Forum Discussion

JoelHickok's avatar
JoelHickok
Qrew Assistant Captain
25 days ago

FastField Integration Is Inappropriate

Am I the only one who feels it is not appropriate for Quickbase to so ardently push a paid add-on product towards it's consumer base, to the point of giving it first-class representation in the main navigation menu?

Ever since Quickbase acquired FastField, references to FastField have become more and more abundant.  What's the deal Quickbase?  It's a 3rd Party add-on!  Please stop integrating it into the baseline User Interface, even if you acquired FastField. 

If you want to make it an integral part of Quickbase, please do so.  If you want to offer it on Business Plans, or Enterprise Plans, please do so.

Don't start integrating FastField directly into the User Interface if it's NOT part a core features.  Is this the new precedent?  How many other companies are doing this kind of paid add-on integration directly into your every day UI?  Examples... is this normal?

7 Replies

  • ben_simon's avatar
    ben_simon
    Community Manager

    Thanks for showing me examples of what you're seeing, Krista, that's helpful. Joel, thanks again for getting this started as I can see now what you're referring to. This was a recent change to the product made in March. Just so we can make sure this type of feedback gets into the right place, I'd suggest we get a product feedback idea submitted on this topic.

    "Provide customers with a way to hide FastField ads in Quickbase". 

    One thing to clarify here, and I realize this is secondary to you because it's unrelated to your frustration. But it is important to distinguish. FastField is not an "add-on", nor is it a third-party application. FastField is Quickbase product. An example of an add-on is Audit Logs retention. Customers can purchase Audit Logs retention as an add-on to their existing plan contract with Quickbase. App Restore Assistance is an additional example.

    Here's the announcement of when Quickbase acquired MergeMobile and its flagship feature, FastField. Here's a blog on how Quickbase and FastField products can work together between field and back office workers.

    Only sharing the above to ensure we don't confuse anyone as this is public forum and I'd want anyone reviewing this discussion to have accurate information.

    Most important to you both, I've shared the feedback you provided internally so people in product are aware. As mentioned above it would be great to get this feedback into our product feedback portal to ensure this is seen by the appropriate teams. As this was recently introduced, we'll want customers to voice how it's impacting them and offer ideas on how we can improve.

    Let me know if there's any questions on the above.

  • I agree completely, I am so tired of seeing it everywhere; it does not apply to us.

  • ben_simon's avatar
    ben_simon
    Community Manager

    Hey JoelHickok​ and KristaSibery​, sorry this has been a frustrating experience.

    I'd love to learn a bit more about what you're seeing. Can we find a time to meet so you can walk me through the areas you're seeing FastField? I want to be in a place where I know exactly what you're referring to so I can take back to internal teams.

    Calendly - Ben Simon

    Calendly above if you're game for a quick call. 

    Thanks for raising this, let's see what we can do here.

    -Ben

    • JoelHickok's avatar
      JoelHickok
      Qrew Assistant Captain

      Hi Ben,

      Thanks for the message.  The main thing that I think both of us are pointing out is that FastField is a paid add-on, yet shows up by default in several places in the UI.  We shouldn't see that unless we have opted in to that product.  My org does now have at least one user trying out FastField, but even before that, I was seeing it promoted as a first-class citizen of the Quickbase platform, taking up space in the UI menus, etc.  See Kristas screenshots for a couple examples.

      Joel

    • KristaSibery's avatar
      KristaSibery
      Qrew Cadet

      And on forms, shouldn't show unless I have fastfield

      • JoelHickok's avatar
        JoelHickok
        Qrew Assistant Captain

        Exactly what I'm referring to!  I have never seen a paid add-on product get such first class treatment ever before and show up all over the platform as if it is a regular fully accessible feature.