But This Looks the Same!

Oh, but it’s not!  A few new key features turn this from a simple search tool to a full blown query engine.  Let’s take a quick tour of the most noticeable features:

Flags!

Those of you who have used our new Parcel Maintenance application, or the newer versions of our Parcel Transfer application are accustomed to seeing these.  For those of you who aren’t, the flags appear on each tab in the Property Search window.  Tabs that have a green flag have criteria selected on them, and tabs with a red flag are still in their default state (no criteria entered).  This deviates (slightly) from the standards we set in other windows, where a green flag means there is data on the tab, and a red flag indicates no data is available on the tab.

So why does this matter? See the next new feature…

Saved Queries 

We’ve been asked for this a lot over the years. We listened and delivered!  You can now save your search criteria to a named query, and load it again for future use.  With proper security, you can even create searches that can be used by other users.

When you have a set of search criteria that you want to save off, clicking the Save Search button gives you the following window:

Simply enter a name for the search and click Save.  If you have the right security, you can optionally save the query for use by everyone, and not just add it to your personal list of saved searches.

When you want to reuse a saved query, clicking the Load Search button gives you the following dialog:

The list defaults to the current user (you!), but you can also select searches saved for everyone’s use (All Users), or with proper security, all searches for all users (All Saved Queries – includes personal saved queries from other users).  Just highlight the name of the search you want to use, and click the Load button.  The saved search criteria is restored to each tab in the Property Search engine (this will wipe out any search criteria you had already filled in, but you will be asked before this happens).

There is some ability on the load window to manage the list of saved searches.  Users can always delete their own searches.  If you are an administrator, you also have the ability to remove searches saved by other users.

Only the search criteria is saved, not the results.  

Other Goodies

Did you notice the Make Study button in an earlier image?  Good!  That button will help drive an important piece of new functionality coming in 2013, and that’s all I am going to tell you about it for now.

Also worth mentioning is that each tab now has its own Reset button, so you can revert each tab to its default state without resetting the search criteria on all tabs at once. 

Under the Hood

Under the hood, there have been a lot of tweaks and optimizations that make the Property Search module faster, more efficient, and scale better across larger datasets.  The module is also the first to make use of features exclusive to SQL Server 2008 and 2012 (when those features are available).

So What Are You Waiting For?

Want to give it a shot?  Contact the DEVNET Helpdesk today and schedule your setup!

We’re really excited about this module, and know you will be too.  The new Property Search module is the next in a long list of improvements coming to clients this year.  DEVNET is never complacent and always looking to deliver new features and new value to its customers.  

Stop by our booth and say hello to Bill Wetzel the DEVNET Sales Manager. Don’t forget to sign up for your chance to win a Sony digital camera. 

DEVNET, Inc. offers proven industry knowledge and experience implementing integrated Appraisal, Assessment, Billing, Collection and e-government solutions designed to empower the public sector user. We have dedicated ourselves to taking a unique, personalized approach with every client and have quickly become a leading nationwide provider of integrated government solutions. Our focus is on integration, enhanced workflow and all inclusive pricing. With over ninety installations, DEVNET solutions value and collect for over 3.5 million parcels throughout eight states. Our integrated DEVNET Edge® solutions provide endless possibilities to enhance workflow, boost productivity and manage time more effectively.

The full suite of integrated DEVNET Edge® Property Tax Solutions include: Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA), Assessment Administration, Billing & Collection, Permitting & Zoning, Records Management, wEdge e-government, Printing & Mailing Services, Hardware Sales & Support and GIS Integration.

DEVNET offers proven industry knowledge and experience implementing integrated Appraisal, Assessment, Billing, Collection and e-government solutions designed to empower the public sector user. We have dedicated ourselves to taking a unique, personalized approach with every client and have quickly become a leading nationwide provider of integrated government solutions. Our focus is on integration, enhanced workflow and all inclusive pricing. With over ninety installations, DEVNET solutions value and collect for over 3.5 million parcels throughout eight states. Our integrated DEVNET Edge® solutions provide endless possibilities to enhance workflow, boost productivity and manage time more effectively.

The full suite of integrated DEVNET Edge® Property Tax Solutions include: Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA), Assessment Administration, Billing & Collection, Permitting & Zoning, Records Management, wEdge e-government, Printing & Mailing Services, Hardware Sales & Support and GIS Integration.

DEVNET offers proven industry knowledge and experience implementing integrated Appraisal, Assessment, Billing, Collection and e-government solutions designed to empower the public sector user. We have dedicated ourselves to taking a unique, personalized approach with every client and have quickly become a leading nationwide provider of integrated government solutions. Our focus is on integration, enhanced workflow and all inclusive pricing. With over ninety installations, DEVNET solutions value and collect for over 3.5 million parcels throughout eight states. Our integrated DEVNET Edge® solutions provide endless possibilities to enhance workflow, boost productivity and manage time more effectively.

