Service management software needed

Discussion in 'Software' started by Bluerinse, Mar 21, 2007.

  1. Bluerinse
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    Bluerinse Exabyte Poster

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    Hi - has anybody got any suggestions for an affordable muli-user software package that could be used for keeping track of service jobs in a small white goods service agent business.

    The software would need to be able to log service calls with customer details, despatch technicians to those jobs and keep a record of dates and times as well as a cutomer service history - stock control and payroll is 'not' important at this time.

    I am looking for an off the shelf product, which is not going to cost an arm and a leg, is intuative and easy to use and doesn't require a server, as this will be used in a small workgroup of four users.

    I am looking at Microsoft's CRM software which may be okay, has anybody used this before?
     
    Certifications: C&G Electronics - MCSA (W2K) MCSE (W2K)
  2. Sparky
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    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

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    Ive installed MS CRM for a few clients. There seems to be plenty functionality in the software however the installation of it was a nightmare, both server and PCs (Outlook toolbar).

    I’m not sure if you can install it on a non server OS as it integrates with Active Directory. The basic version runs MSDE (no need for SQL) so maybe it is feasible. :blink
     
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  3. Bluerinse
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    Bluerinse Exabyte Poster

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    :oops:
    Thanks for the info Sparky, yes i've looked more into the system requirements now and indeed it does need to run on a *windows server* and all the clients need Windows 2000 pro or XP Pro, i am pretty sure that one of their boxes is XP home. Server 2003 or SBS would work but i think they will balk at the additional cost - hmm it's a tricky one. It's the name of the game i suppose, you spend ages researching, getting prices, drawing up quotes, making calls and then they say no thanks it's too expensive and carry on with their T card system
     
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  4. Sparky
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    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

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    Tell me about it, always a kick in the teeth when you put time into a solution only to find out the customer wants to pay “£200 tops” for the new system. :biggrin
     
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  5. Mr.Cheeks

    Mr.Cheeks 1st ever Gold Member! Gold Member

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    how much you willing to spend?
     
  6. Keimos

    Keimos Byte Poster

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  7. Bluerinse
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    Bluerinse Exabyte Poster

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    Hmm dunno, as i am not the client - however, they would be thinking in the hundreds of dollars bracket rather than thousands.
     
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  8. Bluerinse
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    Bluerinse Exabyte Poster

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  9. Bluerinse
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    Bluerinse Exabyte Poster

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    Well looking at both of these Microsoft offerings i still haven't found a viable solution for this, the CRM software would probably be okay as it does have a 'service' module however, their current peer to peer network can't support it and the other alternative ie the business contacts manager seems to me more of a sales and marketing tool.

    I wonder whether there are any open source solutions out there? :rolleyes:
     
    Certifications: C&G Electronics - MCSA (W2K) MCSE (W2K)

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