Testimonials

People MADE EASY
"Seven step programme that lets businesses manage their staff with ease.

IT Desktop Solutions took my brief functional specifications –turning them into a technical design and developed solution that could be sold to consumers.

The solution was developed to meet branding ‘look and feel’ specifications and any road-blocks through the development process were ably researched and resolved.

IT Desktop Solutions will be a core part of our strategy, to provide more software solutions, going forward."

 
Karen Nelson, Director Made Easy Tools Limited
Projects Made Easy
"GS3X® Project Focus & Clarification Plan

I utilised IT Desktop Solutions services to create a software programme based on one of my own tools. Russ delivered exactly what I wanted and was thorough in his approach.

He was very approachable about any changes that I wanted and about any bugs I found in the testing stages.

Making software requires patience and detail and Russ showed both these traits."

 
Mark Sutherland, Projects Made Easy Limited
ABC Estimator Software Ltd
"Russ and I worked together in developing ABC Estimator Software. The end product is an estimating tool that saves you time, money and effort. Russ' sense of humour, attention to detail, approachable manner and professionalism helped make the project a success. His level of service is second to none."
 
Reno Vidot, ABC Estimator Software Ltd
Catholic Family Support Services
"I really loved how easy Russ is to talk with and that he understood my 'techno-phobe' language.

He created a personalised software package that is completely user friendly and exceeds my expectations. Thanks so much"

 
Lu, Catholic Family Support Services
Spelling Recall
"Educational Software

We first approached IT Desktop Solutions Ltd in March 2006 and continue to utilise Russ' services to date.

We have found Russ pleasant to work with and can confidently recommend IT Desktop Solutions Ltd as a solid and reliable service provider, and expert in his field."

 
Aroha Turner, Director Turner & Russell Ltd
Fidels Cafe, Ernesto Cafe and Havana Bar
"PRICE-CRACKER truly helps your business be profitable. It is easy to use, and the amazing technical support Russ provides is personable, helpful and clear. I am so glad we found it! Thanks so much."
 
Lizzy, Fidels Cafe, Ernesto Cafe and Havana Bar - Wellington, New Zealand
Italy 1 Holdings Pty. Ltd
"Excellent solution! I would like to congratulate you on your prompt responses and eagerness to meet the customers’ needs. Well done."
 
Andrew, Italy 1 Holdings Pty. Ltd. - Melbourne, Australia
Ali’s Celebration Cakes
"PRICE-CRACKER is fabulous as it allows easy costing of products so we can give best value to our customers. I love the responsiveness too – ask and a change is made to increase functionality."
 
Alison, Ali’s Celebration Cakes - Auckland, New Zealand
The Cook Cafe & Bar
"Thanks for PRICE-CRACKER. It is a simple, easy to follow and accurate tool to help us effectively manage our business. It has become the cornerstone of how we assess our food cost and profitability."
 
Chris, The Cook Cafe & Bar - Hamilton, New Zealand
St.Andrews Bakery
"Ever wondered if you’re getting the right price for your product, PRICE-CRACKER helped me find out. What an easy program to use; after entering my stocks it was just a matter of entering my recipes and margin’s. Have fun and don’t undersell yourself."
 
Mark, St Andrews Bakery - Hamilton, New Zealand
Sweet Obsession Cakes & Pastries
"With ingredients going up in price so rapidly we get a lot of use of your program."
 
Lorne, Sweet Obsession Cakes & Pastries - Canada
Waikane Hot Bread & Patisserie
"Fantastic, one of the best investments we ever made."
 
David, Waikane Hot Bread & Patisserie - Waikane, New Zealand
Brasserie Moustache
"This is a really great program that non-computer literates like me can make work."
 
Gerald, Brasserie Moustache, Keyneton - Australia
Bodalla Bakery
"Yes it is a cracker, we love it."
 
Sharan, Bodalla Bakery, Bodalla - Australia
Governors Café
"Once more can I say what a brilliant programme you have produced."
 