The full suite of integrated DEVNET Edge® Property Tax Solutions include: Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA), Assessment Administration, Billing & Collection, Permitting & Zoning, Records Management, wEdge e-government, Printing & Mailing Services, Hardware Sales & Support and GIS Integration.

and wondered what we changed.  As it turns out, a whole heck of a lot! (though, to be fair, we had been meaning to update the splash screen for a while now, and what I am about to describe just proved to be the opportune time)

DEVNET recently upgraded its development environment, Powerbuilder, to the most recent version (12.5).  We’ve done this a couple of times now in the history of the company.  While each upgrade becomes potentially more problematic as the number of clients grows, we’d like to think that we’ve got a pretty good system in place for handling upgrades.  Disruptions from the client perspective were very minimal; the upgrade was performed over a weekend, and most clients came in Monday morning to business as usual.

So the big question is why?  From a business perspective, the version we had been running (11.2) was quickly approaching its end-of-life, and as a software developer, using an unsupported development tool is the technological equivalent of peeing into the wind. From a technical perspective, however, a world of opportunity opened up to us.  While out of the gate, the upgrade changed nothing, the things we can do for our clients now has vastly increased.  In no particular order, we get some great things with Powerbuilder 12.5:

• Digitally sign our applications. This sends a message to Windows and most virus scanners to say that our applications are what they claim to be, and from who they claim to be from.
• Consume web services.  There is a wealth of information available through web services, and it is a great way to tie different applications together, even if they are developed with different technologies.
• Publish web services. This allows other applications to become consumers of data from DEVNET applications.
• New graphing engine.  We can make prettier pictures now
• Lots of stuff under the hood that interests the programmers but not the clients
• A lot of bug fixes that we’d been waiting on.

We catch some gruff for using Powerbuilder for Windows development from time to time, but it’s been a great tool for us.  It’s easy to learn, stable, fast…. incredibly productive.  And with its low learning curve, even non-technical people at DEVNET can make reports, notices, and tax bills.  

This update will allow us to do some even more awesome things for our clients… and there are a lot of them coming in 2013!  Keep checking back and I will tell you all about them.

This year’s conference was a huge success, we enjoyed spending time with our clients, participating in the conference events, attending the Affiliate sessions and making new connections. DEVNET is a platinum supporter of the IACO organization and also participates in the IACO Scholarship program. We had the pleasure of presenting scholarships to some very hardworking and deserving students. 

Tanya Smith, the Vice President of Marketing was recently appointed to join the IACO board as a vendor representative. Tanya looks forward to her involvement and providing a new perspective.

As the leading provider of Property Tax Software in the state of Illinois, DEVNET is thankful for the opportunity to spend time with our clients learning the many ways that our solutions help create value. We appreciate each of you and enjoy the opportunity to participate and show our support.

DEVNET, Inc. offers proven industry knowledge and experience implementing integrated Appraisal, Assessment, Billing, Collection and e-government solutions designed to empower the public sector user. We have dedicated ourselves to taking a unique, personalized approach with every client and have quickly become a leading nationwide provider of integrated government solutions. Our focus is on integration, enhanced workflow and all inclusive pricing. With over ninety installations, DEVNET solutions value and collect for over 3.5 million parcels throughout eight states. Our integrated DEVNET Edge® solutions provide endless possibilities to enhance workflow, boost productivity and manage time more effectively.

The full suite of integrated DEVNET Edge® Property Tax Solutions include: Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA), Assessment Administration, Billing & Collection, Permitting & Zoning, Records Management, wEdge e-government, Printing & Mailing Services, Hardware Sales & Support and GIS Integration.

DEVNET offers tightly integrated solutions to Pennsylvania jurisdictions and has received several client endorsements in Pennsylvania. DEVNET offers integrated Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA), Assessment Administration, Billing, Collection, Tax Claims, Remote Collection, Permitting & Zoning, Records Management, GIS Integration and wEdge e-government solutions. We are excited to see familiar faces and make new connections at this conference.

DEVNET offers tightly integrated solutions certified by the Missouri State Tax Commission. Our integrated solutions include Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA), Assessment Administration, Billing, Collection,  Permitting & Zoning, Records Management, GIS Integration and wEdge e-government with online collection for both real and personal property accounts. 

DEVNET offers tightly integrated solutions certified by the Missouri State Tax Commission. Our integrated solutions include Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA), Assessment Administration, Billing, Collection,  Permitting & Zoning, Records Management, GIS Integration and wEdge e-government with online collection for both real and personal property accounts. 

“I am delighted to join DEVNET’s talented, customer-oriented team,” said Sweeney. “I am very impressed by the growth and success of DEVNET, and am confident my professionalism and experience in leading IT Support groups is a great fit for this organization.”

Michael Gentry, President of DEVNET commented, “This is a very exciting time for DEVNET. Dan is a wonderful addition to the DEVNET Technical team. His experience compliments our approach to technical support, adding to our ability to meet and exceed our clients’ needs.” Gentry added, “We are delighted to welcome this talented new member to our management team.”

Sweeney obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. He also holds Six Sigma training from Caterpillar, Inc in Montgomery, Illinois.

DEVNET, Inc. offers proven industry knowledge and experience implementing integrated Appraisal, Assessment, Billing, Collection and e-government solutions designed to empower the public sector user. We have dedicated ourselves to taking a unique, personalized approach with every client and have quickly become a leading nationwide provider of integrated government solutions. Our focus is on integration, enhanced workflow and all inclusive pricing. With over ninety installations, DEVNET solutions value and collect for over 3.5 million parcels throughout eight states. Our integrated DEVNET Edge® solutions provide endless possibilities to enhance workflow, boost productivity and manage time more effectively.