Hi geeks,
I'm writing an article for Professional Nails looking at the software out there that techs use for organising their work, like Smartdiary, EZ-Book etc. I'd love to know what systems you use, and what options are particularly useful. If you don't use a software system to book appointments, then what features would persuade you to use one?
I'm particularly interested in ones like Smartdiary because it is more affordable for a nail tech working by themselves, or talking to anyone who is using a system, whether they love it or hate it!
Please either PM me or email me at rachael_glazier@yahoo.co.uk.
Many thanks,
Rachael x

Rachael Glazier
Freelance journalist and food writer
Website: www.rachaelglazier.co.uk
Email: rachael_glazier@yahoo.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1273 327 677
Mobile:+44 (0) 7939 258 172

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but I operate from 3 paper diaries and a calendar. It can be tricky, but have my personal diary, my mobile diary, the salon where I work diary and my family calendar. Aaaaaaggggghhhhh
Maybe I should swap to an electronic one!!!! lol

Sue

I use a leather bound "Daytimer" and all of my appmnts -business or personal - and daily tasks go in there. As does my personal phone book. Will be adding a secondary phone book section for clients names etc.

I also use 'MS Excel" for tracking retail, earnings, etc. I create 'workbooks' in Excel with formulas etc.. use it much like a database.

I would use a software specifically for techs, IF it was small, portable and AFFORDABLE.

I am with Victoria on this one - the software systems I have seen for techs/small salons are not realistically priced, so have also so far stuck to paper diaries/appointment books.

I have two diaries, salon diary and my personal diary. My personal diary has both salon appointments and personal stuff that if anyone rings me at home I know what appointments I have available.

I probably would have salon software if

a) I were busier

and therefore

b) I could afford it

I work solo and use Microsoft Office Outlook, it synchs with my phone, so i have it wherever i am, I just switch the phone over to my mobile when not in the salon....... it's sooooo simple

I just use a week to view paper diary for everything...personal. business, kids...the lot. Its all in one place and i can see the whole week at once. xx

I use Microsoft Outlook, and have it synchronised with my IPAQ for when I'm out and about...I prefer to use Outlook as I keep my client contact details in there too, and frequently receive enquiries about apppointment times from clients, so everything is in one place! I'd be a bit lost without it now so am meticulous about backing up!

what phone do you use? do you have to keep sinchronising your phone into your pc?

MS Outlook, synchronised to my Ipaq and Nokia 6680 mobile phone. Mobile is the most preferred and often used of the 3. The Ipaq is more of a safety net than regularly used tool.

All contacts, appointments, etc. in 3 places so if I lose one I still have all details on 2 other devices. It's simple to synch as all 3 are on automatic update.

Works well for me and hasn't let me down so far in nearly 3 years

I have a Motorola A1000, it synchs wireless via bluetooth.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooo

I gotta get me a phone that uses outlook

I LOVE my outlook on my pc (outlook regular right? Not that express crap?), if I could have everything on my pc, in my phone and my agenda all in the same place...

What a treasure that's gotta be!!!

Same as! HP iPaq that syncs to the home pc - always in my bag so even if I'm out on personal stuff I can always make keep work stuff up to date. Plus when clients move appts it's just an edit rather than crossing out and rewriting......

I would love to be able to use something like Solo or a similar software for my salon but the "backward" Tax Man here in Greece won't allow it!

They dont allow computers in salons as they dont trust machines and think that you are fiddling the tax system. How daft!

Eva

Im really interested in the synching of phones to outlook (and what in the world is IPAQ?!). Would any techs who use this type of system mind PMing me their phone number and a good time to call so I can have a chat with them? I'm quite slow with technical stuff so please expect many daft questions...
Thanks,
Rachael x