Business software?

[youngsplumbing]

We currently use "Quickbooks" as requested by our accountant.

I am not a computer software geek and am not sure of the different software out there for a company like ours. I'm not sure of the capabilities of our current software either...I will investigate that.

I am looking for something with some sortable statistics. I'd like to be able to tell how much of our business is drain cleaning, how much "emergency" service (after hours calls) we do, how much each employee bills monthly, sortable marketing data such as where new customers found us (referral, yellow pages, website, etc.).

All this info would be extremely helpful but I'm not sure how to collect it. I would like an application that can do it all, so as our office manager enters invoices into the system she could add this additional data. I don't want to double her workload by making her enter stuff twice. I know we could use a spreadsheet or something like MS Excel to sort this but that would mean here entering info into Quickbooks AND entering the same info (name, address, phone, etc) into another program.

I'd hate to have to pay for custom software. What do you guys use? I don't think I'm the only one who would like to track this info. The economy here in Michigan is so bad that I need this info to keep spending down and keep us profitable.

Any input is appreciated.

[NHMaster3015]

quickbooks pro will do all that if you set it up right.

[youngsplumbing]

quickbooks pro will do all that if you set it up right.


any idea on where we can find some info on doing this...I know there are Quickbooks courses...is that what you suggest?

[garager]

Yep, Quickbook Pro, and it would help to take the course for sure.

[DuckButter]

I have quickbooks.
I recently decided to take a glance at Open Office, Sun's ~FREE~ version of Microsoft Office...I decided to look into it for the form templates and its compatability with Office forms like Excel, then started seeing TONS of other business management features & functions...most of which are free.
I literally just downloaded it today, so far I see database management tools, templates and a plethora of other features that'll take some time to digest.
I'm new to it, so if anyone has experience with Open Office...please chime in.
I'll keep you guys informed on what I find as I learn about it.

[RiR]

Just a tip you guys! Anything to do with computers & software, get on to VaSandy, here on forum. She Rocks! quite seriously, Take her advice ad.notam. What that lady doesn't know about computers & software isn't worth knowing. She's an impressing craftsman as well, so she sees things from our angle.

[AFM]

Quickbooks accounting is the best I have come across for doing all my business accounting and to keep the tax man happy.

Tony

[youngsplumbing]

I don't have a whole lot to do with the software at this time but I'm trying to better understand it.

Can someone tell me the differences between Quickbooks Pro(which we currently use) and the "Contractor" edition.

I went back looked at some old posts and noticed a couple of regulars said they use it.

[smelly]

Since microsofts going to stop providing windows XP soon .... means no more updates in the near futur. Also if you install the new windows vista , and you have pirated software like office or excel..... microsoft will tell your ISP to stop providing you with service till you remove that unlienced soft ware, so before I make the jump to vista I an going to install the open souce mail program by Godzilla , and the opensource office suite to get familiar with them.

http://why.openoffice.org/index.html

note when you go to the above link a window will open saying the page cannot be displayed..... just clic ok


the following link for mail
http://www.mozilla.org/press/mozilla-2004-12-7.html

:grin-angelic:

[APHCO]

I recently started using Wintac Pro. It sounds like it does all of what you want it to do and it is not overly expensive.

Like all software there is a learning curve and you probably will never use all of its features, but I have found that it has made things a little easier for us. We used to use 2 or three programs to do what Wintac is doing for us now.

We still run our checkbook on Quick Books for a number of reasons, one of which is that QB is easy for the accountant, but if we ever wanted to, we could use Wintac for the checkbook.

Many times I tried to make QB work for us but it is still an accounting program that has been adapted for use in many industries. Quite a few companies use the contractor version but I never found it "just right" for a service business. It all boils down to what you are comfortable using and the results you will get, as well as the effort to convert to any program.

Of course like all software it has some shortcomings, but all in all it has been a big help. They have a website and demos available. Try a google search or send me a PM and I will give you my phone number if you want more info. Where in Michigan are you?

[youngsplumbing]

APHCO,

Took a glance at their website...looked good until I hit the price list. I just don't have $2300 to throw at software at this time. Hopefully I can get the Quickbooks to do most of what I want...even if I have to hire a Quickbooks consultant to help set it up. I'd be interested in hearing how the Wintac is working for you though...keep me posted.

We're in the metro Detroit area...where are you at?

[APHCO]

Having a professional set up quickbooks for you could easily cost over $1000, and it probably will not do what you want. I found Wintac to be one of the cheapest programs that is designed for the service industry.

There are more expensive programs that are more complex and still do not do what you need.

Before you decide on any program analyze your needs and desires and be prepared to spend more than a few hundred dollars. Try to get a working demo ( good luck!) of the program to see if it really is as easy as claimed and actually does what they say it does.
Also find out how much updates and support are.
You also need to find out if your present data can be imported into any new program and if you will lose any information.

