Electronic components/stash inventory system

[elcrni]

hi all,

My name is Alek, i am new here. I am software developer by profession and long time electronics hobbyist.

So on to the point:
I own a small IT company for more than 18 years now and for years i've been wanting to make some online platform/inventory system, especially as my stash of components, tools and things grew and i was not able to keep track of anything any more.
I did a research and apart from a few very expensive online inventory systems, i did not find anything decent, easy to navigate or aesthetically acceptable. It has to be easy on the eyes!

So, i've finally put this into motion, basic idea has been worked out, most of the details as well and the team of developers has started the work. I've though now is the time to hear other opinions, thoughts and perhaps ideas, since we are at the start and a good opportunity to get comments and make the whole thing as good as possible.

Like me, most people will first ask about the price as that's a very important aspect, especially for something hobby related. Good and usable things are rarely free of charge so after a lot of math, we've come to a number that i think would be acceptable for both sides, the team that would be improving and servicing the platform, hosting and of course end user.

So the projected price would be USD $60-75 per year, paid yearly.

As for features and options, it would go as follows.

Platform would have OCTOPART API so adding new parts would automatically search Octopart library and get all the details for your part. Option to just insert a new part by hand/by typing values into every fields would be available as well. Custom fields will be available, so you could add new field for part description or whatever.
User would be able to sort parts by custom made groups, so you could just make a group RESISTORS, CAPACITORS... and than choose that group when adding new part. Once user access specific group, all the parts would be listed with option to export as CSV.
CSV bulk import will be available as well. Export of the whole inventory (by groups, categories or bulk) to CSV would be available at all times, even 14 days after user cancels subscription.

We are also thinking about labeling system, so once you insert the part, a label with basic data like NAME and VALUE will be created together with QR code. Then you simply print the label and stick it to the part storage or wherever.

For the first version, simple BOM option will be available as well, which would then get more advanced features later on.

Also, support for barcode scanners would be added so user can quick search, add, modify parts, quantities etc.

Now, my question would be, how interesting this is going to be to you guys?
Would there be anyone willing to be tester of the system and provide feedback on bugs or features? (with lifetime free access of course, as a way of compensation for testing the system)

Also, i am very aware of a number of other similar platforms that came and went away, so understandably many will ask how do we know this will last.
I am now into this and plan to keep it alive, even if just for internal use, but can't see it going away.
Also, trial period of 14 days would be available so no commitment to anything before user test the system.

Many thanks in advance,
Alek






 

[H.O]

Now, my question would be, how interesting this is going to be to you guys?

For me, personally, not at all I'm afraid.
Reason is simple, it's another online/cloud/whatever service that I'll have zero control over. Others may feel differently obviously and I wish you good luck with the project.

[elcrni]

Thanks H.O.
Yes, thats a concern many people have, control over their data, and thats something thats not easy to guarantee or promise but rather earned by long term reputation.
The things is, i feel the same and at the same time, not sure that there is any mechanism to reassure potential users that all their data and hard work populating the database, would not be gone at some point without prior notice.
Apart from maybe making an app that could be run locally on a PC, Mac...

Thanks,
Alek

[PlainName]

I'm interested and willing to pay for the right thing.

So the projected price would be USD $60-75 per year, paid yearly.

But that kills it stone dead for me. I will not rent software, and particularly not something that holds the keys to my parts inventory. What if you get run over by a bus or I stumble upon hard(er) times? Sod that, I'd rather write it all down in a notebook - at least I know I'll be able to find anything if the worst happens.

I appreciate that you want an ongoing income stream. The way to do that is to sell more stuff I want. That could be a better version of your software, additional features or something different, but I ain't paying for the same thing over and over just so you can have a subsidised life and turn my life into never ending debt.

Two examples: Parts & Vendors (an Access-based version of what you're doing). The business closed down and the chap that wrote it sadly passed away a little while ago, but the thing still works and it's still my (perfectly usable) parts inventory. I paid quite a lot for the license but have never regretted it.

