Quick Books Customer Manager Software

Mike Finley

Anybody using Quick books customer manager software, just got it this week, basically to assemble labels for my Christmas cards, but I'm now trying to see what I can really use it for.

ProWallGuy

I got it free when I bought QBPro2005. Just barely got into using it when I suffered my hard drive crash. Thank God I was able to retrieve my backup file, and reload the info. Still working on figuring out its potential.

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ProWallGuy

Mike, have you explored this any further?

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Digital Murals Installation

Speedy Petey

I use it to keep better track of customer information. Such as multiple phone numbers, alternate addresses, etc. Things QB won't let me do as easily.
As of yet, I don't nearly use it to it's full potential.

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Mike Finley

I really haven't done much with it yet. It does seem to have a lot of potential and I could probably intigrate it much more if I was using the potential of Quickbooks more such as for invoicing and such.

Grumpy

You don't invoice with quickbooks?! Wildness.

I tried the customer manager and I am not sure if I like it. I mean It does what quickbooks does, but less. I'm not a large enough office that I can't just walk over to the computer that has quickbooks and turn it on... so I fail to see the point of the program.

Mike Finley

I know Grumpy, ridiculous isn't it? One thing is for certain if you start off doing something in your business as a bad habit it comes back to bite you later.

Since we are on the subject, what side effects or advantages do you experience or are able to do because you invoice using Quickbooks?

ProWallGuy

One thing I've found out is when you import from QB to the CM, the 'jobs' don't cross over. I assumed 'projects' in CM were the same as 'jobs' in QB, but apparently not. Really don't understand what 'projects' are for now.

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PipeGuy

Great quetion - I'm eager to read answers.
I just upgraded to QB Pro '06 because Intuit's payroll service forced me to. My big accounting issue in '05 was my failure to enter invoices (my accountant had a real fit when he got my boioks). I've resolved to start using QB to produce my invoices. It occurs to me that a simple envelope printing module would also be nice. Hard to believe they couldn't squeeze that functionality into an otherwise great application.

noreast05

We're going on 7 or 8 yrs. with QB's. I have not upgraded from 05 to 06.

Pipe why did the payroll service make you upgrade? We haven't run into that yet.

We print our invoices fold them accordingly and insert them in the double window envelopes. Saves on ink from printing them out. More importantly one less step to do. This past year we have begun emailing are invoices, QB's makes it very easy to do. Plus we started saving a boat load in postage. No more waiting for snail mail. We have had good luck with QB pro. Never tried the Contractor version, after talking others I will stick with the regular version. I really like to view the companies P&L's, Balance sheet, open invoices, acct. rec. and payable, etc. And when I do have to wait for the slow payers I like the finance charge feature. It pays more than stocks are paying.

PipeGuy

They informed me that they will no longer support QB Pro '03 after April 1. IMO, from a technical standpoint, it's BS - just a ploy to generate revenue. But dropping the C note required to have the latest & greaest ver. was probably OK.
Hey...now that's a good idea. I have the envelopes for checks and will try that out.

noreast05

I currently have QB 05 that might be why the payroll service hasn't bothered me. But still agree with you it's just there way for them take our hard earned money.

Pipe check your envelope size the ones for laser checks is smaller 3 1/2" x 8 5/8" ver. the 4 1/8" x 9 1/2" for the standard paper sized invoices. The laser check envelopes will work you just have to fold them three ways instead of two but they will still work if got'em use'em they work just as slick. It's all about saving time to focus on other things.

Grumpy

Well, it's nice to be able to track in and out on a per job basis. If you are only using your quickbooks for payables, that makes it harder IMO. It just makes for better tracking to have all your accounting in one spot.

Another reason I like quickbooks for invoicing is because I can send template letters. I especially like the template collection letters. You choose a time fram and a letter and it will print that letter for everyone who is x days past due. Start with a friendly letter for all 1 day past due, then escelate as necessary.

slickshift

Yes
I find it a great way to keep track of stuff, projects that are pending but I don't want to put them on QB yet (invoice them)
Multiple contact names and numbers from suppliers, the notes that you can attach to each (if Sam's not there leave a message-don't deal with Sue)

Sometimes I get get all the info and be ready to go, and the client sits on it for 2-3 months
I've been on the phone 3 months later (w/QBCM open) with the call back saying "...Turner...Turner (click click) Oh yeah on Meadowood, you wanted blah blaah etc...."

It does make it easy to send notes and e-mail also
Thank You's and what not

Like the others I haven't figured it's full potential yet

I did try ACT before using QBCM
For me, at least, QBCM kicked ACT's butt
Probably because I'm a n00b to Customer Manager software, but still that tells you for a n00b, ACT lost me completely
QBCM I was able to jump right in