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Discussion:
This comparison was done in preparation for choosing new troop management software for Troop 203 in Hershey, Pennsylvania. We are about to go over one hundred scouts with the bridging of new Webelos from the three Packs in our town. This, together with the new 1999 requirements, forced us to look at upgrading our current TroopMaster for Windows, or to find new software. On the basis of this comparison and further evaluations, we have chosen to convert to WinScout and are now completed with the conversion. So you should know that this comparison is not entirely unbiased. Your mileage may vary.In selecting any software, you should first consider what are your needs and requirements, now and in the foreseeable future. Consider particularly what (not how) the software should do to fit into and to support the program of your troop. Not all troops and users have the same requirements, so you may come to a different choice.
Next, consider the features of the software that do the what of your requirements. Do not consider other features which will be unused, and certainly do not consider promised new features, also know as vaporware. In our troop’s situation, we do our finances separately, so financial features are mostly ignored in this comparison. Next, choose two or three products from this comparison that interest you, and do your own evaluation and testing with your own data. Consider the quality of the features that you need. In this case, consider particularly the quality and content of the reports, the data input convenience, the navigation convenience, and whether data fields are available for the data you need. Quality, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Only you can judge, and choose the one product for your troop.
If you are changing software packages, consider how you will convert your current data. Only one of these packages (WinScout) includes partial conversion from TroopMaster. However, you should not consider conversion a big barrier to choosing another package. Conversion is once and done, whereas you may spend many more hours struggling with a package that does not fit your needs.
Lastly, choose the hardware to support your software choice. (Many make the mistake of choosing the hardware first, and then have greatly narrowed their software choices.) This is true even if you are getting or using donated hardware; it is better to throw away old hardware, than to have it not support your program and requirements (assuming you can afford the choice.)
[Editor's Note: Some common questions and answers appear below the comparison chart.]
Questions regarding this comparison may be directed to its author, Norman Turrill, ASM and Advancement Chair of Troop 203, Hershey, Pennsylvania nturrill@psghs.edu; voicemail: 717-531-4435 or 717-534-2709; snailmail: 30 Hill Manor Drive, Hershey PA 17033
|
Feature |
Troop-Master |
Record-Keeper |
WinScout |
Rank N' File |
Scoutmate |
Trooper |
|
Version evaluated |
2000 1.02 (current version is 1.03) |
4.7.2 |
2.10.06 (current version is 2.10.07) |
4.03 |
5.10a3 |
1.01 |
|
Company |
TroopMaster Software, Inc., Palmyra, VA |
A. W. Beck Co., Portland, OR |
TP Software, Colorado Springs, CO |
Hart C. Enterprises, Provo, UT |
KSC Group |
SRT Enterprises |
|
Size of company (persons) |
4 |
1 |
4 |
1? |
1 |
1 |
|
Web site |
http://www.srtware.com | |||||
|
Email address |
||||||
|
Cost |
$69.95 + $4 S&H for troop site license. $29.95 to upgrade TroopMaster for Windows |
$69.95 for one version, $91.95 for both Mac and Windows, for troop site license, $5 S&H |
$79.95 including S&H for troop site license, free upgrade |
$59.95 for multi-unit license on CD-ROM or disks, $50 downloaded, other options. Venture module unlocked for $20. $5 off for orders on web site. |
$49.95 for site license for up to 2 units. $20 for 50 more units (an entire district!) for all BSA unit types |
$59 + $4 S&H for troop site license |
|
Based on which database |
none |
FileMaker Pro |
MS FoxPro 2.6 (rewriting in FP 6) |
MS Access |
MS Access 2.0 and Visual Basic |
Paradox (Borland Database Engine) |
|
Feature |
Troop-Master |
Record-Keeper |
WinScout |
Rank N' File |
Scoutmate |
Trooper |
|
Native platforms |
Windows |
Windows, Mac (68K and PPC native) |
Windows (a version of FoxPro also runs on Macs, but no WinScout available) |
Windows |
Windows (separate 16 or 32 bit versions) |
Windows |
|
Run OK on Macintosh with Virtual PC? |
(reported OK on Virtual PC, Real PC, or SoftWindows) |
Windows version likely OK on Mac, but not necessary |
yes |
probably OK, but not tested |
probably OK, but not tested |
probably OK, but not tested |
|
Feature |
Troop-Master |
Record-Keeper |
WinScout |
Rank N' File |
Scoutmate |
Trooper |
|
Conversion from TroopMaster |
N/A |
ask for converter |
yes-some |
no |
no, but available soon? |
no |
|
Import of data |
Only from TroopLedger and PackMaster |
