Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Choosing The Best Database Software


As with any business, you will need an effective database program to keep track of your customers, clients, business partners, basically any information that is valuable to your company.  You want to be able to have it available for instant recall.  You'll also want one with adequate security programs in place.  It should also be easy to navigate, work with, and easy to enter or edit information.
Obviously the internet or computer related magazines are the perfect place to look for reviews on various programs.  Their stats should be properly broken down, so you'll know exactly what you are getting.
Most computers also come with a built in database in Microsoft Works, offering e-mail, calendar, and address book.  It also features very basic spreadsheets and word processing.  This may work for a variety of tasks.
Look for a program that suits your needs.  If you do a lot of cold calling, and planning calls in advance, you may want one that can actively remind you each day what calls and contacts you have pending.  Familiarize yourself with all the options a given program offers.
Consider what you are using the program for.  If you are just keeping addresses and phone numbers for a limited group of family and friends, then the most basic of programs should suffice.  If like me, you're trying to run a business and have to keep track of thousands of contacts from across the country, then you probably should look into a more upscale program.
There is also a marked difference between basic or personal database programs, and professional level.  One of the advantages of basic programs is that they run fairly quickly and require far less memory and hard disk space than professional setups.  Professional programs allow you to interlink your contacts together in related groups, as well as entire databases, making it more efficient to sort through records.
Determine how easy it is to use the program, and carefully judge its onscreen presentation.  You are going to be spending a considerable amount of time looking at it, so make it something that is easy on the eyes.  If the presentation is not to your liking, see if the screen view is customizable.
Of course you need to make sure your computer is compatible with the program you choose.  Record all of your computer's specs and take it with you when you go shopping.  It is beyond annoying to get any program home only to discover that your computer lacks the ability to power it.
For me, my choice was found in ACT! Software, which allows me to enter all available information, search and sort it through a considerable number of categories, make plenty of notes, and it even reminds me when I have upcoming phone calls, or meetings, or conferences scheduled.   It is easily updateable and transferable to other computers without loss of data, and is available for what I consider to be a more than reasonable cost.
But take your time, do your homework, ask around, and choose what works for you.



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