I am also in the Metro Detroit area. If you send me an e-mail or a PM with your phone number I can call you if you want more information.

Good luck :)

[westcoastplumber]

Quickbooks Pro Contractor Edition, the best.

I am beganning to graph out my months to see how I am doing budget and profit wise so I can adjust accordingly.

I set up catagories for everything, and witht he help of my new accountant, have been able to zero in on everything.

Every expense has a place, and I tell you what, when you want to do a pie or bar graph, or see what you need to cut as far as expenses, it is an excellent program.

It also has payroll and so many other things, once you get to used to using it, it will be perfect and you will be very happy. It will grow with your company, and also help you build your company by seeing expenses.

[youngsplumbing]

westcoastplumber,

Can you (or anyone who uses it) tell me the differences between Quickbooks Pro and the Quickbooks Pro Contractors edition? What useful applications does the contractors version have...is it specifically a plumbing version or a generic contractors version?

Also, did you (or whoever uses this software) take the Quickbooks course or have a Quickbooks adviser come in and help you? I checked in to an adviser and the quote I got was $330 for first two hours and $150 each additional hour. I don't mind paying if I get the desired results but hate to throw over $300 into the issue just to find out it's not what I want.

Any feedback from anyone who uses Quickbooks would be appreciated.

[boillerman]

Maybe VaSandy could tell you if Lenox has a Quickbook equivalent. You don't have to worry about Vista then, and you won't be looking at $2300 software.

[westcoastplumber]

westcoastplumber,

Can you (or anyone who uses it) tell me the differences between Quickbooks Pro and the Quickbooks Pro Contractors edition? What useful applications does the contractors version have...is it specifically a plumbing version or a generic contractors version?

Also, did you (or whoever uses this software) take the Quickbooks course or have a Quickbooks adviser come in and help you? I checked in to an adviser and the quote I got was $330 for first two hours and $150 each additional hour. I don't mind paying if I get the desired results but hate to throw over $300 into the issue just to find out it's not what I want.

Any feedback from anyone who uses Quickbooks would be appreciated.



It is a generic contractors edition. I can make into whatever I want.

the system is pretty easy to use once you get involved in it.

I would bet you can get it pretty quick, maybe 3-5 hrs of teaching and be set, just take notes.

when I first started, I had entered everything, like 3 months, and then I had a bookkeeper come in and make sure I was doing fine, then after that I went to my CPA, and got a list of things I needed to move around to make it IRS friendly.

you will be happy with the software, you can do bids, inventory, job costing.

[dnmann]

Pro lets you do job costing. The contractors edition is more for builders who are pricing entire homes and doing system and percentage of completion billing.

To do the sales analyis that you want in QB is very easy. I am a CPA in VA and teach classes in QB at the local community college. Any good Qb specialist should be able to set up the items that you invoice the way you want in an hour or so at 75 to 100 per hour.

You need to make sure that you sit down and map out what you want on paper to show them and to have it clear in your mind.


I don't have a whole lot to do with the software at this time but I'm trying to better understand it.

Can someone tell me the differences between Quickbooks Pro(which we currently use) and the "Contractor" edition.

I went back looked at some old posts and noticed a couple of regulars said they use it.

[PlumbingSkool]

The way "Today's" world is going , you wont need quick books much longer or any software :)

Stack cash under your mattress and when your back starts to hurt , Your business is doing well. :)

When you SLEEP though the night with that huge lump and your back is hurting but you sleep all night long anyhow because your so tired , WELL then now you know your business is remarkable :)

I know this thread was about software and I know that I myself have used software , But I am also a true believer in OLD school methods,


In Todays world Marketers make you think you need software BUT you really Do NOT :)

Maybe some of the "more seasoned" ( 40 years plumbing or more ) can tell us how they piped America with out tech software,

Here is a start :)

http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/925/60003119.JPG


OH PS ......Quick books is good software :)

I have used it :)

[DuckButter]

In Todays world Marketers make you think you need software BUT you really Do NOT :)


I couldn't get my router to work, called the store I got it from and they referred me to the "Geek Squad", who in turn told me it would cost $175 for the visit.
I decided to give it one last try before I called them back.
Turns out all I needed to do was visit the MFG website to update a driver.
It was all of 5 minutes, no tools or parts, sat on my butt the whole time.
I lug 50 lbs of tools up two flights of stairs, wreck my back in abnormal positions, cut, burn and gouge myself for less money than that...and still have to dole out insurance premiums.

