KEEPING A CONTACT DATABASE

[Mariams30]

Hi everyone, I am starting from scratch to create a database which in the end may have over 1000 contacts. So far, the only two programs I'm familiar with are Outlook and Access, but none of them seem to have the functions I need (which basically are to be able to retrieve data using different searching options).
Do you guys know is there is a program I may use instead of these two? I have lots of contacts already in Outlook so I need something compatible with it. Is it better to set up the database in outlook and then export it to some other program?
Thanks a lot for your help,
Maria

[timmathews.com]

I have seen people very happy with Act software.
You can import your outlook contacts with Act, then setup the new ones directly into act when you get them.
;)

[Brand Digital]

ACT blows. It is a seperate app from Outlook and requires you to re-learn email, appointments, etc. Go to www.avidian.com and check out Prophet 4.0 - it is a contact manager built into Outlook.

[soyboy]

We've used Access databases for @ 6 years. Pros: easy to build, modify, and maintain. Cons: more than a few users and you're in trouble. It can crash (back-up your data often.) Also, we've found many ways to build-in search tools. We use "drill-downs" (basically multi-list forms) to view summary bits of data that we can then "drill-down" further for more info.
Overall, I think you'd be happy with access if you can find the right resources for help with programming.
c.

[timmathews.com]

Originally Posted by Brand Digital

ACT blows. It is a seperate app from Outlook and requires you to re-learn email, appointments, etc. Go to www.avidian.com and check out Prophet 4.0 - it is a contact manager built into Outlook.

Easy with the expletives.
I didn't say Act ruled, I said I have seen people happy with it.

Just because you don't like it does not mean that someone else won't think it is bad.

[orangemike]

Originally Posted by Mariams30

Hi everyone, I am starting from scratch to create a database which in the end may have over 1000 contacts. So far, the only two programs I'm familiar with are Outlook and Access, but none of them seem to have the functions I need (which basically are to be able to retrieve data using different searching options).
Do you guys know is there is a program I may use instead of these two? I have lots of contacts already in Outlook so I need something compatible with it. Is it better to set up the database in outlook and then export it to some other program?

Take a look at Filemaker; it's what Access would like to be if it were designed by a human interface designer instead of a team of programmers working without feedback.

[timmathews.com]

Originally Posted by timmathews.com

Easy with the expletives.
I didn't say Act ruled, I said I have seen people happy with it.

Just because you don't like it does not mean that someone else won't like it.

[ronchalice]

I know hundreds of people that use ACT in a corporate environment, and swear by it... not expletives ;-)...

I've been using Business Contract Manager that's part of Office/Outlook 2003, and it works pretty well. Automatically integrates with e-mail, journaling, task, management and other office functions. The journalling and contact activity history links can help with hourly billing. The newest upgrade gives you the option of using an MS SQL Server Desktop (MSDE) database. This makes exports easy as well.

[Sawasdee]

I tried Prophet and liked the software but stopped using in because it didn't sync with Windows Mobile.

I've been using Microsoft's Business Contact Manager for about a year and it works well. I've got about 4,300 unique live contacts. It doesn't integrate with Windows Mobile that well either, but at least there's some integration.

When setting up a new contact I recommend setting it up in Contacts, dragging it to BCM (which will (unfortunately remove it from Contacts), and then dragging it back to Contacts.

[TrafficProducer]

Contact Lists: To do today list etc..

Here's a Telecast covering some of these issues.

Small Business Netcast - Episode #4
Published: Monday, January 02, 2006

This week our panel discusses tools and methods for staying organized and keeping yourself motivated during your hectic day. We are also joined by Jeff Greene Vice President of Sales with SpaCapsule who tells us about the SpaCapsule and the unique methods his company uses to teach retailers how to sell new services.

Listen Online.

Good Luck :)

[kcriggs]

I agree with orangemike and suggest you check out FileMaker. You can download a free 30-day trial at filemaker.com

[luxuryrealty]

Try a trial version of Goldmine. Very powerful as it's a true database contact management system. You can search a variety of ways and has extensive reporting capability.