yes, from 10 formats |
Only TroopMaster data for scouts, sdults and advancement, but no activities |
no |
Only from other versions of Scoutmate. |
no |
|
Export of data |
To ASCII delimited files; any report can be saved to a file, or to tab-delimited format |
yes, to 10 formats |
Scout, adult, activity data in 6 formats. Court of Honor report to editor. |
yes, in that any report can be saved to text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf) or Excel |
yes (to Scoutmate only) and ScoutNet 2000. Any report can be saved to .txt or .rtf. |
reports can be saved to 6 formats |
|
Add to or modify database if you own the DB software? |
no, no database software used |
both with purchased key |
yes for troop’s use only (otherwise violates license) |
yes for adding queries and reports; no for modifying data layout, reports, or forms |
yes for custom reports |
no |
|
Feature |
Troop-Master |
Record-Keeper |
WinScout |
Rank N' File |
Scoutmate |
Trooper |
|
Printed manual quality |
good |
can be printed, but same as online help, poor quality |
good, partially on web |
none |
not evaluated |
none |
|
Online help |
Excellent, context sensitive |
disjointed, full of typos, not context sensitive |
Context sensitive help for each data entry field at bottom of window. No other help available. |
Excellent context sensitive, intended to replace the need for a printed manual. |
Fair, poor quality of graphics (on my screen), no Search, no Next, no context sensitive help. |
Context sensitive, all documentation is online and intended to replace a printed manual. |
|
Data entry convenience (opinion) |
Good, improved over previous versions of TM; can copy or update parent data to leader, counselor, or POC files. |
Excellent |
Good, one record for each household address, but must enter 6 digit dates |
Uses a 3-ring binder metaphor. Somewhat confusing, a separate form for every conceivable type of data. Zip code entry causes entry of city & state |
Good, handy popup calendar for dates, but otherwise dates must be typed as 6 digits, must keep clicking Modify button. |
not evaluated |
|
Relational database records |
no |
yes, but parents, leaders, merit badge counselors, officials, committee are all separate records |
yes, adults entered once for parents, leader, and merit badge counselor |
yes, but parent, leader, resource, and merit badge counselor are all separate records. |
yes, but parent, adult, and merit badge counselor are all separate records |
? |
|
Household info related |
no, only as copy or update of parent data |
no, but it will find address info if same phone number as another scout. |
yes |
no, but auto copy of data when entering a brother, or making a parent into a leader |
no |
? |
|
Data field for email address |
yes |
yes for scouts, no for parents or leaders |
yes |
yes |
no |
no |
|
Data fields for vehicles and insurance |
yes |
yes, a free format field |
yes |
yes |
yes |
no |
|
Data fields for other phone types like cell, fax, pager |
yes |
only one alternate phone |
yes, youth phone, mobile, pager, fax/modem |
no |
no |
no |
|
Separate data for mother and father |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes, as a relative; otherwise, assumes same last name |
yes |
yes |
|
Data fields for alternate parent types |
yes |
only one |
yes, two guardians and an alternate emergency contact |
yes |
only if less than 2 parents too |
no? |
|
Data fields for Order of the Arrow |
yes with OA camping eligibility report |
no |
yes with camping eligibility data |
yes |
yes |
yes with OA eligibility report |
|
Data field for and print scout picture |
no |
yes |
no |
yes, separate file |
no |
no |
|
Navigation convenience (opinion) |
good, added buttons to go directly to other entry forms |
Excellent, uses category tabs and sub-tabs |
Good |
adequate, buttons on various forms help |
good tabs and "Go" to sections button for scouts and adults. Other areas adequate. |
not evaluated |
|
Feature |
Troop-Master |
Record-Keeper |
WinScout |
Rank N' File |
Scoutmate |
Trooper |
|
Requirements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Requirements checks |
yes, excellent |
no |
yes, detailed MB tracking including partials, all MB requirements included. |
no, requirements are only numbered |
No. Each requirement inconveniently on a separate page |
no |
|
Automatically place merit badges |
yes, or manually place |
separate entry of required and non-required MBs |
yes |
no |
no |
no |
|
New requirements conversion |
yes |
yes |
yes and switch between |
no |
no. New requirements are in a free update; then can select either for each rank. |
no |
|
Track meeting attendance |
yes |
yes |
no, will consider for future release |
yes |
yes |
yes |
|
Track scout activities |
yes, including tour permit with driver, itinerary, etc. |
yes, including trip costs, payments and history |
yes, including tour permit, drivers, itinerary |