I see that you can pay $1K for the priviledge of learning how to use software you purchased and having it set up and it just seems easier to do it all old school.
Those price ranges may be worthwhile for larger companies, but I think the industry is missing out on a very big market with the smaller sole prop and mom n' pop shops. (wow...poetic)

I also own QB, and to be honest, I don't use it for fear of becoming dependant on software to do my thinking for me, having to listen to pitches on periodic upgrade purchases leaving me to wonder if my software still works without the upgrade, or spending countless hours in the "learning curve".
I'd just as soon use that time to browse the code, do my own estimates (using a somewhat obscure tool...the brain) and hanging here bickering with you guys.:eek:

As for records, windows is surprisingly adequate for the basics, I can sort customer files alphabetically, or by date created...though admittedly job types and amounts have to be handled elsewhere.

As it stands, it looks like Open Office will do that for me.
It has a database feature that I can store info and create my own categories for each, like amount of job, type of job, location...etc.
It also looks like I can create reports based on these categories....more to be revealed as the learning curve progresses, but so far I don't see any ads for pricey upgrades. (heck it's free in the first place!)

I did learn a little C++ a few years back, enough to write simple programs & math functions.
I considered writing a simple estimating .exe, but the bulk of the time spent on estimating isn't the math, it's finding prices from suppliers & considering the best stock, fixtures & fittings suited for the job...not aware of any software that'll do that yet.

[ToUtahNow]

I would stay away from the Geek Squad as they are part of Best Buy. Many years ago they were installing a new hard drive in one of my laptops and cracked the case. They claimed they did not do it but the four cracks all started at the four screws of the new hard drive. In addition, before they take your laptop they check you any damage and make you sign the inspection form. There was no damage when I dropped it off and it was unusable when I picked it up.

Mark

[drtyhands]

Geek Squad $175.00 for a visit.Was that for the first hour?
How much for the second.
Or do they charge per project...No,I'm not kidding,and I'm not going to say the obvious.

I'm curious cause I've made a mess of mine and before I spend a ton of money on cleaning up this lead sled "first learner" computer,I'm contemplating new start from scratch before I put my company info in.

[ToUtahNow]

Geek Squad $175.00 for a visit.Was that for the first hour?
How much for the second.
Or do they charge per project...No,I'm not kidding,and I'm not going to say the obvious.

I'm curious cause I've made a mess of mine and before I spend a ton of money on cleaning up this lead sled "first learner" computer,I'm contemplating new start from scratch before I put my company info in.

If you watch the deals on the net a lot of times you can pick up a new computer which will do 10X what yours does now for about the price of a few hours with a IT guy. Where the cost comes in is the software but even there you can find stuff like open-office to use.

Mark

[drtyhands]

If you watch the deals on the net a lot of times you can pick up a new computer which will do 10X what yours does now for about the price of a few hours with a IT guy. Where the cost comes in is the software but even there you can find stuff like open-office to use.

MarkThere it is quick and easy.Thank-you Mark:)

[DuckButter]

I would stay away from the Geek Squad as they are part of Best Buy. Many years ago they were installing a new hard drive in one of my laptops and cracked the case. They claimed they did not do it but the four cracks all started at the four screws of the new hard drive. In addition, before they take your laptop they check you any damage and make you sign the inspection form. There was no damage when I dropped it off and it was unusable when I picked it up.

Mark
Ooooooh, yeah...the last straw for me was when we bouight my wife's pc at Best Buy.
They advertized a model with a flat screen monitor on sale...we went there to buy it & I noticed the monitor was a regular cathode type.
I asked the guy and he says, "Oh yes...thats what they mean by "flat screen"...because the actual screen on the monitor is somewhat flat."
Rather than admit they were out of stock and risk losing a sale, they pawned that line on us.
Their secret corporate slogan seems to be "We depend on your lack of knowledge to take your money from you."

In a related topic, I called a business software co when I first started up about software specific to contractors & service co's.
Asked the sales rep how much the software was...he dodged the question with a barrage of bright, shiney features it had to offer and how it would all but run my business for me by scheduling all my jobs, even routing the jobs to make it easier to drive, doing all my accounting and record keeping, as well as free classes on how to use the software "for a limited time"...blah blah blah.

After 10 minutes I finally just raised my voice over his and asked "HOW MUCH??", he responded "Well, you obviously know how much time this will save, as well as not having to pay a secretary, accountant..." I interupted again "HOW MUCH??"
Turns out there were two versions, the cheaper one for small shops was $3,700.

He then tried to appeal to my pride by intimating that running a business without decent software like his was outdated and inadequate, a potential way to fail in the current market where so many companies have that edge. (Lesson, never tell a salesman you're a new business)

I opted to reserve that money for tools, overhead and advertising...in that first year that money could have broken me, tipped the scales and put me under.
I saw some very lean times, which most start-ups do...I'd done loads of research before I took the leap and knew to be careful.

