Choices for keeping track of orders

Looking for simple database packages

[timmus]

I get about 100 orders a month for any of 20 products, i.e. good business but nothing huge. I am using a spreadsheet (Excel 95, if you can believe that) to keep track of all orders, one row per order. This works great (most of all, I can see on ONE screen who's waiting on orders and what's been shipped), but the spreadsheet isn't practical for tracking multiple products. You need columns for quantity, price, and subtotal for each product, so that's 60 columns in my case. So I keep my spreadsheet simple, and it limits my options for doing metrics.

I am wondering what software packages you use, which help you track and file your orders. Do you like it? Is it easy or clumsy for managing your orders? I know there's a lot of solutions out there but I don't want to start trying random software.

As I do all my inventory by sight, I'm less concerned with inventory issues than I am with tracking orders.

I believe mals-e had a standalone program for Pro users, which I tried for a week, but I found it wasn't quick & convenient to use, nor very flexible. I can't remember specifically what it was, since that was a year ago, but I went back to my spreadsheet.

And I'm leery of paying $200+ for any such package, as (1) that's expensive, and (2) it suggests the package has a learning curve and is too high-end (for power sellers, etc).

EDIT: I get 50% online orders, 25% phone, and 25% fax or mail, so I can't have something that depends on a shopping cart.

[wrockca]

there are a few that I have had experince with but one that is doing well for one of my clients is called Stone Edge. Check it out and see if it will work for what you need it to do.

[jsinger]

Stoneedge is about $1,000.

We use a spread sheet and pencil/paper to handle a very large number of orders...well.

[Corey Bryant]

Why not a shopping cart? If you do not care about inventory at a certain time, take the phone order and then processit it over your internet connection at your leisure. This is what a few of our clients do and it seems to work well for them.

-Corey

[timmus]

Well, I can do a shopping cart, if necessary, but this doesn't really answer the question regarding what program or interface would help keep track of the orders and show metrics.

[sharbel]

You have a few options really. I've developed a number of order management/order fulfillment back-ends for e-commerce sites and you really can't beat it for keeping track of orders etc.

If it's a single user looking at or handling the orders, a good Access application might saffice, after the necessary database tables are created etc..

Ideally, your e-commerce site itself would have an adminstrator section with a back-end as previously discussed which will allow you to manage your orders.

[otnot]

Hi:
We use Stonedge and Quickbooks to keep track of our orders.

[sun818]

If you want to track multiple items in an order, you need to graduate to some sort of database package. Access would work for you. Or you could look into an auction manager. Many have a basic sales manager screen with the ability to add orders manually. Print invoices and send automated e-mails. Before I switched to StoneEdge Order Manager, I used SOLD V by TimberCreekSoftware to do exactly what you want. It has all the automation you need as a low volume seller without a hefty price tag.