Chicago Fanatics Message Board :: View topic

Well, maybe database isn't the right term.

There would optimally, a front page for each client with demographic data, followed by logsheets that would be frequently added to and saved by year (with the option of sorting by various categories).

I wasn't sure about the multi-user functionality of Excel or Access, and if possible, be set up for future work on the files via the web.

Also, security would be an issue as the client info would contain sensitive material.

These files are updated how? By the client? By you? I'm trying to figure out if you want a wiki...

Beebo wrote:

These files are updated how? By the client? By you? I'm trying to figure out if you want a wiki...

It's basically a two-person office, with another associate in the burbs and one more in California. The files are basically record-keeping for clients (only people from my company would be doing the updating).

The ultimate goal would be for all of us (two in office, 1 in burbs, & 1 in CA) to be able to view and update files.

While Excel might be adequate for the office, I don't believe has the type of accessibility we're looking for.

I'm thinking we may need a bona fide IT type person to give us a consultation...

Where could you find an IT type person? And at this hour?

Crystal Lake Hoffy wrote:

Where could you find an IT type person? And at this hour?

Fedex Kinko's?

Crystal Lake Hoffy wrote:

Where could you find an IT type person? And at this hour?

Fedex Kinko's?

Author:	Killer V [ Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:31 pm ]
Post subject:	Database Software
I'm looking for a database software for client management. Basically, I'd have a file for each client containing various kinds of information that would be frequently updated (no inventories or anything like that). The catch is that I'd like to be able to access and update files simultaneously from two different computers, and some time in the future, have the files be accessible via the web (web access not necessarily important right now). 1. Any suggestions for software? 2. Will I need a server for the simultaneous access? 3. Anything I'm missing? Thanks in advance for any help!

Author:	Crystal Lake Hoffy [ Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:38 pm ]
Post subject:
Well, usually I use Quickbooks to store my client info, but its a bit costly. Any reason you cant use excel or access?

Author:	My Coach Vinny [ Mon Mar 03, 2008 11:00 pm ]
Post subject:
Google has online Spreadsheets, they are about as functional as Excel for the majority of users. If your data is not highly structured in its entirety, i.e. you don't have a bulletproof E/R diagram of it in your head or on paper, start out with spreadsheets. When you establish a good mental picture of structure and relationships, graduate to database. Disclaimer: I'm not a computer expert, just took a 300 level CS class on databases at the U of I many moons ago.

Author:	Killer V [ Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:37 am ]
Post subject:
Well, maybe database isn't the right term. There would optimally, a front page for each client with demographic data, followed by logsheets that would be frequently added to and saved by year (with the option of sorting by various categories). I wasn't sure about the multi-user functionality of Excel or Access, and if possible, be set up for future work on the files via the web. Also, security would be an issue as the client info would contain sensitive material.

Author:	Hawkeye Vince [ Tue Mar 04, 2008 10:05 am ]
Post subject:
At my work we use Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server - it might be overkill for what you are looking for, but it allows for collaboration, web access, secured documents. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/share ... fault.aspx

Chicago Fanatics Message Board https://mail.chicagofanatics.com/

Database Software https://mail.chicagofanatics.com/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=19235	Page 1 of 1

Author:	Beebo [ Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:38 pm ]
Post subject:
Killer V wrote: Well, maybe database isn't the right term. There would optimally, a front page for each client with demographic data, followed by logsheets that would be frequently added to and saved by year (with the option of sorting by various categories). I wasn't sure about the multi-user functionality of Excel or Access, and if possible, be set up for future work on the files via the web. Also, security would be an issue as the client info would contain sensitive material. These files are updated how? By the client? By you? I'm trying to figure out if you want a wiki...

Author:	Killer V [ Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:36 pm ]
Post subject:
Beebo wrote: These files are updated how? By the client? By you? I'm trying to figure out if you want a wiki... It's basically a two-person office, with another associate in the burbs and one more in California. The files are basically record-keeping for clients (only people from my company would be doing the updating). The ultimate goal would be for all of us (two in office, 1 in burbs, & 1 in CA) to be able to view and update files. While Excel might be adequate for the office, I don't believe has the type of accessibility we're looking for. I'm thinking we may need a bona fide IT type person to give us a consultation...

Author:	Crystal Lake Hoffy [ Tue Mar 04, 2008 10:02 pm ]
Post subject:
Killer V wrote: Beebo wrote: These files are updated how? By the client? By you? I'm trying to figure out if you want a wiki... It's basically a two-person office, with another associate in the burbs and one more in California. The files are basically record-keeping for clients (only people from my company would be doing the updating). The ultimate goal would be for all of us (two in office, 1 in burbs, & 1 in CA) to be able to view and update files. While Excel might be adequate for the office, I don't believe has the type of accessibility we're looking for. I'm thinking we may need a bona fide IT type person to give us a consultation... Where could you find an IT type person? And at this hour?

Author:	Killer V [ Tue Mar 04, 2008 10:04 pm ]
Post subject:
Crystal Lake Hoffy wrote: Where could you find an IT type person? And at this hour? Fedex Kinko's?

Author:	My Coach Vinny [ Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:28 pm ]
Post subject:
V, check out ThinkFree and Zoho. Both are web based implementations of an office suite. Both are free to public, but offer "premium" and "business" subscriptions.

Author:	Ryno's Wife [ Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:03 pm ]
Post subject:
Sounds like you are looking for contact management software. Check out ACT! or Gold Mine. Both can be synchronized with off-site computers and both can be customized to track exactly the information that you need. ACT! is around $300-350.

Author:	bwfalcon [ Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:35 pm ]
Post subject:
Killer V wrote: Crystal Lake Hoffy wrote: Where could you find an IT type person? And at this hour? Fedex Kinko's? You might try a Holiday Inn Express

Author:	Killer V [ Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:51 pm ]
Post subject:
Not exactly client or contact management.... Part of the records kept would certainly involve the vitals for a client. That part would be easy enough to create a template for. But most of it would be logging various pieces of information which might come in on a daily basis (including possibly scanning documents and somehow linking that image to a log entry). I'd be leary of a web-based program as the client info is pretty sensitive. I'd be worried about security (and so would my clients), which is why the suggestion of our own server came up...the info wouldn't be resting on a third party server somewhere in Fiji. (Sorry I can't really be more specific about the information we're dealing with...)

Page 1 of 1	All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group https://www.phpbb.com/