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I have just been having a read of the Repairs@ leaflet that Sean left me last week when he did the ISE demo. I am already on Repairs@ but have at least one friend who may be interested.
The application form has been updated to include details of IT & Communications.
When it says Call logging software, does this refer to an alternative to an answerphone, or a package to enter customer details, parts usage, type of machine, charges etc. I do not currently use anything like this but would be very interested in knowing about any such software if the cost was not to excessive.
Re: Call logging software
Anyone use this, if so how much is it.
Most are very expensive, especially those that have even a whiff of being up to date. Hence us working on it as, to impliment a system I would rate as adequate, would cost way too much.
Try about £6K plus modules, plus handset rentals, plus support and limited internet ability.
There are a lot cheaper out there don’t get me wrong, some are only a few hundred quid, but it shows as they’re usually just funked up Access things with a few bells and whistles, more often than not cribbed from the gas guys.
K.
Re: Call logging software
Since this is in the subscriber section…
Don’t miss UKW Feb 2006 if you’re even remotely interested in this subject as I have a little special presentation on the subject lined up. I’m not saying that I’m going to tell you everything about it even then as it’s all still a work-in-progress and not fully finalised. What I will tell you is that I designed the basic premise of the software from my point of view to save masses of admin work and automate it all at a stupidly low cost.
The problem is, for the coders, is that I keep asking it to do more at the backend, so you don’t see stuff happen, it just happens.
This is my pet project and has been for almost two years, it’s a total passion and it will be totally corect if I get my way for the independents with unsurpassed features as I just know what it has to do without human intervention. This is a total passion for me with years upon years of experience and knowledge poured into it so there’s lots to know, trust me.
But Kevin made a grave mistake and gave me a budget to do it with, so it’s being done.
Is it radical? You can bet your ass it is.
K.
Re: Call logging software
Sorry Kwatt, afraid you need to explain a little more…..
ACH, as spoken about on the Saturday morning at Sibson, is Advanced Call Handling. It’s development started quite a while ago (August 2004, in Kwatts house) the Repairs@ module was a 1st step, thats been well tested since January 2005 and revisions are in action on it. It follows that a Database is fundamental to this and that is also now in place.
There is still someway to go but ISE Appliances will require a Call Handling system.
So, whilst we can’t tell you everything that is in development on this, we can say when its ready we will make it available to any independent who wants it.
It will save your business time and money, be affordable, be supported (hard and soft ware) and remember its written by engineers who run their own business. You can expect it to do everything you’ll need it to do. Its also written to support a one man operation as easily as a multi man operation.
As Kwatt says UKW is planning to do a presentation on this in February.
KevinRe: Call logging software
Hi All,
just an update on the ACH please, as i now realy need call handling software at a relistic cost for a one man band.
Bob.
Re: Call logging software
Thanks K.
anyone out there with a good system up and running and want to share it untill i get sorted. 😉
Bob.
Re: Call logging software
I get my call logging system from W H Smiths at a cost of £4 per annum.
It’s called a diary ❗Oh I forgot to mention you will also need a hard drive for a memory to remember where all the spares are and who they are for.
Don’t know who sells them though 🙁Steve
Re: Call logging software
EFS wrote:I get my call logging system from W H Smiths at a cost of £4 per annum.
It’s called a diary ❗Heh, if it works for you then great!
Sadly we don’t lal have photographic memories to pull up a record of what we did to a machine more than six months ago. Saying that some we’ll never forget. 😉
You get the point though, if you do warranty work then you need some sort of lookup tool to get a history. Even if you don’t it’s just great to be able to pull up all the details and history of a customer in seconds along with some notes if required… like… big scary dog, take meat or, manky house, wear old clothes.
I know it sounds trite perhaps when I make light of it like that but I have, despite my initial resistance circa 1987 to have a database of customers, found these systems to be massively useful and massively time-saving despite the investment in time and money to them. They’ve saved my backside so many times it’s unreal.
With the technologies available now, most of you will unwittingly already have many of them, these things are just so useful it’s unreal. Even the humble modern mobile is a fantastic tool without even being flash about it. But then I guess that people don’t need then either? 😉
As ever things move on apace, life changes and either you move with it, you don’t or you wait to see what happens when the dust settles. As ever the choice is yours but I want to move on.
Now if some kind soul could see their way to giving me a few grand for another project that’s in my head I’ll start a little revolution with spares as well. Any takers?
K.
Re: Call logging software
Point taken but all businesses are not the same
Almost all of my service calls are taken on the run diverted to my mobile & are usually dealt with same/next day.
Nobody speaks to the customer but me so no confusion.
No insurance/warranty work so a diary does me fine.
I could have done with a call logging system a few years ago when life was run at a different pace and I needed to know what my staff had done on a previous visit but now there is just me and logging stuff in is just a chore.Job done, cash/cheque in pocket,drink tea thankyou and off to the next job
Suits me sir 😉
Steve
Re: Call logging software
Ken all good ideas start in the head, if its that good monies can always be found!!!!!!!
Regards Tony
Re: Call logging software
My head’s full of stuff, that’s why Kev keeps on telling me to take more chill pills methinks. 😉
You are of course quite correct Steve, every business is different and if you dont’ need it then you don’t need it. Running engineers and doing contract work I do as do many others.
It just saves so much hassle when you get someone coming on with the old, “you only did that job six months ago…” when you know it was two years past.
K.
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