Wasting Time? Time is wasted when:- A group of people must wait for one person.- A Team cannot readily access the same document or data.- A Task must be redone due to insufficient supervision.
'Horizontal' Software may be called a Suite - or a Platform. - It is very flexible & made to Create new information.- Can be used to create Vertical (specific) Applications.- An example would be 'Adobe Creative Suite'or MS Office.Vertical Software is developed for a specific set of Tasks.
The Platform is Broad & flexible by Design.- WYSIWYG Design tools for Novices autogenerates code.- Powerful Editors allow Experts to further customize.- Includes an underlying and thoroughly integrated database.- Robust, multiuser access without onerous fees.
Wasting Talent? Talent is wasted when:- An Expert is assigned a task that is suitable for a Novice.- A Novice is assigned a Task that way over his/her head.- A Novice that is eager to learn new skills is denied access.- Team members are pigeonholed. Latent talent, undeveloped.
There is another 'Great Divide' and that is the one between the Haves and the Have Nots. Younicycle is affordably priced for any business, not just the 'Fortunate 500'. Available as a SaaS (online) or as a Server package.
'Vertical' Software is often called an 'Application'. - It is typically developed for a specific set of tasks.- Is 'powered by' the underlying Horizontal Platform.- An example would be 'Recruiting' or 'Benefit Enrollment'.
Wasting Money? Money is wasted when:- Multiple software packages must be purchased.- Multiple licenses or 'seats' must be purchased for each.- Multiple user interfaces must be learned (extra training).
The Great Divide is Knowledge. If you have the required depth of Knowledge, you can accomplish difficult tasks but without it, you will either 'give up', assign or pay an Expert or purchase yet another limited use software application.
Cost? 1) Server package for $400. No limit on number of users.2) Online vsn (SaaS) = $480 per year (3 users).3) Custom programming from $25 to $75 per hour.
Many spokes. Younicycle's framework will allow you to create many types of Vertical Applications, defined only by your imagination. An Actuary - or a Recruiter, a Benefit Consutant or Insurance Carrier can create compelling, plug-in Solutions.
Need an Edge? Many possibilities:1) Create Customer Solutions & give to them for Productivity.2) Create and sell as a suppemental source of revenue.3) Create, give it away - but charge for added customization.4) Become a Partner. Sell Younicycle + your Solutions.
One wheel. We've designed the IT Vehicle so that:1) Experts can work side-by-side with Novices.2) WYSIWYG Tools auto generate complex code.3) Each 'mini-app' you create can be shared (or sold).
Getting there is the hard part ... but we've made the trip much easier. We have spent many years 'blazing a trail' and building the IT vehicle that can get you there, safely & affordably. Yes, it is easier - but Easy is a relative term.
Start here. Get there. It's a given that you want to provide superior service for your customers and always keep a responsible. technological edge. But how? Younicycle can give you that edge - & be white-labeled for your identity.
It's coming. Like it or not, your competitors are standing outside your customers' front door and can be invited in with a few clicks of a mouse. We have the high tech and you, the relationships. Let's talk while the sun is still out.
Personalizing your Employee Communications is critical whenever personal Knowledege is required. Use Retirement as an example. Why would an employee care about John or Jane Doe's retirement security? Meaningless, inaccurate information is not only irrelevant, it's dangerous. Do it right.
The 3 Steps for effective Employee Communications:1) Inform: Let them know it exists. Where? When?2) Educate Employees: What is it? How does it work?3) Personalize the content. John Doe is not real.
Employers: Collaborate internally, with us or other Vendors 1) We (or other Vendors) can provide Full service2) Do it yourself (DIY). You can always ask for help.3) Initial full service -> then DIY in the future.
Your Employee Benefits may be very Cool - but will be ineffective if they remain Hidden. Employee Benefit Statements help your Group understand & appreciate their Personal, Big Picture. We have more than 20 years of experience and know all the possible pitfalls.
Poor Henry. Overcome by events beyond his control.Approximately 3 minutes.
