photo business software

darkdragon

I've found online a software package called Deluxe Photo Jobs Database, it is suposed to be useful for managing all parts of a photo business with built-in release forms and contracts, customer database, and all that other good stuff.

Wondering if anyone here has used or is using this program, and if so what are your thoughts on it?

At only $189 it seems like a reasonable price for managing everything.

Scott_Quier

I've not seen this application before, but reading their propoganda ([url=="http://www.photojobsdatabase.com/photojobsdatabasedeluxe.htm"]their web-page[/url]) it appears this application is a:

• Contact and address manager
• Mail (both e-mail and document) merge applet
• Standardized document repository. There also appears to be a capability to add / modify documents, but the way it reads is ambigious at best

I don't see any functional requirement this application purports to meet that can't be better met by the combination of:

• MS Office (Word, Excel)
• Outlook or Outlook Express
• QuickBooks Pro (or even Quicken Delux)
• And, a very little bit of time setting up templates, etc.

all of which many people already have.

darkdragon

Thanks for the reply Scott. It's true I have almost everything you've listed there, maybe everything. Doesn't it make sense to have one app that can do it all instead of managing things in multiple applications?

I'm still pretty confused about how to set it all up to manage everything in the most efficient way. I've run my own small business before but it was a lot simpler than a photography business appears to be.

I have seen a few threads asking 'what software' in this forum, usually Quickbooks is the only thing I see recommended, but does that really handle everything?

aktse

Canon is also coming out with some sort of business software for pros, but I don't remember what it does, etc. Try google...

Scott_Quier

darkdragon wrote:

Thanks for the reply Scott. It's true I have almost everything you've listed there, maybe everything. Doesn't it make sense to have one app that can do it all instead of managing things in multiple applications?

Ever hear the expression, "Jack of all trades, master of none?" I think this falls into that category.

It would be interesting to know what the application uses for the database engine. Is it proprietary? That would be pretty bad.

Personally, contacts are maintaned in Outlook, your documents maintained/edited in Word, track you deliverables in Excel, and your accounting in Quicken/QuickBooks.

Either Word or Outlook can be used for spam and/or personalized form letters/docs.

I personally don't see an issue.

darkdragon

aktse wrote:

Canon is also coming out with some sort of business software for pros, but I don't remember what it does, etc. Try google...

yeah, google is how i came upon the software i mentioned in the first message. i'll see what i can find out about the canon stuff.

darkdragon

Scott_Quier wrote:

Ever hear the expression, "Jack of all trades, master of none?" I think this falls into that category.

yeah I have, it describes me well

Scott_Quier wrote:

It would be interesting to know what the application uses for the database engine. Is it proprietary? That would be pretty bad.

Great point, I hadn't thought of that one.

Scott_Quier wrote:

Personally, contacts are maintaned in Outlook, your documents maintained/edited in Word, track you deliverables in Excel, and your accounting in Quicken/QuickBooks.

Either Word or Outlook can be used for spam and/or personalized form letters/docs.

I personally don't see an issue.

That's close to how I do it right now, thought i don't use quicken/books because i dont have any accounting to deal with yet. Also I'm on Mac so i use Mail instead of Outlook - same beast though.

Do you also handle all of your scheduling with Outlook?

aktse

darkdragon wrote:

yeah, google is how i came upon the software i mentioned in the first message. i'll see what i can find out about the canon stuff.

10 second google search:
canon press release

It was announced at PMA this year.

Art Scott

Scott_Quier wrote:

It would be interesting to know what the application uses for the database engine. Is it proprietary? That would be pretty bad.

PARADOX :D:Droflroflroflcry:cry

ChatKat

Scott nailed it
I have been doing accounting and business consulting for many years and I am a Certified QuickBooks Advisor.

QuickBooks is terrific, you can manage your customers and deliverables via the database and they do have a Customer Manager. It's all in how it's set up.

While I love my Canon software I just can't see invoicing and doing printing and color management in the same program. I can see tracking what I've sold and delivered and been paid. It's all about setting up a system that works.

darkdragon

ChatKat - is there an online version of quickbooks or a way to make entries online? For example, i would set up the application on my computer at home but when I'm out I'd like to be able to make entries and such from my laptop without having to keep 2 separate full setups of the application. Is that possible at all?