Living cookbook (a recipe and related functions database). The business closed down and the license server turned off. Lost all my recipes. I know of people that have lost 10,000 or so recipes because the software won't accept their license any more, and the slightest change to the PC causes an activation requirement (mine was caused by uninstalling Kaspersky). I used to like the program but regret every getting involved with it and judge it not just a waste of money but an active waste of time trying to remember all my recipes.

You probably gather I have strong views about this stuff . Sure, a subscription is good for some people (businesses that don't want to own anything, for instance), but I think you're going to lose out on some people that want a solution they don't need to keep worrying about. Price per se isn't an issue as such - I once offered a developer the equivalent of 5 years subscription upfront for a non-subscription license, even though I would probably have stopped using it in that time. Potentially being left in the lurch is.

[elcrni]

thanks dunkemhigh!

I certainly get your point and you are right but to some extent. I "rent" almost all the software i use, its not cheap, not so convenient and like all, i would like it to be free, but thats not how things work.
Now, if i am to offer "one time" cost for the thing, i cant price it at $5000 or even $2000 as no one would buy it, and if i offer it for $250, i am pretty sure the thing would go bust in 2 years as i would not be willing to pour in my own money into it, there are better ways.

"I appreciate that you want an ongoing income stream." somehow i doubt this would be an ongoing income stream, i already have a couple of ongoing income streams and they are all ongoing as a result of hard work, and i cant see this being just a quick coding task and then sit back and collect $$$
The idea for the cost here is to cover everything, if there is a leftover for me as an owner, thats nice, but no one sane would be spending money into something constantly and not even breaking even, that just makes now sense.

As for the part where i am being run over by a bus, you would still be able to view and export ALL of your work, your database etc, you would just not be able to add new parts, edit parts etc. Yes, i said you could do that for 14 days after license expired but nothing here is written in stone, hence this discussion as an attempt to find a better solution to what we have at the moment with other similar platforms and systems.
Sadly, there is no solution that fits everyone, even if it was truly amazing and free, someone would still find something to complain about :-)

"but I ain't paying for the same thing over and over just so you can have a subsidised life and turn my life into never ending debt." come on man, we're talking about one dinner out money A YEAR :-)

Thanks,
Alek

[Digital_Warrior]

I agree not renting software and not having control over my data. I prefer open source software where ever possible along with self hosting the software. As you stated in your original post you are going to do it no matter what for internal use. Why not release it under a self hosted version with some sort of license verification code checked locally and have it report back the IP that is being used along with the lic key. Free for home hobby use not to be used in a commercial setting, then you could lic it out and charge your 5k+ lic fee to other shops. You can kinda check based on IP say it reports back that the IP belongs to DELL then you would have an idea that the free home hobby is being used commercially and can pursue that as you please.

[PlainName]

Hope you  don't mind discussing this - I think your numbers don't stack up:

Now, if i am to offer "one time" cost for the thing, i cant price it at $5000 or even $2000 as no one would buy it, and if i offer it for $250, i am pretty sure the thing would go bust in 2 years

You suggest $60-$75 per year. Over 5 years that's around $350, which is substantially lower than $2000 and barely over the $250 you'd go broke at. I would expect that, as per usual for the vast majority of software, a one-off price would have a year of free updates, and after that you get to charge a quarter to a half again for another year of updates. Let's say you do a one-off price of $120, so after 5 years you would get from me 120 + (4 * 60) aka $360. Of course, that assumes that your updates are actual updates and not just a new release to be able to charge money

As for the part where i am being run over by a bus, you would still be able to view and export ALL of your work, your database etc, you would just not be able to add new parts, edit parts etc.

