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mall007 · Jan 29, 2009, 09:53 AM

I am starting my own business and I am looking for a software package
that I can keep track of my hours, earned income, and expenses.
My business is going to be basically IT Consulting and training with a focus on how
Macs provide great value for small businesses.

So, I want to keep track of each client and when I met them and what work I did for them and what their bill would be.

I was thinking maybe File Maker pro or something smaller like Bento...
but if there something better out there... would love to here ideas..

thanks

EndlessMac · Jan 29, 2009, 02:08 PM

This might not do everything you are asking for but if you want to run a business QuickBooks 2009 for Mac is a great software. You can track expenses, income, and it will give you all kinds of reports so that you can evaluate how your business is doing and where you are losing money. You can even create invoices to send to clients and you can keep track of who has paid and who hasn't. It also generates reports so it's easier when it comes to tax time.

Many businesses use QuickBooks and for the most part it does just about everything you will need to run a business.

64stang06 · Jan 29, 2009, 02:40 PM

I've been quite pleased with the Small Business Trio from Jumsoft.

http://www.jumsoft.com/businesstrio/

mall007 · Jan 29, 2009, 08:59 PM

thank you guys.. I am going to look at book of those products.

mall007 · Jan 29, 2009, 09:08 PM

Thanks for your suggestions... some one mentioned Billings made by marketcircle. I checked it out.. I think I will go to that.

mduell · Jan 30, 2009, 12:05 PM

QuickBooks for Windows.

Hal Itosis · Jan 30, 2009, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

QuickBooks for Windows.

Why reward those dirtbags, when they won't produce a decent version for Mac?
And the whole import/export cross-platform file management stuff is pure BS.
Both Mac and Win versions should be designed to read/write the same data structures.

--

If a payroll module [withholding taxes, employer liability, etc.] isn't a concern, MoneyWorks is worth a free test ride.

turtle777 · Jan 30, 2009, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Hal Itosis

Why reward those dirtbags, when they won't produce a decent version for Mac?

How about buying the Mac version, and then using a pirated PC version ?

-t

turtle777 · Jan 30, 2009, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by mall007

Thanks for your suggestions... some one mentioned Billings made by marketcircle. I checked it out.. I think I will go to that.

Btw, the OP was a spammer. I'm amazed how he went undetected.

-t

mduell · Jan 30, 2009, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by Hal Itosis

Why reward those dirtbags, when they won't produce a decent version for Mac?
And the whole import/export cross-platform file management stuff is pure BS.
Both Mac and Win versions should be designed to read/write the same data structures.

Because there's no better, capable alternative and the business needs to keep track of its finances.

Veltliner · Jan 30, 2009, 11:54 PM

Why is QuickBooks for Mac so bad?

EndlessMac · Jan 31, 2009, 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by Veltliner

Why is QuickBooks for Mac so bad?

I haven't had a problem with it. There is an update download that I installed which might have fixed problems people have complained about. All I know is that it's working for me. I'm using version 2009.

mduell · Jan 31, 2009, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by Veltliner

Why is QuickBooks for Mac so bad?

No multiuser support.

mkral · Jan 31, 2009, 08:16 PM

Multi-user capabilities aside, I think QB mac is a great program. I do wish it had feature parity with windows & even without that, I wish it had multi-user support. But it is still, by and away, the best mac accounting program I have found so far.

turtle777 · Jan 31, 2009, 08:50 PM

I don't know enough about Quickbooks, but I can speak from experience that Quicken for Mac is a feature-crippled shadow of Quicken for PC.

I just switched to Quicken for PC (via Fusion), and I'm astonished about the functionality and features.

For shame, Intuit.

-t

Hal Itosis · Jan 31, 2009, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

I don't know enough about Quickbooks, but I can speak from experience that Quicken for Mac is a feature-crippled shadow of Quicken for PC. I just switched to Quicken for PC (via Fusion), and I'm astonished about the functionality and features. For shame, Intuit.

Just check out the [former] CEO's résumé: William "Bill" V. Campbell

Big Mac · Jan 31, 2009, 11:16 PM

MYOB First Edge is more fully featured than the entry-level Quickbooks, it seems.

mall007 · Feb 1, 2009, 12:27 AM

thanks guys....I appreciate all the feedback. I love the honest opinion of the mac tech community.

Big Mac · Feb 1, 2009, 12:29 AM

Welcome, mall007. We're glad to help.

Gavin · Feb 1, 2009, 09:20 AM

Check out Harvest for time tracking. it's a web service, they have a dashboard widget that can track multiple jobs/projects for multiple clients, etc. I've found it handy.

http://getharvest.com/

EndlessMac · Feb 1, 2009, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Big Mac

MYOB First Edge is more fully featured than the entry-level Quickbooks, it seems.

I don't believe there is an entry level Quickbooks for Mac. It seems there is only one version which looks fully featured. The PC versions have several different tiers.

bbales · Feb 6, 2009, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by Gavin

Check out Harvest for time tracking. it's a web service, they have a dashboard widget that can track multiple jobs/projects for multiple clients, etc. I've found it handy.

http://getharvest.com/

I just looked at this -- this is a monthly fee, which along would stop me from using it. I'd rather just own the darn software.
But it might work well for others.