Hi All,

Some updates and answers to frequently-asked-questions about the app...

• This launch has created a lot of buzz.  Dozens of groups have already signed up for the app, and are happily using it.
• Note that this is a brand new product, there WILL be teething issues.  We do extensive testing, but nothing uncovers issues faster than 500 new users suddenly using it!
• And of course there is currently a GLITCH:  We fixed a small bug last night, but inadvertently caused another one:  If you open the app and attempt to connect to your HarmonySite by scanning the QR code, it currently doesn't work - gives an error.  But it works fine if you connect via the OTHER option - manually typing in your HarmonySite's web-address.  Apologies for this - we should have this fixed within a day or two!   Note that this step has to happen only ONCE.  Once you're connected, you never need to type in the address again.
• A few people have asked to try the app before they purchase it.  That's not an option, sorry.  BUT you can do it this way:  Sign up for the app (by emailing me asking for it).  I'll enable the app for your group and send you an invoice.  The terms of the invoice will be 30 days, as usual.  So you can then try the app for a few days.  If you don't like it, don't pay the invoice!  Just email us back and say you've changed your mind.  We'll disconnect the app from your HarmonySite and delete your unpaid invoice!
• There are a couple of groups that are using the app BEFORE their regular domain name is connected to your HarmonySite (i.e. their HarmonySite is NEW, and its current address is something like http://MYGROUP.harmonysite.com).  If you're one of those groups, then when your domain name is eventually connected to your HarmonySite, your members MAY need to REMOVE your site from the app and add it again - this time using your regular domain name (e.g. www.MYGROUP.com).  This process takes less than a minute, and only needs to be done once per member.

In harmony,

Mark.

Big announcement today, years in planning, months in development:  The new HarmonySite APP!

HarmonySite now has a companion app, available for both Apple and Android (phones and tablets).  It looks something like this...

The purpose of the app is to complement the functionality of your HarmonySite Members Area, by providing quick access to some features that are most useful in a hand-held device, so you don’t need to log into your HarmonySite website via your phone’s web-browser for such tasks.  The app does NOT contain EVERYTHING you would find in the website version of your HarmonySite.

The app provides functionality for group MEMBERS. Group admins will continue to do all their administration tasks from the website – there are no admin tools within the app.

Further, the app will NOT work with "parent body" HarmonySites (such as Sweet Adelines regional HarmonySites, BHS Districts, etc), nor for "Convention" HarmonySites.  This app is for CHAPTER/CLUB HarmonySites only (and quartets).

Pricing

The HarmonySite app is FREE for your members to download and install. However, for it to work with your HarmonySite, your group will need to purchase an annual subscription to the app. It's ballpark $40 per year for the whole group – usually less than $1 per user per year.  The exact pricing is on our website.

Pricing for quartet HarmonySites will be cheaper.  Reply to this email if you want pricing for a Quartet HarmonySite

Features

We'll be adding many new features to the app from now on – these are the current features…

• Access your music library
• View all the songs/music in your group’s music library, exactly as they are stored on your group’s website
• Group the list of music by category or status (or alphabetically)
• View sheet music – PDF, JPG, PNG, etc
• Listen to learning tracks
• Playback at half speed or 1.5x speed
• Pan left and right for recordings where one part is on one side and the other parts are on the other side
• Move forward or back to any position within the track
• Skip back or ahead 10 seconds
• Download each file to your device, to open in your favourite music/PDF app
• Access your Bulletin Board / Documents
• Access all the files, documents and news from your website’s Members Area
• Group the list by category, sub-category or status (or alphabetically)
• Download each file to your device, to open in your favourite app
• Assessments (Performance Readiness)
• View the list of past assessments you have submitted
• Listen to each recording you submitted
• Submit a new recording, by choosing an MP3 file from your device
• VERY COOL: Submit a new recording DIRECT FROM YOUR FAVOURITE VOICE-RECORDER APP, by simply using the SHARE option to “share” the recording to HarmonySite
• Event Attendance
• This feature is exclusive to the app – not available in the website version of HarmonySite…
• Record your attendance at an event by simply scanning the event’s QR code. Your event coordinator can print out the event’s QR code and make it available somewhere prominent at the event, then each member can simply scan the QR code with their app to mark themselves as having attended the event.
• Update your member details
• Personal details – name, partner, date of birth, email address, phone numbers, etc
• Club/chapter details – photo, bio, email preferences, etc
• One click to open your website in your device’s regular web-browser, in case there are parts of your site you wish to access that are not available in the app
• Access multiple HarmonySites: If you belong to more than one group that uses HarmonySite, you can access all of them through one app (as long as each group has enabled app access)

Features coming soon...

• View the announcements at the top of your main Members page
• Register your availability for events
• View the details of all the members in your Member Database (if your HarmonySite's privacy settings allow this)
• Tap someone's phone number to call them
• Tap to view their home address in Google Maps
• Tap on an email address to email them
• etc
• View upcoming events, and the Event Calendar
• View and complete "member audits" (miscellaneous member details, surveys, polls, etc)
• View photo galleries
• PUSH NOTIFICATIONS
• "You need to state your availability for this important event"
• "Your membership invoice is unpaid/overdue" (the app will NOT facilitate payment of this invoice - it's just a reminder)
• "An important survey needs to be completed"
• General announcements/reminders that might otherwise be sent as an SMS text message

There's a new icon at the bottom of your main Members page, called "APP"...

There you will find details about how to get the app enabled for your group's members (it basically just says to email us, or you could reply to this email).  Once the app has been enabled for your HarmonySite, your members can click that icon to find out about how to download the app, complete with detailed instructions on how to get it working with your HarmonySite (it's not difficult!).

If you have no interest in the app at all, you're welcome to delete this new "APP" icon from your Members page in the usual way.

Finally, a big shout-out to Chris from Cottontown Chorus in England, who built this app to my exact specifications and high standards!

HOW TO GET STARTED

In harmony,

Mark Virtue

HarmonySite

Australia

+61 2 8005 4277 (Australian number)

In North America, call:  1-415-651-7009 (San Francisco number)

Skype name:  mvirtue

mark@harmonysite.com

www.harmonysite.com