what do you use?

[jsf343]

I am looking to get more organized this next year, (aren't we all?) I was thinking about a palm pilot or something along those lines. Does anybody use one? are they the best/easiest? I like the I-phone but it costs so much. I want to have something with a planner, something I can take notes on for bids and what not. Maybe there is a phone out there that has all of this? I'm not sure. anybody have something they use that they like?

[JDUtah]

search google for smart phone + your carrier

[Green Finger]

Try the Palm treo 650 or 700. It's pretty good.

and you can use your labtop to sinc your information to prevent loss of data.

[jsf343]

Try the Palm treo 650 or 700. It's pretty good.

and you can use your labtop to sinc your information to prevent loss of data.

hmmm... looks like it is sprint, I have AT&T at the moment, I like my plan, just want to update the phones and not have to change my monthly. The more I look into this the more I like some of the smart phones especially if I can get something with a planner, Word, Internet, etc.

[Ruben Rocha]

I have AT&T and I use the blackjack. Pricy yes. So I don't wear it,I keep it in the truck.
But I sync with outlook and Quickbooks. Well actually quickbooks syncs with outlook and Outlook syncs with the phone.

[LB1234]

I have a Dell Axim X51, its a pocket PC. I love that thing. It has smaller versions of word, excel, and outlook on it, a task manager, calculator, and a note taker. Love this damn thing.

The minute I get a phone call (on a seperate device, the phone) I open up the notebook and start scribbling down what the customer/potential customer is saying with the stylus. Everything gets stored in there. I then if I choose can transfer the contact over to outlook (email, address, phone, etc.). When I get back to the office I plug it in and it syncs automatically. I use the calender in office to derive a schedule for the week, month, etc. I can place appointments in the calender and set it to give me reminders....even better since it syncs with outlook on the PC I get reminders to pop up when I'm sitting at my desk as well. I also use the task manager to get a list of 'to do' items and can check them off, complete them, etc. I like placing my material orders for large jobs in here...I can list where I'm going for the materials, I have the vendors POC info, and simply show up with this thing.

I also utilize excel alot. Everytime I comple a job it goes into a monthly spreadsheet, has the day, date, customer name, job decription, and pricing (designed it myself...very simple). At the end of the month (since its synced w/PC) I just print it out and enter into QBs. This also helps when you are in the field and a customer may have a question about when you last showed up or what was done, etc. I'm also in the process of designing a spreadsheet to hold all my pesticide info in...product name, description, EPA#'s, etc. as well as what was applied when and how much. I also am working on a spreadsheet that contains all the equipment we have...has the serial numbers as well as part numbers...just show up at the vendor and here is what I need...no looking up each filter# for every different piece of equipment.

IT also has the capibility to do internet/email, but I don't utilize this feature. Second problem, I got a new computer running VISTA, and it isn't 100% compatible for linking to outlook. I'm trying to work out the kinks now. I can still back up everything to the pc but I can't sync it. Also, I think the Axim has been discontinued....my point is that I have a pocket PC and love the thing...I like the idea having a phone just for talking and push to talk with my other owner. The pocket PC basically stays in the truck console or gets placed in the back pocket when going over quotes and only pulling it out to jot down and trace measurements of beds and the like.

just an opinion of what works, and really well, for my situation.

good luck

[Loadsmasher]

I have a Treo 755P smartphone and run my whole business off it. I track client services, schedules, billing and everything. I even keep track of my equipment maintenance and part #'s, etc on it. I back it up on my laptop in case it gets lost or damaged.

[grass-scapes]

I bought a new Palm Treo 800W for sprint a few months ago and just switched to the Blackberry nextel. I will be selling the Palm Treo. It is only 2.5 months old and if you already have sprint or nextel, you won't have to renew your contract. It is Windows Mobile 6.1 . I liked it but I missed having the direct connect so I went back. I paid $275 brand new for it. Make me a reasonable offer. Everything it came with is included, even the box.

[Big C]

Try the Palm treo 650 or 700. It's pretty good.

and you can use your labtop to sinc your information to prevent loss of data.

^^^^^that's what I do^^^^^

[jsf343]

thanks for all the info! I am curious from what you all mention what you are paying for the plan to run all of that, anybody mind sharing? I am guessing it is around the $75.00min. to $150.00 max. per month range? I have done some more research lately and I like the treo's and blackberries. The I-phone looks sweet but is expensive on a per month basis. Sometimes there is just too many gadgets out there, too many options.

Thanks again for the input.

Jeff

[grass-scapes]

thanks for all the info! I am curious from what you all mention what you are paying for the plan to run all of that, anybody mind sharing? I am guessing it is around the $75.00min. to $150.00 max. per month range? I have done some more research lately and I like the treo's and blackberries. The I-phone looks sweet but is expensive on a per month basis. Sometimes there is just too many gadgets out there, too many options.

Thanks again for the input.

Jeff

With that treo 800w that I am selling, you can get the simply everything plan at sprint for 99 bucks and you get text, internet, calls, etc for one price. and Sprints internet is 3G (EVDO) If you are on the nextel side, the internet is much much slower.

Sprint pricing is much better than everyone elses.....I have been searching