Update News for September 2020

Here is a quick run-down on what you will find in this bulletin:

• API Rollout: U.S. and Canada
  
• API Purchase and Setup Process
  
• Work On CQS.EXE Has Begun
  
• November 2, 2020 – Term4Sale Bump Week Starts
  
• Our Current Programming Plans for 2020

These topics will be dealt with in more detail throughout this bulletin.

API Rollout: U.S. and Canada

Jeremiah and Chris completed the API project early in August. The rollout was announced by email to existing U.S. and then Canadian subscribers by email. If you had a webquote option, or you had an Internet engine, you would have received one of those emails.

The early bird deal was simple. The participating subscriber could obtain the API for only $300 per year, for 2 years, regardless of volume use.

The API is a volume priced product. You can see the price schedule here:

The maximum number of quotes allowed from the API is 30,000 per month.

NOTE:  Not even term4sale exceeds 30,000 quotes per month, although during the period when we were being pirated, there was one occasion where we were scraped for over 850,000 comparison quotes in a 3 day period. With the new API system, limits are in place that automatically shut down that kind of activity.

The three price levels go up by $300 each: $300, $600 and $900. With each increase in price level, monthly quote volume goes up by an order of 5 times: 1,200, 6,000 and 30,000. From 6,001 to 30,000 quotes per month the price is $900 per year, in addition to a standard license subscrption to the Windows PC software.

We said in announcing the early bird special that 12 U.S. subscribers could get the special deal but only 9 took advantage. The deadline to act was August 31st. We said 6 Canadian subscribers could get the deal, and before the end of the September deadline 6 had already jumped on board (that actually happened in August).

API Purchase and Setup Process

Unlike the Internet Engine, purchase of an API does NOT come with a “development period” before going live. What we do for a new API customer is to start new purchasers at the $300 level (they must pay the $300) and the clock starts running on that fee the day that we ship you the package of software by email. Providing that you do not exceed 1,200 quotes per month, your price will remain at $300. At any point you exceed the maximum allowed, you will need to move to the next level and pay an additional $300. We will attempt to build a warning mechanism into our database, that lets you and us know if you begin to approach your maximum.

Given that $300 is the equivalent of $25 per month, we do not see the point or need for a “free period” of development. Further, setup for the API is simpler than the Internet Engine which requires placement of our quoting software on a compatible server and making sure that the necessary CGI libraries are present to run the program. None of that is necessary with the API as quotes will be run on our server and json formatted results are sent back to your server. We are assured that web programmers familiar with json formatted API systems and data files should have no problem implementing this, particularly given the fact that we provide sample files to get you started.

If you want to buy the API, just click on this link:

Work On CQS.EXE Has Begun

CQS.EXE will be the new program that will replace GOWIN.EXE. Design work is underway and proving somewhat challenging. Our goal and objective is to reorganize the interface to be more like an interface that we can closely replicate with our web based version of Compulife that runs from a browser. The point is to come up with a way to use the quoting software that can be replicated on-line, so that as we expand our CQS Basic (web based agent quoter) it will be able to work and function much like the Windows program. That way, regardless of which version you are using, both will use the same logic for all the quoting options.

One thing Compulife is NOT going to do is to offer “apps” (computer programs) for devices that are not Windows PC compatible. There will be no Apple or Android apps. Those using devices that are NOT Windows PC, will need to use the web based quoting software. The long term goal is to offer what we have for a PC, in a web based application that you can run online using your web based device. That will naturally include all non-Windows hardware such as Mac computers, Android notebooks, etc. If you have an internet connection, and a browser, you will be able to run that version as you can run CQS Basic now.

The changes to CQS.EXE will not be all encompassing. What we will be doing is replacing the two initial windows, the Red Menu and the Client Entry window, with a new single window that reorganizes the client screen, the menus and sub menus such as “Manage Product Database” and “Options”. All those things will be accessible from tabs and/or icons on the Client entry window. All of the functions and options that you have now will be preserved, you will just have a new way to get at them. Once again, the look, feel and functionality of the new client entry screen will be based upon what can and cannot be done with a browser based version, so that they will be as close to being the same as possible.

Jeremiah, who uses a smart phone (I don’t), assures me that the organization of the page for a phone needs to be different as phone apps versus desktop apps are generally always different. My goal is to minimize those differences as much as possible, while not making phone use more difficult than it should be. I think we can find a way.

As explained last month, rolling out a new CQS.EXE before the data restructuring is to give you more time playing with the new system, to learn the system and to provide feedback and suggestions that can be implemented well in advance of the data conversion which is the next job. You will have BOTH GOWIN.EXE and CQS.EXE for a transitional period, and so those that like the old program, or who get stuck on something with the new program, will be able to swap back and forth.

Eventually CQS.EXE will be pointed from old data files to the new data files. We have talked about the need for the data conversion in previous bulletins, and have reached the point where that needs to be done. Once that job is accomplished, we will be able to expand and improve the say we are able to quote.

After the new file system is introduced, we will offer both new and old for a transitional period. GOWIN.EXE will use the old data files, CQS.EXE will then use the new data files. Eventually, when we are certain there are no issues with the new system, the old system will be ended.

November 2, 2020 – Term4Sale Bump Week Starts

Every PC subscriber to Compulife can have 3 local zip code listings at term4sale.com (standard license subscribers can have 6).

Local zip codes are special for 2 reasons.

First, local zip codes cost less than “additional” zip codes which are $18 per year. Local zip codes are only $12 per year.

Second, you can use your local zip codes, within 20 miles of your physical location, to BUMP out agents who are in better zip codes than you have, providing that they are NOT using their local zip code listing in that zip code. We allow bumping to ensure that EVERY PC subscriber to Compulife gets a chance for at least one good contact from a local consumer from the term4sale website each year. If you can convert that contact into a sale, then you should have more than enough money to pay for your subscription to Compulife. And if you don’t get at least one contact for the 3 zip codes, you get those zip codes for FREE for the following year.

We are reminding you about this to encourage you to mark November 2, 2020 in your calendar (12 noon EST).

If you have not previously BUMPED to get the best zip codes you need to do that.

If you have previously bumped into better zip codes, then the 3 local zip codes you have are your’s for as long as you are a subscriber and continue to renew the software and zip codes. You can only lose those local zip codes if your subscription lapses.

Our Current Programming Plans for 2020

The following is the current order for new work that we will be doing in 2020:

• • Introduction of New PC Version: CQS.EXE

• • Overhaul Of Current Product Data Files

• Introduction of Compulife Basic Plus (with Pick 12)

Anyone with questions about any of these upcoming projects can call Bob Barney to discuss:

Please don’t email me essay questions, just call. If I’m not in, email me your phone number, I’ll call you.

These planned objectives will easily consume our programming time during 2020. The good news is that once the product data files have been converted, and we have introduced the new CQS.EXE, and upgraded our internet engine to use the new data files, Compulife will be turning it’s full attention to our web based, Compulife Basic software. The long term goal is to have a web based product that does everything our PC based software does.