I have seen dozens of threads about this over the years. Here at IP and ESI. From those threads...

No two companies are doing things the same way.

No single product does what we (custom installers) need.

Everyone is using at least 3 pieces of software to track inventory/design systems/billing & payments and scheduling.

No one is using custom/expensive software that handles everything we need to handle.

The company i work for uses Quickbooks D-Tools MS Dynamics CRM and Ontime.

We use egnyte for data and teamveiwer for System (rack PC) management.

I also "unofficially" use Evernote during projects. Any data there is temporary. Anything worth keeping gets moved to the clients folder at egnyte.

Shhhhhh....I thought we talked about that..

I want to know what is used for a scheduling, job notes and time tracking, task lists, then tying it all into accounting.

right now I'm using icloud calendars synced to outlook. Google docs for job notes, task lists (also email myself a lot), and as  a daily activity log.

Nothing for work orders.

Overall it it works okay, but would love something rolled all into one interface and file system . We rely heavily on Dropbox and google drive 

Paul said it, try Xero and a couple of it's many add-ons
[Link: xero.com]

Actually, this is true with Quickbooks, too. If it's a major goal to not have to print an invoice (supported by less ink usage, paper usage, and perhaps postage costs), then there's this:


With Quickbooks you make a QB invoice using QB on your laptop, so you need a laptop AND you need either the sole copy of QB or you need to be networked with your other computers and have multi-use QB. I suppose if you're working out of your car you might not be so equipped, though!


If it updates after you have sent the invoice to them, they don't have an invoice saying PAID. I see a slight advantage to having that, though most of us probably would not care. If you use QB, you can apply the payment, save the invoice that then says PAID as a pdf, and email it.

That's how I do it. I emailed a few invoices through QB years ago but found that QB did not store the message I sent with the email. That's ridiculous because you need a record of what you told the customer in the email! So I Save As Pdf and send those.


I wonder... can't this be done with QB, too?

We have been using getjobber.com for scheduling and work orders. it integrates with QB for invoices, client info, parts selling price. you can actually create an invoice when your finished with a job, accept payment, and close out the work order before leaving the job site.

Now, Most of the companies have increased the numbers of time-saving devices and tools to make our lives easier. Also we are running our own business having specialized software is good thing too.

As a business owner, I like to research new productivity apps like Replicon, Evernote, Omnifocus, etc. All those apps are awesome, but it is the first time I see an app works so well done. Its time recording software from Replicon, it is more helpful for people which often have meetings, busy schedules and time management issues.

We have started using SimPro. This is an inventory, scheduling, invoicing software. We are still in the learning stages of the software but so far it has been working quite well. The hardest part that we have encountered is how the software controls the inventory, but this is more likely due to us not understanding the software. They do have apps for android and apple devices (we are not using them at this time) and the software allows for technicians to login and fill out job cards.

For some the negative of the software is that it is web based with the office located in Australia it is difficult to get answers quickly. Something we haven't been able to figure out is how to link the SimPro calendar to our Outlook calendars.

Does this have space to keep job notes and info as well?

yes and has the ability to attach files.

Does simpro have ability for build orders and order tracking?

The GPS Tracking is interesting. Would be awesome if the info was being recorded and then could easily be pulled into a report or even just give a total mileage for each day or something for Mileage logs. 

SimPro does have the ability for build orders but I am not sure on order tracking

We have chosen SAP business one. It does everything except maintenence schedule for machinery. Not an issue for me.

Has built in MRP, CRM, accounting, service etc. it basically is a suite that does everything business related. Not the cad software that's not integrated.

It's a wonderful package. While valuable it's would still require a dtools type software for your fancy wiz bang proposals and design.

This first post from you here sounds 100% legit and the thought that it is spam didn't even occur to me.