Help, I' new to this group but thought you may be able to help.

[yy4me]

I work as an Inside Sales Rep, generate my own leads and need a better way to track what I am doing. The company I work for is very small and cannot allocate funds for some big, complicated program just for me.

Can you help me find something that will do this simple job?

Now, on paper, I list the name of the company I call, address, phone e-mail and web site etc., and (in the notes) a brief review of our conversation, my action (mailing or whatever), and a recall date to follow through.

Folks at work say I should transfer this info to an Excel sheet but that is of no use, there is no real way to write up a conversation there. None of my associates have really done any phone sales or are really familiar with my simple requirement.

A few years ago, I worked for a company that had a program that did just what I need. I know it had tons of other features that would not use. I wonder if anyone knows of a simple (prefer free because it will be out of my pocket) program that can keep my information, give me an option of a future date so that the company name will pop up in whatever # of weeks I put in. If I make the sale, the information would go to another person and can be as simple as writing the info down. I must be able to print the list out for my boss, he would add the info to a mailing list if it is a viable future lead.
I tried "Salesforce" yesterday but it did not-at least that I could see, offer what I need. I spoke with their sales rep on the phone, he assured me this was just what the doctor ordered. It is far too complicated and, unless you buy the advanced version, does not seen to have a recall calendar.

I am a hopeless computer illiterate and need to be walked through, take notes and then learn what I am doing through trial and error. I can not decipher a lot of complicated computer terminology, I'm one of those old folks who grew up learning how to write, not type my information. The computer as a business tool is really foreign to me, especially as I'd be on my own. Any help is surely appreciated. I will have to spend a considerable amount of time typing my accumulated call sheets into this but-so it goes.

PS Any of you "Computer Help and Support" folks that recognize me may give me a hand too. The closest suggestion to one to what I need gets a star if it works, I promise!

[trotsky]

1. Sounds like you need a CRM system.

How about SugarCRM? They have a free Open Source version.
http://www.sugarforge.org/content/downloads/downloads.php

On edit: Here's a list of open source CRM products - some might be a little complicated to install though.

Please take with a grain of salt - I've never used any of them. My company has Microsoft CRM.

[MeDeMax]

2. have you heard of ACT ?

http://www.act.com/

http://www.cqsolutions.com/

http://www.bestdealsoftware.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=121
(ACT for $39.95)

I believe ACT was formerly a Symantec product

http://www.crn.com/it-channel/18804502

http://www.elitecrmsoftware.com/open_source_crm.html