Tim, Governors Café - Dunedin, New Zealand
Albert's Greek Kitchen
"Great job with the software, it's been an excellent costing tool for us."
 
Albert, Albert's Greek Kitchen - Auckland, New Zealand
Mashino Expresso
"Great tool."
 
Chris, Mashino Expresso - Christchurch, New Zealand
Fig Tree Café
"Fantastic, one of the best investments we ever made."
 
Christine, Fig Tree Café - Wellington, New Zealand
ELM Cuisine
"Love the product!"
 
Emily, ELM Cuisine - Christchurch, New Zealand
Waitomo Golf & Coutry Club Inc
"As a voluntary secretary, who is also in full time paid employment, I have found Memberbase to be an invaluable time saving tool, which enables me to keep tabs on all areas of our membership. The invoicing and receipts of subscriptions is simplicity itself. The ablitiy to email members is a time and money saver, and reports can be created and circulated at the drop of a hat. All in all, a great program which I can definitely recommend."
 
Margaret, Waitomo Golf & Coutry Club Inc - New Zealand
Matarangi Volunteer Rural Fire Force
"We have used Memberbase since 2009 to keep track of all aspects of our member information. We’ve found Memberbase to be an important tool for managing members of our volunteer fire force. It’s simple to use and provides useful reports on all aspects of club data. Support has been great. Keeping track of invoices and receipts is now so much simpler and reports can be produced with a click of a button, including member cards. I have no problems recommending Memberbase as an effective software for managing club data of any kind."
 
Stuart, Chief Fire Officer, Matarangi Volunteer Rural Fire Force - New Zealand
Towns Souths Hockey Club
"In 2009 our Club purchased a copy of MemberBase Software. We are now kicking ourselves for not getting off our backsides and utilising this amazing piece of software earlier. It fast became obvious that this was exactly what we had been looking for over the past few seasons to manage our ever growing number of both junior and senior members. So happy were we, that we subsequently purchased another two copies and now have all three running from a central database to ensure that all of our junior, senior and fees data are kept current. The learning curve was very easy and the FAQs and help area were simple to follow. We have also found the email support to be above and beyond normal service agreements and even developed a specific change we requested to the reporting aspect of the program. We would have no hesitation in recommending MemberBase to any potential customer and would like to thank Russ for his support and assistance so far."
 
Dean, Club President, Towns Souths Hockey Club - Australia
Lake Hawea Golf Club
"I can definitely recommend this software. I am enjoying using the email system for messages to members and committee. You have made my life a lot less difficult. Thank you!"
 
Joy, Lake Hawea Golf Club - New Zealand
Northcote & Birkenhead Tigers Rugby League & Sports Club
"This is so simple and easy to use. We have been looking for something like this for ages, thank you."
 
Niki, Northcote & Birkenhead Tigers Rugby League & Sports Club - New Zealand
Hockey Wanganui Inc
"We can categorically state that not only is the Sports Admin Tool+ everything it is cracked up to be, it has the most invaluable extra tools that make this programme a complete package in every respect. SAT+ has been finely tuned to the point it is everything we want plus having our questions replied to almost immediately. Do yourself a favour. Try it yourself. It is intuitive and a pleasure to use. You are a bloody legend. Thanks a million....Perfect."
 
Ross, Hockey Wanganui, New Zealand
Fraser High School
"We have used Facility Management System to help us move away from our paper based practices. We no longer handle information several times and our invoice management for third party usage of our facilities is completly automated, leading to greater accuracies and efficiencies.
The on screen help, easy to follow screen lay out and demo movie makes FMS very user friendly. We can quickly access facility availabilities and there is a built feature that guarantees no double bookings.
We bulk book for terms and do one off bookings, and the quotes allow us to distribute information in a quick and professional format. A host of reports keep us hands on with our revenues and usage. We export our invoice information direct to MYOB, and the inbuilt email system saves time, postage and stationery costs.
Using FMS is a breeze and has saved us in excess of 50% of the time we used to spend of managing our facilities."

