Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Running a Web Hosting Business : software for organising client details

[Bodeba]

im looking for a peice of software (price not an issue) that i can use to keep records of my customers.

basically i need to be able to customise all the input fields, and be able to "create" a record (which then consists of filling all the fields in) and then the record is added to a searchable database (search criteria based on any of the fields)

also a "notes" or "log" field which i can update with stuff happend with the customer etc

winxp, storage on local computer / network.

thanks!

[w33t]

I would create an Microsoft Office Access database then, It should be pretty simple to do if you have used it before

[Karolis]

You may want to order some custom programming services. I've worked with baltdev.com when I needed a custom production management application and they'd surprised me with the quality of work.

Hope this helps you

[jml3188]

I would strongly recommend Act! I have been using it for years and it has been a lifesaver for me. The new version (ACT! 2005) just came out and it is fantastic. Allows you do to so many things. You can see the demo at http://www.act.com/products/2005/index.cfm.

I know that you said price is not an issue, so I'm not going to say that Act too expensive. However, you can find it a bit cheaper on eBay or a reseller. Just FYI.

[gghosting]

Try hotscripts.com. Also I don't use Act! but maying people say that Act! is great. Maybe you should try it.

[jml3188]

I'm one of those people. I swear by Act. Everyone can add notes to an account and it will reflect that on everyone's Act. It is very customer-focused. There are many features to allow reminders and check-up's on important sales things. It's great for a "go-getter" that wants to be on top of everything!

[spiv]

It really depends on what else you have or may need.

You may find it easier to use the capabilities in a billing system or customer support application to track your clients since much of the same contact information will already be there along with their current service plans/options and billing history or contact notes.

There may not be as much flexibility as a personal information manager (PIM) such as Act, or even an excel spreadsheet but you'll probably never be able to contort Act or equivalent to become your billing system.

I would also caution against using your accounting software (Quickbooks, Peachtree, etc.) as your primary customer account/client system.  You will quickly run into limitations with that also.

[gghosting]

Some accounting programs will allow you to create custom fields and stuff for your clients. I use Peachtree Standard Accounting 2005 and it lets me create custom fields and so much more when I am in the client management section of the software.

[spiv]

Accounting programs are not necessarily multi-user oriented towards letting your staff login, not just yourself.  Also, as you progress and want to consider exposing some of your client management or support tracking to the users themselves via a web interface, the last thing you want to do is webify your accounting software and potentially have all your confidential financial information partially exposed to the public net.

Sure, anything works for a "one-man show" doing it all themselves, but converting from one app to another isn't easy when it comes to custom billing, support, or accounting systems so a little up-front planning can save a lot of trouble later.

I wish someone had given us that advice when we got started.  We started with Quickbooks and then went through a very painful migration when we starting using a real billing/support system package.

 

Originally posted by gghosting
Some accounting programs will allow you to create custom fields and stuff for your clients. I use Peachtree Standard Accounting 2005 and it lets me create custom fields and so much more when I am in the client management section of the software.