Sébastien Labrie has been appointed Managing Director
Trois-Rivières, May 28, 2020 – We are happy to announce a big change for the ProgressionLIVE team. After more than 8 years in the business, Sébastien Labrie, a recent shareholder, vice-president of sales and customer experience, continues his ascent and becomes Managing Director.
His experience in team management is used in his new role. But Sébastien will always remain involved with our partners. He couldn’t think of losing this privileged contact he loves so much.
If you know Sébastien, you know he’s a team guy who hates it things are not going forward. He sees no problems but rather challenges. Recently in place, the Sébastien effect is already being felt … and it’s positive.
“When I arrived at Diffusion, my goal was to get involved as much as possible. After the shareholding, it was the logical step to my involvement in the company. », Sébastien Labrie.
Now that he is a shareholder and general manager, what will be the next step in his domination? Who knows? One thing is sure, we are all very pleased with his new nomination.
Sébastien Labrie became a shareholder at Diffusion Integrated Solutions
Trois-Rivières, November 14, 2019 – We are proud to announce the arrival of a new shareholder at ProgressionLIVE. After more than 7 years in the company, Sébastien Labrie, vice president of sales and customer experience, was ready to take on new challenges. As of October 30, 2019, he officially became a shareholder.
Sébastien has been working at ProgressionLIVE since 2013. He quickly managed to carve out a place by chaining up the ranks: administrative assistant, technical support, salesman, sales manager, vice president of sales and customer experience, etc. Sébastien is a pillar of the company who quickly understood that his involvement and his leadership bring us a lot.
His background and experience are essential to the development of the different markets that ProgressionLIVE aims for. “Sébastien has built strong relationships with our customers and partners and we are confident that he will help us achieve our ambitious goals! Becoming a shareholder was a natural step.” Louis-Philippe Poulin, President of ProgressionLIVE.
“I act as if it was my business since the first day I started working there, I am extremely happy to be in the management team with Louis-Philippe and Nicolas.” Sébastien Labrie.
About ProgressionLIVE
ProgressionLIVE is a dispatch software and a mobile task management application for employees on the road, developed by Diffusion Solutions Intégrées. Founded in 2006, the company has more than 400 customers across Canada and more than 11,000 users who create more than 100,000 jobs daily.
Nathalie Sarault was named general manager last December.
Changes Within the Company
During the last year, several changes have occurred at ProgressionLIVE. Indeed, the creation of a Management Committee and an Advisory Committee has led the management of the company to make changes to its structure to ensure its growth in the coming years. Thus, last December, Louis-Philippe Poulin delegated the role of General Manager to Nathalie Sarault who occupied that of Project Panager. Note that Louis-Philippe will continue to assume the presidency and will focus on the strategic positioning of the company.
10 Years of Management Experience
Our new General Manager has 10 years of management experience, including a six-year General Manager position with the Organisme de bassins versants des rivières du Loup et des Yamachiche (www.obvrly.ca). In addition, Nathalie’s training is characterized by management skills development training in 2012 and a semi-private training in human resources management in 2015.
From Technical Support to General Manager
Within the company, Nathalie held many positions before becoming General Manager last December. Indeed, when she arrived in 2016, Nathalie started technical support to learn how ProgressionLIVE works. Then, she went on to replace the product’s quality assurance, where she tested the various features of the software. Then, she held a position of Project Manager for more than a year, where this experience will be very useful in her role as director of customer integration that she has held for a few months.
Finally, Nathalie has been named General Manager, where she will focus on the implementation of decisions made by the Management Committee. It will also convey strategic directions, vision, mission and values in a concrete way to the different departments. Nathalie is an example of the advancement possibilities that Vie@ProgressionLIVE offers.
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Here are the next planned developments based on our assessment of the most requested features in the first quarter of 2019 and the load of our programmers in the coming months. Indeed, we have selected four (4) features out of the Top 10 Features for the next three months. We should be able to make these improvements to our ProgressionLIVE product by April 2019.
1.New Button to Send the Work Order at Any Time
First, we plan to add a button inside the window of a task. This would send the work order in PDF version at any time and regardless of the task’s state to the client. This way, the dispatcher or the administrator could judge himself the best time to send it.
2.Display of an Alert Window in Case of Problem With a Client
Second, we plan to add a comment field in a client window. This would make it possible to enter any relevant comments for dispatchers. For example, if the customer doesn’t have good credit with the company or if the customer doesn’t want a given human resource to do any work on their facilities.
