Trying to find a better solution for your data and billing process. Right now we
ID: 657632 • Letter: T
Question
Trying to find a better solution for your data and billing process.
Right now we use Excel to enter our customer information at 5 sites around the city. The files are saved to a NAS. At the middle and end of each month we bill the companies that the customers work for. Invoicing through Quickbooks.
Problem is that billing is complicated and hard to track. I setup 1 excel file to pool all the data into one. Also, the end users have problems even with Excel files that I have locked down and simplified.
Things I have considered:
Access database
Hosted website (user access only)
Creating our own solution through Visual Studio.
I am comfortable with all areas of computer software. Limited program knowledge though.
I have these limitations:
Extremely low budget
Needs to be easy for everyone else
Everyone is uncomfortable with a lot of change.
I know it is a tall order, but I know there is something better that we can use for a long time. I just can't think of what to do right now. Been looking at too many things.
Explanation / Answer
I'd recommend that you take a look as something like Odoo. It's open-source so you can install it on your own system, or they'll host it for you. You can integrate it into AD for unified logons if you like.
Also, it can handle loads of additional things for you, from your business website, invoicing, accounting, timesheet/leave/expense tracking to warehouse maintenance.