palm client list

[David Ilvedson]

On 12 Dec 2002 at 19:44, Ron Koval wrote:

> It's been awhile since we've 'talked' about palm pilot use for client
> lists. 
>   Anybody found a great package for record keeping?
> 
> Here's my "kludgy" method, using the built-in database and to do list.
>  I still use a computer-based database to print invoices, but I wanted
> to have all my client records with me on the road.  I was able to
> import to palm (via an ascii file) all of my client info, including
> name, address, phone, piano, and directions.  There are 4 custom
> fields that I use for directions, last time called, and piano
> information.  Palm only sorts using two fields: Last name, and
> Company.  I'm going to use the company field for some kind of region
> shorthand.  You know, hometown, close north, close south, way far
> west, etc.  That way, if I need to fill-in, I can quickly look up the
> pianos near to an existing appointment.  Since palm uses catagories to
> divide the phone list, these are all under "piano" to keep them
> separate from my personal list.
> 
> A note can be attached to each record.  This is an area for entering
> text.  I use it for a shorthand for service history.  I try to keep
> typing down to the minimum, so a note for the church I just tuned at 
> (going back two tunings)looks like this:
> 
> 12/9/02 kv1.9 28% +10  $xx
> 6/8/02  pen  44%  +-3  $xx
> 
> This lets me know the date, temperament, humidity, how far off the
> piano was to begin, and the charge that day.  I add notes for anything
> repaired, or voicing, etc.  I'm not sure how long the notes can be for
> the palm, so I go in reverse order, showing the most recent visit at
> the top.
> 
> Schools get the same treatment, but I'll list the room number or piano
> number before the temperament inside brackets, so it's easy to see
> while scanning down the list which piano was tuned when.
> 
> Since I call people to set up appointments, I needed to have a way to
> remind myself when to call. (I'm NOT chatty on the phone, I don't use
> much time for this)
> 
> Using the built in to do list, I made 12 different catagories. 01jan,
> 02feb......  This will display them in order when you go to choose
> which catagory to show.  I then list the client name, phone# and town.
>  I use the "complete" box when I've scheduled an appt.  It's a snap to
> move people from month to month, as needed, or just leave open if they
> decide to skip a year. 
>   When the next year rolls around, just uncheck all for that month,
>   which 
> leaves the date from last year on the record.
> 
> 6 month people get two entries in the appropriate month, with a note
> letting me know it's a 6 month person.
> 
> Now I just need to figure out the expense report thingee for keeping
> track of income........
> 
> Ron Koval
> 
> (taking the long road..)
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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