DJGold

CJ Greiner

Over the years, I've grown accustomed to GigBuilder by WeDJ and everything that it can do (and the things it can't do.)

I also know of several other DJ Management software packages including DJ Manager, DJIntelligence, etc.

Everyone has their favorite. For some, it's the price -- and for others it's the features.

A new one that isn't DJ-specific was brought to my attention... so for JWG:

jwg wrote: I now use the software program Act! for my DJ business along with other DJs I network with. I then created templates for the contract in Act and when a potential client contacts me, I can drop their info right into the contract without having them fill it in themselves.

Therefore, all I have is my templates, but I'm sure you'll get good examples from the rest of the participants here.

John,

I'm sure you're aware of some of the other DJ Management programs available -- why did you and your network DJ associates go with the Sage ACT! program? :?:

Thanks,

jwg · Joined: September 15th, 2004 Posts: 1089 Location: Erie, PA

CJ:

I should probably, at first, clarify how I use Act! and what it replaced for me.
I had used DJWebmin almost from the start of it's existence. It worked very well for me and does for a single-op. As I began networking with fellow DJs and wanted to check their availability if I was already booked:

1) None of them had DJI or DJ Webmin
2) I would have had to sign them up as Multi-users on my account which meant they would have to input all their info and we would end up seeing everyone's client information too. All I needed was their date availability.

With ACT! (Best to use 6.0 for email synchonization) once I setup my clients as contacts, inputed information for their event etc, I was able to synchronize via email with 1 DJ so far so we have awareness of each other's booked dates. What information you share with other users is pre-determined by you when you are setting up your synchronizations.

I still utilize, and always will, DJ Intelligence for planning forms, Music Database, Credit Card acceptance and a host of other tools.

CJ Greiner · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 5:30 pm Post subject:

I see. It sounds like if you had that ability in DJWebmin/DJIntelligence, then you wouldn't need ACT!
(or if ACT! provided those online services, then you wouldn't need DJWebmin).

I know there's an online version of ACT! -- are you using that, or the one that runs on your own computer?

jwg · Joined: September 15th, 2004 Posts: 1089 Location: Erie, PA

The local DJ that has used the program himself (not only for his DJ business but what he does at his regualr job) for over 10 years told me to get version 6.0. Anything newer than that version eliminates the email synchronization
and moves to server hosting. In other words, someone would have to host everyone's databases.

I have the program setup on my computer and have created contract templates, email templates and letter templates. I print their contract with their info dropped in to a .pdf file and then attach it with their personalized email to them from me. Again, this is all using version 6.0 of Act.

dokai · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 6:03 pm Post subject:

Sounds to me that the main feature that's being provided by Act! is the group calendar function. Aren't there web-based group calendars available? I think Hotmail and Yahoo both provide something that might work. Not sure if they support synchronization with Outlook, Palm, etc., for PDA users, but I think at least one of them does.

jwg · Joined: September 15th, 2004 Posts: 1089 Location: Erie, PA

It's much more than a calendar. It's a way to track your customers, personalize their documents, link with other Act users...virtually run your business. And, it works well with Quickbooks or Quicken too.

There is a learning curve to Act, but I figured things out in a few weeks after spending time with the program and getting used to it.

dokai

jwg wrote: It's much more than a calendar. It's a way to track your customers, personalize their documents, link with other Act users...virtually run your business. And, it works well with Quickbooks or Quicken too.

There is a learning curve to Act, but I figured things out in a few weeks after spending time with the program and getting used to it.

*nods* Yes, I'm familiar with Act! It's particularly good for people that work in sales, from what I've seen. I know several people that swear by it, and I can see why. And certainly if you have Act!, and so do all the people with whom you want to network, then it's a great tool for the job. However, unless you can get everyone to agree to use it, it seems like its usefulness would be limited. That "learning curve" you mention can seem like "just one more thing I have to worry about" to someone less enthusiastic.

That's why I was looking at more common ways of emulating the features. Group calendars hosted on the internet, templates created in word processors, etc. Not nearly as elegant as Act!, but since most everyone can get to a website's group calendar, it might be easier to convince people to come aboard if they don't have to purchase and learn a new software tool.

There's a lot to be said for having an easy interface with your accounting software, though! :wink:

EDIT: One other thing that I didn't mention that certainly deserves it is the fact that a lot of the "process" work has been done for you in Act! You could probably accomplish the same thing using individual parts of other programs (templates from Word, Group Calendars from a website, etc.), but the business processes would have to be developed by you, and you'd have to implement procedures to comply with those processes. With Act!, it's already built in.

jbrown157

I'm not 100% sure, but I think that Gigbuilder has the capability to do that. I know you can input your "employees" (or subcontractors) schedule so that the system is able to list a particular day as either "available", "Might be available" or "booked". I've been looking into utilizing that feature so that I can partner up with a friend from across town to book some of my overflow for him. To this point, I've only used it for my own schedule, but the time is coming for me to try to expand it's use. Has anyone else tried to do this? We love Gigbuilder. I'm not sure what we'd do without it.

CJ Greiner · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 5:21 pm Post subject:

I don't think you can link with other DJ's Gigbuilders to see when they're available.

You can only see the availability of your own employees.

jwg · Joined: September 15th, 2004 Posts: 1089 Location: Erie, PA

Unless Gigbuilder has multi-user capability. I, personally, haven't used Gigbuilder in over 2 years. I took it for a brief run but was very content to continue using DJ Intelligence. I've been on board with them for 4 years.

davidjones@a2zmobilemusic

3 years with DJI and it literally has changed our business. brides and customers love the forms and request list etc. I would pay more if they asked... but 99 dollars is a steal!!!!!!! 8)