Quantrix Modeler- What Excel should be.

[hmurchison]

I just watched the flash presentation. Wow this is exactly what I've wanted in a spreadsheet application. What it does is pretty amazing if you've ever dinked around with today's spreadsheets. In the flash demo you will see how they put together a chart showing assumed growth of automobiles for multiple regions and products. They did this with 4 formulas and said Excel would require 213. They also show how data display can be modified without require any changes to the formulas.

I couldn't help but think that this technology is what Apple is supposed to be finding and popularizing. Quantrix Modeler is $990 but if Apple had access to such technology bringing it to the masses would be far cheaper. For anyone who ever thought Excel couldn't get in better..watch the presentation and find out just how old and crusty today's spreadsheet apps really are.

[Brad]

For the Google-impaired:

http://www.quantrix.com/tour/tour.php

It's nice to see that it's native on Mac OS X. I'm watching the Flash tour now. Looks impressive!

[Paul]

nevermind... ;)

[hmurchison]

Thanks Brad I forgot the link. I'd love to check the program out. I hear they have an academic price but I can't find it. It's too expensive though. Lets hope MS doesn't buy them out and take forever to integrate the tech.

[MCQ]

The academic price for windows (I assume for OS X would be similar) is on a product page:
Academic ($249), Non-Profit ($495) and volume pricing are available upon request. Email customerservice@quantrix.com or call +1 207.775.0808 for more information.

http://www.quantrix.com/r-info-2-31

[Mac+]

Gee - that is very slick. :cool: Great idea of separating the structure, logic and presentation. Rearranging data and graphs on the fly is the way to go!

[Barto]

I never thought I'd say this about a spreadsheet, but it looks awesome!

Downloading the beta now - the web site has a 30 day trial for download (http://quantrix.com/evaluate.php)

[Barto]

Well, it's a Java application (and therefore a bit slow) with very windows-esque toolbar buttons and icons, but it's still cool.

It has nasty Windows XP style product activation. It doesn't import other kinds of spreadsheets (eg excel). But it's still cool: for a test I copied over my "computers to get if current one explodes" spreadsheet.

http://homepage.mac.com/barto_act/linkage/quantrix/cheap_parts.jpg

The steepest part of the learning curve is the very different formula system. I settled on a cumulative total column for the pricing. What if I want to see how much a computer without a hard drive, mouse, keyboard, and speakers would cost (I already have the above)? Copy and paste (you can't drag and drop columns and rows) the Boot HD part, and viola:

http://homepage.mac.com/barto_act/linkage/quantrix/moved_boot.jpg

Not very impressive, but easier than in Excel. Now what if I want to see the differences in parts used more easily? Drag and drop the part column.

http://homepage.mac.com/barto_act/linkage/quantrix/part_compare.jpg

Easy. What if I just want to see the differences in manufacturers of each part used? Drag and drop the Description column so it becomes a filter, drag and drop the computer column because it looks better that way.

http://homepage.mac.com/barto_act/linkage/quantrix/make_compare.jpg

Again, easy. So, some serious flaws (no importing, product activation, windows icons, only partial drag and drop, poor responsiveness), but the ideas behind it are solid.

Barto

[Brad]

Ooh, a very nice preview. Thanks, Barto!

[bassplayinMacFiend]

Looks kinda like Cognos PowerPlay or other programs that allow "data cubes". Then you just pick which sides of the cube you want to work with and Voila! handy dandy charts and stuff.

[quantrix qa]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the feedback on the Quantrix Modeler product. Please feel free to post this and additional feedback in the new Mac OS X discussion on the Quantrix.com forums.

http://www.quantrix.com/forums

-Mike

Michael Salisbury
QA & Support Manager
Quantrix