I'm curious to know what type of database programs do you all use, to track customer contacts and orders? I have an Excel document that I keep adding to, but it's not quite what I want (need something for mailings too). Any suggestions?

i use FileMaker Pro and i love it. It is super user friendly and 100% customizable.

I am using MS Access, but as a computer programmer, my husband is writing me some software that will track all of that, take customized cake orders, give estimates, handle contracts, give reports on all imaginable combinations, including how much of each ingredient I am going to need to complete a job so I can check that pantry and make sure I have it all. I CANNOT WAIT!! I am a web programmer, but he is the real guru. My stuff pales in comparison. (He programs defense stuff for the Gov!!)

Right now I'm tracking in Excel, but as that gets unweildy I'll bite the bullet and import all the data into Access so I can generate reports, mailing lists, etc.

Melvira - when you get your program perfected you should check into marketing it...sounds like it would be really cool and a good investment for many of us...

I know a Mary Kay consultant and her husband developed the tracking software that many, many consultants now use. She's made more on the software than she probably ever will on MK - and she's pretty high up the chain if I'm remembering correctly.


$$$Just a thought $$$

That's what I'd like to do gidgetsmom! I thought, I will have something that I can use just for myself, then, as we continue to morph it into a more soficticated program, we could consider licensing and selling it! I think that would be awesome!

Sign me up when you do!!!!

I use MS Word and a 10-key. I am not program savvy.

for a small business If you have MS access thats the way to go its ver versitile and you can update and change you info its kinda like excel on crack !

I use Excel for tracking my orders and do mail merges for mailing labels. I have Access but am not very familiar with the program.

Thanks so much for the input you guys! I found MS Access on my system last night, not sure what it can do for me, but I'll give it a shot. I would love to use Filemaker Pro - I used to use that ages ago! Before I go buy that though, I'll give Access a shot!

You should look into taking a brief class on Access... it really can do a lot! Usually they will have 'continuing education' courses like at the local community college. In a few short weeks you'll be using it like a pro! Good luck!

Melvira, May I be the first to offer to be a beta tester for your new program.

Great, I am a programmer also but have done more support work and testing then anything, since my heart surgery...I have been doing cakes and am loving it. So yes I am all for beta testing. Please keep me in mine

I recently discovered a website called Bakery Buddy. It claims to organize your recipes, calculate pricing, create worksheets, manage client records, and view & print reports. I haven't subscribed, but it looks pretty neat. It costs $125 per year, which seems pretty reasonable if it does all that it says it does. Anyway, I just thought I'd share the website in case anyone is interested: http://www.bakerybuddy.com

I've looked into bakery buddy too - I've heard some good and some bad about it.... there's another forum post about it too I believe......

I'd love to test the software too! I'm not a computer programmer but in my last job my boss and I looked at a lot of different programs for our business and it always seemed we "pushed the envelope" with things the programmers SHOULD have put in their programs but they didn't - some people were great and worked with us and changed some things (which helped us AND improved their software for others) while others were just like "that's the way it is - deal with it" (needless to say we prefered the first type!). So if you want a "regular person's" point of view on the program - don't hesitate to contact me!

I think after it goes through my first level of testing I'll have to come out here and look you guys up and make some arrangements for an in-home trial. Of course with the understanding that this wouldn't be 'freeware' that you could give to others. At least not at first! I think you guys would be my best testers because you are out here doing this on a daily basis. This is software you NEED, and you would be in the best position to give feedback about what else it needs. There may be things that I don't think of... believe it or not!

You might want to pm pinkbunny, her husband has been working on a program to do everything we bakers need. Not sure what stage he is at, last time we heard anything he was deep into it.
Just a thought . . .
Leslie

Hey, thanks for that tip!! Thoughtful of you!

All I ask is that once you all come up with a Cake Database for Dummies you let me know how I can get a copy!

Hahahaha!! I will certainly keep that thought in mind!

Seriously, we would all like a program/database to help us track orders, etc., so anything that someone comes up with has a market for it here! Most of use would be willing to be beta testers as well as purchase the program/database for our use.
Please keep us informed, especially if you colloborate with pinkbunny's DH.
Leslie