Producers using a Mac: What CRM software do you recommend?

[Bill Davis]

I don’t do import export stuff with it other than exporting PDF invoices for attaching to billing emails – so I don’t know how to use it to drive iCal.

I will say tho that the program is a wiz at “date math” – If you want to generate a flag in a field 30,60 or 90 days from a records “creation date” and flag it on the programs front page as a “send reminder letter” the program can easily calculate the number of days or weeks ahead and soft that info into a tiered list that you can display on the front page of your database showing what needs to go out and to whom.

Honestly, the simple “real language” calculation capabilites built into FMPro are pretty robust.

I’m sure there’s a list of them on the Website.

As a “semi-relational” database. (Essentially flat file basics with pretty robust “lookup” capabilities across separate databases) You can build pretty complex data storage and custom reporting stuff in it if you take the time to study up on how it operates.

I pretty much use it for three things. Invoicing, scriptwriting and the all important script breakdown. (I never liked the programs that do Hollywood style scripts like Final Draft since I’m typically in a 2-column mode. Final Draft does 2 column of course, but it’s severely limited. The joy of FMPro is that after I write my scripts in it – I can “pin” columns of dialog to the descriptions using records and I can add or subtract length dynamically. And since I’m essentially writing in a database, I can switch to alternate layouts that let me add matched fields for stuff like Cast, Crew, Props, ect to specific blocks of dialog and/or locations.

It’s kinda like writing in a super spreadsheet, but a simple alternate layout can hide or show columns at will and create custom layouts in a way no spreadsheet can.

And as I noted it’s calculation capabilities not just with MATH but with text and dates or times are so robust that the couple of times I’ve needed to do a simple timecode calculator (base 60 math) for something, I was able to whip one up in FMPro in about 10 minutes. It’s that flexible.

I’ve been using it for probably 25 years now and wouldn’t want to live without it.

I’d certainly understand if you look into it and find it’s too much hassle to do everything as a custom construction. But I love the damn thing.

Know someone who teaches video editing in elementary school, high school or college? Tell them to check out http://www.StartEditingNow.com – video editing curriculum complete with licensed practice content.

[Bill Davis]

[Ned Miller] ” I have little stacks of cards with rubber bands around them that I procrastinate entering because it is so laborious. “

Not to sound like a Filemaker Pro sales guy – but it’s dedicated picture fields are great to use with something like a Neat Receipts scanner that does business cards and paperwork. You can quick scan them right into the fields in your FMPro layout.

I used to do visual “post storyboards” of some of my projects by doing screen caps and importing them into a custom screen layout to create pages of scenes when I had a really complex video to work on. I’d keep those pages in a binder at my edit desk so I could look up Timecode locations in my footage.

Obviously the FCP-X visual database approach has made that obsolete for me now, but It was a truly helpful tool for me to create visual references of my programs for many, many years.

FWIW.

Know someone who teaches video editing in elementary school, high school or college? Tell them to check out http://www.StartEditingNow.com – video editing curriculum complete with licensed practice content.

[Steve Kownacki]

I’m a Salesforce user for 2 years now and really love it. Basic plan is $5/mo. I upgraded to the Group at $15/mo a year ago when trying to get another user to help out, but I’m going back to the $5 plan in Jan.

It is super-powerful (I say that as an ACT! user for many years) and I wanted a cloud-based solution – log in from anywhere and anything. Hardest part is getting all of your data in, but that’s any program. Give a week or 2 of testing with 10 contacts to see how it functions. Plus it’s completely customizable. Reminders, ticklers, etc really easy. Account & contacts took some getting used to. SF customer service is 2nd to none.

It’s no longer integrated with google docs, but you can attach just about any file to a contact.

Being a solo operator has always been an issue with contact data. I use QB Pro, Google docs, Gmail, Salesforce and Stamps.com and none easily share data, it’s constant typing/copying in at least 2 locations: Salesforce (on my MAC) as the salesguy and QB (on the PC) as the invoice guy. I’m probably missing something in here too.

Oh, and the Android app for SF is a bit odd and you can’t do everything, but at least you can schedule from anywhere. I have no experience on an iPhone or iPad app. But to have your complete contact list with you on your phone and simple dialing from within, handy.

Willing to answer specifics if you have them. Basically I’m happy with it and I’m too far invested with historical data to move to another provider. The group version is nice to enter “opportunities” if you’re looking for that true “sales funnel” type of tracking.

Steve

[Justin Bartak]

If you are looking for a Mac CRM. We are the makers of an app called Elements CRM. Its Mac only (Desktop, iPad, and iPhone), its cloud based and we love Mac businesses! https://www.ntractive.com

[Joel Bellagamba]

If you’re using a Mac and want everything in one place, Meon CRM is a great choice.

It’s cloud-based, so it runs smoothly on any Mac browser without installation. You can manage clients, leads, emails, and invoices all from one dashboard. It also automates follow-ups, reminders, and communication — saving time and reducing manual work.

If you’re tired of juggling multiple apps like Apple Mail, QuickBooks, and Address Book, Meon CRM can centralize everything into a single, easy-to-use system.