Project management bleg

Self | 110306 | Vanity

[Sherman Logan]

I have need of a software program, but I don't even know the right terminology to describe it for searching.

I spend a lot of time out of town running projects on customer's sites. I have to keep track of hours, expenses, samples, etc.

I would like a very simple to use program where I enter all this information each evening and it tracks and compiles it automatically.

I've looked at some of the PM programs out there and they're about 1000x what I need.

I could built something like this myself in Excel, but I would certainly think somebody else has already done so and reinventing wheels isn't very efficient.

Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Top 25 Open Source Project Management Apps

[Innovative]

Have you considered Quickbooks, by Intuit?

http://quickbooks.intuit.com/

http://quickbooks.intuit.com/pro/

[Innovative]

I think you probably should look for “small business accounting software”.

Here is an article:

The Best Small Business Accounting Software

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2363725,00.asp

As I mentioned in my earlier post, Quickbooks is a very popular sw.

[Excellence]

daytimers.com might have something, but they’re more of a paper and pencil company. I love their folio two-page-per-day system.

[meatloaf]

That’s an extremely minor part of project management. PM is focused on scheduling, cost control (sometimes) and determining effects of changes on the project.

It really sounds like you need an accounting program something like lawyers or others that bill by the hour or partial hour use.

[wagglebee]

It really sounds like you need an accounting program something like lawyers or others that bill by the hour or partial hour use.

I agree.

Sherman also mentioned samples, but that could be done with a simple Excel file where each sample and who has it is logged.

[AU72]

It's possible that an Excel template is available as free ware to do what you want.

Google "Excel templates" for time and expense for example. Or try this site for commercial applications.

www.vertex42.com/

[Uri’el-2012]

There are many PM apps for iPhone & iPad

[Johnny B.]

Have you tried searching for “time and expense software”? If you’ve been searching on “project management” you’ve probably found software that is overkill for what you want.

It’s been years since I’ve had to track my time in any complex way, so I can’t help with any current suggestions.

Good luck finding something appropriate!

[hflynn]

Go to The Project Management Institute. This is a worldwide organization that certifies Project Management Professionals based on very stringent tests requirements. The website should give you recommendations fot your needs.

http://www.pmi.org/

[hflynn]

fot = for

[waynesa98]

I vave a billable hours exel sheet you could customize and most likely create what you want. freepmail me your email and Ill send you a zip file. Its from techrepublic.

[driftdiver]

you might look at aceproject.com

free for small operations, will track time and expenses on a task basis

[JoeRed]

Primavera is probably the best, but Microsoft Project is more affordable. You can download a free 60 day trial here:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/ee404758.aspx

[wagglebee]

Primavera is by far the best PM software available, but it really seems that Sherman needs a time/cost billing software program similar to what lawyers and accountants use and some sort of file to track samples.

[cynwoody]

A few days ago, while looking for something else, I came across MinuteDock. They offer time tracking, reporting, and invoicing as a web service. $120/yr. Free trial.

[Sherman Logan]

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions.

My problem is that I don’t know how to describe what I need. I’m sure if I did something we pop right up.

[JerseyHighlander]

You seem to be looking for CRM software with a billable hours module and accounting module?

SugarCRM is the most well developed open source CRM on the market:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/sugarcrm/
http://www.sugarcrm.com/crm/
community dev website: http://www.sugarforge.org/
Had billing, tracking, invoicing, sampling database add on s available... can sync to Outlook and mobile devices too.

Another option in open source software is Dolibarr:
http://wiki.dolibarr.org/index.php/What_Dolibarr_Do
Dolibarr doe NOT have accounting management yet...

Both Dolibarr and SugarCRM can be self hosted on a box at your location or you can contract out hosting services to companies who specialize in hosting those software suites.

But depending on the industry, there are lots of alternatives...
http://alternativeto.net/software/sugarcrm/

Without giving too much personal detail if you could better describe your needs I’m sure a Freeper or two can point you toward a better direction...

[Sherman Logan]

Thanks. A lot of the alternative seem to be web-based. I was wondering if you or others have experience working with programs of this type and their pros and cons.