CQS.EXE will be the new program that will replace GOWIN.EXE. Design work is underway and proving somewhat challenging. Our goal and objective is to reorganize the interface to be more like an interface that we can closely replicate with our web based version of Compulife that runs from a browser. The point is to come up with a way to use the quoting software that can be replicated on-line, so that as we expand our CQS Basic (web based agent quoter) it will be able to work and function much like the Windows program. That way, regardless of which version you are using, both will use the same logic for all the quoting options.

One thing Compulife is NOT going to do is to offer "apps" (computer programs) for devices that are not Windows PC compatible. There will be no Apple or Android apps. Those using devices that are NOT Windows PC, will need to use the web based quoting software. The long term goal is to offer what we have for a PC, in a web based application that you can run online using your web based device. That will naturally include all non-Windows hardware such as Mac computers, Android notebooks, etc. If you have an internet connection, and a browser, you will be able to run that version as you can run CQS Basic now.

The changes to CQS.EXE will not be all encompassing. What we will be doing is replacing the two initial windows, the Red Menu and the Client Entry window, with a new single window that reorganizes the client screen, the menus and sub menus such as "Manage Product Database" and "Options". All those things will be accessible from tabs and/or icons on the Client entry window. All of the functions and options that you have now will be preserved, you will just have a new way to get at them. Once again, the look, feel and functionality of the new client entry screen will be based upon what can and cannot be done with a browser based version, so that they will be as close to being the same as possible.

Jeremiah, who uses a smart phone (I don't), assures me that the organization of the page for a phone needs to be different as phone apps versus desktop apps are generally always different. My goal is to minimize those differences as much as possible, while not making phone use more difficult than it should be. I think we can find a way.

As explained last month, rolling out a new CQS.EXE before the data restructuring is to give you more time playing with the new system, to learn the system and to provide feedback and suggestions that can be implemented well in advance of the data conversion which is the next job. You will have BOTH GOWIN.EXE and CQS.EXE for a transitional period, and so those that like the old program, or who get stuck on something with the new program, will be able to swap back and forth.

Eventually CQS.EXE will be pointed from old data files to the new data files. We have talked about the need for the data conversion in previous bulletins, and have reached the point where that needs to be done. Once that job is accomplished, we will be able to expand and improve the say we are able to quote.

After the new file system is introduced, we will offer both new and old for a transitional period. GOWIN.EXE will use the old data files, CQS.EXE will then use the new data files. Eventually, when we are certain there are no issues with the new system, the old system will be ended.