Job database software
Job database software
(OP)
I am in the process of starting my own company (structural). I will be a one-man firm for the near future. My question is regarding what other companies are using for a job database software. I will be doing mostly residential work, so there will be a lot of jobs (average probably one per day starting off, hopefully more eventually). Does anybody have recommendations as to what to use for a job tracking database? A previous company used MS Access, which seemed to work well. The most recent company had a web-based interface that they created themselves. I'm leaning toward Access, but was curious if anyone had any suggestions. One thing I would like the possibility of doing is trying out a web-based scheduling application that clients could get on and see where there job status is at...instead of me having to answer several "Where's my work at?" emails per day.





RE: Job database software
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RE: Job database software
Here is a sample project from basecamp
https://basecamp.com/tour
Future PE Engineer
Pet project I am working on to help other engineers, not much yet hoping to get it grow as I learn more
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RE: Job database software
RE: Job database software
RE: Job database software
RE: Job database software
Do you actually live in an area with so much work and so few other engineers, that you'll get a project a day? Is that realistic?
RE: Job database software
I ended up not using anything as it just adds more stuff to do. Our storage does a good enough job. Current jobs go in the main folder. When a project is done that goes into the filed folder. Proposals folder. Cancelled folder has all the projects that probably aren't happening. I can just look at the submittal folder and see the date it was submitted. Billing shows up with a date the invoice or proposal was made.
I use thunderbird for email. For projects with a lot of emails, say 10 a day for months on end, I make a specific email folder (job no. - name of project) to put important emails in. I am positive that some of our clients think their job is our only job. I guess that's what happens when you are on top of things.
I would suggest keeping it very simple at first. I doubt anyone will actually look at your job scheduling before calling/emailing you.
And about that $15/hr thing. I have seen commercial projects that also want that cheap cheap cheap thing. I quickly did some math and noticed I would make more working minimum wage with no stress or liability. The best engineering advice I have ever had, was from an owner at my first job, you will make more money turning work away.
B+W Engineering and Design
Los Angeles Civil Engineer and Structural Engineer
http://bwengr.com