I no this has come up a few times but

[SPCleaning]

Whats your thoughts on using those index cards from Staples. I'm thinking of doing this so I can shuffle people into different groups to make better routes and use of petrol.

This just made me smile. My wife went to Staples today and returned with Index cards and a storage box, after the computer went down and scared the life out of me. She has since sorted the computer and all data is safe, but I wonder if sometimes the old ways are best?

 

[TolishAPurd]

This just made me smile. My wife went to Staples today and returned with Index cards and a storage box, after the computer went down and scared the life out of me. She has since sorted the computer and all data is safe, but I wonder if sometimes the old ways are best?

Its definitely worth keeping a paper copy of some sort mate, you never know what could happen. I've been using the index card for some time now and its great. Whenever I get a new customer in an area I can pull someone out of a particular day, and swap them with someone further away. Easy as.

 

[Smurf]

I agree as keeping paper records is a very good idea as ppl are so dependant on technology so when it all goes tits up then they are screwed if the backup restore process doesn't work.

 

[Posh]

Defiantly agree

 

[TolishAPurd]

Yep, even something as simple as a power cut can **** you up for a day or more.

 

[Smurf]

As a matter of interest has anyone had any issues with online apps like aworka etc not being able to access there data?

 

[SPCleaning]

Its definitely worth keeping a paper copy of some sort mate, you never know what could happen. I've been using the index card for some time now and its great. Whenever I get a new customer in an area I can pull someone out of a particular day, and swap them with someone further away. Easy as.

So Mr T, what info do you keep on your cards?

I was thinking Customer info, tel numbers etc on one side and a record of visits, payments on the reverse.

How are yours laid out?

 

[TolishAPurd]

Mr T, I like it. /emoticons/biggrin.png

Nice and simple mate;

On the front:

Name

Address

Frequency

Cost

Special remarks (e.g. call/text night before for access)

On the back:

Date of last clean

Paid? (Tick the date of clean)

This is all a great record if you decide you want to sell it on to someone one day (part or whole). Buy a load of the dividers and divide them up into Day1, Day2, Day3 etc. ...and just organise each day to be as compact a round as you can, while working to the time you want to work to.

Works for me mate.

 

[SPCleaning]

Thanks Mr T.

I'm going to use the cards in the same way. I have no problem with computers, but feel that sometimes it can make simple things complicated, if you know what I mean.

 

[TolishAPurd]

I know exactly what you mean. Try them out, and you can always go back if you don't like it, but at least you'll have a written record of your round as back up. A little tip; go to staples and get a giant bulldog clip or similar, and at the start of the day you can take the days work out, and clip them all together, which saves you having to flick through the box each time. Just remember to put them all back in at the end.

 

[SPCleaning]

I know exactly what you mean. Try them out, and you can always go back if you don't like it, but at least you'll have a written record of your round as back up. A little tip; go to staples and get a giant bulldog clip or similar, and at the start of the day you can take the days work out, and clip them all together, which saves you having to flick through the box each time. Just remember to put them all back in at the end.

I will do so, thanks for the advice Mr T. It's appreciated.

 

[shazzy692002]

Wow, all that writing and sorting....I done it that way for over 2 years, nightmare....aworka now does it all for me, if I have a power cut I use my phone, simples. I have never not been able to access my stuff, if tells me what I will earn for the year, what I earn yesterday, what I will earn tomorrow, next week, etc......for the sake of a £100 a year...I used to spend 2/3 hours on paper work, writing out collection lists, etc. etc., now I spend 10 min a week using aworka.....

But I will say if you only have a few hundred customers then pen and paper is fine, anymore than 300/350 then I would suggest you use a professional system. To avoid mistakes if nothing else.

 

[Smurf]

You can only build in so much redundancy into an online system that's why all terms of services state "Your use of ****** is at your sole risk. The service is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. That's why Aworka general conditions also include this to avoid being sued for loss of earning if/when everything goes tits up

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[gray4]

I have over 700 houses and I use pen and paper I allways do my run in the same order

I just follow my book wherever I finish at nite I start in the morning and so on its just a simple p for paid and a O for still to pay

Makes collection a pain in the butt seems to work for me

 

[Smurf]

I may try aworka and see how I get on with it @shazzy692002 :thumbsup:

 

[Dave B]

Got meself some index cards tolish..gonna give it a try

I usually use my book and put c for cleaned and circle it when paid but your idea is appealing to me..

 

[shazzy692002]

I love it @Smurf. I always thought pen and paper were fine until I used the online system, Today when it was raining, all the houses I done, I put thro on my phone, wheni got home there was nothing to do.

It sends invoices for me which looks professional, for my commercial customers.

It does a free trial worth a try. x