Creative Coding!Creative Coding!An ACEware Presentation

Today we will discuss

• The Big Picture• Coding Rules!• Code Relationships• Here a Code…There a

Code…

• Adding Codes• Code Reporting• The Life Cycle of Codes• 5 Coding Tips

A database has 3 jobs

The ability to summarize

the data creating

meaningful information

Retrieve

A method for carefully

storing information

Store

Look for patterns or determine

what kind of information you want to

retrieve. Helps

categorize the data

Organize

Codes organize & answer questions

Which courses should we offer and which should we abandon?

Where are our customers coming from?

What interests do our participants have?

What are the demographics of our best customers?

Code as much as you need . . .

However . . .

If you have no reason for a code…

Don’t Code It!

Coding Rules! Technically, any field is a “code”

We mostly think of “Codes” as validated fields (Interest code, tracking code, coordinator, department, account)

Unlimited number of code definitions

Student (& Faculty) Interest & Course Grouping can have unlimited codes

Codes are universal (everyone sees & uses the same codes)*

Most codes can be de-activated/Hidden

Preferences

Preferences matter!If a field is turned off,

no one will be able to use it

Remember: Black preferences = may be set per userBlue Preferences = Global – Set by Sys Admin

If you do no other coding

Assign a subject code to every course

Subject Code

Subject & Interest Codes are related

Share the same list of codesInterest Code = NamesSubject Code = Courses

Entering a subject code (on course) generates an interest code (on the Name) when that person enrolls in that class.

That means . . .

A student enrolling in a

class will inherit the

course Subject Code

(saved as interest code)

Course Name Marketing

Subject Code = ‘HOMEBUYING”

Interest Code = ‘HOMEBUYING”

Other Coding Relationships

Source / Tracking Codes

Source code is on the name screen and tells

you what promo brought this name into

your database

Source / Tracking CodesOn the

registration screen, the

Tracking code tells you what

marketing piece prompted this

person to register

in this class

Source / Tracking Codes

Source and Tracking codes share the same list of choices

You may only assign one source code per name and one tracking code per registration (but a different tracking code for every registration)

The purpose of the Source Code is to find out how that name got into your database.

The purpose of the Tracking Code is to find out how the participant heard about that course

Source / Tracking Codes

When Creating Source/Tracking codes PUT IN THE $$ / Resources invested in that promo..

…….. AND.. We have a report for that… WITH… $$ ROI and % Return

What kind of job thisperson has…

Type of organization that employs this person

Occupation & Organization

A REALLY big deal if yourProgram is focused on Business, career and

Professional programs…

Interest Codes

Interest codes????Make all you want

Interest Codes

NOTE: Interest Code Scoping

Here a code.. There a code…Names

Here a code.. There a code…Names

MoreUser DefinedCode(able)

Fields

Credentials.. are.. INCREDULOUS

Attend the

Aug 5th 1 pm Webinar

Membership Codes

There’s a webinaron that…

See the webinar archives…

Or consult the SM Online help

OLLI

Here a code.. There a code…Course

Here a code.. There a code…Course

User DefinedCode(able)

Fields

Here a code.. There a code…Registration

User DefinedCode(able)

Fields

Life Cycle of Codes

Active

Retired

Merged

Dead & Gone

Editing

Adding Codes (Method #1)

Module / Codes

Adding Codes on-the-fly(Method #2)

Clicking the plus sign to

the left of the field opens

the Universal Code Editor

( FOR the specific code field you start

from…)

Editing/Changing Codes

Pay Attention to Adding vs Editing

Code Cleanup

Code Cleanup

Deactivate Old Codes

Most codes can be deactivated

Changes in your organization?Your codes may need to be updated/changed/revamped

Changes?

Remember!

• Create as many codes as you want, but only as many as you’ll use

• Use enough characters to achieve clarity

• Consider a major/minor reference system

EDUC+ADM = Education / Administration

EDUC+K12 = Education / K through 12

DANC+LNE = Line Dance

DANC+BAL = Ballroom Dance

DANC+SAL = Salsa Dancing

DANC+BEL = Belly Dancing

NOTE: in 8..

Interest code is

10 Characters

Code Reporting

Code Reporting

Code Reporting

Don’t forget Statistical Reports

(gives you # enrolled and $$$ per “Code”)

Quick Views ! ! !You can view a list of names (and courses .. And Registrations) associated with ANY code

View all names that have the interest code

View all courses that have the interest code

5 Coding Tips

Repurpose Data/Code Fields in Preferences

Did you know you couldvalidate numeric fields?

Of course you ALREADY knew you could do that with Character fields!

Explore the STAMP functions

When combine with a JUSTAFTER, “STAMP functions” will stamp a value in a specified field

Change Date on an Interest Code

It’s a simpleRight Click!

Use F5 for a list of nameswith interest codes

Questions?chuck@aceware.com

800-925-2493

Next Webinar…

Credentials!If MacGyver had these,

he wouldn’t need chewing gum wrappers

August 5th, 2014, 1:00 Central