I use a customer database that syncs with Quickbooks called Service Sidekick. It's a web-based program that you can customise for what you want to record for your clientele. If you already are using a database that can be condensed to a spreadsheet like format, the company will input all your current data into whatever fields you choose. I used QB's version of Customer Manager for 3 years, but just wasn't satisfied. I like Service Sidekick because with my BlackBerry, I always have my database with me and also because it's web-based, I'm not afraid that I'll lose my info on my harddrive. It has lots of other little perks too, like a link to google maps off of the customer address and, again, off of my phone, I can just tap on the phone number to call my customer instead of write the # down and dial. You can set up whatever reports you like to run as well, such as who's in need for their tunings and sort customers by area to try to plan your days easier. You can do mass email notices to your customers, you can email your invoices or statements from it, and several other features that a small business needs. I've been using the program a year now and still always find something new that helps me better use my data better. Now, keeping up with the data entry, while carrying a full workload on the road every week...well, that's another story. There's a reason I left my office job to be a piano technician. :-) Barbara Nobbe, RPT Pitch Perfect 859-489-4793 barbara at pitchperfectpianos.com -----Original Message----- From: "Greg Newell" <gnewell at ameritech.net> Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 23:54:24 To: 'David Ilvedson'<ilvey at sbcglobal.net>; <pianotech at ptg.org> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Filemaker Pro Templates David, No I'm not using the ad on. I trust customers to call me when they're ready for something. Wish I had something else. I'm currently embarking on a project of cleaning up all the customer data in QB. It was pretty hairy from the import. With roughly 4000 customer names this could take a while. I'm up to last names beginning with "G". Once I get that all cleaned up I'm gonna reimport it into Outlook Business Contact manager and see what that can do for me. At the very least it's a back up for all the names in Quickbooks. All the best, Greg Newell Greg's Piano Forté www.gregspianoforte.com 216-226-3791 (office) 216-470-8634 (mobile) http://www.wealthyaffiliate.com?a_aid=NNaYfMKd -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of David Ilvedson Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 11:48 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Filemaker Pro Templates Greg, Your using the Service Manager add on? I'd be interested in how you use it. I love Quickbooks for my accounts... David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 ----- Original message ---------------------------------------- From: "Greg Newell" <gnewell at ameritech.net> To: joegarrett at earthlink.net; pianotech at ptg.org Received: 1/4/2010 8:41:50 PM Subject: Re: [pianotech] Filemaker Pro Templates >While I wish Dave Peake the very best in his battle this is precisely why I >went with Quickbooks. Since QB is a corporate product it’s unlikely that >any one person holds all the keys and therefore the product lives long after >they do. I’ve had 2 products before this that folks just stopped supporting. >That was quite enough for me. > >Greg Newell >Greg's Piano Forté >www.gregspianoforte.com >216-226-3791 (office) >216-470-8634 (mobile) >http://www.wealthyaffiliate.com?a_aid=NNaYfMKd > >From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf >Of Joseph Garrett >Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 7:56 PM >To: pianotech >Subject: Re: [pianotech] Filemaker Pro Templates > >I need to finally set up a real database, and I was considering >Filemaker Pro since it works on both PC & Mac. Before I reinvent the >wheel, does anyone know of a decent template for piano business purposes? > >Dave Peake had a bunch of that stuff. Unfortunately, he is suffering from an >early form of Parkinson's and is not able to do any of the piano business >any more. You might try to get in touch with his wife, Gretchen, through >Randy Potter. The templates may still be rattling around in Dave's archives. >Regards, >Joe > > >Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon) >Captain, Tool Police >Squares R I > >
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