 
Doug Sommerville, Sports Cordinator, Hamilton's Fraser High School, New Zealand
Waikato Hockey Association
"The Sports Admin Tool has been Waikato Hockey Association’s preferred draws, results, and pitch usage tool since 2004. By continuously educating our Boards’ members the draw production for 150 teams over 3 winter competitions gets easier each year. The resource usage feature has decreased our invoicing time for 3 days (manual diary) to ½ day which is a huge time saving. The disciplinary feature makes collating demerit points a breeze. With our use of satellite turfs, the pitch revenue feature keeps monthly track of charges which makes our accounts payable reconciliation very simple. The customer support is wonderful. With instant enhancements by Russ I have found it to be an efficient and user friendly package."
 
Maryellen, WHA Office, New Zealand
Homebush Bay Foods
"I would like to thank you for the work you have put into ProductSpec+.
I find the program easy to use. It is a detailed, concise document generator that clearly labels our products specifications. It is the ideal tool to assist both our customers and ourselves in keeping our product specifications organized and clear throughout the production process. ProductSpec+ has simplified the arduous task of creating compliant packaging labels and specification sheets with hands on control of the finished document, saving us time and money."

 
Jeremy Burston B.Ec, Director, Homebush Bay Foods - Sydney, Australia
Homebush Bay Foods
"I would like to thank Russ for the work he has put into Nutrient Panel+.
I find the program easy to use. Once you have put in your custom ingredients you can create a nutrient panel in no time. When I have issues I find that they are sorted immediately by email and any changes that need to be made are actioned straight away. The product is robust and flexible – I highly recommend its use."

 
Jeremy, Homebush Bay Foods - Sydney, Australia
 

Screenshots

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • This database is in an unrecognized format.
    http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=946205
    When you try to open a compiled database file (.accde or .mde) or a compiled project file (.ade) in Microsoft Office Access 2007, you receive the following error message:

    This database is in an unrecognized format.

    The database may have been created with a later version of Microsoft Office Access than the one you are using. Upgrade your version of Microsoft Office Access to the current one, and then open this database.
    This problem occurs if the compiled database file or the compiled project file was created on a computer that has the 2007 Microsoft Office suites Service Pack 1 (SP1) installed.
    This problem occurs when you try to open the file that you created, and the following conditions are true:

    You try to open the file on a computer that has the original version of Access 2007 installed.
    The 2007 Office suites Service Pack 1 is not installed on the computer.

    To resolve this problem, install the 2007 Office suites Service Pack 1 on the computer on which you are trying to open the file.
  • Security Warning - this file may not be safe...
    When opening the tool in Microsoft Access 2003 and later, you might see one of several possible security warnings that the file may be unsafe. This is due to the Microsoft Access

    security level settings on your computer been set to High. Security settings restrict access to the database and are a result of new security features that were first introduced

    with Microsoft Access 2003.

    Really annoying, isn't it? To disable it;
    Access 2003 click menu options Tools > Macro. There's a Security flyout. Set the macro security to Low.
    Access 2007 has a better solution. You can specify trusted locations by using the Microsoft Office Trust Center (OTC).
  • Cannot download install or upgrade (exe) file from website.
    This may be related to your internet browser, check if your security level is set to High.
    In Internet Explorer > Tools > Internet Options > Security Tab. Highlight Internet, click Custom Level, find File Download. If it's set to Disable, set it to Enable, click OK,

    then 'Yes' to the prompt asking if you're sure you want to change your security settings for this zone, then Apply, and OK.
    Or, if your slider is set to High,you could just move it down to Medium,if you don't want the Internet Zone set to High.

    All else fails I can send you a disc, but I prefer to avoid this option as it tends to be the computer security settings, and utimately, if the install cannot be downloaded you

    will have on going issues with downloading FREE upgrades.
  • Access 2007 cannot recognize a custom shortcut menu bar in a form.
    From: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/942378

    The Microsoft Office 2007 Suite Service Pack 1
    Service Pack 1 fixes includes the following issue;

    - Access 2007 cannot recognize a custom shortcut menu bar in a form
    When you open a custom shortcut menu bar in a form in Access 2007, the shortcut menu is missing. Additionally, you may receive an error message that states that the shortcut menu

    does not exist when you open the database again.

