Quality Assurance
Testing and readying EagleSoft Version 16.00 for release

While it operates seamlessly in the background, a lot of activity takes place before EagleSoft software ever makes it into your daily practice management. With the release of EagleSoft 16.00 on the horizon, we spoke with Valerie Rentfro, EagleSoft product manager, Patterson Technology Center (PTC), about beta testing, the release’s new features and the PTC’s renowned support system.

Q: What is the PTC’s development philosophy regarding EagleSoft?

Valerie Rentfro: We are always seeking ways to make the software more efficient for the user and providing our customers what they need and want in order to successfully run their practice.

Q: How is customer feedback part of the development process?

Rentfro: Customer feedback is integral to the four-part development process: design, develop, test and release. All customer requests or enhancements are logged in a database for tracking purposes. Each release cycle, these requests are reviewed and ranked in terms of demand, significance and scope. Items that have more customers attached are likely to be ranked higher.

Q: How is EagleSoft software tested before it goes to customers?

Rentfro: The software is tested thoroughly before going out to customers. The Quality Assurance team at the PTC is made up of a group of detail-oriented individuals. Each new feature, as well as the software as a whole, is tested inside and out – both existing and new features – before being released to the field.

Q: What role do beta testers play in the testing process?

Rentfro: The beta process is the process by which the new version of software is released, tracked, tested and supported prior to mass release to all customers. The length of the beta process can vary depending on the scope of the release. The more features added or changed, the longer the beta period may be. Beta testers are vital to the entire process of software development. Each of our beta-testing offices uses the software in their own unique way to uncover any nconsistencies not found by our own Quality Assurance team. They also provide unequivocal feedback regarding the benefits and implementation of all new features.

Q: What are some key new features of EagleSoft 16.00?

Rentfro: New features include line-item accounting, family walkouts, automatic account aging, date-based reporting options and increased scheduler display options including a new Go-To calendar for quick navigation.

Q: Are there new hardware requirements for EagleSoft 16.00? What does this mean for existing EagleSoft users?

Rentfro: In order to help practices to be more productive, we ensure that our software has the best possible features. Unfortunately, robust upgrades to the software sometimes conflict with our customers’ older operating systems. We carefully weigh the pros and cons of any hardware requirement changes we make. Currently, the only change in hardware requirements for EagleSoft 16.00 is that it will not install on Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2000. Existing customers will need to verify the operating systems used within their office and upgrade those machines found to be utilizing Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2000. We will, however, continue to support earlier versions of EagleSoft if customers choose not to upgrade their software.

Q: What EagleSoft 16.00 feature are you most excited about?

Rentfro: I am most excited about the addition of line-item accounting. This type of accounting system provides the user with increased accuracy when posting payments. It also provides the user an at-a-glance way of seeing which transactions in the account ledger are outstanding for the patient. As always, EagleSoft users will be able to make one support call to reach a live operator at the PTC who can answer all of their questions.