05.28.08
Posted in Chat at 3:43 am by CMJ Office
I’m discussing web-based CRM tools meaning that a client does not have to maintain/update software. There are numerous online (fee) choices for clients. Here is a list that I have worked with and/or heard raves about.
Trackvia.com (similar to MS Access) works with Windows/Mac/Linux. The first 14 days are free and after that it’s $9.95 a month. You can upload your Excel spreadsheets onto it with ease. You can export to spreadsheets and/or HTML files. There are many features. The program is incredibly easy to use for computer illiterate clients (being honest here). I like Trackvia.
SalesForce.com - 30-day free trial. Mass emails with Professional subscription. There are 4 editions to choose from with SalesForce. If you choose their basic edition called the Group edition, you do not get emails included. You do get 5 users with Group edition and 1 GB total storage per user. Group edition will cost you $20 a month per user. They do have a Personal edition that is free. You can upload your contacts from ACT. Personal free edition has 5 MB for storage. The free edition does not come with email or phone service and you can only have one user. I’ve had many clients look into this program but no one has gone with it yet. It does have high reviews within my field.
HyperOffice.com - 30-day free trial. This program offers 5 users - $431.90 year - 500 MB storage. You can view other options if you go to their site.
Entellium.com - $20.75 per month/per user and a 30-day free trial offer.
FreeCRM.com - They have 2 editions which are Free and Professional. Free is for Unlimited Users, 10 MB Storage, Banner Advertisements, No SSL Encryption, and Self Service. The Professional version is for $14.95 a month per user, Pay As You Go - No Contracts, Live Support, 128-bit SSL Encryption, Advanced Synchronization, Enhanced Features, Predictive Dialer, Unlimited Data Storage, and Vonage VOIP Support.
InfusionSoft.com - It’s a powerful system. It’s also expensive. Licensing and setup: $4,997 with a monthly fee of $299 for 5 users. If they have a large database and they want to tie their sales and marketing together, it’s an incredible program. A lot of big name people use Infusion software, i.e., Dan Kennedy, Michael Gerber. It handles all your email blasts, autoresponders, shopping cart, customer lists, and so much more.
I hope this short list has helped with your web database management tool search.
Colleen
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05.25.08
Posted in General at 7:47 pm by CMJ Office
Thank you to all the military everywhere and their families – past and present.
Colleen
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05.22.08
Posted in Genealogy at 3:50 am by CMJ Office
FYI – Search all military records for free on Ancestry.com between May 20-31, 2008.
Colleen
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05.19.08
Posted in Business at 7:36 pm by CMJ Office
Are you ready to have access while on the go or from a rural location? Are you travelling on business and need to connect with your office via the internet? Do you want that connection at a high speed?
You may want to check out the air cards currently available. It certainly seems like one can connect from nearly anywhere and quickly. An air card provides you with wireless high-speed broadband connections on the go or from a rural area. An air card is a modem and antenna that transmits and receives over the air without the need for a wireless phone or landline connection.
There are several different types of air cards with various hardware requirements. Service plans abound with companies such as Verizon, Cingulair, Sprint PCS, Sierra Wireless, and AT&T. You can compare some different air cards at this link. I am going to be discussing USB Modem Air Cards. These are designed for mobile or fixed wireless applications. Connections can be made via the USB port or a docking cradle. Air cards are compatible with both Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems. Most service plans cost around $59 a month for unlimited use.
Why would you want an air card? If DSL internet service isn’t available, an air card will provide a high speed internet connection for you. If you are in an area that only provides EDGE/GPRS coverage, then the speed is slower but it’s still going to be twice the speed of dial-up. This is a cellular broadband service. You will need cell coverage for an air card to function.
Some things to note, I have terrific Verizon coverage for my cell phone but it does not support my air card in the same capacity. I needed to obtain a Sprint Air Card because the service was better in my area. If you need help determining the best coverage for your location, you will find great service and assistance from the sales team at Best Buy.
There are several reasons why an air card is great for a business person. For starters, it saves money. When you have your laptop and your air card, you don’t need to pay the hotel internet access fee. You have your connection with you. It’s also a lifesaver when the power fails. I did experience this when a severe storm blew threw and the power failed. I was in the middle of a project. My air card and back-up battery kept on working and so did I.
It can be used in various locations other than a home office. It can also be used in a car, by a pool, when travelling, at a hotel, and on a train. I can speak from experience when I tell you that I remained connected to the internet while travelling on I-95 from Virginia to Florida recently. I can assure you that I wasn’t the driver but the connection was never lost which amazed me. It is a reliable product.
These companies make installation easy even for those technically challenged. Once you have your air card, you will need to install the software provided. After installation, place your air card into the USB slot or PCMCIA slot. Connect to the internet and you are working. If you only have access to dial-up service due to your location, you will be a very happy entrepreneur with your new found speed.
RESOURCE: If you need more information regarding air cards, I recommend checking out sprint products.
Colleen
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05.17.08
Posted in Business at 12:21 am by CMJ Office
Got blogger block? Is that a real phrase? It is now.
Are you having trouble writing for your blog? Have you stopped posting? Don’t stop. Continue posting even if it’s only once a month but don’t stop.
Here are some tips to keep your blog going. You want to keep the momentum.
Blog topics you can write about:
- Valuable trade tips
- Hobbies
- Animals
- Daily sagas and family
- Humor
- Technology that you love and can’t live without
- Raves and Reviews
- Pass someone else’s blog post or article on.
- Team up with a colleague and share blog posting duties. Call for a guest blogger.
- When all else fails, blog about your posting blockage.
The search engines look for your postings. When you stop, they stop looking. Keep posting and responding on other blogs. This will keep your blog alive.
Happy blogging.
Colleen M. Johnson, CMJ Office
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