A Diagram of the 'Connections'
logo (image) placed on the Template
The Chart uses the same dataource & is placed on the template
Table (pebs_1)
Table (pebs_2)
joined
The 2 Tables are JOINED. The desired datafields selected and Casts, Expressions & other functions applied as appropriate.
A datasource is made on the Query.The datasource is like a 'mirror' of the Query and is now a floating layer of data -- accessible by Charts, Templates, Applications, etc.
An Action is created automatically that links the Query to the Datasource.
The XML for your Template is stored safely in your account.The Template loads the XML when launched.
Click the pdf icon. The XML is Saved - and pulls the datasource, merging it into the static template XML. The PDF is then processed on the server.
The Template
PDF
Developing a Rudimentary Benefit Statement: a Personalized PDF for Print
The HR Collaborative Suite & Younicycle are synonymous. Both are Software as a Service & owned by HR Communications.
You still have more work todo - but now you have all of your assets in place: a Template, tables, a couple of Queries, a Datasource, a chart & an image. Time now to fine tune your work and 'pick at the edges'. Remember that you are at a 'lower (deeper) level' than a typical application, so you will need to be very attentive to detail.You should test, review - and test again until your Product is perfect. In the real world, more than 1 person would receive this powerful, printed document.
Part 8 (Putting it all together)
To simulate what would happen within the actual Template, click the red 'hotspots' sequentially. In general, you would either select from provided lists - or simply select. In most cases (images, charts, datafields) you would drag to its desired location. Datafields can also be merged into static text by inserting your cursor, then selecting from the list of fields.
In truth, everything in the Template is a 'hotspot'; the objects, the Properties palette and the Toolbar.
In truth, everything in the Template is a 'hotspot'; the objects, the Properties palette and the Toolbar.
click to clear the popups
If you clicked the red HOTSPOTS, you should get an understanding of the intended function. The one on the right (top) - allows the selection of the appropriate datasource. This would be your First Step and is important. Selecting the datasource allows access to the data in that datasource and the field names.
After selecting the datasource, you would click the Lightning bolt on the Toolbar (data fields). From there, you would either select the field and drag it around on the Artboard or insert your cursor in static text -> then select a datafield. It would merge into the position of the cursor. Of course, you'd want to use the Properties palette to set your colors, sizes, fonts, etc.
Next, the chart button and image button. Select - and click on the artboard. From there, simply position as desired.
Finally -- lower left -- is the PDF button. When you click this button, the Template will be automatically Saved and concurrently - bound to the datasource along with all of the new objects that you have placed on your layout.The PDF would begin spooling and generally be very quick. The one above would take < 1 second and be done before you would be able to click the YTree (PDFs) to retrieve it. You could then view the PDF within the frame of your browser - or download to your desktop for closer examination.
It is highly unlikely that your 1st PDF would be perfect. Running 15-20 trial PDFs is to be expected and is part of the proofing process -- but we'll leave that for another issue.
After selecting the datasource, you would click the Lightning bolt on the Toolbar (data fields). From there, you would either select the field and drag it around on the Artboard or insert your cursor in static text -> then select a datafield. It would merge into the position of the cursor. Of course, you'd want to use the Properties palette to set your colors, sizes, fonts, etc.
Next, the chart button and image button. Select - and click on the artboard. From there, simply position as desired.
Finally -- lower left -- is the PDF button. When you click this button, the Template will be automatically Saved and concurrently - bound to the datasource along with all of the new objects that you have placed on your layout.The PDF would begin spooling and generally be very quick. The one above would take < 1 second and be done before you would be able to click the YTree (PDFs) to retrieve it. You could then view the PDF within the frame of your browser - or download to your desktop for closer examination.
It is highly unlikely that your 1st PDF would be perfect. Running 15-20 trial PDFs is to be expected and is part of the proofing process -- but we'll leave that for another issue.
STEP 1
If you expected the process to be easy - you were wrong. If you demand easy, you should not tackle this type of project without professional assistance, particularly since we seriously shortcut the data collection, evaluation & query development. Most of the work and complexity lies with those issues.
WRAPUP
Back