looking for some small business software

[andyb]

Hi all

Just updated my books and im sure there must be an easier way of doing it.

I was looking for either a excel spreadsheet that will do it all, for example

start of with an estimate sheet
store customer details in a database
if i get the job then create an invoice
when i get paid inserts it into my current account spreadsheet

i dont want to spend a lot of money, just wondered if any of you used something that might do this and what you thought?

I did have a go at sage but it blew my mind away

cheers
andy

 

[justlead1]

Hi "Quick Books" is one i have used with success.

 

[stevetheplumber]

Hi all

Just updated my books and im sure there must be an easier way of doing it.

I was looking for either a excel spreadsheet that will do it all, for example

start of with an estimate sheet
store customer details in a database
if i get the job then create an invoice
when i get paid inserts it into my current account spreadsheet

i dont want to spend a lot of money, just wondered if any of you used something that might do this and what you thought?

I did have a go at sage but it blew my mind away

cheers
andy

be very wary as soon as you start to collect customer details your now oblidged to register under the data protection act and to conform to all the conditions therein ive no doubt registering will be chargeable

 

[Gedpen]

Have you looked at hbxl.co.uk or easy price pro, they do estimating software for plumbers gas engineers.

 

[dontknowitall]

Your local library might have a book on this type of thing. Or why not ask a local geek to give you lessons and help set up some templates for you?

In my experience bought software is very limiting as either it has too much stuff that you won't use or doesn't do exactly what you want it to.

What you're looking for is quite specialised and takes a fair while to set up. You can make things simpler by having your accounts on a spreadsheet and having various word documents for invoices, letters, etc. It's much quicker to enter and edit this way and much more flexible if you change your mind at a later date.

If the database is fairly simple you can design one in Excel.

 

[Sanke]

Try Microsoft Accounting This is a free to download program and is fairly easy to set up

 

[colmo40]

Try Microsoft Accounting This is a free to download program and is fairly easy to set up

Microsoft Accounting is no longer supported - I use QuickBooks but would like to find an alternative that is simpler and cheaper, so any advice will be well received.

 

[TGor]

I am able to design specialised software .. anyone interested can pm me with detailed requirements and if enough interest we can develop something specific for plumbers that don't cost an arm and a leg.

Cheers
TG

be very wary as soon as you start to collect customer details your now oblidged to register under the data protection act and to conform to all the conditions therein ive no doubt registering will be chargeable

I have looked at this issue and there are exemptions from notification if you are only using the data for accounts and records and not for promotion and marketing etc. also it applys to "organisations" as opposed to one man army's .. so if you are a sole trader then no issue.

cheers
TG

 

[TGor]

I am able to design specialised software .. anyone interested can pm me with detailed requirements and if enough interest we can develop something specific for plumbers that don't cost an arm and a leg.

I'll assume then from the underwhelming response that there are no takers!!!