Marketplace Pick
Market Pick
WHAT'S HOT
This release version builds upon Sparkle Solutions original release by adding the ability to change background and display colors and a location to save an image of each vehicle. The biggest update however is the security feature with the password protector and 128-bit encryption. Users can be somewhat apprehensive about storing such detailed data on a device that could be lost or stolen, so the addition of this feature was much needed.
SETUP
Installation followed the normal standard protocols. There is a choice of available versions depending on the year of your operating system from the zip folder. From that point, choose the location to save the file and the installation happens in a matter of seconds due to the small size of this software title.
PROGRAM FEATURES
The software has a long list of features and functions that will cater to the user's needs. Here is a condensed version of the key details listed on the vendor's website.
- Data Entry and Easy Viewing.
- Every data is stored in a sorted format.
- Search option.
- 128-bit Encrypted Master Password to ensure security.
- Reminder of Key Dates at the Startup.
- Tools for Setting Date Ranges for Sub-Entries.
- Export Facility with Desktop Backup.
- Twin Utilities absolutely free.
- Most Pleasing Color Settings option is provided to improve the Presentation.
- Any number of sub-details can be added for a particular vehicle.
- Novel way of browsing the options using a Pop-up Menu.
Start
Up
There are no flash screens to start the program and after selecting the icon on your device, the main menu appears.
Most of the program's functions are controlled or launched from this screen. Here we see a short list of 3 vehicles that were entered for this review. This would be especially handy for those who manage an entire fleet of company vehicles but most of us only have one to four automobiles at any given time. There are navigation icons along the bottom, which we will cover individually as we explore the entire software offering.
VEHICLE SETUP
Selecting the car in the lower left-hand corner will add a new vehicle to the database.
These three screens show each tab of the vehicle information screen. The dealer and insurance information can be extremely useful in the event of an accident or breakdown and will save time and frustration. It is also noted that the keyboard is automatically present on screens that require input, which saves additional tapping.
Once a vehicle has been entered and it appears on the main screen, a tap on that vehicle floats a menu window with more options. It was undetermined how many records a person could have but during the course of the review, 75 vehicles were entered as a test.
This is the summary view of the 2000 Ford Explorer.
A user can add a photo or a picture of the vehicle here as long as it is in a bitmap (.bmp) format. The practical use would be in a fleet management situation, but it is also useful if you want to show off one of your more of your vehicles to a friend.
Fuel
Entry
The fuel entry screen shows recent fill-ups based on the Date Range setting. As shown in the second screen shot, the multiple date parameter choices should provide enough report customization.
Tapping the New button on the fuel entry screen provides a secondary screen with the required fields and the right screen shot is the summary that is displayed after tapping a fuel entry item.
Repair/Maintenance
Selecting the repair or the maintenance option from the vehicle screen displays the data entry screen and is self-explanatory. There is no distinction between the repair or maintenace options and the data entry fields are exactly the same. The only difference is the little icon of a wrench or hammer next to the entry on the summary page.
The summary view is available just as it in the fuel entry screens.
TRIP LOG
Being able to track the details of individual trips or a summary of the day is a great way to save headaches later. The input is very straightforward and complete.
Here we see the date by date summary of a few trip entries and you might notice that the layout is exactly the same for all data entry types. To enter a new trip, click New.
The three screens above take the user through the three tabs in the trip log. Input can be as detailed or as brief as needed according to their own individual report requirements. The middle screen shows the odometer tab and displays another useful feature that calculates a total cost for the trip. For some users who get reimbursed, input your company's rate-per-mile value and the total cost will show what is owed to you. Fleet managers might choose to figure out their average cost per mile and input that value instead to determine how much the trip is costing the company or department.
Display summary of the trip.
Other
Expenses
Entering into this field grouping is the same as entering the repair or maintenace items. At first it appeared that this was a wasted option. Upon further review a user who upgrades audio video equipment or does accessory or modifications to their vehicle might find this a useful place to store that detailed information. It could be quite handy in keeping track of the 20 plus speaker and amplifiers in your rolling theater on wheels.
Key
Dates
Not letting your insurance lapse or remembering that emission test can sometimes be a challenge. The key dates function allows you to program a reminder to do a variety of tasks.
The simple drop down calendar makes input a breeze, but it would be nice to see a function that would remind a person a few days ahead of schedule. When the dates entered finally do come about, there will be a pop up reminder when you launch the AutoLog program.
