Ipad app for tree inventory,

Let me know how is works and the $$ Mike. It sounds like a good tool, especially since it can link to GIS.
 
I checked it out at TCIA Expo and found it a very slick set up. It worked really well as a data gathering system, including GPS location information for the trees, albeit in iPad gps accuracy resolution.

In fact, we were all set to "buy" until they started talking the pricing scheme. I admit I wasn't on top of my game and my eyes quickly glazed over and I got lost.

What I came a way with was something about a per record charge, ongoing fees and no fixed price. However I have no idea if I even heard the man right.

If anyone knows the pricing and can explain it to me I'd be interested in giving it a second look.
 
I read on their EULA page that the fees are posted on their website. Yet navigating their website to find said fees was a dead end. I just emailed Shawn and asked that he direct me to this information on the website.
This could be a good thing, but not if it winds up costing an indefinite amount of money.
 
Checking the About section of the website, it says the app is still under development. It also appears to have gotten special cooperative assistance (money?) for development from the North Carolina Forestry Division and N.C. Urban Forestry Council. I don't see how he could offer it as a free app for Apple iPad currently and then be vague about the real price when he meets potential customers, except that he probably hasn't got a clue how to price it or has no real business plan. Or both.

Just remember this tip from someone who has been in high tech most of their life: Q. What's the difference between a car salesman and a software salesman? A. The car salesman knows when he's lying.
 
Hi All,

Mike Dunn spoke highly of the TreeBuzz community and recommended that I sign up for an account here.

I started developing Talking2Trees about a year ago after starting the company with assistance from the NC Forest Service and Urban Forest Council. V1.0 of the App was launched on November 6th 2012, a few days before TCIA Baltimore trade show. As part of my contract with the State, I primarily focus on serving NC communities that can not afford the tools currently available (time or $$ wise) to either begin collecting or to manage their trees. Consulting arborists and municipal foresters in NC have helped me focus the product for an NC market.

That said, There has been tremendous interest in the App for uses other than municipal, such as private land holders (colleges, HOA’s, golf courses etc...) and smaller, perhaps one-off, projects. I understand why this is the case, and I want to make sure that any future development is in line with your expectations.

To help alleviate any current confusion, and in the interest of transparency, I’d like to offer the following:

The marketing side of my website is not up to par - It’s been an issue with me for a while now. The majority of my funding has been directed towards developing the iPad App and the Cloud database. However, I began approaching website design houses here in Greensboro last week to begin talking about changing/updating.
Currently the software is an all-in sort of package. Every user receives the same thing - access to the iPad app for tree inventory collection, including tree histories, cloud syncing, and data management on the website including data exports to .CSV. The only existing “control” is through the number of tree records purchased, or the time frame agreed upon with each client.
Beta testing was conducted mostly within NC with consulting arborists and municipal foresters - not a large group, but focused here as NC communities were my first identified clients.
Recent development is focused on adding features that cities have expressed interest in, such as maintenance scheduling and recording maintenance tasks in the field.
Mike has echoed my own desire to build features that will satisfy consulting arborists as well - such as report creation or online live data filtering and shareable maps. BUT, before development moves too far along with this, I’d like to gain your insights as well (please see below).
Although my municipal clients appear to enjoy current pricing so far, I agree with Rick that “Flexible Pricing” doesn’t work for consulting arborists. Every startup company that creates a new product in an existing industry must deal with pricing issues related to type of client/account holder and “regionality” - both in the business planning phase, and post launch. Talking2Trees is no different in this regard.

I would like your help, if you’re interested, in pricing Talking2Trees for TreeBuzz consulting arborists. To help me build on what Mike has already expressed over the phone, what does an inventory collection app for the iPad need to do well? What features are currently missing from Talking2Trees? What needs clarification on the website or otherwise? What works/what doesn’t work?

Any input you can offer is greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your time,
Shawn Gagne
 
Talking2Trees looks like it costs $1000 ($250 discount if you're a member of your state's forestry council).

Anyone using a simple, closer-to-free app for inventories? I have a very small church community with no budget, but they own the largest remaining stand of trees in their small town. I do their maintenance for free in order to help preserve the green space, and would like to map their little forest.

(USDA Forest Services' "i-Tree" is still Windows platform only I believe; would prefer something Mac or Android based...)
 
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