Hi Members,
I actually came up with a post yesterday and submitted it, but for some reason it was not there so I am writing this again. I am hoping that this post will let everyone reading know how we try to operate and answer any questions that you had earlier. For the past year or two, we have been in a simplification mode. We recognize that the majority of new and existing members have a hard time learning the software. We also recognize that there are a few members out there that know the software better than our programmers
We are still on a mission to simplify the software as we did with the room layout area for V5 but still keep the same functionality that the software still gives to you now. The room layout still has some more improvements and features that need to be added but areas like the LDE, labels, reports, drawer box editing, more MDF doors, etc.. are areas that we know need to be simplified and improved upon. We also added videos for certain areas and Dennis created a 600+ page book that should help new and exisiting members with learning the software.
New features, and improvements are generally dictated by the Feedback section, Forum, Training, and Time. Regardless of what happens to new updates, there will always be some members that are not happy because we didn't add what they wanted and there will be members that are jumping for joy
because a certain item has been added or improved that they wanted. We can't add everything at once or you wouldn't see an update for a long time. The way we try to handle this is we take all of the feedback from the different areas and put them into a database. When the time comes to discuss what we are going to put into the next update, we go over this list. The programmers decide how long it would take to program these items. We also look at the # of members requesting the different features and improvements. Now during the programming process, the programmers might realize that a certain item will take longer to program. From there we decide if we want to add another big task to replace the original or add more smaller tasks for the next update. Sometimes the programmers will get an item done quicker than what we had thought and therefore smaller items will be added or improved which is a bonus. I also thought about adding a QC area to the forum, however, I believe that there are problems with this direction as well. Yes, all members get to see what everyone wants, but this leaves a mess of pages that we will need to filter through just to make sure that the items are not duplicated or skipped And no, Ken has not retired, just busy with our new furniture production line, new book and looking into the future for other possibilities to expand.
Now with V6, we plan on removing all of the hardware that is installed with the software and integrating the web store to the software. You are probably asking "What does this do for me" and "Why is this important"? Members will have an easier time ordering components and hardware through the software than before. Members will be able to download future updates. Downloading the software gives us the possibility of releasing more updates throughout the year. Before, we would release 1 major update a year and smaller, multiple ones in between. This is because we won't have to ship out thousands of cds to everyone. We are also working on getting eCabinets compatible with Windows Vista. Other than that, we plan on having a meeting in the next few weeks to decide what else is going to be added or improved.
Now for Control Nesting (CN). We do have plans on updating CN as we have in the past. Manually moving parts throughout the nest along with many other items are on our list of features to complete. We still receive a lot of ideas from our members/cnc owners as well as ideas that have been thrown around the past few months due to the fact that we are actually producing furniture now. This furniture line should give us a better understanding of what our members need to help them compete. For future CN improvements and features, please post on the Thermwood Forum as our programming dept. can track new feedback for CN updates.
Please feel free to give me a call or email me about this posting or anything else related to eCabinets. If you have ideas and don't want to put them on the forum then please let me know. Also, please continue the use of the feedback section in the software as well as this forum. This forum has been great for me, the programmers, and I am sure that it has helped many members get through some hurdles that they were facing. Also, the members that take their time in responding to other members problems and concerns, I cannot thank you enough.
Thanks,