Design Issues

[AntoineM]

Hi everyone

Im reaching out to the community for advise.

Ive been using the free version of appsheets for about a year and what started out as more curiosity has turned out to be an effective tool I use in my real estate business

Ive got some experience in coding as Ive been building databases for some time for the various businesses ive been involved in

Ive got a database using google sheets and my main sheet "properties" has around 5200 records, 18 field columns
I have another 18 sheets that are related to properties some way or another.

Recently, Ive been experiencing delay isssues  in synchronising my data. I think a lot of it has to do with the virtual key formulaes I used as all the topics Ive read say that virtual colums cause problems in performance. Yesterday it crashed as I was not able to access the program due to timming out issues. 

Luckily I had backups and was able to use a previous version and copy the new records I had captured across from sheets.

I have a couple questions

1. What alternatives are there to appsheets

2. Should I change my database source to sql or similar

3. What can I do instead of using virtual columns to pull data from relational sources

4. If im using the program just for myself, is it worth upgrading and what benifits would I get

5. What is support like in the paid version ? I find communicating with google is like pulling hens teeth. You have to go through all the check lists just to get to an chat service. Is there anything like telephonic support nowdays

Design overview

[Steve]

1) Several, each with a distinct set of limitations and complexities.

2) Very expensive.

3) We'd need to see your virtual column expressions.

4) Only if you're making a lot of money because of your app.

5) I don't know, though I've seen posts here in the community from purported paying customers who have expressed dissatisfaction.

[JSO]

I haven't tried it, but perhaps the following could help you:
1- Use an AppSheet program without deploying. This will allow you to test with databases.
2- Install Docker on your computer and load a container with, for example, MariaDB . Make it accessible to the network and link it with AppSheet.
I suppose that technically it is a hassle that is not within everyone's reach, but I think it can be done.
(Someone correct me if I'm wrong)

[AntoineM]

Thank you for the feedback Steve & JSO

Steve can you give me some examples of similar apps. Ive looked at a few CRM applications b ut they were to limited in the design side

JSO, im not sure what Docker is, ill do some research

Thank you for the feedbacks again

[scott192]

Do your backend sheets use any sheet formulas at all?  More specifically, do you use any ArrayFormulas or IMPORTRANGE formulas in any cells on a table that is being used in Appsheet?

[AntoineM]

Hi Scott
I dont have any formulaes in my sheets. Im using the last working copy and im sure the problem is from the virtual fields ive created

Im trying to work out a better way instead of using virtual fields to get links to data 3 to 4 tables down

[Steve]

Have you looked at the performance analyzer? Please post a screenshot of the App formula of the worst-performing virtual column.

[AntoineM]

Hi Steve

Im not sure how performance analyzer works but here is the print screen for grouped and stacked

As mentioned above, I sorted out the problem with the app not loading by using a previous version. Im working on my design soI dont have the same issue again.