What's everone using as a customer database?

I

imported_FLAWLESS

New member
Just curious how others are keeping track of customers and detail info.

Right now I'm keeping all my customers in my Palm in a separate category in the address book. Then in the "Notes" section, I list their vehicle(s), date work was performed, what work was done, and price charged.



I know there's some cool software out there. I'd like something compatible with my Palm, but even on the good ol computer is good too.



So, what are you guys using?
 
This was discussed a while back. I build Access databases and offered to put one together if anyone was interested but there was no further reply. You would need Access (preferably 2K or better so maybe that is an issue for most people).
 
I use quickbooks, i feel it is the best software available for invoicing and customer tracking. My accountant just downloads a file once a month, and the book are done
 
With my details, i pretty much just keep them in a hard file in a file holder. For retail products, I use Excel (ironic) and maintain name, add, date ordered, shipped, 4 different prices (products total, shipping, actual shipping, shipping+product), date shipped, tracking, email, additional notes. I can total sales with the click of a button. I find m.s. excel very useful for my needs!
 
Check out a ram based database program called Panorama... it is hands down the fastest and most feature rich program on the market. It is avaialble for both PC and Mac... see it here... www.provue.com
 
jimamary said:
I've got 97...

Is it something I should try?



I can't really justify upgrading.



Thanks!



Jim
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Purist really prefer 97 over latest versions but I learned on 2K and VBA code was updated in between versions. Some stuff that I put in does not convert back to 97.
 
tpgsr said:
I use quickbooks, i feel it is the best software available for invoicing and customer tracking. My accountant just downloads a file once a month, and the book are done
Click to expand...



Really only works for $ tracking, correct? You're not able to store detail details are you? Like what you used on the car, what condition the car was in.
 
a.k.a. Patrick said:
With my details, i pretty much just keep them in a hard file in a file holder. For retail products, I use Excel (ironic) and maintain name, add, date ordered, shipped, 4 different prices (products total, shipping, actual shipping, shipping+product), date shipped, tracking, email, additional notes. I can total sales with the click of a button. I find m.s. excel very useful for my needs!
Click to expand...



The problem with Excel spreadsheets is that you have to enter the info every time whereas in Access you create "item lists" so that you only enter them once and then just select from the list from that point on. Also, if you want to know everything that a customer has ordered on many occasions you have to hunt and seek that info out whereas Access can compile reports for you.



If you don't have Access, Excel will suffice.
 
I've had a couple of inquirers as to build a database but as I said before it would be in Access. I could do a db that works in 97 if the majority uses that. Let's have a headcount on who could use it.



Panarama looks interesting but I wonder about its abaility to handle massiveamounts of info being it's RAM based. At $300 I'll keep my Access.
 
I just use my microsoft outlook calendar. I not only plan, but document the type of services rendered, products used, time to complete, mileage to & from, fees charged and other notes such as spouses names and anything pertinent to that client. The files can be printed by day, week or month.......There is even a color coding option available. It works for me:wavey
 
For those of you that use Excel or Outlook or anyother, what are you doing as far as an invoice/Receipt?? I know that with Quick books, i track everything as well as print out very nice custom invoices and reciepts. I dont see excell being very good for this sort of application unless you have very complex vba programing in it (that is how i used to do my invoices, but i prefer quickbooks over my own programming)
 
I use quick books, it does everything for me and it keeps a database on all customers. Invoices are great and sends me reminders.
 
Autoeng said:
Really only works for $ tracking, correct? You're not able to store detail details are you? Like what you used on the car, what condition the car was in.
Click to expand...



Not at all, i track the vehicle make, model License Plate, color, condition, what service when, i can track everything with money, very professional invoices, i can add notes and all sorts of information. It is a very powerful tool. I took a few days and really tweaked and customized it for my needs, after that PERFECT. It even links up with the Country Club for my new contract, i list the customer type as Park CC, and then enter the member #, at the end of the day i hit send all Park CC, and the club gets an e-mail of all of the invoices that they need to pay me for!



Then i hit backup, and e-mail to my accountant, and he does all of the taxes and expense/income stuff for me!



If i want to save what i used on the car (i never really do, i can even set up the program to work with a digital scale and weigh in and out the bottles so that i know exact cost/vehicle, i am not that concerned, but for inventory control, it is a great add on system!)
 
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