Productivity Tools

Submitted by spigot on Thu, 2008-04-10 15:01.

Member's Forum

The design tools of our trade (Adobe, and uhhh... Adobe) are fairly well covered here at cb, so I thought that, since many of us are also business owners, I'd ask about business tools.

I'm the type of person who will spend an hour searching for the most efficient way to save 5 minutes. Here are a few of the results of those efforts:

1. Harvest ~ Web based time tracking app . Allows multiple users, and is dead easy to use.

2. Project Pier ~ Project Management . Very much like Basecamp, only its open source and free. Its a great way to communicate in a Message/Comment way and post design comps for review/comment. Some clients find they don't want to "learn a new system" but most find it to be pretty slick.

3. Highrise ~ Contact Mangager. I use the free "personal" version to manage leads. I can keep notes on a potential client and create a task list such as "follow up" or "send thank you."

4. gubb ~ To do list. Free, simple, and easy.

5. Quickbooks ~ Here I'm really stumped. I feel like I've been searching for years for a better way to manage the books. Hey Apple, HELP!
I also use QB for invoices, but they don't look the best. The problem with an invoice manager is that I would have to essentially create two invoices... one from the invoice manager, and one to enter into QB... not ideal.

I'm not convinced that these are the best solutions... What do you all use?

~ Bryan

1. I don't use time

Submitted by Ivan on Thu, 2008-04-10 17:09.

1. I don't use time tracking.
2. Manually, but looking for a solution desperately. Thanks for the suggestion!
3. I didn't realize I need it. :)
4. Rememberthemilk.com
5. Manually! :(

quickbooks alternative

Submitted by chrisg75 on Thu, 2008-04-10 17:54.

I've had a quick look at:
www.xero.com
(which looks quite good.)

Anyone used it?

5. Quickbooks ~ Here I'm

Submitted by tomski777 on Thu, 2008-04-10 19:04.

5. Quickbooks ~ Here I'm really stumped.
I know what you mean, I looked for quality accounts software for years then eventually wrote something using using drupal (automatic invoices & full accounts management, client contact management) & I haven't looked back - its great having everything online.

For task lists I use IGTD (http://igtd.pl/iGTD/), which is fantastic.

I tried time tracking software, but hey always felt like too much hassle & didn't suit the way I work.

--------
www.theanthillsocial.co.uk
--------

Quickbooks

Submitted by Eyenovation on Thu, 2008-04-10 21:18.

Quickbooks, far and away, is the best tool I've seen. And needless to say Intuit has the resources and manpower to add features and tweaks at the rate many other web based apps don't.

I hear and fully empathize with the complaints on the aesthetics, but the newest versions have a pretty robust invoice template editor. *Even the Mac version now (thank you Intuit). With a little time you can make some pretty slick looking invoices.

Here's a link to a basic tutorial:
http://www.computorcompanion.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=316

My Tools for Productivity

Submitted by phusiongraphics on Fri, 2008-04-11 21:09.

1. Basecamp - However you intrigued me with Project Pier

2. Time.onrails.org - FREE time tracking that syncs with Basecamp

3. Blinksale - Invoicing solution that syncs with Basecamp & Time.onrails.org,and is very very easy to use. I can customize invoices, receive payment (even can use a link to PayPal), send invoice, AND send a nifty thank you note to the client after you receive payment. I really love this one!

4. I use either iCal or Basecamp for To-Do lists or contact follow up. iCal is used also for scheduling meetings and such.

My first three tools are what I've found that help me "stay in the groove" and not get distracted by the nuts and bolts of the business.

I hope they help you like they've helped me!

Thanks for your tool suggestions too!