Just wondering what other people were doing for job schedule software? I know there is Microsoft Project but that seems way too complicated. Can anyone sugest something else? Maybe something web based that all my installers can use from anywhere? I'm using a CRM application that's web based but doesn't really have what i need for scheduling.

There is an article in this month's CEPRO talking about Cyclone Home Systems and how they use a JOB board with maginets to track jobs. I didn't know if that article was putting them down or praising them!?

27 views and no reply's? Does this mean everyone uses the old Board and magnets for scheduling?

A BIG Calender and a day planner. If its not broke don't fix it.

Mike

LOL ... what year is it?

We use a hosted exchange service from mailstreet.com in concert with Windows Mobile5 phones. This provides web access to calenders, contacts, and tasks, as well as wireless syncing to our phones and of course Outlook on our PCs.

Fat hair appt. book here. It never crashes. $30 a year.

I've looked in to a number of solutions, none of which were really great. There a bunch of online calendar apps that everyone can share part in such as google calendar and 30boxes. We've been using webex office weboffice.com and it does a decent job. We use it as a whole online colaboration site to post schedules, job related issues, client documentation, web links, PO requests. They even have modules for expense reports and time sheets.
Microsoft just released one called Office Live I think. I was among the beta testers and I absolutely hated it - but it may work better for you if you're using outlook.

A huge plumbing company in town uses a big board with index cards. The plumbers can come in in the morning, walk over to the board see what's going on... As old school as it gets, but the guy who does the scheduling has tried the Hi-Tech alternatives and says this system seems to work the best.
45 plumbers, been in business since 1945.

In the past I used Microsoft Outlook in the monthly and weekly views and distributed copies of the schedule to the appropriate personel. Worked well, pretty straight forward.

I have tried all of the above, and they all DO NOT WORK!! The Best I have tried so far is an old Touchscreen Police Computer from e-bay mounted in my work truck and Installed with SBS Logix Employee and Project Tracking Software. At the end of the Day or week it spits out everything I need to know and somethings I don't!! Plus it's also my MP3 Player for Music. If your gonna sell HI-TECH, you better be HI-TECH!!!

Aaron

My hi-tech appointment book keeps a whole year in it's memory (pages). Like I said it falls off the van seat occasionally but NEVER crashes.