Repairshopr time saving idea?

HCHTech

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I haven't had a chance yet to setup a personal facebook account yet so I can participate in the support group there, so that's why I'm posting this question here.

When I am adding charges to a ticket using the web-interface on an ipad in the field, the first thing you need to define is the name of the item you want to add. You start typing and it will auto-search though your list until you have enough information to select the correct item.

Since we charge hourly for almost everything, about 99.5% of the time, we are selecting the same item during this process. Mine is a labor item titled "Consulting15", as that is the last time I raised my residential rates. So, every time I want to add a labor charge to a ticket, I start typing "Consulting", then I select the right one from the list of different labor items that begin with the word "Consulting".

I'm wondering if there is a way to reduce the number of keystrokes needed to accomplish this. Since we're on an ipad, it isn't as fast or easy as it is on a real keyboard, so saving taps would be valuable and also minimize delays caused by mis-typing.

Because the on-screen keyboard takes up so much real estate, I can only see about 2 items from the list that is created as I start typing. I count about 9 taps to get to the place where I can tap to select the right item (assuming I don't fat-finger the tap and select the wrong item, then I have to start over). Is there any way to reduce the input here to get this item added to a ticket?

Maybe:

Can there be a "default" item on every invoice created that i could then just edit to change the description and count?

Can i force "Consulting 15" to sort to the top of the list somehow so it is easier to find instead of searching?

I can't change the name easily since this is from my Quickbooks file, and I've been using Quickbooks way longer than I have Repairshopr. Maybe when I raise my prices again, I can call the labor item "_Consulting17" so it will sort to the top of the list or something, but even that sounds like a pain.

Any ideas appreciated - thanks!
 
Well, the simple thing to consider would be putting the most unique part first - so use "15Consulting" instead. For items, do "Cable10" instead of "Hardware-Cable-10".

Also, is the screen display something that can be scrolled so more of the selection list is visible? And are you on a version of IOS that allows third-party keyboards like Swiftkey (my preferred option) or Swype? Those may have options for a smaller display, and may also offer autocomplete options that will help you.
 
I add charges through the ticket interface where I click on the box at the bottom and my time then it adds the charges for when I invoice.

You set your Consulting15 as a labor item in inventory then in admin > ticket > preferences > advanced select it from there. You could also add a canned response if you just want it to say the same thing which will save some typing.
 

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