question about Vend-trak....

[JPVendCo.]

I have heard from several people on here that vendtrak is a nice program.

My question is this...why is this a web-based program? this is something that could be used out in the field, and should be used out in the field.

where is the information I enter get stored?

[vendtrak]

JP - Let me try to address these questions...

why is this a web-based program?

When Vend-Trak was originally built, it was an internal tool for my dad and I to manage our own vending business.  It was built because the programs that existed at the time (software that loads on your computer), didn't give us everything we were looking for.  It wasn't until the application was more fully developed that we opened it up to outside users.  (The complete history can be found here).

There are a few advantages to a web-based system - access from anywhere and instant access to upgrades/enhancements are among the top.  And as we continue to develop our infrastructure to a "connected everywhere" environment, the advantages to web-based applications will continue to grow.

where is the information I enter get stored?

Information in Vend-Trak is stored on web servers that host the site.  Information is stored like most any other site these days - webmail (Yahoo!Mail, Gmail, AOL, etc.), shopping sites (eBay, Amazon, etc.), financial sites (Internet banking, E*Trade, etc.), and software on demand (such as Google Docs).  An additional advantage of web-based applications like these - and Vend-Trak - is that information is backed up on redundant servers so that data is preserved.

That said, there are also some advantages to client-based software (i.e. programs that are loaded onto a single computer).  A quick Google search for "vending software" reveals a few (along with, hopefully, and ad for Vend-Trak!).  The choice between which way to go comes down to business needs and personal preference...which is why all of the options exist in today's economy.  Of course, I'd recommend web-based Vend-Trak over everything else!  

[JPVendCo.]

is the data that i upload secure? am I the only one that has access to it? are you collecting statistics on locations?

[vendtrak]

is the data that i upload secure? am I the only one that has access to it? are you collecting statistics on locations?

Yes, your data is secure.  Your account is protected by your username and password.  If you have additional users on your account, they can access the data as well - their access level depends on the role you assign to them (owner, admin, user). 

are you collecting statistics on locations?

The answer to this depends on the angle from which this question is asked.  Data for your business is stored in Vend-Trak, and that data generates statistics.  They are for you to view from within your account.  Data from your account is not combined with other accounts to generate statistics at a "global" level, though.