OnForce v4.0
May 31st, 2007 by danaOnForce is excited to announce the launch of version 4.0 of our platform. This release has been in the making for some time now (we started work on the product development for some of these features almost a year ago!).
h2. PowerMatch
The most important feature of this release is the introduction of PowerMatch, a highly precise matching engine that enables buyers to find the providers who have the right skills, experience and performance to match the specific requirements of each work order.
While in the past OnForce displayed the providers that were geographically closest to your service event, with PowerMatch you’ll see those providers that are best suited to successfully complete your service event, each with their own 1-100 PowerMatch score.
!http://blog.onforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/route-work-order.png!
Providers are shown on the Work Order Routing page, each with a PowerMatch score that’s customized to the work order being routed and the buyer routing the work order.
h2. Refined Work Order Creation Process
PowerMatch is possible because we’ve overhauled the work order creation process. In the past, buyers had to describe the service event and the required on-site activities in plain text. This made creating a work order time-consuming, difficult and inconsistent.
Instead, buyers will choose work order tasks from a menu to define a work order, making the process much more precise and easy. The work description and provider instructions fields are still available to provide additional information about the work that needs to be done and the processes that a provider should follow.
These new work orders form half of the equation that enables PowerMatch to help you find the providers that best match your needs on each work order.
!http://blog.onforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/create-work-order-1.png!
We’ve also updated the rest of the work order to make entering location and contact information easier as well.
!http://blog.onforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/create-work-order-2.png!
!http://blog.onforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/create-work-order-3.png!
The summary page shows all of this information, and enables buyers to save work orders in Draft status (see the Draft status section below) or route the work order immediately.
!http://blog.onforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/review-work-order.png!
h2. Updated Provider Profiles
The other enabler of PowerMatch is the completely revamped provider profile that we’ve asked all providers in the OnForce Marketplace to fill out. By creating a comprehensive profile that aligns tightly with the tasks that make up any work order, our providers can more accurately define their skills and the type of work they are best able to perform.
This more complete and accurate information is accessible on the Provider Profile pages available through “Explore the Marketplace”:2.
!http://blog.onforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/provider-profile.png!
h2. Draft Status Work Orders
We have made it free to create work orders.
Buyers will instead be charged the OnForce access fee upon the routing of work orders. To accommodate this change, we are introducing a new work order status called “Draft”. Upon creation, work orders will be in Draft status until they are routed.
We are also retiring the work order “New” status, since Draft status will take its place.
h2. API and Upload Tool PowerMatch Routing
Buyers that use our API or Work Order Upload Tool to create work orders can upgrade to use PowerMatch routing by merely putting a “P” in the autoroute spreadsheet column or API field. For more information about using our API and Upload Tool, please see our “OnForce Developer Site”:1.
[1]http://www.onforce.com/view/developer_site/page/api
[2]http://www.onforce.com/explore
May 31st, 2007 at 9:06 am
This release looks great!
May 31st, 2007 at 9:08 am
I like the new look. I have to say I have been impressed with OnForce to be the leader in IT services. I think that part of it is because of the upfount look. Very, very professional.
May 31st, 2007 at 11:00 am
It looks ok. no be change.
May 31st, 2007 at 11:35 am
Greetings:
I am a strong believer that Communication is key! Moreover, it enhances understanding, production, as well as healthy business relations. OnForces’ website / IT Service structure displays clarity, is very well organized, and user friendly. Whereas, these attributes promote great communication.
May 31st, 2007 at 12:02 pm
I really like what the new version looks like. I agree with what was said about OnForce in the earlier comments. Very up front, very professional. Way to go guys!! Keep it up!
May 31st, 2007 at 2:30 pm
The PowerMatch makes it easier for providers to create skill-specific profiles that will easily match us with buyers (no more guessing games!)
May 31st, 2007 at 4:08 pm
looks nice.. We still need the WAP site updated to allow us to make conditional offers, not being able to makes the WAP site next to useless
May 31st, 2007 at 6:46 pm
I also realy think this looks very strait forward and professional.I hope it is going to be a benefit to providers as far as improving customer service.The better the customer service the mor oppritunity for more work orders.I am still new to ON-FORCE as a provider and can’t seem to catch my first work order.I hope this will help the little guy to get some work orders under his or her belt. Thanks Guys and take care.
June 1st, 2007 at 3:28 am
I second the WAP update! That thing hasn’t changed since ComputerRepair.com!! PLEASE look at that one hard!
June 1st, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Now all we need is a ratings system that really works (i.e., requirement for both sides to rate the other) and the circle is complete!!
