DM Software, specialist Visual DataFlex developer has combined their Windows based Property Management System (PMS) with the Visual Dataflex powered Electos Content managed web site (CMS) and web shop system to create an integrated Web/Windows Student Lettings management system that automates the updating of property availability shown on the web site as the academic year progresses.
Student Lettings have a regular turnover each year as the new intake needs somewhere to live, resulting in a need to change the status of a large number of properties from “Let” to “Available” on the web site, with changes to rental charges and other routine items also likely.
With all this already handled in a Windows application, it became obvious that this would need a Web presence, Martin looked into the VDF based web site content managed website system (CMS), Electos. In Martin’s words
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"What a surprise we got! Electos is truly brilliant, and because it uses native VDF tables, we were able to rapidly build exciting new features into our PMS system and easily tailor the Electos studio to fit in with our application." |
The Key features that Martin needed were
- one click automatic web site creation, based on the data held in PMS (opposite)
- real time updating of the web site from within PMS
- global changes to things like rents and availability
- a facility to take bookings via the web site for people wanting to view properties
- downloaded directly into our (VDF CodeJock based) diary system, without having to use CSV export/import utilities or similar
DM Software modified the Electos system by first “translating” such things as “Check Out my cart” to “Book a viewing”, and then using Internet web services techniques to tightly integrate the desktop application with the Electos system in real time. PMS users can now update one, or a whole class of properties on the Web Site at the click of a mouse, upload new properties complete with pictures, and manage viewing requests coming from the Web site with no need to move out of the familiar and comprehensive PMS on their PC.
Martin Kelley, proprietor of DM Software says “this is the very best of both worlds. Adding the one-click-build-web-site feature to PMS means that after setting up the PMS system, our PMS users can have their web site published on the web within minutes, know that it will continue to be up dated without needing to use a second, inevitably less specialised, Web Application”.
For the full story, see this case history
For more on DM Software, here is a link to their website
Electos Based Student Lettings System