I am looking to start a business and was looking for a computer program to keep track of all my customers. The program wil be used for keeping track of what work has been done to a car, printout work performed and pop reminders for when a customer will need a service. Any ideas? cheaper is better as I dont have a lot of money.

You want a service business database. I use a program called Ayanova. It's pretty cumbersome and a bit clumsy, but like you, I was working within a budget. It does have a lot of nice features, and really, for this kind of program is really pretty affordable. http://www.ayanova.com/

[This message has been edited by Taijiguy (edited 04-09-2007).]

www.sql-ledger.org

www.ledgersmb.org

both are free.

EDIT: And with the first, you can buy support.

[This message has been edited by Nurb432 (edited 04-09-2007).]

I use Quickbooks. It aint cheap and has a learnig curve but its realy good.

quote Originally posted by Phranc: I use Quickbooks. It aint cheap and has a learnig curve but its realy good.

I do work for alot of offices - and Quickbooks seems to be a favorite all around. It has good support. and, the most important part: the data is portable. it can be exported to other software for whatever reason you may have.

worst thing is when you have 12 years building a database - and the company that wrote your database software goes belly up. you are now left unsupported, and every hardware upgrade means worrying the database will run on the new system. the lesson: make sure the database is portable. you MUST be able to export your data to another database, if needed. but, this is almost a standard nowadays.