Frame Shop Software

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MsD

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Is anyone familiar with Lifesaver software? Would that be a good investment? Will we still need something else to handle the financial part? I believe there is some help with the "financial" with Lifesaver, but will it be enough for simple bookeeping? I know some of you are more experienced with this, so am really hoping for some help. Thanks.
 
I checked it out and was disappointed on the way it handled invoices with multiple work orders. If you do corporate billing you need multiple frame orders on an invoice. Lifesaver gives an invoice if you request it, but the number is is not always used as the invoice number, so sometimes the work order number is the invoice number and sometimes the invoice number is the work order number. This was a problem for us. It may not be for you. There is a thread on all this software is you back up to the screen before these topics are listed. I use the now unsupported Frameworker and Quick Books for my financials. I really like Quick Books and supposedly you can migrate invoices to Quick Books, but I am not a fan of batch processing there are too many problems. Check out the thread there are others listed.

Good Luck,

AL

PS - In my former life I was a computer systems analyst.
 
Does anyone except us use MYOB for accounting? For pricing, we really tried to like Lifesaver but found the movement between windows, etc. to be cumbersome. Liked softTouch Solutions also, but it took a whole lot of data entry on the invoice; or, if you hit the wrong button, the workorder: and they didn't match. Haven't found a perfect one yet--never will--but did really like the simplicity of The Framer's Calculator. Unfortunately, the inventor quit before it was soup. So sad. Does anyone know where to find Brian Peasey?

[This message has been edited by MerpsMom (edited 01-05-2000).]
 
We've been using FrameReady (softouch solutions)for years and just bought the upgrade. Corporate and multiple work orders can all be put on one invoice or given a job number. Invoice corrections can be done by hitting the relookup key. This program is the most intuitive and flexible one we've found and we reviewed all we could find before buying the upgrade
 
I, also, am a one woman shop (at home). I use MYOB. It works for us (my husband uses it also for our income property Stateside in 2 versions - Canadian and US dollars. My framing program is a work in progress in Excel. It does pricing, measuring, pictures, keeps track of my mailing list, etc. I like to be able to make changes as I need them, or to add different features (as I figure out how to do them). Call it on the job training. Helps me to learn, and I hate to have something go wrong and not have the first clue how to fix it. (isn't that a prerequisite for framers?)
 
I first thought maybe the MYOB was like byob. But I did a search and became involved in the old string on the subject of software. It was like a reunion.
 
Frameready cost about $1000 Canadian which makes it a bargin for anyone south of the border. It does everything the others do and more. It's more flexable in design and pricing and very intuitive to use ( just fill in the blanks ). At the risk of sounding like a sales rep for these guys I really do believe it's the best program at a great price. Their service is incredible too. The few times I've had problems ( usually of my making ) I've been called back within 2 hours. One time he got my message while he was at the ABC Show in Atlanta called me back and troubleshot the problem on the fly. That's GREAT service! Check out their web site at www.frameready.com

[This message has been edited by ChrisW (edited 01-20-2000).]
 
A little know wonder of a program is Ferensoft Trio. You don't have to change the way you price to use this program. It is designed to be flexible and work the way that you do. www.ferensoft.com
 
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