Future Star Software Inc.

As a QuickBook user you need to consider these issues when using the software:
 
We went through the same experiences like you are, and we used quickbooks managing our repair shops at Chicago Computer Club. We chose it not because it fit our business, but because a lot people were using it and we didn't know what other software products were out in the marketplace. 
 
As computer people who are knowledgeable of software, we tried to work with QuickBooks to solve our limitations. But it didn't work well.  Listed below was our list of limitations we found:

• At the time when we started the business, we needed to know how many new customers we got each month and how did they learn about us. QuickBooks has lots of reports, but none of them will give you these numbers. So, how do I track my marketing without this report?

• We need know the status of every repair: how many received? checked and waiting for pick-up? Do I have to count the repairs on my bench every time?

• As mentioned above, we need to know who received the case, who checked it in, and who fixed it the case. It seems like QuickBooks has only have two statuses, either open or close. What about the status of the repair in between open and close?

• A customer calls and say's he will be out of town and will pick up his computer next month. Is there any place I can put a note about this issue? No, then do you have to use paper note to stick on the computer? What if the note is lost?

• If  you open a 2nd location,QuickBooks doesn't support multiple locations. You have to purchase a separate copy for each location, and then when you file the tax return, you have to combine the numbers between the two Quickbook locations.

• If  you have computer setup on the counter and everyone is using it, but it only allow one login. How do you know who made a mistake when you share the computer with other people?

• Is  you system slow?  At Chicago Computer Club have about five thousand customers which is a small number for database, and It was very slow for no reason. 

• Need to backup your database? You have to log out all of your users first. Once they log out, the data file will still be locked: you need kill the application process. Why make it so hard for a simple task?

• I need send out an email, but I don't use outlook. Won't work! QuickBooks only works with outlook. Why is it so hard to send out an Email? Why use Outlook? Why can't you intergrate Email to your system?

• When you use the invoice to track layaways, is there any way to know how many layaways I have and how many payments were made? Is there any way to remind me to call for a payment or to remind the customer with a automated system?

These are only a few of the limits we discovered in using QuickBooks. Why did these problems happen? Because QuickBooks isn't developed for the repair store - it didn't fit. QuickBooks was develeped for performing your  accounting functions, not for managing your business. You need daily "real-time" information to make better decisions; not after the day is closed. Also, review the licensing of the Intuit products as their POS systems are typically licensed seperately, meaning mutiple locations means multiple purchases. 
 
Finally, at Chicago Computer Club we couldn't stand it anymore and we decide to make a change. We knew we were use to using QuickBooks, and we were fearfull to change. But, once we did change to a system that fit our business (repair management system) it made our life easier and we gained more control of the business. 
 
What if you make a change? We can assure you we can make your life easier, provide you with more control of your business, and help you to make better decisions!
 
Remember the saying " one door closes another one opens"