User Support Forum

Is there a possibility that PowerChurch might include a calendar/room booking module in the future or can someone recommend one?

The problem with most calendar/room booking programs I've seen (usually part of an e-mail system) is that they are designed for businesses running Monday to Friday so any printed calendars squeeze Saturday and Sunday into one spot. Since most church activities end up on the weekend, I have a hard time adjusting the printout so that all of the weekend activities are shown.

It would be great if this kind of function could be integrated into the next version of PowerChurch, then you could set up each of the rooms in the building and maybe even link it to an activity and the contact person!

This is indeed a proposed new feature for the next version.

Zaphod wrote:This is indeed a proposed new feature for the next version.

Indeed ??

We'd definitely support that feature !! Don't forget to include a feature to schedule equipment also !!

emellesee wrote:Is there a possibility that PowerChurch might include a calendar/room booking module in the future or can someone recommend one?

The problem with most calendar/room booking programs I've seen (usually part of an e-mail system) is that they are designed for businesses running Monday to Friday so any printed calendars squeeze Saturday and Sunday into one spot. Since most church activities end up on the weekend, I have a hard time adjusting the printout so that all of the weekend activities are shown.

It would be great if this kind of function could be integrated into the next version of PowerChurch, then you could set up each of the rooms in the building and maybe even link it to an activity and the contact person!

If you are referring to Outlook's calendar, you can expand the week-ends. Once you've made that change in the options, it will print a "normal" calendar with 7 days across.

I'd like to see a groupware type calendar with multiple levels that can include appointments, meetings and resources (i.e. conference room reservations). If it is in the works, I'll be a happy camper!

Of course, the next question is when.

jeffkoke wrote:If you are referring to Outlook's calendar, you can expand the week-ends. Once you've made that change in the options, it will print a "normal" calendar with 7 days across.

I'd like to see a groupware type calendar with multiple levels that can include appointments, meetings and resources (i.e. conference room reservations). If it is in the works, I'll be a happy camper!

Of course, the next question is when.

The only format I've found for showing all 7 days equally puts each day in a column and the 'appointments' in blocks spanning their time periods. The problem I have is that I list my room bookings on the calendar and since mulitple rooms can be used at once, that means that if two rooms are being used at once the text describing the booking is now squeezed into half of the column for that day, even worse if there's three. So, for readability, I use the format that puts each day in blocks and then just lists the times and descriptions for each event sequentially in the block for that day. This makes it easier to read, but Saturday and Sunday get half the room of the other days so from time to time some bookings get missed, even when I use the smallest font. We print out the calendar and post it outside the office so that everyone knows who's using what room when (in case people 'forget' to book a room).

Powerchurch has great potential to create the perfect calendar program for churches. Since people's addresses & phone numbers are already set up, PC could create a calendar of small group meetings in people's homes and be able to list the address and/or contact phone number in no time flat. PC could also link rooms, activities, resources and people ...aahh... the possibilities!

This featureset is in the very early planning stages right now, so any suggestions you guys may have will certainly help.

Of course, as always, we may not implement all suggestions, but it is helpful to get some real-world perspective.

If you'd like to reply to this thread with suggestions for this feature, that would be great. If I should create a new thread specifically for this purpose, I can. Additionally, you can send any suggestions to wishlist@powerchurch.com.

Zaphod wrote:This featureset is in the very early planning stages right now, so any suggestions you guys may have will certainly help.

Of course, as always, we may not implement all suggestions, but it is helpful to get some real-world perspective.

If you'd like to reply to this thread with suggestions for this feature, that would be great. If I should create a new thread specifically for this purpose, I can. Additionally, you can send any suggestions to wishlist@powerchurch.com.

Zaphod,

I recommend that you create a separate thread as you may get more people weighing in on it.

Just my $.07 worth

Jeff

Another thing to take into consideration for a calendar feature is that we like to list activities that are happening off-site as well as in the building (like small groups & retreats). We also book rooms for outside groups that we in turn invoice for renting the room so it would be a nice bonus feature if there were a way to streamline and link the booking & invoicing process.

Jeff, as usual, you're right. I'll do that shortly...