If there are tasks due on a given day, clicking the icon will bring you to this summary screen where you of course can view the details of the event.
Security
The security feature is a welcome addition to the hopefully already installed security protocols on your mobile device. AutoLog has a 128-bit encryption password system that will keep the vulnerable data safe.
The only challenge with the password control is the fact that you must remember to exit the program by using the green "X" button. Just closing the window from the upper right hand corner or turning the device off will not enable the password function and anyone who gets ahold of the device will be able to re-enter the program.
CUSTOMIZATION
AutoLog allows the user to change the colors of the backgrounds in each one of the different screen views. Some people prefer to read text with a different background and it is a nice way to customize categories.
Choosing the category and the section by tapping on the color box will bring up a selection of colors in which a user can select. The custom color function is not available on AutoLog 2.0.
To set the date range settings on a global format, select the green hammer icon on the bottom of the screen. This was confusing to me because that same icon is used to identify the maintenance items on the summary page.
MILEAGE CALCULATOR
An included tool that I found pretty helpful was the mileage calculator. It gave the opportunity to run a few calculations in a matter of seconds. By entering data into a few fields, the user is provided with some basic information that would be useful in planning trips or deliveries.
The above shows an illustration of the calculations. For some reason the Total Cost is a calculation of the distance multiplied by the cost of the fuel. It is unclear why the database calculates it this way, however the way to use a tool like that is to determine the cost per mile on your vehicle and input that amount in the fuel cost area. For this vehicle, the fuel cost is 10.76 cents per mile, so the calculation would give us a $36.91 total cost for the 343 miles.
REPORTS
Getting the data into a report format is not very difficult and a very good tool. After selecting a vehicle from the main menu the user findsat three options near the bottom of the floating menu. Each choice has its advantages but the .cvs export out to Excel is probably the easiest to use and manipulate.
After selecting a vehicle, choose the parameters for the style of report you want to create.
Choose the folder on your device to save the data.
The data is then located in the folder on your device and also in your PocketPC MyDocuments folder on your desktop once you sync. The procedure is the same for saving to a PocketWord format. An Excel report looks something like this.
Excel File - Right Click, Save As
Exporting to an html follows the same procedure, only your results are displayed on the screen. The screen is scrollable and will include all of the parameters you chose to include.
Samples of the html export view.
HELP/SUPPORT
There is a vendor supplied manual included in the download and there is also a very brief section of instructions when the user selects the question mark icon at the bottom of the screen. Additional support is available on the Sparkle Solutions Inc. website via email. Only one question regarding installation is posted on the FAQ section of the support page.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
System requirements are extremely light for this application. The program is using under 300k on the test device and it appears the space requirements will be determined by the amount of data entered. No other requirements were listed by the vendor.
BUGS AND WISHES
During the course of the review, there were no fatal errors or bugs found. The mileage calculator as mentioned before was a bit puzzling and I found no information in the manual to explain why the calculations were made in that manner. It would have been nice to be able to set a reminder ahead of time in the key dates section. As a user who would probably purchase a software title like this, the wish is for a hot button or icon for the fuel entry screen. Another item that would be helpful is more drop down menus with popular entry items such as repair types. The ability to save certain vendors that the user frequents would also be a welcome addition. Finally, a more complete users manual that discusses in more detail the functions of the program would be helpful and a possibly a section mentioning how to print reports from the device.
PURCHASING
The program is available for purchase at the pocketnow store for $9.99. AutoLog v2.0 is also available from Handango. Included in the software on both sites is a free Loan Calculator, but it was not included in the version received and was not reviewed.
PROS
Simple format and easy input
Pictures available
Ability to export to multiple formats for reporting
CONS
Lacks content custimization
User Manual needs more detail
Price
OVERALL IMPRESSION
AutoLog is a good start to what could be a great program. I found it quick and responsive and it was not overloaded with too many functions or processes. The ideal user for such a program is a fleet manager who is never at his desk and needs the data on the fly. I found many of the tools very useful and complete. The only aversion, and the reason for the price being included in the cons section, was the fact that many database programs have very similar applets available for free. The good news about Sparkle Solutions Inc. is the fact that they introduced version 1.0 earlier this year and have already made improvements to the title. AutoLog is full of features and the reporting functions make it worth the time to input, and could be a nice addition to a mobile device that is always on the go.
