SitePoint.com

triexa · Mar 11, 2003, 15:22

I run web design/programming business... and I currently keep users in an excel workbook (hehe...). When I started, it was made as a temporary solution, but unfortunately I never got the chance to switch to a "better" system.

My question is, what system do you use to keep track of your customers and everything?

Thanks!

rsdl · Mar 11, 2003, 16:01

pen and paper.

I do a little web development on the side and for every client that comes along, i sign them on to a contract which lasts for a specified period.
I print the information such as client name, contact person, address, contract agreement, jobs...etc everytime the contract is renewed and i keep it in a neat little folder. One folder per client.

I think it's better organization because then if your computer dies, you still have a nice backup...it's also good for when you can't sleep at night or when you're feeling blue because you can look back and flip through the folders to see what you've done.

Now if you're a big business and you pay taxes and such, then you'd need those big accounting software packages like Quickbooks or Simply Accounting. Quickbooks alows you to keep track of clients, invoices...etc. pretty conventient and expensive application, but i must warn you, customer service is terrible. especially if you buy the Point of Sale systems. bad bad bad....
-rsdl

Zoltrix · Mar 17, 2003, 20:47

Im wondering if there is a php script similar to the scripts out for keeping track of hosting clients.. ?

billiousness · Mar 17, 2003, 21:13

Look at this beauty that i found just today!

I also bought it today!

http://www.whmautopilot.com/autopilot.php

Zoltrix · Mar 17, 2003, 22:04

That looks to be a Webhost manager? Any support for designers? I belive thats the topic, looking for managing solutions for designers...

triexa · Mar 18, 2003, 05:12

Yes, looking for programs for designers... I could make a system myself but I simply do not have the time, and why pay someone to build one if there may be one out there already.

Sparkie · Mar 18, 2003, 07:41

I use Internet Service Manager (I believe the URL is www.internetservicemanager.com) - works good for me!!!

triexa · Mar 18, 2003, 13:17

Thanks, I will check that one out.

piper24k · Mar 19, 2003, 14:05

To name a few...
http://www.phpmanager.com (very cheap!)
http://www.perlbill.com
http://www.modernbill.com

triexa · Mar 19, 2003, 14:11

...Preferably non-web-based apps... like I thought of Acess... but meh. lol

M. Johansson · Mar 20, 2003, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by KandieMan101

...Preferably non-web-based apps... like I thought of Acess... but meh. lol

So, um, why don't you use Access?

triexa · Mar 20, 2003, 14:35

A long time ago I decided not to use Access for a reason... unfortunately I can't remember that reason anymore! lol... I will try and remember it... maybe there would bee a workaround or something...

davidjmedlock · Mar 20, 2003, 14:36

Have you look into ACT!? (http://www.act.com). I haven't used it, but all the sales people at my company do. You can get it for about $150 if you shop around. Just do a Google search on 'ACT!'

M. Johansson · Mar 20, 2003, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by KandieMan101

A long time ago I decided not to use Access for a reason... unfortunately I can't remember that reason anymore! lol... I will try and remember it... maybe there would bee a workaround or something...

It's a damn fine piece of software - you can knock up a database with forms and everything in no time.

bbolte · Mar 20, 2003, 14:39

i just started using quickbooks in january. pretty cool once i got it figured out.

Dan_K · Mar 20, 2003, 15:58

I made my own custom system in access, I love access.

Steelsun · Mar 23, 2003, 20:04

Access (or any other DB like ACT, etc) is great for customizing it to suite your particular means.

There are also tons of Contact Managment programs out there, many freeware or shareware. Go someplace like Tucows and download a few and try them out, you might find one that suits your needs.

Mar 11, 2003, 15:22	#1
triexa SitePoint Wizard Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 2,567	Keeping track of clients/customers? I run web design/programming business... and I currently keep users in an excel workbook (hehe...). When I started, it was made as a temporary solution, but unfortunately I never got the chance to switch to a "better" system. My question is, what system do you use to keep track of your customers and everything? Thanks!