So essentially I wouldn't be able to buy any new parts, create any new projects, etc, until I'd researched and found a replacement. Then spent time learning how to drive that replacement, find out how to export my data and convert to something the replacement can use, do the conversion, patch up the bits that didn't convert... Why would I not just go straight to that replacement and skip yours? After all, that's where I am now - I am looking for a replacement to an excellent system I already have but which is no longer supported, and it's taking me (literally) years to achieve that. But at least I can still use it while I'm looking.

come on man, we're talking about one dinner out money A YEAR

I don't pay that much for dinner. In fact, that would keep me going for a week with stuff left over for luxuries. And, most importantly that you and everyone else promoting subscriptions forget, I would not be using your product exclusively. My paid-up software repository (essentially, install files for software I've bought) has 209 directories. So 209 * $70 is $14,630 per year. Every year. Forever. That's a lot of dinners.

Now, some of that software I use only once per year or two. That's a very expensive per-use experience, which would only annoy me every time I fired it up. Granted, that wouldn't be often, but I could get very annoyed every day for almost 7 months before having to go repeat anything...

[BitsnBytes]

Good initiative....

I have been using online procurement services for 3 years, I would like to share my experience.

Footprints, 3d models and simulation models should be readily available. Most websites give 3d models and footprints but few give simulation models. You should think about it.

[H.O]

Apart from maybe making an app that could be run locally on a PC, Mac...

My point exactly. It's the renting/subscription thing that gets me wound up - I won't have it. Simple as that.

[kripton2035]

I think old fellows like me (and most of the users here ...) will not accept to pay recurrently for an online software... especially if my datas are not stored locally...
I pay for a software with known actual features, once, and I pay for updates when there are new features I 'm interested in.
renting software are always a no-go.
and I can build my own softwares too if needed.

[tautech]

[elcrni]

Thanks guys!

I have to agree with most of your comments, i for one like to own things, not rent them, same goes for the software. Now, this software as any other would have to maintained, serviced, improved... and that costs time and resources (money).

I would very much like to have this as a web service rather than dedicated platform app, in which case there should be PC version, Mac version, ios, android... and as i web service a user could simply download and run locally (on local PC, NAS server...) and access it from any device in LAN... this would then limit it to same network use, or perhaps a user could set it u in a way so he/she can access it fro outside, that pretty much up to a user and not me.

So the main point here is owning the thing and everything user has in the database, so if i get hit by a bus as someone said, no one of you would care :-)

Then, there should be a way to update/upgrade once a new release is out but that should be relatively easy.

And lastly, there absolutely should be a fee BUT considering the above, it would be pointless as anyone could download the thing and just share it for free with anyone interested.

Going by IP and licence would add too much extra work, more than developing the software itself so no point in doing it that way. Last thing i want is to end up chasing people to pay for something.

Which ever way look at things i keep getting back to yearly license as cant really see anything else being self sustainable.

Many thanks,
Alek

[PlainName]

this software as any other would have to maintained, serviced, improved... and that costs time and resources (money)

That's what the upgrade fee is for. The selling price is for what there is at that point, not what there might be in future (which is basically continuous crowdfunding and not the norm).

I would very much like to have this as a web service rather than dedicated platform app

Now that would justify a subscription because it costs you to supply (whereas once your software is written you're done - remember, future work will get future payment). But, again, that wouldn't be for me. I would want my data to be here where I can look after it.

this would then limit it to same network use

Kind of. First, that's fine by me because I don't want it spread over the intertubes. But if you do need it accessible externally, that's what VPNs are for. Or port forwarding.

Basically, don't worry about the details. If it can be seen on the LAN then providing you don't deliberately break it the user can access it offsite if they want, not if they don't. Offering off-site hosting for a subscription would be great for those that don't want to deal with local infrastructure, though.

You're probably bored of me now, though, so I'll take a backseat from here

[Zero999]

Thanks guys!

I have to agree with most of your comments, i for one like to own things, not rent them, same goes for the software. Now, this software as any other would have to maintained, serviced, improved... and that costs time and resources (money).

As previously stated, that's what upgrades are for, but even then there's lots of software developers who overcharge for upgrades, which just fix a few bugs and include minimal new features.

