Software Package?

[Hayles]

Hi

I have an ok knowledge of Word & Excel for day to day work. At the moment I use a combination of them both for the admin for our catering business.

What I really want though is a system that keeps my quotes, follow ups and thank yous/testimonial requests in order and prompts me when to send them.

Also, I want the customers details to appear on the different letters automatically without copying and pasting.

Is there such a package available off the shelf or would I have to have one designed for me? I should imagine that someone who knows how to do it (would it be a programmer??) would find it a very easy and small job, but I've no idea who to approach or what sort of cost would be involved.

Advice please you clever people.....

Hayles

[DuaneJackson]

I don't know of any packages that do this. Act! might be able to be tweaked to do this. Or Goldmine, or one of the other Contact Managment Programs.

It's not sucvh a small job to have a programmer do it for you. If you do get a programmer in to do it, thin about what other aspects of the business can be automated and get those programmed at the same time. BEtter still, get the programmer to spend some time with you to see how your business operates as s/he me might spot stuff that can be automated to some degree that you may not have considered.

If you're paying for bespoke software it's best to get as much done in one hit - it'll work out cheaper in the long run and give you a better return on your investment.

[Hayles]

So I need a Contact Management Programme. That's more than I knew half an hour ago so I'm getting there!

Thank Q

[DuaneJackson]

or a CRM (Customer Relationship MAnagement) Program.

Act! and Goldmine seem to be the two big players in this field. Act! (recently(ish) acquired by Sage) has a free trial, not sure about Goldmine though.

[creospace]

I could build you a bespoke one with the letter being produced in PDF. I already do this for existing clients. One has a membership listing which they write to and chase things etc.

This way you can access it anywhere in the world through a browser!

PM me for more details of your interested.

Gary

[Hayles]

That's sounds complicated....?

I'll PM you shortly though, but please remember I only speak English, a very little French, and Non-Tech! :D

[DuaneJackson]

It's really not that complicated.

It's a nice solution to your problem. If Gary can build you a system to do what you want and it's web-based and creates PDFs (ADobe Acrobat documents - best control over appearence when it prints and easily emailable) - this is going to be a thousand times better than the likes of Act! or Goldmine.

[creospace]

Thats exactly what I do / have done.

Gary

[etechsupport]

or a CRM (Customer Relationship MAnagement) Program.

Act! and Goldmine seem to be the two big players in this field. Act! (recently(ish) acquired by Sage) has a free trial, not sure about Goldmine though.



I think Sage should make those software easy to work with.

[jmds]

Another option I can think of,

Time and Chaos
http://www.chaossoftware.com/

[Hayles]

I just wanted to say I'm now the proud owner of a (nearly complete) software package that does what I want it to do!!

Thanks to Creospace, one of my new years resolutions (to be more organised) is coming true.

I'd never have thought of getting a personalised system built before joining the forum as I didn't know it could be done for companies on a budget such as ours. I'd really recommend you chat to Creospace if you need a CRM programme of any sort - amongst other things, mine reminds me when enquirers haven't responded, paid deposits, confirmed numbers, etc. It also reminds me when to send quotes, invoices, thank you letters, etc The different menu prices and service levels come up automatically on the invoices and there's no more cutting and pasting between different systems! It's brilliant! Oh, and it shows me when to stop taking bookings for a particular date as we're full. (Sorry, I'll stop boasting now... :oops: )

Excellent Gary - cheers! I'll carry on playing with it tonight and tomorrow and let you know if it's completely fool proof! :lol: :lol:

[Mortime Business Software]

I just wanted to say I'm now the proud owner of a (nearly complete) software package that does what I want it to do!!

...

I'd never have thought of getting a personalised system built before joining the forum as I didn't know it could be done for companies on a budget such as ours.

Hi Hayles. Thanks for posting that. This is exactly what I want to hear since I will be offering custom software when I finish my studies in a couple of years time.

Would I be out of order in asking how much you paid for your software? Also, do you have full rights to it? I mean, could you market and sell it?

Just tell me to mind my own business if you don't want to answer.

Anyway, have fun with it. I'm sure whatever you paid, it will pay for itself soon enough.

Dave

[creospace]

You can ask me if you like I'm the architect of the system :)

I'm happy to answer any questions regarding a similar system except the pricing of Hayley's :)

Thank you Hayley for your kind comments, I'm really pleased you're pleased with it.

Gary

[Mortime Business Software]

Hi Gary. I hope I havn't offended you. I didn't mean to. I was just trying to get an idea of what a small business would be willing to spend for software. I would rather be open about it like this, rather than waste a programmer's precious time by asking for a quote when I have no intention to buy.

It's nice for me to hear that companies such as yours are being kept busy.

I also found it encouraging that Hayley was pleasantly surprised that his budget was sufficient to purchase such a helpful software package.

Keep up the good work Gary, and all the best. Thank you for your offer to share information with me. I'll send you a PM if that's okay.

Dave

[Hayles]

Hi Dave

Probably unfair to discuss prices on here as the system is unique to my requirements. However, I will say I'm really pleased with the cost of it (I thought I'd have to take out a second mortgage for a personalised system!)

However, have a chat with Gary for general advice, he's really helpful (bet he's already wishing I didn't have his email and MSN address :lol: :oops: ).

Best of luck with your studies and yes, I've no doubt it'll pay for itself soon enough (and it can be easily adapted for our other business - how cool is that!)

A very happy Hayles

[Mortime Business Software]

No worries Hayles. This discussion has been useful because I now realise that if I can convince customers that they don't have to sell a kydney to buy a software system, I should be okay. :)

Good luck,

Dave

[creospace]

Interesting thought a admin system for donar based funding of sotware systems . . . :)

Bespoke doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg and once you have a few different examples under yoru belt it's a case of tailoring to each new customer's needs.

Gary