NM Collector Software User Stories

**nmCollector** · 08-06-2012 12:40 PM

Scrum is a popular methodolgy in modern software development. One aspect of Scrum is the concept of "User Stories" where application developers work closely with a single representative of members of the target audience (known as the "Product Owner") to define system requirements based on a description of the features from the system user's perspective. The format of a user story is as follows: "As a [type of user] I want [some feature] to provide [some benefit]." (if you are looking for feedback from real-life users, or want to leave your own feedback, please visit our guestbook)

Below, you will find some examples of user stories from a collector's perspective for features of NM Collector Software. Please feel free to add user stories of your own!

As a collector of _______________ (you fill in the blank), I want ...

* to capture identification information (including purchase price and current value) for insurance claims in case of any of my items are lost or stolen.

NM Collector Software captures key information required by insurance companies for loss claims including identification information, purchase price, current value, appraised value, appraised by, appraisal date, and more including unlimited pictures. Pictures can be loaded through the desktop application and the mobile app can be used to capture pictures which can then be uploaded into the desktop application.

* to easily view my items electronically so that I ...
o do not have to to open my safe or go to any other storage location to see what I have.

You can track any information that you might want to review about any item including pictures so you do not have to actually handle the item to remind yourself exactly what it is and what characteristics it has.

o can easily decide if I want to make a purchase or sale to improve my collection no matter where I am.

Mobile versions of NM Collector Software are available that allow you to view pictures and key information on your mobile device whereever you go. NM Collector Software itself is designed to be run on any computer from a USB flash drive so you can take it with you wherever you go and see your collection using any computer available to you with no installation required.

* my data to be safe, secure and accessible only to me and those that I chose to give access to.

There are several security mechanisms available with NM Collector Software. The first is to run it strictly from a USB Flash drive that you can control access to. That way nobody gets to your data unless you allow them access to the USB flash drive.

One disadvantage of running strictly from a USB flash drive is that it can be slow for large collections. In this case you will want to run NM Collector Software from your computer hard drive. That will require another level of security which, in this case, is encryption with a password. Of course, you can encrypt your data and password protect it on your USB flash drive as well.

Another key component when it comes to protecting your data is to back it up in case of loss from your primary source (be it a USB flash drive or your desktop hard drive). One way to backup your data is to copy it to another USB flash drive or a hard drive.

* to search my collection to quickly find any item.

A "Find" button is provided that can be used to locate any item in the main Treeview interface.

* to organize my collection by various attributes so I can easily group my items by any characteristic that I want to track.

A statistics screen allows you to sort your collection by any attribute that you capture. Once you find an item you can double click it to go to the data entry screens.

* to track who I received each item from and, if appropriate, who I gave or sold each item to so that I can easily look them up if required (including BATFE Compliant Bound Book Format for Firearms).

NM Collector Software provides fields to track receipt and disposition data including date, amount, and person and / or business information for who the item was received from or disposed to. The item can be loaded in order to find who it was recieved from or dispositioned to. Also, the statistics window can be used to sort by receipt from or disposition to if you want to see all items recieved from or dispositioned to any individual. For firearms, BATFE compliant reports can be generated.

* to track maintenance procedures, when they are completed, and next due, so I can be sure I properly maintaing my items for optimal condition and value.

A screen is provided to capture not only maintenance procedures for each item but also when they were last performed and when they will be required next by elapsed time or elapsed units of your choice.

* to track shows and other events by item so I can track any awards or other notable distinctions associate with my items.

Multiple events for each item can be captured including date, cost of the event, helpers, and results.

* to keep detailed data sheets of individual components that make up each item so I have a record of it's composition. This is particularly useful for certain U.S. Military small arms.

A free form data sheet page is provided allowing you to track all identifiable components of your items. Many data sheet templates are available that can be copied and pasted into this page for you to enter the details for each item.

* to define my own fields so I can track the information that I want to track about my collection.

In addition to the predefined fields provided by default, there are many blank fields that can be defined as you want. Almost all of the predefined fields in NM Collector Software can be renamed to track the informaton that you want to track.

* to define my own collection type in case I cannot find software configured to manage the type of collection that I want to manage.

Not only can individual fields of an existing collection type be redefined to meet your specific requirements, whole new collection types can be defined to meet your needs. You can define your own collection types from scratch or by copying an existing collection type that is close to what you need.

* printable documentation so I do not have to read on-line codumentation.

Please see http://www.nmcollectorsoftware.com/d...orJEManual.pdf

* quick access to support when I need it.

There are many, perhaps too many, on-line support resources available to research any topic including pictures, textual instructions, and even videos. In addition, email support is available.

* the ability to submit recommendations and see my suggestions in a future release of the software so I can help to improve the product.

Suggestions are always encouraged and welcome! This software has a long history of improvements based on feedback from the user community. This tradition will continue as it is one of the best ways to ensure continued success in meeting customer requirements!