December 2017
After nearly 21 years of producing our Cricket Statz software, I wanted to share some thoughts on where the future lies.
Cricket Statz was first developed in 1997, back when the internet was in its infancy and PC's were everywhere. I was playing local club cricket at the time and saw that the game needed some good stats software so that we all could produce stats like what was seen at international level. Cricket Statz was born.
Some 21 years later, Cricket Statz v11 is still serving those with a PC, but technology has moved on. Several things have happened with technology over the past few years. Mobile devices are now becoming more prevalent than desktop computers. Macs have taken a larger share of the desktop market. Users having to "download and install PC software" is becoming less common because of the potential to become infected with malware and restrictions by antivirus programs. Software piracy is also an ongoing challenge.
The consequence of all this is that having a (PC) software program as the only delivery method is fast becoming history.
Where does this leave the Cricket Statz software? We recently did a review of where our Cricket Statz technology is at and decided that we need to focus in bringing all of the Cricket Statz functionality online. Moving online would allow any internet-enabled device to access the stats that we all have grown to love, regardless of its operating system. It will also help all of those out there that struggle with computers - especially with regards to trying to find database files to load and backup. Trust me, I get a large volume of emails from poor souls asking for help with understanding the file system on their PC.
Now fortunately, we had a head start. Back in 2005, we launched SportStatz - designed as an online match results capture system that could export MXP files to the Cricket Statz software. Over the past 12 years, we have been adding more and more functionality to this system to the point where it is a solid online results and stats system. You would have noticed that we renamed it from SportStatz to Cricket Statz online some months back and have been adding a ton of new stats reports to it.
Cricket Statz online has over 130 stats reports, historical data capabilities, works for both leagues and single clubs, has a live scoring function built-in, is fully backed up twice weekly, allows you to embed results and stats reports in your own web site, is true multi-user and works on any internet-enabled device and will import matches from MyCricket and Play-Cricket.
Cricket Statz online is the future of Cricket Statz going forward. The online system features similar functionality of the v11 software, but also offers a lot more.
What does this mean for the old software? The v11 software went end-of-support on June 1, 2018. This means we will not be assisting with any issues or adding any new features after this date. [updated]
Consequently, we are strongly encouraging users to move to the online system. The online system is just like using the old Cricket Statz software, except you do it all via your browser.
If you would like to move your old data online then see Q17 at our FAQ for details.
Once online, you are able to add more users and enter matches directly in to the online service. Annual pricing for the service is based on the number of matches that are played over 12 months. Historical matches, played more than one year ago, don't cost anything. There is no limit to the number of users you can add.