Deskfirst Software is a leading provider of business and productivity software that aims to streamline operations, manage client relationships, and enhance overall efficiency. Their products target a wide range of industries, including education, small businesses, and web design agencies.
Overview
Deskfirst Software offers a suite of tools designed to optimize the scheduling and booking process for service-oriented businesses. Their platform is tailored to agencies managing multiple client accounts, featuring white-labeling capabilities, comprehensive dashboard management, and performance analytics for bookings across employees or services.
First Impressions
Deskfirst impresses with its simple yet powerful premise: drag-and-drop functionality within a web-based desktop environment. The platform allows users to organize files using a system that feels second nature to anyone who’s ever used a computer. This immediately tackles the file organization chaos that can plague collaborative efforts.
Functionality and Features
Key Features:
- Multi-client account management
- White-label booking features
- Synchronization with multiple calendars (Google, Outlook, iOS)
- Automated time zone management for appointments
- Customizable booking sites with premade themes
Customizable Desktops
Creating project-specific desktops with individual branding, storage, and sharing permissions is straightforward. The flexibility to customize backgrounds and logos means that each online desktop can maintain brand consistency, which is invaluable for client-facing workspaces.
File Management and Sharing
Deskfirst simplifies the act of sharing, allowing users to distribute access via email or shareable links. Granular permissions for viewers, editors, and managers ensure control over document security. For swift sharing without edit permissions, view-only links are particularly useful.
Media Handling
A standout feature is Deskfirst’s built-in gallery and media player. This negates the need for additional software to view images or play media files, streamlining client reviews and internal checks.
Real-Time Collaboration
Deskfirst shines in real-time updates, presence indicators, and comments, making it easier to track changes and feedback.
User Experience
The platform’s user-friendly interface is a significant win. The online desktops, which mimic traditional computer interfaces, are easy to navigate and will be immediately familiar to new users. The drag-and-drop mechanism for file organization is as intuitive as promised. However, some users have reported usability issues with browsers other than Chrome, indicating a need for Deskfirst to expand its quality assurance to other browsers.
Plans and Pricing
Deskfirst\’s software plans come with a variety of features, depending on the chosen tier:
Deskfirst is currently available through three lifetime access tiers:
- License Tier 1 ($49): Includes 40 web desktops, 3 team member roles, and 100 GB of storage.
- License Tier 2 ($119): Expands to 100 web desktops, 10 team member roles, and 200 GB of storage.
- License Tier 3 ($199): Offers unlimited web desktops, 25 team member roles, and 250 GB of storage.
License Tier 1:
- Unlimited services
- Removal of Deskfirst branding
- Customizable booking site with themes
- Sync with Google, Outlook, and iOS calendars
- Integration with Zoom, Google Meet, and various payment gateways
License Tier 3 (Agency-Focused):
- All features from Tier 1
- Manage up to 5 agency accounts
- Unlimited employees and custom features
- Advanced analytics for booking performance
Given that each tier includes dynamic storage and custom branding with unlimited data retention (provided you log in once every 12 months), the value is considerable. Moreover, the 60-day money-back guarantee minimizes risk, allowing businesses to test the waters before fully committing.
From the Founders
The founders of Deskfirst have expressed their commitment to providing a flexible and user-friendly booking experience. They\’ve highlighted the importance of listening to user feedback and continuously improving their service. They also remain active in their community, offering regular updates and support.
Questions and Interaction
In a series of exchanges with the user community, the Deskfirst team has clarified aspects of their service offerings, such as integration capabilities with messaging platforms like WhatsApp and the process of license upgrades for existing customers.
Key Points from Q&A:
- WhatsApp messaging is included as a custom feature in Tier 1.
- Zoom integration allows sending meeting links for online services.
- Users can opt-in for email, SMS, and WhatsApp notifications.
- There are clear instructions for purchasing additional licenses and resolving login issues.
Reviews
Deskfirst has received positive reviews from users who praise the software for its flexibility and the ease of managing bookings. The customer service, particularly the responsiveness of the founders and their team, has been noted as a standout aspect.
User Feedback Highlights:
- High satisfaction with the booking management system.
- Appreciation for the continuous updates and feature improvements.
- Positive experiences with customer support.
Customer Support and Resources
Deskfirst’s CEO, Omer Gold, appears actively involved in customer engagement, responding to queries and updating users about new features and tier adjustments. There are also multiple avenues for support and learning, including a Slack channel, blog, and various social media platforms.
Community Feedback
With 41 reviews, the feedback on AppSumo is largely positive. Customers appreciate the platform’s ease of use and collaborative features. However, the limitations on the number of editors per desktop and confusion regarding invitee versus viewer roles have been points of contention, though these concerns have been addressed promptly by the Deskfirst team.
Final Thoughts
Deskfirst positions itself as a blend of a traditional file system and a modern collaboration tool. It’s an attractive offer for teams that want the familiarity of a desktop experience with the functionality of an online collaborative platform. While it might not boast the advanced features of some competitors, its simplicity, media capabilities, and customizability make it a strong contender for small to medium-sized teams.
As the Deskfirst team continues to receive feedback and roll out improvements, potential users should keep an eye on its evolution. For those enticed by its current offering, the lifetime deal presents a low-risk, high-reward investment, especially for businesses that aim to streamline their file-sharing processes without overhauling the way they work.
Deskfirst is not without its quirks, and it would benefit from broader browser support and a more transparent explanation of its tier system. Nonetheless, for $49, businesses receive a solid framework for collaboration with the promise of ongoing enhancements – a bargain for a tool that could bring much-needed order to the sometimes-chaotic digital workspaces of today’s teams.