    To download The 2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 1 (SP1) goto:

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=9EC51594-992C-4165-A997-25DA01F388F5&displaylang=en

    Note: The above link may change without waring. In this case google 'Microsoft Office 2007 Suite Service Pack 1' for download location.
  • Attaching tables with URL.
    To connect to remote data you need to map a network path ( see instructions below ) as URI ( Universal Resource Identifier such as \\Asusz53\ ) are not recogised when trying to connect the data tables.
    Ensure that the folder is correctly set up for sharing on the remote computer.

    How To Map a Network Drive in Windows Using Windows Explorer
    Windows supports several different methods for mapping a network drive. A network drive is a file folder located on a remote computer that has been configured for sharing over a LAN (Local Area Network). These instructions explain the process to map a shared network drive using Windows Explorer.

    1. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer from the Windows Start Menu.
    2. From the Tools menu, click Map Network Drive. A new Map Network Drive window opens.
    3. In the Map Network Drive window, choose an available drive letter from the dropdown list located next to the "Drive:" option.
    4. Click Browse to find the correct folder by browsing available network shares.
    5. Click the "Reconnect at login" checkbox if this network drive should be mapped permanently. Otherwise, this drive will un-map when the user logs out of this computer.
    6. If the remote computer that contains the shared folder requires a different username and password to log in, click the "different user name" hyperlink to enter this information.
    7. Click Finish.
    8. If the Finish operation succeeds, the network drive will be mapped. If the network drive cannot be mapped, ensure the folder name is spelled correctly, that this folder was correctly set up for sharing on the remote computer, that (if necessary) the correct username and password have been entered, and that the computer network connections are functioning properly.
  • Q. How do I disable 'Open File - Security Warning' when running downloaded files?
    A. Follow these instructions:
    1. Run gpedit.msc
    2. Go to Local Computer Policy >
    3. User Configuration >
    4. Administrative Templates >
    5. Windows Components >
    6. Attachment Manager.
    7. Enable 'Default risk level for file attachments'
    8. Enable 'Inclusion list for low risk file types'
    9. Add '.exe' to list of file extensions that you want to open without triggering message.
    Note: This action compromises your system security."
  • Q. How do I download exe file upgrades from the website, what is the problem?
    A. On Internet Explorer menu go to Tools menu > Internet Options > Advanced tab, you have the check marks taken out of 'Enable install on demand' or 'Allow software to run or install'.

    This may be related to your internet browser, check if your security level is set to High.
    In Internet Explorer > Tools > Internet Options > Security Tab.
    Highlight Internet, click Custom Level, find File Download. If it's set to Disable, set it to Enable, click OK, then 'Yes' to the prompt asking if you're sure you want to change your security settings for this zone, then Apply, and OK.
    Or, if your slider is set to High, you could just move it down to Medium, if you don't want the Internet Zone set to High.
    Or launch Internet Options from Control Panel. Click the Security tab. Select the Internet zone. Click the Custom Level button. Scroll down to the Miscellaneous group. Find the item 'Launching Applications and unsafe files'. Is it set to 'Disable'? Then change it to 'Prompt' and click OK.
  • Q. How do I download exe file upgrades when they are not downloading from the website?
    A. Click Internet Explorer. Choose Tools menu > Internet Options > Advanced Tab. Click the boxes for Enable Install On Demand or Allow Software To Run Or Install or Allow Software To Run Or Install Even If The Signature Is Invalid.
  • Q. How do I stop the message 'Security Warning - this file may not be safe…'?
    A. When opening the tool in Microsoft Access 2003 and later, you might see one of several possible security warnings that the file may be unsafe. This is due to the Microsoft Access security level settings on your computer been set to High. Security settings restrict access to the database and are a result of new security features that were first introduced with Microsoft Access 2003.

