Best way to manage contacts / clients?

[amnesiac]

Does anyone here have to deal with a large client/contact database? If so what do you use? Currently we're using Act! but IMO it's clunky and somewhat limited in what you can do with the data. We have a total of about 1200-1500 contacts and clients to keep track of, and I'd like to keep track of correspondence and policy information (insurance). I was thinking that Access might fit the bill but I haven't a clue as to how it works or how to get started with it.

Suggestions?

 

[amnesiac]

bump

 

[cmdavid]

access will work.. or even just microsoft outlook contact list....

 

[GeekDrew]

I just use Outlook 2002's contact database, but Access would probably fit the bill better for you.

Check out Access for dummies or some such book. That will get you started. I believe that access even comes with a couple of contact database templates.

Andrew

 

[amnesiac]

Can anyone here do Access programming? We'll pay you.

 

[tm37]

We use goldmine at work and it really lets you do alot.

I have used maximiser in the past and found it pretty good as well.

I have never used Act so I have no idea how these compare.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: tm37
We use goldmine at work and it really lets you do alot.

I have used maximiser in the past and found it pretty good as well.

I have never used Act so I have no idea how these compare.

Act! and Goldmine are supposed to be good. We use Sales Logix. It is customizable and can even be set up to be hosted remotely. My company's sales force is all home based. Right now, we all have to log on to the home office to access it. We are getting it set up so you can DL/UL data and host it on your own PC. Pretty powerful, but I have no idea how tough the customization is to do.

I wouldn't use outlook - not powerful enough and Access would be great if you new EXACTLY want you wanted and had it custom programmed for you. If you have the budget, look at the packaged Sales software programs.

 

[kermalou]

i use outlook and it is great, but i have a question how do i create a template that will let me create a letter from a contact in outlook into word?

 

[amnesiac]

I took a look at the website for Goldmine and it looks like it might do exactly what we need. It has preloaded templates for our business (insurance) so that is a huge step forward. $100 rebate too; I'll probably pick it up today.

 

[InverseOfNeo]

Originally posted by: amnesiac 2.0
Can anyone here do Access programming? We'll pay you.

I know the very basics of Access....nothin more than a beginners level.

 

[Farfrael]

Mysql + PHP

 

[GeekDrew]

Yeah, I really recommend a pre-packaged solution, but Access will work failing that. It's not hard to learn how to program Access.

Andrew

 

[tm37]

Originally posted by: amnesiac 2.0
I took a look at the website for Goldmine and it looks like it might do exactly what we need. It has preloaded templates for our business (insurance) so that is a huge step forward. $100 rebate too; I'll probably pick it up today.

The nice thing about goldmine is the syncing. We have two offices and everynight they sync. I can easily see what the guys in the omaha office are doing. I don't care for the email client but it isn't bad.

We have a few guys set up to remote out of the office and it allows them to change there schedule add contacts and all the like.