SigmaPro Draconis 6.0 (Beta) is almost here. This version contains many different modules and components that will be released together as a package for it's production release. During Beta, modules will be made available as they pass initial testing.  
 
The first component to be released is the OnyakTech SigmaPro Email Monitor. This tool monitors an email account for incoming sales and support items and then loads these emails into SigmaPro.   The Email Monitor includes a DotNetNuke Scheduler, Windows Service and the OnyakTech Email Monitoring library. You can choose between either the DNN Schedule or the Windows Service components. An image overview of the Email Monitor is attached to this thread.  
 
The OnyakTech Email Monitor supports HTML, Text and Attachments. After the email is published to SigmaPro; files are attached, comments added, replies automatically associated with the correct item in SigmaPro and the user is matched in DotNetNuke using the From email address. Any configurations and custom actions setup within the module instance of SigmaPro are then executed as if the post was manually made from your web site. 
 
The OnyakTech Email Monitor is being tested now and it's Beta release is scheduled for September 3, 2006.  
 
Within the next few days a listing of all new major features in SigmaPro 6.0 will be listed here.  
 
The OnyakTech Email Monitor Library supports SMTP, POP3, IMAP, ICMP and FTP. However, the initial release of the OnyakTech Email Monitor will only support POP3. All remaining protocals will be implemented through future releases. The FTP Support will provide the means to publish emails and data from SigmaPro, SigmaLive and H2O to an FTP site for further processing by external systems.
 
 http://onyaktech.com/sigmaprodraconis6.0(entr).jpg

SigmaPro 6.0 contains the following components and features.  Please provide your feedback on this list.

Components:

• Email Monitor Library: Primary engine of the Email Monitor that parses emails for SigmaPro.
• Email Monitor Windows Service: Encapsulates the Email Monitor Library in a Windows Service.  Includes a graphical user interface from the Windows Tray.  A Windows Vista version may also be provided.
• Email Monitor DotNetNuke Schedule: Encapsulates the Email Monitor Library in a DotNetNuke Schedule.  Settings will be configurable from the SigmaPro Web Service DNN Module.
• SigmaPro VSIP (Visual Studio Integration Package): Intended to be used by software developers.  Allows .Net Developers to log time, maintain tasks and execute other actions for SigmaPro from within Microsoft Visual Studio.
• SigmaEx: A Windows application used by SigmaPro Administrators and Project Managers.  Provides advanced reporting and editing of KB Articles, Action Lists and Work Flow Event Assignments.
• Epsilon: A Windows Mobile XP application that provides real-time information on SigmaPro projects and help desk issues.
• SigmaPro Microsoft Office Add-In: Will be available for Word, Excel, Outlook and Publisher.  Allows Microsoft Office users to log time, maintain tasks and execute other actions for SigmaPro.

 Key Features:

• ToolTips in key locations.  Example: Long task descriptions can be truncated to fit on the task list screen, a tool-tip is now displayed as you hover your mouse over the title that displays the entire description of the task.
• Ability to search all tasks in all projects by title and comments.
• Project Search option has been added to the Projects List screen.
• Ability to add hours and date of activity when initially creating the task.  You no longer have to wait until the initial setup is complete.
• Task “Actions” have been added to SigmaPro.  Actions give the Assigned a guide path to follow while also providing metric and status reporting by allowing the Assigned to mark Actions as Complete and set the total time to complete the action.  They are like sub-tasks in SigmaPro but limited in functionality while easier to maintain.  Action lists are setup for each project and organized by Project Phase and Category.  They are displayed in a new Task Tab called “Actions” and are auto-filled based on the tasks original category and the phase the project was in when the task was created.   This new feature automates sub-task items and gives you a “cleaner” project by maintaining simple sub-tasks (such as “Validate Network Connectivity” or “Check into Source Control” or “Submit Invoice”) within the parent task vs. a massive task tree.  Action Lists can be saved for reuse in other projects.
• New Calendar pop-up window on date fields.
• You can now create and assign Work Flow Events for projects based on existing Work Flow Types.  Events are executed when a Project Phase or Task Status is changed.   Current Event Types available are Approval, Email and Change Assigned.  The Approval type properties are Users and Notification Reminder.   The Approval Type forces a task into a read-only mode until all set users have approved the stage.  If the Approval stage is open for prolonged periods of times (set by the Notification Reminder Property), emails reminders are automatically sent to the approvers.  The Email Event Type contains the properties To, Subject and Body.  It’s used to send specific emails during your project phase or status changes.  The Change Assigned Event Type is used to change the Assigned of the Task during a Phase or Status change.
• You are now able to send PayPal Invoices for current Project or Task time.   Complete transaction history is available from the OnyakTech PayPal Transaction Monitor module for DotNetNuke.
• New Task Tab Panel called “CataLook” displays the requesters current order history from the Catalook DNN Module.
• New Task Tab Panel called “Portal Store” displays the requesters current order history from the Portal Store DNN Module.
• New Task Comment option that invokes a “Text to Voice” service.  When checked, the comment text entered is converted to a “mechanical voice” and the user is called.   If the Requester is adding the comment, then the Assigned is called.  If the Assigned is adding the comment, then the Requester is called.  If the user doesn’t answer the phone, a message is left in voice mail.  This feature requires service activation.
• H2O Forms can now be added to projects where Custom Fields are currently.

Good News! The final beta release of SigmaPro Draconis 6.0 will be available for download on October 1, 2006 (OnyakTech Subscribers Only).

This release will include...

• SigmaPro 6.0
• SigmaPro Web Service 6.0
• SigmaPro Email Monitor (Windows Service) 1.0
• Plug-In Manager 1.2
• SigmaPro Actions List (SigmaPro Plug-In) 1.0
• SigmaPro VSIP 1.0 (Visual Studio Add-In)