There are TWO versions of this software.

Instead of calling them "Lite" and "Standard" or "Standard" and "Professional", we refer to them as "FAST" and "FAT".

Similarities between FAST and FAT systems

Both "FAST" and "FAT" versions include the same basic file functionality including:

1. Navigation1 and Navigation1s - Nav1 and Nav1s (for short) are tools which create a menu system from the worksheets in the workbook. This is a semi-dynamic menu system which is updated with the click of a refresh button. It allows you to see all the sheets in a workbook in list form, in the order they appear in the workbook, with the tab colors associated too.
2. Notes Worksheet - A Notes worksheet where we can leave you initial notes and you can make more as time goes by.
3. Dashboard - A Dashboard which you can add to, use as a model for your own dashboard, or delete
4. Data Tables - Data Tables for Herbal Blend Header Records and Detail Records are fully exposed. These show you how parent and child records work in a relational database. The data can be locked for editing in various ways or unlocked, depending on your wants/needs.
5. Blend Recall Worksheet -- The "Blend Recall" worksheet is where you view the Herbal Blend in a professional way for purposes of printing, saving and/or emailing as a PDF. This is fully customizable and you could have several variations if you wanted to, for some reason. Maybe you'll create a private version for your reference and a customer version with slightly less or different information for them.
6. Label Generation and Printing - A "Label Generation" Tool for creating printed labels is included. This can be modified and moved around in many ways to fit your work flow best. It's cool.
7. Herbal Blend Efficacy Tracking -- Unlimited fields can be added to track efficacy and feedback about your blends.
8. Customer Short List -- A "Customers" tab exists as a short cut for adding customers who you don't want to formally add to your connected customers database file.
9. Reporting 1 -- Search functionality enabling you to run Reports on header and detail records using SQL style queries that looks and works like a website. This is a supplement to being able to search the data tables using Google Sheets built in search and filter features.
10. Reporting 2 -- Website looking, Production reports which enable you to run alternative production related information not easily gleaned from the Data tables. Again , this uses SQL style inputs
11. Reporting 3 -- Daily, Weekly and Annual reporting in website fashion, but a lot more customizable.
12. Silent Worksheets - Silent worksheets names start with an "_". They contain configuration information, tools, data and utilities which are required for the "software" to work, but they are not items you interact with as part of normal work flow.

Both FAST and FAT systems can use external files for customers and products/services

1. We've designed this to work in a modular fashion with our Patient/Client/Customer module and our PSOPs module (products, services or packages module).
2. That said, there is a place to quickly enter "walk in" customers too, as mentioned above.

Both FAST and FAT systems use the same external library file for supplemental, routine functions

1. This external library is to designed to be hosted by you, on your own drive, with no connections to the anyone or anything outside of your google account
2. This requires a little nerdy setup, which only takes about a minute, but has about 10 steps to it...

Differences between FAST and FAT systems

Both versions rely on relational database concepts to work, HOWEVER, the differences between the FAST and FAT versions are profound:

The FAST Version...(to be selected by most Herbalist for use)

1. The FAST version only uses about five named variables and it uses NO google script for the core part of the Herbal Blend Tracking functionality.
2. Alpha-numeric composite keys stand-in for primary keys. This provides the relationships that do just enough to enable the software to work in an extremely efficient manner.
3. Data for these records is entered directly into the data tables.
   1. There are no add or update forms. Delete happens by manually removing the data from data tables.
4. Edit and Delete record functionality is done by the user directly in the data tables.
   1. There are some cross referencing tools built in to help monitor orphan records.
5. Most aspects of file customization are faster and easier with this FAST file as compared to the FAT file.
6. This is the file all users are suggested to start with...

The FAT Version...(to be selected by those seeking relational data education and Herbalists who are already familiar with the FAST version and are seeking a comparative experience)

1. The FAT version uses over 30 named variables and about 1000 lines of google script for the add, update, delete functionality related to record management.
2. It uses integer based, auto-incrementing primary keys (and foreign keys), which is the most common management system for database keys today.
3. Data for these records is entered initially via a "faux" add record form
   1. To accomplish this in a spreadsheet, a "faux" add record form has been created with "form submit" functionality that closely represents what happens with websites, generally speaking. So it's a great stepping stone for learning full stack development in a visual manner.
   2. A primary-key tracking and assignment system with a seeding option greater than 1 has been created to assign integers at time of record creation for both parent and child records.
   3. This system is surprisingly simple once you see it.
   4. This system most closely mimics a fully self contained database and form creation system as is found in MS Access or comparable (for those that remember that stuff).
   5. It is believed the data handling portion of this system, when viewed all together, will most closely resemble the way Oracle Databases work under the hood (as well as the others too).
4. Update functionality is handled in the same Add record form!? It's a very clever form, but in fact there are some minor limitations to the update functionality as of now. Complex updates need to be made in the data tables, or a little more google script has to be written.
5. Delete record functionality can be done with a function call or in the data tables
6. Most aspects of file customization are slower and more complex with this FAT system as compared to the FAST system.
7. This system is EXCEPTIONAL for data and database EDUCATION PURPOSES, first and foremost.
   1. Given the nature of the FAST system, it is unlikely this system will be selected by most small business users although some may like it. In add and delete mode it works great. The update records stuff is a little more complex and requires more data oriented mind fullness.
   2. This system may have applications in larger installs, where users want more than the FAST system but less than what they can afford or get from a web based system. Or not.