3.Indicators, Windows and Additional Possibilities With our Priority Comment System
Thirdly, we plan to improve our priority comment system by adding: a popup window on the web interface, when there’s a priority comment; an icon for a task in List and Schedule mode when there’s a comment in a task; and an indicator on the web interface that allows to quickly visualize the number of comments in a task. In addition, we would allow the creation of comments on mobile devices.
4.Displaying a Message to the Dispatcher When a Task is In-progress
Fourth, we plan to display a notification to the dispatcher when he tries to edit a task and it’s in progress. We are also studying the possibility of preventing the modification of an ongoing task.
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Results of a Survey Conducted Last December With Our Customers
Last December, we conducted a survey with our customers to find out their interest in new features to develop. These were invited to vote for their Top 10, ranking in order of preference the features they would like to see developed first by our programmers. The survey was accessible via our newsletter and our web interface between December 5 and 22, 2018. We share today the Top 10 Features of the results obtained and those that will be developed during the next quarter.
10
Prevent the Progress of a Task on Mobile if Another is in Progress
Current Feature
To date, a user on the mobile application is, by default, able to progress a task, even if another is in progress. For example, if a job is at the “Started Jobs” state and the user has’nt completed the job, they can open another job and progress it to “On the Way” state. This can cause oversights and tasks cannot be closed in time.
Potential Feature
We had considered the possibility of preventing a user from progressing a task, if a previous one wasn’t completed, using a new configuration. Thus, any task should be progressed to the “Completed” state before it can change the state of another task.
Note : 4.44
However, this additional feature is the least requested among all those offered in our survey. In fact, 47% of respondents rated this feature in 8th, 9th or even 10th position. Thus, with the lowest average of 4.44 / 10, the ability to prevent the progress of a task while another is in progress ranks 10th in our Top 10 Features.
9
Data Validation of Task’s Fields
Current Feature
Currently, the fields of a task have no restrictions on the data entered (e.g. alphanumeric characters, character limits, range of values, etc.). Thus, it’s impossible to have standards in the creation of tasks for some of our customers.
Potential Feature
Potentially, we would add the possibility of having a validation of fields according to precise criteria. (e.g. The field must have a value between 1 and 50 or the field must contain a maximum of 50 characters.) Which would allow to have standards in the creation of the task and to have precise and valid values.
Note : 4.72
Despite the fact that this option is presenting de facto in several applications, it seems that it’s not appreciated by our customers. While only 2 respondents out of 134 placed it in 1st position. That’s why with an average of 4.72 / 10, data validation for some fields ranks 9th in our Top 10 Features.
8
Hide Unused Tabs in Some Windows
Current Feature
When opening a popup window for the creation of an item in our web interface, it’s possible to enter information in several tabs. However, many of them are rarely used (e.g. Actions, Assigned Employees, Associated Products, etc.).
Potential Feature
We proposed the possibility to hide unused tabs in the Tasks, Clients, Locations and Products windows. Thus, these tabs could be hidden or displayed at the customer’s wish and according to his needs.
Note : 4.83
However, this opportunity didn’t impress our respondents, while only 16 respondents out of 134 ranked it in 1st or 2nd position. In short, with a score of 4.83 / 10, this possibility doesn’t even reach an average rating of 50%. That’s why the Hide Unused Tabs feature in some windows ranks 8th in our Top 10 Features.
7
Improved Assistant Module
Current Feature
The Assistant module currently allows you to assign a task to more than one human resource at a time. Indeed, it’s possible to assign the task to a main human resource (e.g. team leader) who’s then in charge of the task. It can add, modify and delete elements of the work order (if it has the required permission). While the assistants are read-only on the task and they can only enter their time entries (if the Time Sheet module is enabled).
Potential Feature
Thus, the improvement of the module would consist in the addition of a filter for the assistants in the List and Planning mode. This would filter the tasks of a particular assistant in these modes. In addition, we would add an icon on mobiles when there is an assistant in the task.
Note : 4.89
Unfortunately, this feature didn’t attract our customers since it was ranked first by only 4 of our respondents out of 134. In short, the improvement of the Assistant module obtained a score of 4.89 / 10 and ranks 7th in our Top 10 Features.
6
Put Mandatory Fields Under Conditions
Current Feature
In the current version of ProgressionLIVE, it’s possible to put mandatory fields in a task, a client, and so on. For example, it may be mandatory to enter a customer’s name or job summary. However, it’s not currently possible to set one or more required fields according to another.
Potential Feature
This is why we analyzed the possibility of putting conditional fields under condition(s). (e.g. The field “Work done” is mandatory, only if the field “Work to be done” is filled in or the field “Reason of non-delivery” is mandatory if the quantities are not all confirmed.)
