Frequently Asked Questions

What is required to run the Bee-Man software?

A Windows Desktop, Laptop or Netbook is required for the Bee-Man Desktop software.

For the optional handheld units, they have to be Windows Mobile (or Windows CE) based.

All software can be downloaded by registered users in the Login area of this website.

 

What is Bee-Man's history?

HiQSoft had developed a previous system, the Bee Colony Management System, for the Beaverlodge Research Farm in Alberta, Canada. The research system allowed field data entry, electronic record keeping and reporting but was technologically not viable for a larger audience.

The Bee-Man Solution was developed by HiQSoft in co-operation with EIDAP as a commercial beekeeping software. In April 2010 this solution was first made publicly available.

The Canadian Honey Council and also provincial Beekeepers Associations are evaluating Bee-Man for possible endorsement.

 

What makes Bee-Man special?

Bee-Man was developed in Canada and has seen various stages of technological development in both hardware and software.

The current solution is a new HiQSoft development based on our experience in software and database design and Microsoft.NET software development. We've worked hard to create a user-friendly and flexible solution which is modern and open for further extensions.

The software already contains various options to be customized by the beekeepers on their PC, from additional data entry fields and event definitions to a menu editor, custom business rules, treatments and workplan tasks.

 

How much does it cost?

Currently the software is available for registered users under a time-limited TRIAL license for evaluation.

The actual Bee-Man software pricing structure is still being finalized. We intend to charge a base price for the Desktop and Mobile software, and an annual fee for ongoing software updates and support.

For hardware pricing of readers and RFID transponder tags please contact EIDAP.

 

How do I get started?

  1. Please register on this website and download and install the Bee-Man desktop application.
  2. Within Bee-Man Desktop please activate your TRIAL license and take a look around.
  3. The program contains some demo yards and hives, transactions and one scorecard. Please review the screens, try some reports, updates, adding or deleting information.
  4. If you are ready to enter your own data, please PURGE the demo data, then enter your company name and contact information, geographical area(s), yards and some hives.
  5. You can add events and test the Handheld functions by using the "Add Event" button, which simulates the reader menu and input forms.
  6. Please review the Bee-Man User Manual (from the download page, view and/or save it to your PC).
  7. If you have an actual Windows Mobile handheld, you can also download the mobile software installer and try it with your Active Sync (Windows XP and earlier) / Windows Mobile Device Center (Vista, Windows 7).

Please contact us for questions on the software (HiQSoft) and hardware (EIDAP). Pricing information will be made available soon.

 

What's the default Bee-Man Desktop logon?

The default logon is Username / Password: admin / admin