I would very much like to have this as a web service rather than dedicated platform app, in which case there should be PC version, Mac version, ios, android... and as i web service a user could simply download and run locally (on local PC, NAS server...) and access it from any device in LAN... this would then limit it to same network use, or perhaps a user could set it u in a way so he/she can access it fro outside, that pretty much up to a user and not me.

So the main point here is owning the thing and everything user has in the database, so if i get hit by a bus as someone said, no one of you would care :-)

Then, there should be a way to update/upgrade once a new release is out but that should be relatively easy.

And lastly, there absolutely should be a fee BUT considering the above, it would be pointless as anyone could download the thing and just share it for free with anyone interested.

Going by IP and licence would add too much extra work, more than developing the software itself so no point in doing it that way. Last thing i want is to end up chasing people to pay for something.

Which ever way look at things i keep getting back to yearly license as cant really see anything else being self sustainable.

Many thanks,
Alek

That wouldn't intrest me. I want to be in control of my data. Ideally the software should be able to store it in some universal, open format, rather than a proprietary blob. I'm happy to pay a decent amount of money for useful software, but I resent giving the developer my data, whether it be on some cloud server, or because theire software stores it in a secret format, only they can access.

[elcrni]

I would say that there has been a misundestanding here. When i said "So the main point here is owning the thing and everything user has in the database, so if i get hit by a bus as someone said, no one of you would care :-)" thats what i meant. You WOULD OWN everything including your database which you would be able to access with or without the software, in CSV for example. Once you run the thing locally, i have no control over your data any more, or any part of the software for that matter.

Otherwise what would be the point of running the thing locally if you can not access or do anything with your data, then we could just have it in the cloud, same thing.


@dunkemhigh
You're probably bored of me now, though, so I'll take a backseat from here

NO! If i would get bored that easily i would not post something like this up for a debate, i would just do it as i see fit :-)

Thanks,
Alek

[RoGeorge]

To me, a spreadsheet is more than enough.

A text file is even better, for not depending on software with a complex stack that might not be available in the long term.  For example, I once put al the resistors in a database.  That was a mistake, too much work to keep it updated, and nobody uses any more a 5'' floppy disks with db2 for the CP/M OS anyway.   

Not doing production, so my inventory doesn't move much and I tend to remember what I have.

[madires]

Thanks, but no thanks! No SaaS for me! I've seen too many companies shutting down completely or shutting down specific SaaS products for whatever reason causing customers to lose valuable data or content, or outages lasting several days, hacked platforms and so on. Even the big players are plagued by such issues. The risk assessment concludes that it would be a bad idea.

[elcrni]

Allright guys, many thanks for your thoughts.

It will be cloud based after all. Whoever likes it, will be welcome to use it.

Have fun weekend :-)
Alek

[JPortici]

Hi elcrni,
one software i have been wanting to use for a long time is Partkeepr.
Open source, can be run locally on a virtual machine (or dedicated server) as it's actually a web based application.
I wanted to use it but i never used it more than a couple of days at times, because it has always had issues and that i never managed to overcome, but the idea behind this software is exactly what i have in mind in terms of how it manages things, how they are organized.

I would be very happy to pay / donate / whatever for support/updates if i knew that this product is actually mantained and moving forward.
i will not rent software as long as i can.

[elcrni]

Hi elcrni,
one software i have been wanting to use for a long time is Partkeepr.
Open source, can be run locally on a virtual machine (or dedicated server) as it's actually a web based application.
I wanted to use it but i never used it more than a couple of days at times, because it has always had issues and that i never managed to overcome, but the idea behind this software is exactly what i have in mind in terms of how it manages things, how they are organized.

I would be very happy to pay / donate / whatever for support/updates if i knew that this product is actually maintained and moving forward.
i will not rent software as long as i can.

Thanks!

Yes, we are still far from the final licensing/payment model decision so we could as well end up with one off payment at the end.

Thanks,
Alek