solutions wanted Looking for simple rolodex/address book solution

[Courtney]

Hi folks,

I'm getting ready to plunge into rewriting our current rolodex/address book database, but I thought I'd take the time to inquire whether there is an existing solution that would meet my needs.

I've looked at the free FM Business Tracker solution, and would like something similar without the invoicing and product pieces. Just need a system for companies, contacts, locations that I can then relate to from my separate billing and proposal databases.

Any miracles out there, or should I get to writing my own? :

~Courtney

[mr_vodka]

Hi Courtney,

Why not just use one of the templates included with FM then?

[Lee Smith]

A Rolodex is a simple file to create. In other words, if you just want a listing of names, phone numbers, and addresses, this really is just a flat file. However, you should look at some of the Contact manager solutions that are available, to help you figure out what you are really looking for.

Do you want labels?

Do you want to have form letters?

Do you want to keep track of Appointments, Meetings, etc.?

Do you want reminders?

I just did a Google Search for Contact Manager FileMaker, and go a ton of hits.

Good Luck,

Lee

[Courtney]

Thanks for the replies. I recall looking at the templates provided with FM and not finding anything I thought would work, but I'll check them out again.

I've looked at some of the Contact Manager solutions, but most of their extra functionality (labels, letters, appointments, etc.) are handled in other files for us that won't be changing.

I'm mostly looking to streamline our existing rolodex a bit with separate tables for "companies" and "individuals" and "locations" - currently we store complete address and phone info for every individual that we contact at a given company, resulting in a massive amount of repetitive data, which I think is very inefficient and a real pain to update when a company moves or changes its name, especially because people using the file don't always use consistent abbreviations and punctuation when entering a new contact (XYZ Company, Inc. and XYZ Co. Inc. and XYZ Co., Inc. are the same company but may appear to be different companies the way some of our folks do things - drives me crazy).

~Courtney