Accounting / CRM / PPC

[frostbyte5014]

I was just wondering what everyone uses to keep up with their invoice and customer info. I have been using "Mobile Invoice" Quickbooks edition from http://lowfatsoftware.com for a few years now. It makes it easy to keep up with invoices and customer info, but I have been looking for something better. I would like one product that allows me to do invoicing, estimates, receive payments, keep up with vehicle expenses, scheduling, all from my PPC.

What do you use?

 

[tartis]

What don't you like about what you are using now? How do you give your customers a copy of the invoice?

 

[frostbyte5014]

I use Mobile Invoice just to keep up with everything on my PPC. I currently
upload it to Quickbooks about once a week. Next year my
Accountant /Bookkeeper will be sending out the invoices, but I want something on my PPC that lets me keep up with invoices, customer notes, vehicle expenses and more.

 

[tartis]

Have you thought about just carrying a sub-compact notebook with Quickbooks installed? I have an HP notebook that I take with me, but I still don't create invoices onsite.

I am currently using two part paper forms, and entering the data later into Quickbooks. What a pain!

 

[RyanMeray]

I bring my notebook (Dell 700m) with me darn near everywhere, I have quickbooks installed on it, and do invoicing within Quickbooks and send most of my invoices via email. If they need a paper invoice, I'll print them and mail it when I get back to the office.

 

[tartis]

If they need a paper invoice, I'll print them and mail it when I get back to the office.

What if they pay with cash and want a receipt on the spot? Do you keep a receipt book handy?

 

[diggauk]

I started my own business only a couple of months ago, and spent ages looking for a good accounting/invoice/quote software package. In the end I found a great free solution called "Microsoft Office Accounting 2008 Express"

Microsoft giving away something useful, amazing!

It seems to cover everything I need, and can be fully customised with your own templates, although you do need Word, Excel and Outlook to make it fully integrated.

The difference between the express and professional version is that express only allows for services, and has no stock tracking facilities. But seeing as I only offer services, this is ideal.

I am considering switching to Sage or Quick Books in the future, but at the moment I'm happy with MOA 2008.

 

[frostbyte5014]

I have a very nice mini notebook made by Fujitsu but I find it
time consuming waiting for it to boot. I would much rather use my PPC.

 

[RyanMeray]

What if they pay with cash and want a receipt on the spot? Do you keep a receipt book handy?

I always show them the receipt in Quickbooks, and if they need a receipt on the spot, I'm happy to tether to my cellphone and immediately email it to them. I've never had someone who needed a paper receipt instantly for a cash transaction, but since I work off referrals for most of my business, there's an almost implied trust that really smooths things out.

I have a very nice mini notebook made by Fujitsu but I find it
time consuming waiting for it to boot. I would much rather use my PPC.

Heh, that's what standby is for. 5 seconds to Quickbooks, 10 seconds to wi-fi, or worst case scenario, 30 seconds to GSM tether.

 

[frostbyte5014]

Heh, that's what standby is for. 5 seconds to Quickbooks, 10 seconds to wi-fi, or worst case scenario, 30 seconds to GSM tether.

Thanks for the help but the battery life sucks on my sub notebook. Standby is great but still not as fast as my Windows Mobile PDA. I have wifi and a Sprint aircard. I prefer something that will run on my PPC.

 

[tartis]

I downloaded the Mobile Invoice and it looks pretty slick. My only concern is that I like to have a spot on my invoice that gives a detail explination on what labor was performed. Do you just add this dat to the notes field?

 

[frostbyte5014]

I downloaded the Mobile Invoice and it looks pretty slick. My only concern is that I like to have a spot on my invoice that gives a detail explination on what labor was performed. Do you just add this dat to the notes field?

I have been typing the details in under the item description. You can use as many lines as you need to.

 

[tartis]

I always show them the receipt in Quickbooks, and if they need a receipt on the spot, I'm happy to tether to my cellphone and immediately email it to them. I've never had someone who needed a paper receipt instantly for a cash transaction, but since I work off referrals for most of my business, there's an almost implied trust that really smooths things out.

What do your customers sign saying that everything is complete and to their liking? Do you also have them sign something with your payment terms?

 

[TimeCode]

I am currently using two part paper forms, and entering the data later into Quickbooks. What a pain!

I do the same with 3-part forms. I like this method because I get a signature on EVERYTHING. You can't do that with QuickBooks.

I want to get away from quickbooks. I just don't like (or understand) the way they have everything set up. I'm a geek, not an accountant.

 

[RyanMeray]

What do your customers sign saying that everything is complete and to their liking? Do you also have them sign something with your payment terms?

Most of my clients pay on delivery, and those that don't I usually have established a level of trust with.

I still haven't gotten around to creating "pickup" and "work completed" forms, and no one's really inquired about them.