Overall Satisfaction with Quick Base
We use QuickBase as a repository for documents and as a way to create forms, reporting, and metrics for our Learning/Training Department that serves our greater IT org, Customer Technologies. We have yet to delve as deep as we can into its potential uses, but at present it has addressed our problem with where to store documents and files, as well as, a way to manage and organize our current restructuring of our department's policies, procedures, and development.
- It is very easy to create apps specific to our needs.
- It is a great way to manage and store documentation on many levels.
- It gives us a one stop location where we can organize our entire restructuring effort.
- I would like to be able to upload and store larger video files and Captivate files without having to zip them.
- In our Learning/Training Department we have a need to share files so that we can have multiple sets of eyes on things as we design and develop learning elements. An easier or more intuitive method to share larger files would be great.
- It may be because I am still relatively new to QuickBase, but it is not the easiest to navigate when trying to add new users, edit functionality of an app, etc.
We have achieved this benefit to a certain extent, but have not yet realized the full potential of the product. I anticipate that as our restructure effort moves forward we will have ample opportunity to test this and realize even more benefit from using the product. From what we have seen of it up to this point it has been indispensable for us as a means to organize our restructuring.
We have not used or evaluated any other product. QuickBase was the first one we looked at and was the only option we considered. It was not necessary for us to look any further as everything that we were looking for was accessible to us through what QuickBase had to offer.
- Building and deploying business applications faster
- Improving our ability to drive insights from our data
- Improving collaboration across one or more teams
- Solving a specific business challenge
- Building and deploying an application (or multiple applications) that meets our exact needs
We did achieve these outcomes, but since I have filled this out we had to move to SharePoint because QuickBase was unwilling to negotiate on our next contract. This inflexibility led to our terminating our relationship with QuickBase. It wasn't very difficult to port all of our documents and forms over to SharePoint as an alternative to QuickBase.
It can be difficult for non-technical developers to navigate through the creation of applications, however, with that being said, QuickBase help is very efficient and accessible when trying to build something from scratch. Their customer support is top notch and responds quickly to every inquiry for assistance that I have made so far.
I have only updated a QuickBase-developed application twice so far, but both times it was very easy and painless. The product is designed very well and is relatively smooth and effortless to maintain and update. I have no complaints and can only say that the more I use it the more I see its benefit to us both now and in the future.
Quickbase Feature Ratings
Integrations and Governance
- Microsoft Office 365
- Proprietary Systems
It wasn't terribly deep. Mostly to link projects to calendars and track progress. It was not difficult at all to achieve and actually integrated quite easily.
We were able to log progress on projects, as well as implement processes that we were unable to implement before. These integrations allowed us to be more efficient on our projects from start to finish. They also helped us to be able to set a clear path to follow for the completion of projects.
We really didn't utilize any security or user management capabilities other than tying it into our employee verification systems. Our proprietary security and user management is very robust so utilizing any additional capabilities that Quick Base had really was redundant and unnecessary. As a result, it did not impact or improve business application security at all.
Using Quick Base
7 - We are a small group within our org, but we consist of developers, designers, management, planners, and trainers. As a whole, we use the product to store documentation, create apps that help us manage and organize products, and share files as projects are being developed and designed. Overall, it has far exceeded what we need from a product.
4 - We have one very high level user to support our overall use. She is very organized and highly skilled at creating apps that measure and report. The other users have IT background and skills at creating databases. I would say, however, that it isn't necessary to have high level people support the product as it is intuitive and easy to learn.
- A repository to aid in the restructuring of our department and programs.
- A tool to create measurement and reporting tools during and after the restructuring effort.
- A way to manage access for documents and files for anonymous users throughout our larger organization.
- Sharing Captivate files as we development and design learning elements for our org.
- Giving us one place to direct students in our new hire classes to find files, documents and other information needed before, during, and after class.
- Created an app that will help us manage and navigate through the entire restructuring effort.
- Sharing documentation across departments.
- Tracking or measurement of corporate initiatives.
- Creation of applications that would help manage projects.
- It has allowed us to achieve our objectives earlier than we expected.
- It has given us the tools we needed to organize.
- It has made it possible for us to be more productive in our efforts.
Evaluating Quick Base and Competitors
- Price
- Product Features
- Product Usability
- Third-party Reviews
I was not involved in the decision to move to QuickBase, but I believe that the most important factor was the usability of the product. Because we are trying to restructure our department, and have a few employees who are resistant to change, the ease of use was very critical as we moved forward.
Because I was not involved in that process it is hard for me to say. Using other products we have evaluated for other uses as a benchmark, I would say that we would test the functionality and compare it to other products so that an informed decision can be made. Again, having not been involved initially, I am assuming that this was the process in choosing QuickBase over another product.
Quick Base Implementation
- Implemented in-house
Change management was a big part of the implementation and was well-handled - Implementing QuickBase has made it very easy to manage the changes within our organization. As we continue to work through our restructuring and implement our new programs and processes, QuickBase will be a vital tool for everyone within our organization. Without QuickBase I believe everything we have been striving to accomplish would have been much harder.
- We encountered no major issues during our implementation.
Quick Base Training
- no training
Not really. There was a huge learning curve in this product and it took a long time for us to figure it out. The product had a lot of issues initially that caused a lot of headaches. The customizing aspect was also very difficult and took a long time to complete.
Configuring Quick Base
Make certain that you purchase some sort of support package and be intentional to have more than one administrator. The complexity of the product and its necessity for some minor coding makes it a lot more work than it needs to be. Really consider something more user friendly before proceeding with QuikcBase.
Yes - we have customized the interface extensively - It was not easy at all. As previously mentioned, customization takes minor programming skill, and the complexity of the product doesn't help. It took us almost 7 months to get the product to a point where it was ready to use for our team. This made it much easier to make the decision to transition to something else.
No - the product does not support adding custom code
No. Our configuration and customization was limited to what I have all ready stated in the previous questions. The QuickBase customization and configuration was frustrating and time consuming. It required far too much time and ROI was not worth the resources or effort involved. It's not terribly user friendly.
Quick Base Support
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Immediate help available Support understands my problem Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response | None |
I was trying to create an app and could not figure out exactly how to do it. Not only did QuickBase support answer my questions in a timely manner, they also provided me with extra information to make my app even more useful in the day to day management of my project.
Using Quick Base
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar | None |
- Creating applications
- Managing applications
- Editing existing applications
- Creating intricate applications
Yes, but I don't use it
Quick Base Reliability
Integrating Quick Base
- File import/export
We would have explored additional integration technologies but the difficulty and time needed for these integrations caused us to transition to other products. We didn't have the Development resources free to spend more time on this product and the decision was made quickly to move in a different direction after using the product for 12 months.
Make certain that your Development resources have the bandwidth to dedicate to the product before you make the decision to move forward. There is a lot more work involved than the ROI. We should have done a lot more research before deciding on Quick Base. In 12 months we were ready to switch to something else.
Relationship with Quick Base
Price. It seems that it the only thing they are willing to flex on. Even if a low ball offer is put on the table make certain you understand all of the work and effort you will need to face moving forward. Low price does not equal quality product.
Make certain that everything is up front and on the table when it comes to Vendor responsibilities and what your involvement will be. Even if everything is on the table, make certain the vendor understands your expectations and needs completely before signing any contract.