My husband already has established a side business as a general contractor and will be going into it full time in March.  Can anyone recommend a good software program for business?

Thanks!
Melissa

What type software?  One for doing bids?  Spreadsheets?  Accounting?

Callico wrote on Dec 18^th, 2010 at 2:55pm:

What type software?  One for doing bids?  Spreadsheets?  Accounting?

He'll be doing roofing and home repairs, so I guess for bids, invoices and keeping track of customers, payments, receipts, etc.

Quick Books Constuction or Pro and  MS office suites w outlook.

Likely the most popular programs out there. Know where you stand at the touch of a button.

This will do for up to 50 or so employees, at which time you can look at other and more costly options.
easy to use and can make an accountant out of allmost anybody
Regular updates, industry specific, federal and semi local updates for governmental stuff.

Might seem costly starting out but cheaper in the long run and can easily be shared with other programs and your accountant.

If I were to start again I might look at some of googles on line stuff, office suites and on line storage. Lowest initial cost but havent tried it. Not sure what they might have for accounting software. MIght be an advantage with the newest smart phones and tablets etc..

You could also buy a web site for storage and E- addresses. My current ones have 100s of e-mails and mega storage capability which we use to back up or share portions of our info.. Oh yeah theres also the benefit of having a advertising web site that all the on line yellow pages will point to. Even if it just has your name, phone and a small blurb

One you might want to check out Melissa, is SQL Ledger.   My son uses it for his computer business and finds it quite easy to work with.  Not sure whether it's open source or not.

Gayle.

heres the free version of MS  works. open office. ive used it for years

Thanks for the help everyone!  I ended up purchasing Quicken Pro for Home & Business.  Also saved $20 off the price with a coupon code!

I'm so excited, it feels like we're entering a new, positive chapter of our lives! :)

I'd strongly suggest reading the documentation first before diving in to set things up. That way you're likely to have less issues.

And do remember to take backups of the data and store them someone away from home.

Also watch out for updates, especially ones related to legislation changes, like tax rates, which are pretty complex in the US (compared to most countries).

What Johnny and Mike said!  You might want to look into Carbonite or Mozy for backups.  It gets your backup done automatically and it is off site, so you don't lose it in a fire or something like that.  I looked at an external hard drive, but I could get a year of carbonite for about the same price and I didn't have to worry about location, or doing the manual backups.

Jerry

Mike, you aren't kidding about the tax codes here.  You need to be a rocket scientist to understand them!  Good thing we already have an accountant. [smiley=grin2.gif]

Jerry, I always back up Jesse's to a hard disk.  Good point about online though, I'll look into it.

Thanks guys!

Melissa wrote on Dec 18^th, 2010 at 11:53pm:

Mike, you aren't kidding about the tax codes here.  You need to be a rocket scientist to understand them!  Good thing we already have an accountant. [smiley=grin2.gif]!

US tax codes are so complex that the two tier 1 business software companies (SAP and Oracle) partner with another company (Vertex - START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE) which is an expert in this area.

When it's this complicated, it really suggests that there is something wrong with the tax system.

Mike NZ wrote on Dec 19^th, 2010 at 12:28am:

Melissa wrote on Dec 18th, 2010 at 11:53pm: Mike, you aren't kidding about the tax codes here.  You need to be a rocket scientist to understand them!  Good thing we already have an accountant. [smiley=grin2.gif]! US tax codes are so complex that the two tier 1 business software companies (SAP and Oracle) partner with another company (Vertex - START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE) which is an expert in this area. When it's this complicated, it really suggests that there is something wrong with the tax system.

Geez, You really think so?  The last year I drove a truck I spent over 60 hours doing my taxes.  Talk about wasted productivity!

Jerry

How exciting, Mel!  I remember when John and I started our business 19 years ago.  We were broke and had to sell his pu truck for some start up money.  Of course we also had no health insurance and I got k locked up 3 months after we opened the doors.  Looking back, it was the best time of our life!   

Good luck and much success to you and Jesse! 

Definately recommend Mozy or Carbonite as Jerry says. As careful as I am, I actually had an external drive crap out on me this year. Schedule a weekly backup at a minimum. Cost is minimal if you are careful to only back up the business data ( as opposed to programs and data).

Thank you Beth!  I must say, even though it was not his choice, (they are shutting his mill down permanently, came as a shock because no one knew) the thought that he will no longer be on swing shift is very freeing!!!  I teased him yesterday that I'm going to make a chain to count down the days!  lol

:)

Great idea Marc.  I think I'll look into that as well.

Open Office gives the same service as Microsoft Office, but free.  I've used both, and haven't found any difference in service.  I've not used either all that much, so am interested in input.

Jerry

Callico wrote on Dec 20^th, 2010 at 2:40pm:

Great idea Marc.  I think I'll look into that as well. Open Office gives the same service as Microsoft Office, but free.  I've used both, and haven't found any difference in service.  I've not used either all that much, so am interested in input. Jerry

Jerry, we use Open Office as well.  Love it.