Computer poll

[Z! Reinhardt]

Comments below ...

----------
> From: Jeannie Grassi <jgrassi@silverlink.net>
> To: pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject: RE: Computer poll
> Date: Sunday, June 21, 1998 8:42 PM
> 
> Well Jim, I take it you are willing to respond?  Here are the questions:
(No
> fair looking on Gina's paper for the correct answers)
> Thank you for offering to help with my informal survey.  In order for me
to
> keep all the responses in order, please respond in the order below.  If
you
> want, you may intersperse your answers in between my questions. 
Otherwise,
> please number them appropriately. Thanks for your participation.
> Jeannie
> 
> 1.	What type of computer do you have (Mac or IBM clone) and what
additional
> hardware or peripherals do you use with it?

This one is a pre-pentium (486) IBM clone circa early 1995 with a 14.4
modem.  
> 
> 2.	How long have you been making use of your computer for business
purposes?

Business is why I got it.  Since February 1995.
> 
> 3.	When was the last time you upgraded your system?

Haven't yet, but it's certainly due for an upgrade.
> 
> 4.	If you use a word processing program, which one is it and what sort of
> things do you use it for?

Word Processing is the bulk of my computer use.  I currently use Ami-Pro
3.1 and sometimes Lotus Word-Pro97.  I've pretty well switched back to
Ami-Pro because there is a lot I can do I have yet been able to figure out
in Word-Pro97.

Ami-Pro has a pretty good assortment of templates (faxes, newsletters,
invoices, etc) and making up new templates is really very easy -- much
easier than in Word-Pro97.  Tables are a cinch in Ami-Pro.  There's no
telling what I might spit out in Ami-Pro -- invoices to the dealers and
other commercial concerns, warranty reports, tons of faxes, humor, and so
on.
> 
> 5.	Do you use your computer for bookkeeping? If so, what program do you
use?

Nope.  Bookkeeping is purely manual.
> 
> 6.	How do you keep track of customer records?

That's also purely manual.  The receipts are filed in a ring-binder in date
order.  The customer Master Directory is in another ring binder and is in
alphabetical order.  I'm working on a *major* modification (at least from
the perspective of someone with no experience in true programming) of Lotus
Approach with the idea that each piano will carry its own history with it
as it gets moved from a dealer to a customer, or from one customer to
another.  When I get it up and running, I hope to be able to find pianos by
type (for example, Disklaviers), by location (when I have some found time
in an area between customers), as well as by date of last regular service.
> 
> 7.	Do you send reminders through your computer and, if so, how are these
> lists
> generated?

This is done by hand.  The dealer I used to work for tried generating
reminders by computer and all I saw of this was a massively cumbersome
process that took a serious level of proof-reading and re-doing before
anything could go out.  It's just plain easier to sit out on my porch with
the receipt book and contemplate each customer before addressing a reminder
card to her (or him).  Then I stick a little stick-'em on each page with
the date the reminder card was sent.
> 
> 8.	In addition to your computer files, do you also use index cards a/o
paper
> records to carry with you into the customer’s home?

See above.  The only paper that actually comes into the customer's home is
my planner with the receipt book.
> 
> 9.	Do you use your computer for billing customers?  Do you print
invoices?
> If so which program do you use for these activities?

Ami-Pro has the best invoice template for billing dealers, commercial
accounts
> 
> 10.	Do you do such things estimates and  appraisals, etc. from your
> computer?  What program(s) do you use for such reports?

I try to stay away from appraisals for now.
> 
> 11.	Do you publish a newsletter from your computer and what method do you
> use?

Eventually I hope to publish a Newsletter ... but time is lacking now.
> 
> 12.	Do you use a spread sheet for any of the above tasks?
> 
> 13.	Do you use a program for scheduling appointments a/o a Personal
> Information
> Manager?

I prefer doing this manually -- I can be anywhere when I'm setting up
appointments.  I can leaf through the planner in less time than it takes
the computer to bring up a day's, week's or month's schedule.  I can see
how this could work well if the area covered is relatively small.  Because
I am a high-demand Disklavier technician, I cover a huge area so I offer
scheduling based on location as much as on time available.
> 
> 14.	Do you track shop work and tasks on your computer?

Don't have a shop yet.
> 
> 15.	Can you think of any other valuable ways your computer has helped you
in
> your piano service business?

Dealer prep records, official-looking warranty reports, various text
masters for confirmation cards, reminder cards, thank-you-for-referral
cards, parts/supplies ordering blanks ... and the pages that make up the
customer Master File.

And then when it comes to PTG ...!  I have all kinds of goodies on board,
ranging from the member check-in list, guest questionnaire, a table for
keeping track of visitors, lots of stuff for use around the exam areas, and
well, a bunch else.  I think it has been the *Ace In the Hole* for my
involvement with PTG as Membership and Recording Secretary for
Detroit-Windsor, and it looks like I'll be taking over the tuning exams
pending certification in Providence.

Don't forget the listserves!!  All that technical advice (both give and
take) through Pianotech, the ongoing political discussions in ptg-l, the
stuff available through DUG (Disklavier User Group) ... and it's all
available exclusively on the computer.

Thanks for asking

Z! Reinhardt RPT
Ann Arbor  MI
diskladame@provide.net
> 
> 
> Jeannie Grassi, RPT
> jgrassi@silverlink.net
> Bainbridge Island, WA
>