Expert: Scottgem - 9/3/2007

Question
Hello,
I'm looking to start a business in Professional Organising - and so it'll be a service business.
I'm after some software which has CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and Accounting software packaged together. I understand there are a few which you can intergrade together, but I think it'll be easier to have it all in one.
Also, a software that I can adjust to my requirements which I could tailor to my needs including adding cheklists, has scheduling/appointments, quoting/estimates, invoicing, and can also attach photos (of the client and Before & After photos) and documents to each client.
I know it sounds a lot - but it has to be out there somewhere! Please help (I'm getting confused and tired of looking at all the products on the market).
Also, for something like that, would you advise an online based program or an actual boxed program installed on the computer?
Thanks in advance.
Regards
Lisa Milford

Answer
The major small business CRM out there is ACT. But I'm not whether it has all the features you want. For something that bundles CRM and accounting, you would probably have to go to someothing like SAP, but that's really for larger operations and is costly.

What I would consider is growing your own. You could use Microsoft Access (the database module of MS Office) to design your own software. Access can be setup to do all the things you mention, but would require that you learn how to design with it. There are templates to help you get started. You might also consider hiring a designer to set things up for you. While this would probably be a little more expensive then off the shelf software, you get exactly what you want. If you are interested in a custom application let me know and I'd be interesting in bidding on it.

Hope this helps,
Scott<>
Microsoft Access MVP 2007