Note : 5.04
This possible improvement was appreciated by many of our respondents, but its position in the rankings was quite mixed. We can even deduce that at 50%, this feature would be appreciated by our customers. In short, with a rating of 5.04 / 10, placing mandatory fields under certain conditions is ranked 6th in our Top 10 Features.
5
Improved Time Sheet Module
Current Feature
Since its creation, our Time Sheet module has been serving many of our customers. However, some custom developments had to be developed for some of them because it didn’t meet 100% of their needs. For example, it didn’t effectively manage overtime and work teams.
Potential Feature
Our idea of improving the module was the ability to manage the minimum times per task; manage overtime (half and double) to prevent users from changing their time entries after a given state; and duplicate time entries on mobile devices between employees, to simplify management of work teams.
Note : 5.80
Despite the fact that this module is complementary to our basic ProgressionLIVE solution and incurs additional costs, our respondents are quite receptive to its improvement. Indeed, more than 30% of respondents have placed this improvement on the podium of features. But with 22 respondents placing it at the bottom of their rankings, the improvement of the Time Sheet module is ranked 5th in our Top 10 Features.
4
Notification When Adding Information on an In-progress Task
Current Feature
Currently, if a dispatcher attempts to add information to a current job, it will be lost if the mobile application isn’t refreshed.
Potential Feature
Thus, our solution would be to display a message to the dispatcher indicating that the task is in progress or to prevent it from modifying an ongoing task.
Note : 5.85
Surprisingly, this notification was highly appreciated by the respondents of our survey. Indeed, 44% of them placed it in 1st, 2nd or 3rd position, against only 19% in 8th, 9th or 10th position of their classification. In short, the ability to add a notification when adding information about an ongoing task ranks 4th in our Top 10 Features with an average of 5.85 out of a possible 10.
3
Improvement of the Priority Comment System
Current Feature
Our new priority comment system has been a hit with our customers since it was launched a few weeks ago. Indeed, when a comment is categorized priority by the dispatcher in a task, the user can see a popup appear when he opens the task on the mobile application.
Potential Feature
Thus, the improvement of this functionality would consist of the addition of a popup window on the web interface, when there is a priority comment. In addition, it would be a question of adding an icon beside a task in List and Planning mode when there’s a comment in a task. Then, we would add an indicator on the web interface that allows to quickly visualize the number of comments in a task and allow users to create comments on their mobile devices.
Note : 5.89
As mentioned above, this feature is greatly appreciated by our customers and the possibility to improve its operation is also appreciated. Indeed, 63% of respondents ranked it in the top 5 positions of the ranking. In short, with a rating of 5.89 out of 10, the improvement of the priority comment system occupies the 3rd position of our Top 10 Features.
2
Alert Window in a Task in Case of Problem With a Client
Current Feature
To date, ProgressionLIVE doesn’t support client management when creating a task. For example, it doesn’t warn when the client chosen in a task has any particularity.
Potential Feature
Thus, we would add the possibility to add a comment in the client (e.g. In case of bad credit, don’t send this human resource, etc.), which would be displayed when a task was created for this client.
Note : 6.48
Simple functionality, but that seems to greatly attract the desires of our respondents and our customers. This would allow for better internal management of tasks in your organization. That’s why 29 respondents ranked it in 1st place and only 24% ranked it in 7th position or more. In short, the ability to add an alert window to a task in case of a problem with a client occupies the 2nd position of our Top 10 Features with a score of 6.48 out of 10.
1
Added a Button “Send by Email” in Task’s Window
Current Feature
Currently, the PDF work order of a task is sent, by default, to the client when it’s completed by the technician and signed by the client. It is therefore not possible to send the work order by email to the client at another later or previous time.
Potential Feature
Thus, we would potentially add a button that would send the work order in PDF version at any time and regardless of the task’s state. This button would be located within the task itself and a dispatcher or administrator could judge himself the best time to send the work order.
Note : 7.08
The “winning” feature of our survey is unquestionably this one, while 50% of respondents gave it a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place. Thus, with a score of 7.08 out of 10, the addition of a button “Send by email” in the tasks which allows to send the work order at any time occupies the 1st position of the features that our customers would like to see develop by our programmers.
Try ProgressionLIVE integration in Zapier before everyone else!
Since a few months, we are working on the development of a ProgressionLIVE application for the Zapier platform. Thus, after a first phase of development, we are ready to launch our application in prebeta phase. This phase is not available to the general public and is by invitation only. That’s why you will not find our application on the zapier.com website. However, we offer our loyal customers to test version 1.0.1 before anyone else.
