Katie Cordrey on mon 17 may 99
John,
Since part of how I make my living is as a freelance bookkeeper for other
artists and entrepreneurs, my answer may be biased. Quickbooks Pro will
allow you to create an inventory and keep track of your income and expenses
for tax time. Most artists, contractors and other self-employed people don't
like doing this part of the business, but it can make life much easier,
especially if you set it up from the beginning.
In Quickbooks, you could list all your pots in inventory, then make invoices
for the galleries you use to serve as packing slips when you deliver your
pots. If an item sells, that portion or item on the invoice is paid. If you
want to know what is where, you can print a report of invoices. Invoices can
be customized to fit a variety of needs.
A second way would be to code all your inventory according to where it is
for example, "A" for Apple Gallery "B" for Big Bad Gallery and so on. Then
an item code 1, 2, 3, etc. When an item sells, (for example A32) simply
enter the sale and it will be deducted from inventory.
As an alternative, you can download a consignment demo or freeware program
from www.shareware.com by searching "consign." Four came up for me. I have
downloaded two am in the process of reviewing them.
If you don't want anything so complex, try a simple database. A database is
just an orderly list. Works has a perfectly functional, easy to use
database.
The secret to ANY system whether it is manual or computer based is to USE
IT!
If you let me know what software is on your computer, I might be able to
help you further.
Katie Cordrey
Linda Arbuckle on mon 17 may 99
In answer to John Tilton's question about database help for inventory
and tracking work...
I've been working with Microsoft Access (as school supports this for
admin chores) and trying to organize a database to track work. Since I'm
an academic and send work to shows that are not always commercial
venues, the work sometimes returns.
I want a database of venues (galleries, shows, collectors) that I send
to, a database of the work I produce, and a linkage that shows where the
piece went, when, what for, returned or still there, price, terms, and
if/when I got paid. I want to be able to look up where a specific piece
has been, as well as checking by place where the most work goes and
probably how much a certain place has sold of my work. It's also handy
to be able to generate mailing labels and invoices. Being a
technopeasant, I've only realized a small portion of this in my database
design.
Anyone have suggestions for more elegant solutions? I've tried adapting
the canned database forms in Access, but we are a bit different than
"regular" businesses. Anyone suggest any good references for becoming
more Access savvy?
--
Linda Arbuckle
Graduate Coordinator, Assoc. Prof.
Univ of FL
School of Art and Art History
P.O. Box 115801, Gainesville, FL 32611-5801
(352) 392-0201 x 219
e-mail: arbuck@ufl.edu
Ray Carlton on tue 18 may 99
At 15:19 17/05/99 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>In answer to John Tilton's question about database help for inventory
>and tracking work...
>
>I've been working with Microsoft Access
>Linda Arbuckle
hi Linda MSAccess is a hard nut to crack in a meaningfull way. It is easy
to get a few basic
tables and forms happening. It takes a little more savvy to get a mail
merge happening or labels printing ....i spent a huge amount of time with
this programme a couple of years ago and felt I had barely scratched the
surface. However I managed to create a database that tracks my clients very
effectively. It is quite complicated structurally but it works perfectly.
The best solution for this problem of trying to make an existing (in the
can) piece of software fit your operation is problematic. I would suggest
that if you don't have want to spend all your spare time for the next six
months sorting through the entrails of access, get a professional access
programmer to make up a database tailored to your specifications. The cost
would be not too prohibitive. Anyhow I have heard that lotus approach is
very user freindly. Is this right??
cheers Ray Carlton
McMahons Creek Victoria Australia
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