45 replies to this topic

[bm_99]

Hey people, im just wondering what free software (or really cheap lol) is out there to help with managing customers (maybe some type of database) and or flaging up manintenance's due etc..

Im unfamiliar with this type of stuff so any help is appreciated

Thanks

[whistle]

Alarm Master by PC data, it paid for its self in the 1st year for us.

[RFS]

whistle, on 02 November 2011 - 10:12 PM, said:

Alarm Master by PC data, it paid for its self in the 1st year for us.

Not having AM would be like losing an arm...

[alterEGO]

RFS, on 04 November 2011 - 06:20 AM, said:

Not having AM would be like losing an arm...

tbh im not that happy with it. Constant errors since installation and data coversion. Issues with SAGE link. Poor email merge for letters.
We are more or less having to use it as we used BASE.

[RFS]

we did have some issues with SAGE link but this is now sorted out and stable. We started from scratch no no data conversation required.

Don't use the email merge function - is it **** then?

[alterEGO]

Alot of the problems could have been avoided on install.

Latest issue is no credit going through to sage when a credit note is issued in AM.

The email function is one of the biggest reasons i went with AM. It tries to merge the letter into the body of the email which does not work.
My suggestion was to have a cover email with the letter attached as a PDF. The same as the invoice function.

[RFS]

I would like to start using this more as we send a lot of stuff out via email but at present i cmpose email and then attach PDF from corres file - a bit long winded searching etc

[alterEGO]

RFS, on 04 November 2011 - 03:08 PM, said:

I would like to start using this more as we send a lot of stuff out via email but at present i cmpose email and then attach PDF from corres file - a bit long winded searching etc

Same here. The idea was to send everything inc. service reminders via email.
It all just comes across a bit slap dash, from the errors to the support. Can't help thinking I should of looked at mentor.
Hopefully it will all got sorted out and I will change my mind but calling almost daily is getting old.

[RFS]

alterEGO, on 04 November 2011 - 03:04 PM, said:

Alot of the problems could have been avoided on install.

I must admit I was disapointed with this part of the process. Not a personal dig at anyone at PC Data but i don't think k... the sales guy should really be installing and setting up (or partially settting up and then doing one leaving us to finish setting up or guess setting up afterwards).. you are right - the installation and setup phase is vital and PC Data get this severly wrong.

[alterEGO]

RFS, on 04 November 2011 - 05:38 PM, said:

I must admit I was disapointed with this part of the process. Not a personal dig at anyone at PC Data but i don't think k... the sales guy should really be installing and setting up (or partially settting up and then doing one leaving us to finish setting up or guess setting up afterwards).. you are right - the installation and setup phase is vital and PC Data get this severly wrong.

Phil did ours but we still have all the problems.

[whistle]

Agreed the training is very poor indeed...

[alterEGO]

whistle, on 04 November 2011 - 09:21 PM, said:

Agreed the training is very poor indeed...

I didnt need much of the training but i think thats because its more or less the same as BASE that we have been using for ages. Then again if I had never used BASE I don't think I would of had a clue after the traing.

I can't get over the amount of errors and crashing.

[whistle]

how are you using it? We have a server with AM on it then 2 extra users, all working ok unitil we need to upgrade the machines in the office...

Edited by whistle, 04 November 2011 - 10:49 PM.

[MrHappy]

alterEGO, on 04 November 2011 - 10:17 PM, said:

I can't get over the amount of errors and crashing.

Its not that bad, however we ran "Kiss Alarm Manger" before "alarm master" which used to eat records back in the day...

[alterEGO]

whistle, on 04 November 2011 - 10:36 PM, said:

how are you using it? We have an server with AM on it then 2 extra users, all working ok unitil we need to upgrade the machines in the office...

we have it on two machines. Its not issues with machine setup. Its constant errors with the following; Sage link, tables not extended within AM to allow for high enough job sheet numbers (and the same then follows with other system tables), issues with existing contracts converted from BASE being corrupt. Many features not setup on installation as they should have been. The list goes on.....................and on.
They have logged in to correct the issue only for it to happen again 10 minutes later.
Tbh iys getting beyond a joke.
Its nothing personal with anyone member off staff, just all around headache.

I wouldn't dream of leaving one of our customers in the same boat.

MrHappy, on 04 November 2011 - 10:50 PM, said:

Its not that bad, however we ran "Kiss Alarm Manger" before "alarm master" which used to eat records back in the day...

lol you want to bet? If I had the time I would log all the errors. Atleast 5 today.

[jameswilson]

TSI has a basic CRM system that is free to members but it isnt alarm or security focused. Its very powerful and uses this as the backend


but its a bit powerful. I would like to find a simpler one

[Wyatthaplo]

I have used Alarm Master and also Mentors CASH system and found both to be very useful. Not sure which one is cheaper as that wasnt my department but they are both useful tools.

I would suggest if you only want to know when services are due and keeping track of customer details then maybe use simple excel spreadsheets and such. Of course this depends on how large your business and client database is. If you only have say up to 100 contracts its probably very easy to keep track of them without the need for spending thousands on using such software.

The biggest thing I would say with software like CASH and AM is that while they are excellent, to get the most and best use of them you have to 'use' them properly. If you neglect them even for just a little bit they get very messy and you end up spending hundreds of man hours in the office just maintaining them.

[alterEGO]

Yet another alarm master error today. Supplier invoices will not go on to the system. Called support this afternoon, they log in and cant sort it so will have to speak to boss. Hours wasted and still no reply from them. Great Service......................naaaatttttttt

[HertsCCTV]

We use a software package called Clik - it is expense at (i think) £650.00 for 1 user license but it is an excellent package allows you to keep list of suppliers, customers, generate maintenance reminders, quotes, invoices links with sage easily and you can create job sheets for engineers.

Also comes with van maintenance stuff too so easy to keep up with servicing, tax, mot.

You can build custom reports and also generate your own custom text boxes for say red care account numbers and that.

We only use it to half of it's capability as we are still very small but if business continues the way it is I can see this software becoming a real friend to our business.

The bit that sold it to us for the future was the ability for engineers to get there job list whilst on the road and complete the job sheet and send it back to the office so they know it is complete and description of work carried out.

[alterEGO]

Tbh Im starting to think that alarm master is very over priced all things considered. At over £2k we should get much better service.