June 1st, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Anytime a company decides to push someone into something, such as a buyer to a provider, it ends up bad. Don’t be surprised if Onforce reverts back because this is going to cost them in the long run.
June 2nd, 2007 at 3:15 am
I love the new work order creation process. this enables us (providers) to see what exactly needs to be done, as opposed to pre-created ‘templates’ that certain buyers use to quickly route a work order. Another thing that was really annoying was when you read some of the work orders that were decoded from adobe, after the ‘&’ sign it would read like this ‘amp&,amp’…..just a querk of mine… i also like the powermatch profile over the old one.
June 2nd, 2007 at 10:01 am
Very nice. Made exactly for it’s purpose.
June 3rd, 2007 at 6:35 am
Net Services Inc of St. Louis, MO. would like to say it particularly like the PowerMatch feature, because now buyers will be able to select based on our experience and past performance.
June 5th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Hello everybody,
I think it looks really professional and it will help clients when choosing the right service provider for what they need.
Thank you
June 7th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
I like the new question and answer feature so you can get clarification on general work orders. No more surprises on site.!!!!!!! YES!
June 8th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
No times of availability listed anymore - does this mean the system sees everyone always available or it’s no longer an issue as people accept if they are available? Looks nice but I think the old system was more functional and said more about the provider’s skills. Just my opinion I guess.
June 8th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
I do have to agree as well the 3 questions per tech does work well especially with some big box buyers to clarify procedures that in the past were “iffy” and now we know if they will allow parts reroutes, how many trips are required for the fee, etc which also benefits the buyer as people as less antagonistic about taking their workorders and ending up in a world of you know what. I just hope this whole rework actually does benefit all parties - buyers, providers and Onforce and hopefully Onforce will also be open to suggestion and comment when properly put to them rather than being on the defensive when someone brings up a glitch or flaw. If the thing ends up not working lets hope they will backstep and put the old system back until a working upgrade can be done, and likewise if it does work we as buyers and providers should use it to it’s full potential. I am presently skeptical as are others but I’m riding it out to see how it comes along. If it means migrant farm work in the meantime that works since I’m a jack of all trades, master of none type person and not above working a local stop-n-rob in periods of low workload. That’s what self employment is all about - doing what it takes to make a living but having the option of doing what you want when you want as well. Forget the time clock, I’ve had enough of that.
June 8th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
Yes, I have seen some improvement, but still could use some more ‘goodies’ to fill in all the blank areas! I have seen/heard/been told here in the last few days while out on client sites that the reason I have been missing so darn-tootin’ many W.O.’s is because there seems to be this team telephone/WAP acceptance going on, where the ‘guy/gal’ out-in-the-field is talking to the ‘guy/gal’ in the shop camped-out in front of the PC/Laptop asking for their time availability to accept NEW W.O.’s Hmmmmm! It makes me want to SCREAM! I would say that’s a little deceptive eh! I would like On-Force to address this issue if they would Please!
June 8th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
Also while out Wapping about I don’t think its necessary for the WHOLE W.O. to load/bog-down the PDA’s with all the EXTRA pages of docs. Tech’s just need the FACTS (i.e. Name, location, machine type, problem description, Ph.#, ETA) spare us the added text of all the agreement/contract stuff for the printer. Please continue working on the Tech timing blocks for the WAP folks, because I am going to have to put heat shields on my backside from getting burnt by not knowing just how far ahead/behind other Tech’s are when viewing W.O.’s
July 7th, 2007 at 12:54 am
It would be nice to bring back the sub status display on the active work orders page. Also, if it was sortable..
July 8th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
looks nice.. We still need the WAP site updated to allow us to make conditional offers, not being able to makes the WAP site next to useless
Thanks Jason,
the timer is not refreshing, you don’t see other providers, you don’t can do cond. offers.
Is time that that get fixed, I travel a lot of outside my Verizon Broadband Wireless space and get only my old modem speed 14 to 56KB.
Let bring the WAP from the stone age to the future
July 9th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
The website is more user friendly. I still think though if we propose a counter offer that is good for 2 hours it should lock the ticket until the 2 hours are up, so that no one else will go on and take it. We are here to definately make as much money as possible. If we just keep accepting tickets for 50.00 that will be all that they offer.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:02 am
Work orders need to be looked at. I print out 5+ pages for each workorder. Info is all over. We only need 2-3 pages including the liability sheet.
July 20th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
I do not think a WO should be locked after a 2 hour proposal, what about if someone else is willing to accept the order for the current amount or conditions…
I think if after 2 hours nobody else has accepted the WO then it should be locked for that counter offer until the buyer accepts.
July 20th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
So when can we test drive this new 4.0 version? or am I missing something?
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:04 am
Cool.