    Really annoying, isn't it? To disable it;
    Access 2003 click menu options Tools > Macro. There's a Security flyout. Set the macro security to Low.
    Access 2007 has a better solution. You can specify trusted locations by using the Microsoft Office Trust Center (OTC)."
  • Q. 'Not A Valid Win32 Application' -how do I work through this file download message?
    A. Often this error message will be similar to the below error message.
    C:\Program Files\myprogram\program.exe is not a valid Win32 application.
    Possible Cause:
    File is corrupt.
    If the file you're attempting to run is corrupt, Windows will be unable to execute the file properly and will generate this error message.
    If you downloaded the file, delete the file and try downloading and running it again. It's possible during the download that the file became corrupted.
    Finally, if the second download does not work, it is possible we mistakenly uploaded a corrupt version of the file. Let us know of the file and we will check it's condition."
  • Q. I can't do my things with Vista - HELP! How can I work with Vista security?
    A. User Account Control (UAC) is a new application in Windows Vista to manage user privileges. This Service is the reason you get a question every time you to install or manage programs in Windows Vista.
    Like Microsoft say: 'UAC can help prevent unauthorized changes to your computer. We recommend that you leave UAC turned on to help protect your computer.'
    If you feel you can manage without this invasive input you can turn UAC On or Off with the following steps:
    Start menu > Control Panel > User Accounts > Turn User Account Control on or off.
    Clear the 'Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer' check box to turn off UAC, and then click OK."
  • Q. Does your software work on Mac?
    A. Our products are developed using Microsoft Access 2007 or later. Microsoft, in their wisdom, does not include Access in Office for MAC, Access only exists in Windows format.
    Why Microsoft exclude this powerful tool from Mac usage is a mystery to me.
  • Error 3044: 'Y:\myfilename.mdb' is not a valid path...'
    Is there an issue with the Y drive at time of opening Price-Cracker? To test see if you can open Notepad to create and write a file to Y drive? It is possible a networked computer

    was off at time of trying to attach to the data. Creating and writing a text file to Y drive shows that the computer is on, the drive is networkrd ( may haver been disconnected )

    and that the user has the required permissions to operate from the Price-Cracker comuter to the Y drive.

    Also check the file Price-Cracker_be.mdb is still on the Y drive and has not been moved or deleted.
  • Error 3027: Can't Update:Database or object is read only Database.
    Error 3027 is to do with permissions to some part of the application. If the datafile has been moved to a network location check the NT file permissions are set to allow

    modification of the file?
    Locate the datafile (default: C:\MemberBase\App\ Memberbase_BE.MDB) > right click file > Properties > Attributes… check Read-only is unticked.
    If this doesn’t work a screenshot often points towards the cause.
    Take a screen shot ( Prnt Scrn button top right of keyboard) and paste to a Word Document. Send Document to [email protected] to remedy this issue.

    OR

    Microsoft Office can be installed with a trial version of Access that allows a limited number of sessions. After the trial sessions expire Access becomes read-only. If this is the

    case with yourself then the solution is;
    Remove the Access component of the Office installation and install the FREE run-time Access available from my website.
    How to:
    Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features > Microsoft Office. Untick to remove the Access component of the installation.
    Go to my website and download Access run-time. and install. Note: SAVE download to computer and run from computer.
    Even if you have previously installed the run-time, the removal of the Office component will require you to re-install the run-time version.
    Let me know how you get on.
  • Error 3073: Operation must use an updateable query.
    sAdminUpdateBoolean : adm_ShowReportMSG

    To add file and folder permissions on XP

    To allow another user on your computer (logged in under his or her own account), or on a computer connected to your network, to open or edit your files

    1. Click Start, and then click My Documents.
    2. Select the folder or files you want to set permissions for. To select multiple files and folders, hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard, and click each file or folder.
    3. Right-click the selected folders and files, and then click Properties.
    4. Click the Security tab.
    5. Click the user you want to grant permissions to.
    6. Select Full Control check box in the Allow column and click Apply.

    Now the people you specify will be able to open your files and modify your files.

