Batch Upload for Web Photos

As mentioned in previous post, I have replaced the method used to upload photos in the Staff web site. One benefit of this new method is the Add New Photos option now allows you to do a "batch" upload where you can upload up to 10 photos at one time. A new Photo record is created for each file. This is similar to the Batch Loader option in the Windows program except that you don't have an option to fill in extra fields as part of the process. You will have to edit each record created to change the Description or Linked ID, for example. But you can easily do this once the upload completes.

New Upload Screens for Photos on Web

I have replaced all of the photo upload screens in the Staff web site. The new upload screens allow you to drag and drop JPG or PDF files onto a control and provides a preview of the item before uploading. When uploading JPGs from a PC the new process resizes the image before the upload to improve upload times. This new approach should work smoother on PCs and be a big improvement on tablets as well. This affects the Photo Module upload process and the Property Cover Picture option.

New DBA Field for Contact File Database

A new field has been added to the Contact File database called "DBA" (Doing Business As). This 50 character field follows the First and Last Name fields on the main Contact File screen. The field is available with the upgrade to version 1.50 of the Contact File Module which you can download via the Installed Modules screen. This field is only viewable or printable from the Contact File screen itself. I'll be adding it to the web sites in the near future.

Simplifying Relationship Management Access

The Contact File database allows you to designate a relationship that each contact has with a particular property. The two main relationship types are "Owner" and "Occupant" but you can also add your own creations to the list of possible relationships. Previously, you had to go to Maintenance Options to get to the screen where you could edit the list of possible relationships. Now we have added a shortcut to the Change Relationship screen that lets you edit the list of possible relationships right from there. Look for the new notepad button on the Change Relationship screen.
As a side note, keep in mind that Relationship types have to be 10 characters or less.

Permit Mover for Staff Web Site

The SQL Permit Mover tool has been added to the Staff Web site. You can get to it by going to Maintenance and then the System section. The Permit Mover is part of the ZP Toolbox options in the Windows version of ZonePro SQL. It allows you to move a permit from one property to another which is useful if the permit was accidentally entered under the wrong address. I think the web version is even easier to use than the Windows version because it only presents you with drop-down boxes so there is no typing, and it gives better feedback on the chosen permit and the chosen property so that you can be sure you are making the right choices.

Expanding Source Field in Reports

There are a number of report screens in ZonePro SQL that include a Source field as part of their output (such as the Activity Report Screen). This field is a two character abbreviation of the database that the record is pulled from. Several customers have asked if their is an easy way to make this field more readable on reports by expanding "BD" to "Building Permit", for example. This can be done by using a function that evaluates the field value and outputs the alternative text. Substitute the function below for the expression in any report that prints the "Source" field. You can trim the expression down to include only those databases that matter to you. You can also edit the second argument in each pairing to read the way you want it to.

ICASE(source="ZN","Zoning Permits",source="VL","Violations",source="AP","Appeals",source="AM","Amendments",source="OT","Other Permits",source="EX","Extra Permits",source="PN","Planning",source="BD","Building",source="EL","Electrical,source="PL","Pumbing",source="MC","Mechanical",source="PJ","Project",source="RE","Rental",source="HS","Housing,source="PS","Pre-Sale",source)

Mapping Fire Hydrants in the Staff Site

I have just uploaded pages to the Custom section of the demo Staff web site that lets users map fire hydrants and keep track of them in a database. You can add hydrants visually using a map. You can look up a street address and find all the nearest fire hydrants. This is just a test system that I am working on for a customer but it is also a fun example of the kinds of things you can do with web-based data. You can play with the pages yourself by logging on at www.zpdemo.zpuser.com/staff and using the Dashboard from the Main page to go to Custom Options. From there you will see a menu of options for working with the fire hydrant maps and data.