What report writers/reporting engines work with VisionFM?
VisionFM includes a robust query designer. Queries can be printed or their data can be cut-and-pasted into other applications. Crystal Reports can also be used to create reports.

Does VisionFM have the ability to send messages to portable devices?
Yes, we use Email SMTP to send messages to various portable devices.

Can VisionFM send responses via email to a requestor to inform them when a ticket is received, assigned and finally closed?
Yes. The VisionFM Event Notification System allows an Administrator to define the parameters for sending an email, when it should be sent and the contents of the message.

For example: on Priority 1 work orders, you may want an email notification to go to the requestor when the work order is assigned. For all other priorities, you want an email to be sent only upon completion. The content of the email is written by the Administrator and can include links to the request. So instead of a generic message saying "Your request has been received", the email could include the expected completion date, who was assigned to the task and a cost for the service.

What is your ability to format approval levels/administrative rights within VisionFM?
When setting up a user, the Administrator sets permission levels for modules (read and write permissions), locations (can be restricted to specific buildings), systems (i.e. the Move Manager may only be able to affect furniture but not mechanical equipment).

Administrators can also add/delete/modify the VisionFM modules.

For example: if the Maintenance Manager does not intend to receive invoices from contractors, then this feature can be removed from the module, or a separate module could be created with just those features and assigned to another user group.

What database-specific tools (e.g. development, forms, reporting, querying, performance monitoring, audit trail, etc) are used by VisionFM and how are these tools used?
VisionFM includes a Database Designer tool that displays a graphic representation of tables and data relationships. VisionFM is able to send clients a definition file that an Administrator can use in Database Designer to restructure the database.

VisionFM includes a Forms Designer and a Query Designer that allows Administrators to customize the modules. Reports are customized using Crystal Reports.

Monitoring and auditing of the database is performed using tools from Microsoft or Oracle.

Provide a high-level description of VisionFM's logical application architecture, including the presentation, business logic, data access, data storage and external services layers.
For the client/server application, the client communicates directly with the database. The client is both the presentation and business logic layer. For the Web Server, the server performs the majority of the business logic and communication with the database. The Web Client has a few controls loaded that provide the presentation layer and some of the business logic.

Click to see a Logical Application Architecture diagram depicting the description above: