12 replies to this topic

[BearsFan4Eva]

I'm a small service only company and I'd like to find some basic software for strictly customer and inventory databases.  Ive looked over the internet several times and found nothing like what I'm looking for.  Swiftlink was close but still more than what I was looking for.

I'd like it to be basic and very easy to use.  Ive tried quickbooks and it was way to hard for my computer knowledge.  I'm usually on the road when I receive my calls so I'd like to find my customer history on my laptop and also have a inventory control that lets me know stock levels, part location, and reorder levels.  I dont need the financial part as the paper ledgers work fine for us. 

I figured the best way to find one would be to ask others in the business.  Anyone know of an inexpensive program that meets this criteria?

[AccApp]

Swiftlink is horrible. I am in the same spot as you. I am anxious to hear any replies as well.

[BearsFan4Eva]

Glad to know that. I'm assuming you tried it out.  I almost bought it but thought it was geared more to counter type sales. Plus i dont like the fact that I wouldn't own it and would be paying them for eternity for using it.  Im also going to look into Microsoft Access. 

[jrmoase]

I have supported SwiftLink installations - avoid them if possible.  In fact, many industry-specific point-of-sale applications are too custom and often just crap.  Many are written in Visual Basic or MS Access.

If you only need basic inventory control, there is a product called "WASP Inventory Control" which is very straighforward - designed to track and tag parts inventories.

There is another application that our local appliance parts store uses, and if you'd like me to check on that, I'll be happy to.

If you need a more complete POS solution, I've heard good things regarding Microsoft's Point-of-Sale Small Business software, but not used it first-hand.  I do know that they offer a free trial copy (which is good as it is about 2X the cost of QuickBooks).

[BearsFan4Eva]

Thanks for your replys.  Im still looking.

Recently Ive looked at Microsoft Office pro with Access, Quickbooks Financial, Quickbooks Customer manager, and a million other not so perfect fits from the internet.  i did find one that I kind of liked but it came with a $2300 investment.  I feel for that I could have a computer consultant or programmer make one tailored just for me.  Anyone know what that might cost.  For all I know It could be $500-10,000 dollars.  checked around my small town and we dont have any programmers.  Will have to go check in the big city one county over. The search continues.

[BearsFan4Eva]

jrmoase...  That would be great if you could find out.  I thought I'd get more of a response.  I wanted to know what guys like me with just 1 or 2 techs use to track cutomer info and inventory.  Maybe most are still doing it all like me.

 

wasp seems like just inventory software.  i dont think that would work for me.  i would like the customer database and inv database to part of the same software.

 

 

paulh...  Couldnt find anything on logiserve.  Post a link if possible.

 

Thanks again!

[BearsFan4Eva]

[user=13316]paulh[/user] wrote:

http://www.logiserv.com- makes more sense to me to go with software meant for the appliance industry. Don't know the cost now but when I bought it many years ago it was less than $500.00 and I own it and got free updates. Now I pay a yearly maintenance fee for any tech help I might need.

Thanks paulh!  That looks perfect.  I called this morning and they are closed for the weekend so i couldnt get a price.  If its around 500 then it will be well worth it.

Is the maint fee your paying the $300 one?  How often do you use it?  Just wondering if thats something I would have to plan on in the investment.

 

I knew there had to be some software out there made for our trade.

[BearsFan4Eva]

Well I bought logiserve and have been using it for a few weeks now.  Its a perfect fit for me and my data needs.  It was $1300.00 but I still think its worth it.

 

Thanks again paulh!

[rgracie]

I'm not sure if this is allowed, so flog me unmercifully if needed, but you should try ServiceXp Pro. A very affordable business management program written specifically for the Appliance, and HVAC service industry...

I started writing this program back in 2000 when I simply could not find an affordable but power business management system.

You can try it for free, so what do you have to loose....?



 

[Pegi]

Robert, will you post a link to your software so we can all check it out please???  Thanks, Pegi...well Dah, never mind, see it at the bottom of your post....