yes, including tour permit, drivers, itinerary, etc. |
yes |
yes |
|
Check scout activity requirements |
yes, and automatically credit |
no? |
yes, and automatically credit |
|
|
no |
|
Track and check scout leadership requirements |
yes, and automatically credit |
yes |
yes, and automatically credit |
yes |
no |
no |
|
Track and check scout service hours requirements |
yes, and automatically credit |
yes |
yes, and automatically credit |
yes? |
no |
no |
|
Other scout info recorded |
camping, hiking, meetings, and user-defined activities |
calendar, photos, attendance, hiked miles, Varsity Module |
nights camped, miles hiked, |
hikes, campouts, meals, etc. |
calendar alarms, training, events, hiking, leadership activities, finances, fund raisers, all the BSA unit types |
nights camped, any event |
|
Track adult training |
yes |
yes, committee only |
yes |
Fast Start only |
yes |
yes |
|
Track adult awards |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
no |
|
Feature |
Troop-Master |
Record-Keeper |
WinScout |
Rank N' File |
Scoutmate |
Trooper |
|
Reports |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of reports & forms (many can be customized) |
over 80 |
over 37 |
over 57 |
108 |
about 83 |
47 |
|
Report quality (opinion) |
diverse, one settable font, much improved over previous TM |
Good |
Good, rosters take too many pages |
diverse; particularly like Eagle’s Nest report |
good |
not evaluated |
|
Ad hoc reports |
none, except through export |
yes with FileMaker Pro |
no |
no |
yes with queries |
no |
|
Mailing labels |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
|
Search flexibility |
none except in POC report |
excellent, search using any data fields in the current screen. Searches select a set of records for reports, export, browsing, etc. |
none, uses scrolled list to select individuals directly |
searches used internally only, constantly asks for troop number, but defaults if only 1 unit. Good use of "Rolex" to select individuals directly |
good, some queries can be made on some data fields for each record type. Searches select a set of records for printing or export of reports. |
none |
|
Sorting flexibility |
no control of sorting |
Can sort on any field |
Rosters, activity, work sheet and court of honor reports can be sorted or grouped on some fields |
poor: alphabetic or entry order |
Sort order is built into reports |
Sort order is built into reports |
|
Feature |
Troop-Master |
Record-Keeper |
WinScout |
Rank N' File |
Scoutmate |
Trooper |
|
Database Management |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Backup adequate |
yes, all files only |
yes, copy all files, or transfer file |
yes, full database only |
yes, each troop and photos separately |
yes, full database only |
yes, full database only |
|
Restore adequate |
yes, full restore or restore delegated part |
yes, copy all files, or transfer file |
yes, full database only |
yes, each troop and photos separately |
yes, full database only |
yes, full database only |
|
Archive of records |
Scout and adult |
no |
yes, within same database to ensure not loss of data |
no, only inactive status or delete |
yes, using the export/import and delete facilities, or the Troop Change feature |
inactive status records in same database |
|
ScoutNet 2000 certified |
verbally passed BSA testing last October |
promised for |
submitted for compliance testing |
submitted for compliance testing |
informally passed BSA testing |
talking to BSA |
|
Delegate parts of database |
yes, up to 7 parts |
yes |
no |
no |
yes, for scouts, adults, or counselors using the export/import facilities |
no |
|
Feature |
Troop-Master |
Record-Keeper |
WinScout |
Rank N' File |
Scoutmate |
Trooper |
|
Modern Features |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Can multiple users simultaneously access and/or update database over a network? |
no |
yes, using TCP/IP, IPX, or AppleTalk |
yes, but only one user at a time can update (?). |
yes? |
yes, with INI file change for file path |
not tested or supported, most features should work according to developer. |
|
Web access |
no |
potential custom web interface and data publishing option. See RK web site. |
no |
no |
planned for scout and adult data only for future release |
no |
|
Phone dialing from database |
no |
yes |
no |
no |
no |
no |
|
Launch email client from database |
no |
yes |
no |
no |
no |
no |
|
Y2K compliant |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes, displayed dates depends on Regional Settings control panel, report dates after 2000 must enter 4 digits |
yes |
yes |
|
Performance impression * |
adequate, claims to be fastest. (On a slow computer, this might be important) |
adequate |
adequate |
adequate |
slow, takes many seconds to display a new window |
not evaluated |
* The test computer was a Compaq Armada 1510DM laptop Pentium 120 MHz with 16 Mb RAM and Windows 95.
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