Anyone know how to set up a data base?

[Wizard]

After starting a new business a few months ago, I want to set up a data base of potential clients.
I joined our local chamber and would like to add names and e-mail address to the list after the list is do then to do a mass e-mailing.
The question is what are a few or the best program to do something like this? This kind of hing is all new to me and I'm sure I can do it in Excel but the would have to e-mail separately. I could set up in a yahoo account but not sure if that would be the best way to do it.
Thanks for any input.

 

[Iriadne]

I really would recommend putting up the capital to buy a decent general business software package. Something like Peachtree will let you manage all your customers and do all your accounting and payroll for a company with fewer than 90 people. If you get the Crystal Reports software to go with Peachtree you will have a huge degree of flexibility in customizing your reports and whatnot.
I can't tell you much on price, as I haven't looked recently.
Hope that helps!

 

[Wizard]

The girl taking care of the books just bought "Quick Books" . Can something be set up in there? She has been using it for our billing. I haven't touched it yet.

 

[SweetErika]

What about Access?

 

[Wizard]

What about Access?

Don't know.....What about it? Would it work for what I need to do...

 

[SweetErika]

Don't know.....What about it? Would it work for what I need to do...

I can basically only tell you what I'd find from Google, but I thought of it because I assumed you'd likely already have it, and perhaps it'd integrate well with Outlook for easy emailing.

However, my hubby knows a fair amount about this and is fact-checking, so he'll be along shortly.

 

[Wizard]

I can basically only tell you what I'd find from Google, but I thought of it because I assumed you'd likely already have it, and perhaps it'd integrate well with Outlook for easy emailing.

However, my hubby knows a fair amount about this and is fact-checking, so he'll be along shortly.

Well after reading I went looking and now must say I am a knucklehead...I have that installed on my computer but have never opened it. I'm checking it out right now. Never did anything like this in the past so sorry for the silly question..

 

[NorthwestTrail]

Wizard, you have several options here.

You can use an Acess database to hold all of your customers information, and use a tool such as "Outlook DataLink" to synchronize the information in Acces with your Outlook Contacts. You could then send your email using the updated information in your Outlook Contacts. I beleive that "Outlook Datalink" will also help you set up your Acess database.

Outlook version 2000 and later also supports directly conecting an Acces Database table into a personal folder using the following steps:
Without programming, you can add a table linked to an Outlook or Exchange folder to any Access database, using drivers built into Office 2000 (or later), by following these steps:

1. In Access, click the New Table button to add a new table.
2. In the New Table dialog, choose Link Table, then click OK.
3. In the Link dialog, under Files of type, choose Outlook() or Exchange().
4. If you're prompted for an Outlook profile, indicate which one you want to use
5. In the Link Exchange/Outlook Wizard, choose the address book or folder you want to link to, then click Next.
6. Give the linked table a name, then click Finish.

However, this method has several drawbacks, and I would not recommend it.


If you do not have MS Acces, you can also use one of the free (open source) database servers available, such as MySQL, but it requires a little more effort since it requires a certain level of understanding on how databases work.

For what you are describing, I use a MySQL database, and acess it via my web browser using PHP. Using this method, you would essentialy set up a local web server to run on your computer, and write a simple php webpage that sends a message you enter into fields on the page to each email address in your database.

The advantage of this system is that you are freed from the Evil Empire of MS, but it requires more programming skills, both web programming and writing SQL queries. If you are in a situation where you don't already have the skills to do this type of programming, then I would go with one of the first options, since it requires the least amount of programming.

So, essentially there are many ways of doing what you want, it is just a matter of how you want to do it. If you are interested in using Acess and Outlook together, google "Connecting Outlook to Databases" and you will come find alot of information and how-to's.

I hope this helps, I know that entering into the world of databases for the first time can be a little scary...

 

[Wizard]

I just checked it out and It looks like it would work just fine only down side is I didn't see where I could do a "broadcast" e-mail out of it. I have a pdf of our flyer I would like to then e-mail out after I complete this data base and I think it was the only thing I can't do.
It may do it and I didn't see it. I'll poke around more and see.

Many thanks for the tip!

 

[Wizard]

Wizard, you have several options here.

You can use an Acess database to hold all of your customers information, and use a tool such as "Outlook DataLink" to synchronize the information in Acces with your Outlook Contacts. You could then send your email using the updated information in your Outlook Contacts. I beleive that "Outlook Datalink" will also help you set up your Acess database.

Outlook version 2000 and later also supports directly conecting an Acces Database table into a personal folder using the following steps:
Without programming, you can add a table linked to an Outlook or Exchange folder to any Access database, using drivers built into Office 2000 (or later), by following these steps:

1. In Access, click the New Table button to add a new table.
2. In the New Table dialog, choose Link Table, then click OK.
3. In the Link dialog, under Files of type, choose Outlook() or Exchange().
4. If you're prompted for an Outlook profile, indicate which one you want to use
5. In the Link Exchange/Outlook Wizard, choose the address book or folder you want to link to, then click Next.
6. Give the linked table a name, then click Finish.

However, this method has several drawbacks, and I would not recommend it.


If you do not have MS Acces, you can also use one of the free (open source) database servers available, such as MySQL, but it requires a little more effort since it requires a certain level of understanding on how databases work.

For what you are describing, I use a MySQL database, and acess it via my web browser using PHP. Using this method, you would essentialy set up a local web server to run on your computer, and write a simple php webpage that sends a message you enter into fields on the page to each email address in your database.

The advantage of this system is that you are freed from the Evil Empire of MS, but it requires more programming skills, both web programming and writing SQL queries. If you are in a situation where you don't already have the skills to do this type of programming, then I would go with one of the first options, since it requires the least amount of programming.

So, essentially there are many ways of doing what you want, it is just a matter of how you want to do it. If you are interested in using Acess and Outlook together, google "Connecting Outlook to Databases" and you will come find alot of information and how-to's.

I hope this helps, I know that entering into the world of databases for the first time can be a little scary...

I just posted with out reading this....I'll have to go over it again and see what will best fit our needs.
Thanks a ton for the info, just what I was hoping to find out here.

 

[NorthwestTrail]

No problem. The tools are there, it only a matter of learning how to use them.

 

[TBKahuna123]

The easiest way for you to do this is through Excel. Just create a spreadsheet with your client information in it, then do an Import into Outlook. You can then do your mass mailing from Outlook. Trust me this will be the easiest way. For what you are talking about you don't need Access, unless you want to track more than contact information. Heck if that's all you want you might just do it in Outlook!

Databases are great but often they are overkill. Access is pretty easy to use, but if youve never used it, it can be daunting. Anyway that's my professional opinion on the matter.

 

[Wizard]

Thank you...