April 2012 Newsletter

Since our last newsletter we have added another developer to the team. Joel has made a flying start with energies mostly focused around some new technologies we’re bringing to Phoenix, the first of which you will see in V6. 

We’re currently running the largest development team we have had in our 28 year history. In coming months we will have further news on yet more developers joining the team.

This is all in an effort to keep pace with our current growth and expedite the delivery of some new technologies to the industry that we haven’t been able to get to implementing. The only thing holding us back is finding enough talented software engineers. All-in-all it makes for very exciting times ahead and can’t wait to share with you what we have just around the corner.

Phoenix on smartphones is on the horizon! While it’s too early to give too much away, for the first release we have tried to isolate the parts of Phoenix that would be the most useful to have at your fingertips. We anticipate there will be a dozen or more utilities available in the initial release spanning Financials, Cropping, Livestock and Grazing. Further capabilities will also follow in subsequent releases.

While we are currently unable to commit to release dates due to our focus on V6, we hope to have further news hot on the heels of the V6 release. Those on Phoenix Live and Phoenix Multi User will be the first recipients of this new Phoenix capability.

Phoenix on slate computers has been available for quite some time. Those on Phoenix Live and Phoenix Multi User have access on iPads and Android slate PCs as well as traditional Windows based slates. 

Version 6 development is continuing apace with a large number of big ticket items already completed and the remainder not far away. One area that has been given a great deal of consideration has been automation. A number of areas within Phoenix have benefited from this work and we feel will be well received. 

This has only been possible by employing the latest in technologies for the underlying components and development tools used in Phoenix. In addition to ensuring longevity, it also provides us the opportunity to develop further industry first technologies which you will see from us over the course of the next 12 months.

V6 will also see the release of some features that have traditionally only been found in corporate class systems and will mark a first for the market sector. Stay tuned for more details on these.

With Windows 8 due in 2012, testing is already underway to ensure Phoenix V6 will be fully compatible and take advantage of Windows 8 features. All indications so far are positive with a V6 Beta already running on the pre-release Windows 8 here at our office. For those that will be stepping up to Windows 8, expect some big changes from the Windows you have been used to with XP, Vista and 7.

Look for another newsletter very shortly announcing the release of V6 with a full wrap-up of features and enhancements.