I'm a bit curious on how you Pronto programmers work. Do you work together with custom installers or do you work alone?

How would a Pronto programmer typically approach a customer; home visit, written requirements?

Would the programmer also assist in getting the IR codes or is the programmer just designing the layout much like a webdesigner?

What is the hardest for a Pronto programmer to solve?

What is the typical bulk of customer assignments (80-20)?

Do you know if there are any professional Pronto programmers in Sweden or in Europe?

What's the typical hourly rate of a Pronto programmer excl VAT?

Any answers from actual programmers, installers or customers are highly appreceated, thanks!

//D

Most Pronto programmers are not strictly "Pronto programmers". They are installers and/or programmers, and programming Prontos are just a part of their job (as well as other brands of remotes).
They program the remote from beginning to end. They design the layout (GUI), and they find all available discretes to make the system work the way it should (if they are any good). As far as pay goes it is different depending on where you are, and most of us don't make anywhere near what the company charges to program it unless we score a side job. I would say a normal fee out my way is about $80-$125 per hour for about 4 hours labor.

I'm in the Los Angeles area and our situation here is the same as McNasty's. Look up remotecentral contributor mburwen and send him an email; if I remember correctly, he is a programmer but not an installer, and he could give you a different point of view.

I do not know of any programmers in Europe, but check the Pronto and Pronto NG Forums and look at profiles; you will find a couple somewhere there; you might even search the site for "Sweden" and find a couple. I have read other threads from Sweden, and I think you are not alone!

Same situation down here in the South Bay (CA). I was hired because of my computer skills, but the jobs can get so involving that you usually do a bit of everything. There seems to be a pretty decent amout of side work to be had. You definetly make more money at it that way. I do not know if there is enough side work to make a living at programing only though. It definetly is a fun way to make a buck, thats for sure.

Roddy

I don't build award winning GUIs like I've seen from the very best on this site, but my designs work, and are easy for ma and pa Kettle. I do this work in stride as a custom installer responsible for the job from a to z. I get the codes, or make them. Who else would do it?

Pronto's are real easy to program, and if you can use Adobe's PhotoShop, then you can do some cool stuff.


Decisions about non discretes. What to do with the toggles since they are a disaster just waiting to happen. (If given the option to choose the equipment, we always choose items that have discretes for everything)


How about you? It's not that tough.


Most get up to $125/hr. in my area, but I charge much less. I find setting up a Pronto to be one of the most enjoyable aspects of my job, and I explain to my clients that I am lowering my rate so I can take my time, and they will end up with better than they might have gotten for the same money elsewhere.