions by the subscriber. These permissions and the screen form layouts set up for each user can restrict their ability to see and/or change/add data. Thus a team of people can all work on a common data source which is updated instantly as changes are made.
Can I print reports ?
Yes - any of the displayed lists can be printed. The default print method creates a PDF file which can then be stored locally and/or printed. Of course, a screen dump showing a data window can be done at any time for a hard copy print.
Can I print address labels for selected contacts ?
Yes - filters can be used to isolate a target set of records and the relevant name/address details exported to a MICROSOFT OFFICE EXCEL file set up to print labels.
Is it easy to send emails to selected contacts ?
Yes - any item marked as an email address reacts to a mouse-button click to generate an email using your currently installed email client program. Filters can be used to isolate a target set of records and then the email addresses from all of these records can be copied into your email client program to broadcast an email. Alternatively you can use the Microsoft OFFICE MAILMERGE facility to send a specially-written email individually addressed to each person on your target list.
Can I print mailshots for selected contacts ?
Yes - filters can be used to isolate a target set of records and then the names and addresses from all of these records can be exported to a local file which is used with a MICROSOFT OFFICE WORD mail merge procedure to print a set of individually addressed letters.
Who designs the screen layouts ?
Retriever Technology can do this for you if you wish. The correct way is to define the task(s) in hand and work backwards to those items of information that should be displayed or amended.
Who owns the data ?
You do - no-one outside your subscription has access to your database and you can make a complete dump of all data in the database to a local file at any time.
Who administers users, passwords and access permissions ?
You do.
What type of contract commitment do I have to make ?
Monthly - you can terminate the Dabble DB subscription at any time and your database would then cease to exist at the end of the current calendar month.
Who will answer my queries and provide technical support ?
There is a Dabble DB electronic users' forum, on-line help, a user guide and a support team. However, Retriever Technology can handle all your database maintenance and provide you with telephone help and training as required. We can also help you with the design of EXCEL spreadsheets and WORD mail merge templates for label and mailshot printing. |
