Do I need a Wi-Fi card for P3 to work on my laptop?

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Discussion Overview

The thread explores the use of the P3 program on laptops during shows, particularly focusing on the need for a Wi-Fi card and the overall experience of using a laptop for order processing. Participants share their personal experiences and thoughts on the benefits and challenges of using technology in a face-to-face sales environment.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses excitement about using her husband's old laptop to speed up the order calculation process at shows.
  • Several participants mention that the P3 program can function without an internet connection for inputting orders, needing it only to finalize and send the information.
  • Another participant shares their experience of using P3 on multiple devices, noting that information does not transfer automatically between them.
  • Some participants highlight the ease of using P3 for calculations, reducing errors compared to manual methods.
  • One participant raises concerns about maintaining face-to-face interaction with guests while using a laptop during checkout.
  • Another participant notes that having the laptop allows for immediate corrections of order details, enhancing customer interaction.
  • Some users appreciate the professional appearance of printed sales receipts generated by the program.
  • One participant mentions the need for internet access to look up sales tax for distant addresses.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the impact of using a laptop on face-to-face interaction with guests, with some participants feeling it enhances the experience while others express concern about losing personal connection.

Contextual Notes

Participants share a range of experiences with using the P3 program in various settings, emphasizing personal preferences and the importance of customer interaction during sales.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants considering the use of laptops for order processing at shows may find the shared experiences and insights relevant to their practices.

babywings76 said:
Aw, Em, it's okay to tell people when you've messed up. You're new, so you have an excuse and something to blame the mistake on. :) I made those same mistakes my first few shows. And I'm still not perfect after 2 years. We are human, after all. People are generally understanding about that.

I don't have a laptop yet, but am really wanting to get a MacBook Pro. For now, when I do a party, I don't add up totals for my host that night. I usually am too busy cleaning up and packing up. I tell them that I'll go home and input the orders and call them or e-mail them the next day with their total. Then I let them know how far they are from the next level. Sometimes I've had time to add up the amounts, but I always tell them a "ball park" estimate, just to cover my behind. :)

This is what I used to do before I brought my laptop. Your host will understand!
 
Just to add onto this discussion - I keep my P3 on an external hard drive. It is small/slim and super portable (a little bigger than an ipod touch). I simply plug it into my laptop at shows, and enter all the info there. Then when I get home, I plug it into my desktop and finish and submit it all there. Either way, all the info is always the same since it is running from the external hard drive. This works really well for me, I don't have to worry about transferring anything.
 
Thats a great idea... and I already have one of those
 
Another idea for the laptop users...if I'm at a fair and have access to electricity, I'll put in one of the dvd's showcasing products and let it run. In the past, I've also done a slideshow of conference pictures. This way your laptop can work the entire time!I've also found it great for ordering replacement parts. It is common at my shows for someone to mention that they need new wires for the Egg Slicer Plus, or the guard on the Food Chopper, or another prep bowl lid, etc. I explain that it won't count as part of the show so I need to enter their CC info separately, but it will ship right to them and the price includes shipping. It's been great for customer service.
 
I too take my laptop to all my parties. It also has a great guest benefit as I can tell all my gusts they never have to figure out anything beyond the Product or Pantry totals. I tell them that if they want the free products, I can tell them very quickly where there order is and if they need to add to it. So they do not have too. They love not having to do the math too! And yes, I hate calculators! Those fat fingers of mine and the bad math skills of my guests cost me a lot of money in the beginning!
 
To move the Data between computers you just do a back up and restore. Be very careful and don't enter data in one computer and restore over it from the other. I sent in a duplicate show number (and lost the history on a show) once because I accidentally restored from my laptop after I had entered a show on my desktop.
Also be sure you have updated P3 before you go to a show. If you get to a show in a new month and haven't updated you might not have the current guest/host special and wouldn't be able to enter them at the show!
 

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