Mar 11, 2003, 16:01	#2
rsdl pie??? PIE!!!! Join Date: May 2001 Location: Vancouver, BC Canada Posts: 505	pen and paper. I do a little web development on the side and for every client that comes along, i sign them on to a contract which lasts for a specified period. I print the information such as client name, contact person, address, contract agreement, jobs...etc everytime the contract is renewed and i keep it in a neat little folder. One folder per client. I think it's better organization because then if your computer dies, you still have a nice backup...it's also good for when you can't sleep at night or when you're feeling blue because you can look back and flip through the folders to see what you've done. Now if you're a big business and you pay taxes and such, then you'd need those big accounting software packages like Quickbooks or Simply Accounting. Quickbooks alows you to keep track of clients, invoices...etc. pretty conventient and expensive application, but i must warn you, customer service is terrible. especially if you buy the Point of Sale systems. bad bad bad.... -rsdl Last edited by rsdl; Mar 11, 2003 at 16:04.

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Mar 17, 2003, 20:47	#3
Zoltrix SitePoint Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 83	Im wondering if there is a php script similar to the scripts out for keeping track of hosting clients.. ?

Mar 17, 2003, 21:13	#4
billiousness SitePoint Wizard Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Brisbane QLD Australia Posts: 1,690	Look at this beauty that i found just today! I also bought it today! http://www.whmautopilot.com/autopilot.php

Mar 17, 2003, 22:04	#5
Zoltrix SitePoint Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 83	That looks to be a Webhost manager? Any support for designers? I belive thats the topic, looking for managing solutions for designers...

Mar 18, 2003, 05:12	#6
triexa SitePoint Wizard Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 2,567	Yes, looking for programs for designers... I could make a system myself but I simply do not have the time, and why pay someone to build one if there may be one out there already.

Mar 18, 2003, 07:41	#7
Sparkie Skills to Pay the Bills Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: A cave with 47 computers and an internet feed Posts: 4,377	I use Internet Service Manager (I believe the URL is www.internetservicemanager.com) - works good for me!!!

Mar 18, 2003, 13:17	#8
triexa SitePoint Wizard Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 2,567	Thanks, I will check that one out.

Mar 19, 2003, 14:05	#9
piper24k SitePoint Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 62	To name a few... http://www.phpmanager.com (very cheap!) http://www.perlbill.com http://www.modernbill.com

Mar 19, 2003, 14:11	#10
triexa SitePoint Wizard Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 2,567	...Preferably non-web-based apps... like I thought of Acess... but meh. lol

Mar 20, 2003, 14:35	#12
triexa SitePoint Wizard Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 2,567	A long time ago I decided not to use Access for a reason... unfortunately I can't remember that reason anymore! lol... I will try and remember it... maybe there would bee a workaround or something...

Mar 20, 2003, 14:36	#13
davidjmedlock SitePoint Wizard Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nashville, TN USA Posts: 2,039	Have you look into ACT!? (http://www.act.com). I haven't used it, but all the sales people at my company do. You can get it for about $150 if you shop around. Just do a Google search on 'ACT!'

Mar 20, 2003, 14:39	#15
bbolte Do or do not, there is no try Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Central Plains Posts: 3,230	i just started using quickbooks in january. pretty cool once i got it figured out.

Mar 20, 2003, 15:58	#16
Dan_K K, Dan K Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Perth - Western Australia Posts: 947	I made my own custom system in access, I love access.

Mar 23, 2003, 20:04	#17
Steelsun busy Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Houston, Tejas; Future Capital of the World Posts: 2,529	Access (or any other DB like ACT, etc) is great for customizing it to suite your particular means. There are also tons of Contact Managment programs out there, many freeware or shareware. Go someplace like Tucows and download a few and try them out, you might find one that suits your needs.