Indeed, before making our application available to the general public on Zapier, it must be tested by at least 10 users. That’s why today you are lucky to be among the first to test ProgressionLIVE on Zapier. Later in this article I will explain how to get access to this prebeta. But before, let’s see what Zapier is, how it works and what you can do between ProgressionLIVE and Zapier.
What is Zapier?
Zapier is a platform that automates recurring tasks by connecting applications to each other. Thus, more than 1,000 applications are available on the platform, such as Google Calendar, GMail, MailChimp, Facebook, etc.
How it works?
An integration between one application and another in Zapier is called a Zap. A Zap is easy and quick to set up and you do not have to be a programmer to do it. The platform works primarily with Triggers and Actions. Thus, where a user configures an action to be performed in one application based on an event in another.
Source: Partner Kit, Zapier In this case, the new Facebook Lead Ads lead acts as the Zap’s Trigger and the addition to the MailChimp list is Zap’s Action.
What can you do with ProgressionLIVE and Zapier?
Available Events
There are currently two (2) possible events in this integration:
Perform an action when a task changes state;
Perform an action when a task is updated.
Available Actions
There are currently six (6) possible actions in this integration:
Create a task based on an event;
Create or update a customer based on an event
Create or update a contact based on an event
Find a product based on an event
Find a customer based on an event
Find a location based on an event.
Here are some examples of possible Zap between ProgressionLIVE and common applications:
MailChimp: Create or update a client in ProgressionLIVE (Action), when there is a new registrant in a MailChimp list (Trigger);
GMail: Send an email to info@progressionlive.com (Action), when a task is updated in ProgressionLIVE (Trigger);
Google Calendar: Add an event to a calendar (Action), when a task is progressed to the Sent State (Trigger).
Step by step tutorial
ProgressionLIVE – Trigger
1- Click on Make a Zap!
2- Type ProgressionLIVE in the search bar Choose a Trigger App and choose our app
3- Choose one trigger in Select Progression LIVE (1.0.1) Trigger section
4- Click on Connect an Account and type your web adress in Account URL field and your API Key (find it in your ProgressionLIVE account)
5- Set up options in Set up ProgressionLIVE (1.0.1) State
6- Fetch and Continue
ProgressionLIVE – Actions
1- Type ProgressionLIVE in the search bar Choose a Action App and choose our app
2- Choose one action in Select Progression LIVE (1.0.1) Action section
3- Click on Connect an Account and type your web adress in Account URL field and your API Key (find it in your ProgressionLIVE account)
4- Edit template in Set up ProgressionLIVE (1.0.1) Task
ProgressionLIVE signs a new client in Ontario : Shift Transit
Last March, we signed a new client in Ontario. In fact, Shift Transit will now optimize the productivity of Bike Share Toronto with ProgressionLIVE. The operator is a full service provider of self-service bikes. Based in Chicago, Shift Transit offers similar services to those of Bixi in Montreal, currently a ProgressionLIVE user. In addition, it also serves the cities of Chattanooga, Detroit and Tucson. This new signature enhances our presence in Ontario, while offering us many future opportunities in the United States.
”Shift Transit offers cities a unique one-stop shop solution with turnkey delivery, offering bikes, stations, software, station siting and planning, marketing, sponsorship procurement and minute-to-minute system operations.” (Source)
Shift Transit currently operates 270 stations and 2750 bikes in Toronto. The company manages marketing, bicycle maintenance and re-balancing, customer care and vehicle fleet management of Bike Share Toronto.
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Introduction of a subtask module related to a main task
New subtask module
Last week, we announced the deployment of a new module of subtasks (child tasks) related to a main task (parent task). Indeed, the parent-child task module has been rolled out gradually to all environments this week. It is now available to users of our ProgressionLIVE dispatch software. The latter makes it possible to create sub-tasks to a main task and we have prepared a video (in french only) with our trainer Fabrice Maynard.
As explained by Fabrice, you will now be able to create subtasks and assign different human resources and appointments. With the possibility of not assigning them any appointments and no human resources for future planning. You are also able to copy attachments and comments. See the image below.
Window for creating a child task
In addition, you will be able to view these child tasks directly from the window of their parent task. Then, you can edit and add content to them, such as comments and attachments, without affecting their parent task. Thus, two new buttons were added when navigating a main task: Create Subtask and Subtasks (X). In addition, we added a link to the parent task of a child task and navigable buttons (X / X).
New buttons added
Link to parent task and navigable buttons
Child task window of a parent task
In order to activate this new module in your account, please contact technical support.
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