How do you store your details/info?

[bitsnstuff]

I currently have all of my data in different places and would like to put it all together in one database, so that I can run queries, like how many competition entrants have turned into customers, which products are the best, who is buying them, best suppliers, how many sales generated from each advertising medium, etc. etc. I can get this information now, but it is not easy because everything is separate.

Also it would need to have a really simple way of putting the info into the system, some would need to be entered by hand, but other data could be dropped in as a .csv file and the system would then need to put it all in the relevent places.

Could anyone give me a suggestions for some form of system. We are currently plugging customer info into Goldmine on a recommendation, but it doesn't seem to be flexible enough to add the rest of the info and run the queries, so we don't want to continue until we have checked that there isn't a better alternative.

We considered maybe using Access - does anyone else use access for this purpose and does it work?

Alternatively, any other suggestions?

All help appreciated.

Kate :lol:

[Jayne]

Hi Kate,

I do mine the old fashioned way, I keep paper records and file them. Don't know about the computer way, but if mine blows up tomorrow, i've lost nothing important.

Jayne

[Spire]

Hi

You could build yourself a Access database that would do that, I have never heard of Goldmine I can't help u with that.

If you have loads of data Access may not be the way to go as far as I know Access is not a industrial strenght database, but not sure at what point the amonut of data becomes industrial. :)

[RobMaster]

Hi bitsnstuff,

If you already own GoldMine, IMHO it would be silly to build a customized database or try something else to hold this stuff. This is exactly what GoldMine is built for, but you need to customize it some (add user-defined fields, set up 1 to many-type records, etc.). This is fairly easy to do if you know what you want to get out in the end.

I can recommend some GoldMine dealers in the UK who would be happy to work with you if want it done quickly and efficiently (at some cost, of course).

[ib4b.co.uk]

Microsoft Access + Paper copies works a treat. You can do anything to yoru data in Access, very great tool if you know what you are doing

[TSx]

I'm working with an access database and filed copies of everything on paper - make sure you back up!