Hi list, Like Michael Musiel I too use Filemaker Pro 8.5 on a MacBook that I carry into the customers home with me. I also purchased a program called SafariGuide that runs inside of FileMaker and makes it unbelievably efficient to keep track of almost my entire business. It holds my complete customer database. When I answer a call I do a quick search for the customer with the first two letters of the last name, if I don't find them I enter their name as we talk. I either open up with one click a new activity for this person and jot down relevant info. A timer keeps track of time. I can set a TO-DO list item out of this or go straight to an ORDER. If they want a tuning or service right then in real time I select the correct item in pull down menus I made for my usual spiel as I ask what kind of piano, model, all notes work, need tuning etc. This way at the apt. I have it on the ticket to print or not as I see fit, and to remind me of what I need to do. I select tuning out of a pull down menu that auto fills my price or whatever they need. After booking the apt. I hang up, and if I'm online, click the map icon beside the customer address and it goes to Yahoo maps and shows me the location. I drag the map into a box in the customers file if needed. There is also a box for a photo of the piano. I click the ticket once to put it into the system and set it as Work In Process. At the tuning I fill any additional charges or service items onto their ORDER. If I add any inventory parts or merchandise it automatically enters my pre determined price with my markup and deducts the item from my inventory. If my inventory gets below my preset threshold I am prompted to email an Purchase Order straight to my preferred vendor for that item or send a mass PO if I need many things. This is easier with Pianotek than others. All of my merchandise and inventory is in the system and in a click or two can see what it cost me, the price I charge, which suppliers I buy from (and compare prices) and how many I have in stock. When they pay me at the tuning I ask if I can email the invoice that night or if they would like me to write a paper copy for them. Athens, GA, where I live has a free wireless cloud over the city so I can frequently email it from the piano bench. I no longer need to write paper tickets or keep up with them. I do, however, carry some in case the customer prefers one. Most just let me email. I ask if I can book the next apt. or email a 6 or 12 month reminder and auto set SafariGuide to prompt me at that time to send it. I enter the check number and amount on their order and enter it. If paid in full the ticket is closed and the ORDER is written to that person or Business' LEDGER with one click, and when I view all of my tickets, I can easily see who has paid, what is in process and what is on account, and have totals for each at the bottom of the screen. SafariGuide manages shop projects, employee hours, any and all communications with clients; phone, letter, email, proposals, appraisals etc. and saves them to each customer's data set. Tax can be set up to autofill for each different city or item as needed. I love this program! I also have to tell you that I in no way work with or for them. I just like the product. Check it out at: http:// www.safariguidesoftware.com/ if you are considering using software to manage customer databases. Britt West, RPT
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