Job Tracking

[J Barnes]

I run a Security Company and am having some basic growing pains. I now have
5 trucks on the road and am finding it hard to track the status of the jobs
for each truck. When I first started we only had 2 trucks and it was fairly
simple to make sure the jobs were getting done and billed "I was able to
track each job in my head".

I currently use a folder system that tracks the job from start to finish.
I have set up boxes on a wall that start with Order Parts and ends with Bill
Job. The problem seems to be the folder does not get moved or gets lost. I
have had jobs that needed to be followed up on but were not. I have had
jobs that did not get billed when they were supposed too. I was hoping to
get some ideas from the group on how this may be handled better.

Is there some kind of software that would help track these jobs better?

James

[NC]

Post by J Barnes
I run a Security Company and am having some basic
growing pains. I now have 5 trucks on the road and am
finding it hard to track the status of the jobs for each
truck. When I first started we only had 2 trucks and it
was fairly simple to make sure the jobs were getting
done and billed "I was able to track each job in my head".
I currently use a folder system that tracks the job from
start to finish. I have set up boxes on a wall that start
with Order Parts and ends with Bill Job. The problem
seems to be the folder does not get moved or gets lost.

Not exactly; the problem is that SOMEONE forgets to
move folders or loses them. In a small business like
yours, you should have a pretty good idea who that
person is and have a conversation with them about it
or, in the worst case, replace them.

Post by J Barnes
Is there some kind of software that would help track
these jobs better?

Probably. If you use QuickBooks, you could look into
QuickBooks Premier Contractor:

http://quickbooks.intuit.com/product/accounting_software/premier_contractor_software/

Cheers,
NC

[Jon Morris]

We use blackberries with a hosted exchange server solution.

Each tech has a blackberry. The calendar is linked upto the office managers
computer back at the office. On one screen, she can see all the tech's
calendars and she can add items, change items or delete things. Any data
that the tech or the office manager enter, instantly show up on the other
persons screen.

Kind of crude, but as soon as the tech arrices on site, he updates his
calendar, then when he leaves he inputs his notes and the time tht he left.
Then the office manager can go throught them and do her billing.

Was that the kind of thing that you were looking for? If so I can email you
better details and stuff!

thanks,

jonathan morris

Post by J Barnes
I run a Security Company and am having some basic growing pains. I now have
5 trucks on the road and am finding it hard to track the status of the jobs
for each truck. When I first started we only had 2 trucks and it was fairly
simple to make sure the jobs were getting done and billed "I was able to
track each job in my head".
I currently use a folder system that tracks the job from start to finish.
I have set up boxes on a wall that start with Order Parts and ends with Bill
Job. The problem seems to be the folder does not get moved or gets lost.
I
have had jobs that needed to be followed up on but were not. I have had
jobs that did not get billed when they were supposed too. I was hoping to
get some ideas from the group on how this may be handled better.
Is there some kind of software that would help track these jobs better?
James

[ksBusDev]

Post by J Barnes
I run a Security Company and am having some basic growing pains. I now have
5 trucks on the road and am finding it hard to track the status of the jobs
for each truck. When I first started we only had 2 trucks and it was fairly
simple to make sure the jobs were getting done and billed "I was able to
track each job in my head".
I currently use a folder system that tracks the job from start to finish.
I have set up boxes on a wall that start with Order Parts and ends with Bill
Job. The problem seems to be the folder does not get moved or gets lost. I
have had jobs that needed to be followed up on but were not. I have had
jobs that did not get billed when they were supposed too. I was hoping to
get some ideas from the group on how this may be handled better.
Is there some kind of software that would help track these jobs better?
James

Hello James,
You need to first map out your workflow and figure out what kind of
checkpoints you want to set up in your workflow. This will allow you to
evaluate the many software solutions available to you. I wouldn't suggest a
specific solution unless you had a good idea of the performance criteria you
have in mind for today and the near future (3 years).

I like Filemaker solutions because you can tailor it to the way you work and
you can also link it to a wireless linked device (more than one option
available) to allow your people to keep you up to date on progress. If you
set it up right, you can fully automate the billing process so that invoices
get out on time.

[v***@yahoo.com]

Something simple like an excel spreadsheet should do the trick.