    OR

    Microsoft Office can be installed with a trial version of Access that allows a limited number of sessions. After the trial sessions expire Access becomes read-only. If this is the

    case with yourself then the solution is;
    Remove the Access component of the Office installation and install the FREE run-time Access available from my website.
    How to:
    Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features > Microsoft Office. Untick to remove the Access component of the installation.
    Go to my website and download Access run-time. and install. Note: SAVE download to computer and run from computer.
    Even if you have previously installed the run-time, the removal of the Office component will require you to re-install the run-time version.
    Let me know how you get on.
  • Error 287: Run-time error '287'.
    This is a result of application interacting with MS Outlook.
    While setting up the MemberBase email facility Outlook would have propmted;
    A program is trying to automatically send e-mail on your behalf.
    Do you want to allow this?
    If the user clicks no, the following error will occur: Run-time error '287'.
    A work around is on the MemberBase email setup screen, select from the 'Select Email Client' list Other.
    Enter the Other Email Client Settings. This will by pass Outlook.
  • Error 3061: Too few parameters.
    This error was encountered when using our software on a computer with a Regional and Language setting that uses German.

    The value of ‘Wahr’ (not true) is passed as a Boolean value and broke the code. This is an issue of translation, as the software is expecting the English value of either True or False.

    Consequently we have discovered that our programs will function 100% only with Regional and Language options that use English.
  • Error 3075: Syntax error (missing operator) in query expression.
    sAdminUpdateString - There is an apostrophe in the string value;
    "C:\Users\Bruce\Documents\APGC Secretary's Files\...
  • Error 3271: Invalid property value.
    Error generated when query tried to update fields with data string >255 to a field size 255.
  • Error 70: Permission Denied.
    Permission to Kill file is denied. Kill process errors as file is open. Call sKillProcess("Notepad").
  • Error 55: File already open.
    Error 55 generally means a program or file associated with the program is being used and program does not have access to use it. Try closing all open programs and run program

    again.

    In our case it could be an attachment to the email is open, or a file did not close cleanly and is sitting in the computers memory, so as a mere mortal we think it is closed but

    the computer knows better.

    I recommend closing MemberBase and trying again.
  • Error 42: Run as Administrator (Windows 7).
    Error 42 generally means a program or file needs to be run as administrator, this is your computer's way of asking you for more permission.
    Vista or Windows 7 is blocking execution. This error 42 .
    Here's what to do:
    Right-click file, choose Run As, or Run..., or Run As Administrator from the menu.
    Allow this or click Yes, then continue on with the activation.
    Right-click icon or StartApp.exe to initiate program.
    Permission is registered and program can be run from icon for subsequent usage.
  • Error 2114: Run as Administrator (Windows 7).
    Doesn't support the format of the file 'C:\Documents and Settings\...JPG', or file is too large. Try converting the file to BMP format.

    Re the picture format I have two suggestions;

    1. Change the picture format to BMP.
    2. The path to the JPG image is rather long. One way to shorten this move images to C:\Price-Cracker\Images\
    In Price-Cracker+ you can edit the image path on the Recipes Datasheet screen. Using Ctrl + H you can Find ‘C:\Documents and Settings...\’ and Replace with ‘C:\Price-Cracker\Images\’.
Extracts+

Extracts+

Interface with MYOB + Xero to extract customers, products and sales and write invoices to manage your production cycle.
 
Software to manage your production cycle.... Orders received = production planning. Extract live data from MYOB and Xero. Get more out of ...
 
View details...
 Price-Cracker Suite+

Price-Cracker Suite+

Recipe Costing, Nutrient Labels, Purchase Orders, Allergens, Country of Origin %...
 
If you don't measure you can't manage. Price-Cracker+ and Nutrient-Panel+ in one package. Cost your recipes and create nutrient information ...
 
View details...
ProductSpec+

ProductSpec+

Food Product Specification Documentation Utilising the Power of Price-Cracker Suite+
 
A number of documents related to your food products can be required by buying companies to guarantee food safety and quality. One of the most ...
 
View details...


Back...