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Customer Database
Hi there
I was wondering if anyone could offer any advice.
I’m the graphic designer for a small sign company, and at present we (i) hand write all of our job sheets. However there have been instances where a job sheet is taken out on an installation and gets lost etc.
I’ve attempted to create a job sheet type form in open office, for inputting the customer and job details, so that we can track them electronically. However I’ve no clue about databases etc and it’s not working.Could anyone suggest software (preferably free as my work don’t want to spend money), that I could log the customer details and create a job sheet from there?
I’ve read through previous posts, and saw mention of clarity, which I downloaded but couldn’t get my head around. At present I have a spreadsheet which I use to estimate jobs and also a word template I use for quotations. Clarity (free version) seemed to do all those things but I couldn’t fathom out how to create a job sheet.
Any advice or info would be much appreciated, as I’m tearing my hair out.
Thanks
Susan -
6 Replies
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Get your Job sheets printed in Triplicate, With the simple rule that at least one piece always stays in the office, If going to site take bottom sheet, and person fills in extra detail to other parts if required, worst case scenario is you only lose one of the 3 Carbon copies,
We use them here, Top part kept in office, (original) then used for accounts
2nd part Put in Finished Job folder when finished , ( quicker to go through a job folder than all your accounts to find details on a job)
3rd, Discarded if Either the other two haven’t been lost when jobs completeIan
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Hi Ian
Thanks for your reply, ideally I wanted to be able to have the files electronically so that when a repeat or new order comes in from an existing customer, I can duplicate the customer details and add a description of the new job.
We’ve currently got filing cabinets overflowing with customer job sheets, which can take quite a bit of time to go through to locate what the last job was and what it was charged at etc. Just thinking having it electronically would be a lot easier and faster to find files.
Thanks
Susan -
just save your job sheets as pdfs print off when needed and save in customers file electronically
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i have a xerox running with ScanFlowStore… with the mamouth task of scanning everything in and turning into indexable PDFs… but….
staples is an issue
and spare time is exhausted -
I would have thought that Clarity Free would be ideal as it can create a works order, keep a database of customers and create an invoice; all for free.
If you find it too tricky I think you will struggle as the program is not that difficult if you take some time to get the feel of it.
Behind the scene it does automatically what you are currently doing; combining the power of a database with the ability to produce other documents, such as a works order (job sheet) and invoices. -
Have you thought about getting software designed and build privatly that fits what you want?
Id happily give you a quote, but am not sure advertising is allowed on this forum?
Sean
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