Software application for recording client details etc

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ray MacDonald on August 19, 2010 at 2:21am

I use ACT..Its a customer management package and works pretty well for keeping client information.

You can get a cheaper copy on ebay or amazon. Its runs on Microsoft.

Permalink Reply by Hugh Cole on August 19, 2010 at 2:39am

I simply use a text processor and individual folders in a directory called Clients, I have intake forms that are PDFed and stored in the same folder. Sometimes I have additional records like a picture of what she looked like "before" the calorie monster abducted her. I Pdf those and put them in the same folder, My ipad (yes i got one Craig) can view word docs so I have them with me in session. A contact manager like outlook holds contact details easily as well as a cross index to the passworded folder name. I have not found that I needed any more than that.

Hugh Cole

Permalink Reply by Paul Matthews on August 31, 2010 at 6:59am

Hi Ray

Thanks for the reply, I have downloaded a trial of ACT and will give it a go. Have you developed your own screens for client management?

Thanks

Paul



Ray MacDonald said:

I use ACT..Its a customer management package and works pretty well for keeping client information.

You can get a cheaper copy on ebay or amazon. Its runs on Microsoft.

Permalink Reply by Paul Matthews on August 31, 2010 at 7:00am

Hi Hugh

Interesting way of managing your files and no programming involved! Could you please elaborate on using the IPad in your sessions?

Thanks


Paul


Hugh Cole said:

I simply use a text processor and individual folders in a directory called Clients, I have intake forms that are PDFed and stored in the same folder. Sometimes I have additional records like a picture of what she looked like "before" the calorie monster abducted her. I Pdf those and put them in the same folder, My ipad (yes i got one Craig) can view word docs so I have them with me in session. A contact manager like outlook holds contact details easily as well as a cross index to the passworded folder name. I have not found that I needed any more than that.

Hugh Cole

Permalink Reply by Neal Rees on September 4, 2010 at 8:51pm

act is a good database and contact tracking software .. it also integrates with a couple of accounting packages

Permalink Reply by Anne Hamilton on September 27, 2010 at 1:31pm

I would suggest Microsoft Access, though I don't remember how user-friendly it is. I think, though, that it's a pretty decent relational database. I've just started using FileMaker (Mac program) and just bought "The Missing Manual" for my Kindle. I've made a rudimentary form, but I'm pretty sure that there is a LOT more that can be done.

And to think that 25 years ago, I could debug dBase in DOS. I guess it's a matter of using those brain cells or losing them.

By the way, if you look in professional journals, I'm betting you can find ads for Access layouts that will be very close -- if not exactly -- what you're looking for. But be prepared to pay for it.

Permalink Reply by Anne Hamilton on September 5, 2011 at 8:50pm

Almost a year later . . . I found FileMaker (on my Mac) to be more complicated than I need for my small business. So I have installed "Bento," also made by the same company. It's similar, but much easier to set up and use. Now I just need to find a lot more clients to put into that database. Again, these are Mac programs, so those who are using Windows still have Access, and probably other database software that might be just as good (and much cheaper).

Anne Hamilton said:

Blahblahblah (see above).

Permalink Reply by Anthony Lucas on September 19, 2011 at 4:35am

Bento works for me as well. It's user friendly.