[Tyman]

I am not sure of the software we use but it seems very outdated. The office manager still does the old fashioned ledger book thing.:eek:

As far as computers go, I think I am going to be giving a Apple computer a try. Specifically the IMac.

[DuckButter]

If you watch the deals on the net a lot of times you can pick up a new computer which will do 10X what yours does now for about the price of a few hours with a IT guy. Where the cost comes in is the software but even there you can find stuff like open-office to use.

Mark
There are two things in business I've come to despise...
To one extreme, bargain hunters that have completely unrealistic expectations and want me to run out on a sunday night to redo a screwed up DIY kitchen faucet for $40.
The other extreme...slimey sales tactics, guys that bid a water heater for $550, then announce to the customer once in the basement with all tools unpacked that half the plumbing will have to be redone for thousands.

I mention these because I don't mean to come off like a bargain hunter when it comes to software, nor will I allow anyone to take advantage of what they think I don't know.
I know there are programmers who work very hard to make decent software, but then there also are the marketing & sales people who seem to think tradesmen are either drowning in loot, or too dumb to figure out how to use a PC.
I may be wrong, but I think Open Office accepts contributions...I will gladly make one...so far I am both amazed & impressed with the depth of functionality it seems to offer, not at all bad for free software.

[DuckButter]

Geek Squad $175.00 for a visit.Was that for the first hour?
How much for the second.
Or do they charge per project...No,I'm not kidding,and I'm not going to say the obvious.

I'm curious cause I've made a mess of mine and before I spend a ton of money on cleaning up this lead sled "first learner" computer,I'm contemplating new start from scratch before I put my company info in.
That was a falt rate...lol...go ahead Mark...say it.

Adam, if you're really looking to use your pc for your business, I'd first suggest getting a ZIP drive....it's a seperate storage drive you plug into your computer and can plug into other computers, if your PC were to die...you wouldn't lose the info on the ZIP.
I'm not a computer genius, but you have my number...buzz me and I'd happily help any way I can.....all for the low, low cost of me making a few dumb jokes as we go.

[Herk]

I asked the guy and he says, "Oh yes...thats what they mean by "flat screen"...because the actual screen on the monitor is somewhat flat."
Rather than admit they were out of stock and risk losing a sale, they pawned that line on us.

That's exactly right. Flat screens differ from bubble-shaped screens but are still CRTs. If you want LCD, you say LCD. The flat CRTs are more expensive than the round fronts. I've looked at a lot of boxes of computers and "flat screen" is usually a CRT. Flat screen can refer to LCDs but it's inexact.

I use an old Quickbooks program - Quickbooks Pro 1998. It still works quite well. I made the mistake of updating off the internet once, and now, if I want to reinstall it, I have to also install the update (which I have saved) before it will take the data. I haven't updated it since.

I have no idea if the newer versions are improved or worse, but this one works well for me.

I have a computer repair business that I do as a hobby/sideline and keep those books in a second company in Quickbooks.

I think I got my money's worth.

I use a number of word-processing types of programs for various things. I use an old version of Word, Word Perfect as well as Open Office. In fact, I made my flat rate book with Open Office, separated into sections. I did have a little trouble with Open Office when attempting to insert something new into a finished, already-saved file. I don't know if they've worked that out yet. But it will open and edit Word files as well as a lot of others. It does have a little trouble with presentation files like Power Point.

[Nikkinuu79]

Hello. I am new to this site and am unsure on how to create my own post so I am hoping someone will see this and can help.

I work for a construction company and we currently use Peachtree Accounting software for all of our accounting needs including payroll. There is discussion if whether or not we should switch to Wintac software to assist the office staff with scheduling, tracking, job costing, etc. My question is, does Wintac offer the complete accounting system with debits/credits, chart of accounts, etc..? Aside from Wintac being a business management tracking software are there many differences with regard to the accounting between Peachtree and Wintac?

Also, if anyone is familiar with any other accounting software that offers Peachtree and Wintac features, please let me know. I am open to all input. Thanks in advance, I look forward to any responses.

[Doug77]

APHCO

Would love to talk to you at your convenience if that can be arranged and you are agreeable concerning Wintac. You seem to have gotten over the hump that I can't seem to in understanding Wintac's way of doing the things I want done in my business. Wintac has the features but seems to not be as intutiave as one would hope for. I would be happy to contact you if you agree to help. Let me know what best works for you. Am new to this forum so not sure what all is here and how it all works just yet. Not even sure if it is permissable to exchange contact info. Hope to hear back from you at your lesiure.

[AlBorland]

I’m a big fan of OpenBravo. It has all of the features you could ever imagine, plus, if you’re good with programming and databases, you can create your own features and customizations. It’s open-source and free. But I’m warning you, it’s a serious learning curve, but once you learn it, it’s amazing.

http://www.openbravo.com/