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Looking for a good database management system

I have been using Top Producer and excel spreadsheets to manage my contacts in the past, and I am currently in the works of creating my own web based database management system simply because I have not been impressed with any other system. I've found that for all of the things that I need out of a database management system, a simple system like Gmail can do everything that I "need."

I'm looking for advice on any other systems out there that may work better than "Top Producer" without going too extreme in costs. There are many pros and cons to top producer, but I find myself not needing or using 90% of the tools on that system. I have found a few "video email" services as well, and I would like to integrate that into my database system so I can send drip campaign emails with my video emails. So far, I have only found the VMDirect and SightSpeed video services, the latter being free for limited usage, but I would like my video emails to show up to my clients with my branding around it, not someone elses.

If anybody knows a system that would solve both of these problems, please let me know. I still feel like technology and software is lagging in terms of real estate related products, but I may be wrong...maybe there is a great system out there being used by others but I just don't know about it. Please advise :-)

Posted by Jake Hesse Pensacola Real Estate & Florida Real Estate Investing on 11/10/2007 12:03 PM

Comments (5)

advice, database management system

Post is included in group: Marketing To International Buyers

5 Comments on Looking for a good database management system

You might want to look at SalesForce.com. It is web based so that you have access to it anywhere you have access to the internet. It is highly customizable, intergrates with Outlook and many other applications, etc. We have been using it for over three years now and it really has been an incredible support for our 1031 exchange operation.

11/10/2007 12:29 PM

by Bill Exeter (1031 Exchange Expert) (Exeter 1031 Exchange Services, LLC)

Try CLP Suite - we use it on our team and it's not at all like Top Producer. I find that it's easy to use and less clunky than TopPro, but it's more of a sales-person approach to contact management and not a listing-maintenance based system like TopPro. You can still create your own campaigns and such and in time you could delegate tasks and campaigns to an assistant.

It's a great time to get organized!

If you do create something that serves both of these needs at the same time, then I'm certain people would buy it!

11/10/2007 12:33 PM

by Denise Willer 'Where There's a Willer There's a Way' Las Vegas (Elite Realty)

Check into your mls's database potential. Our local board just moved mls systems this year and has totally eliminated the need for a secondary system. It is very powerful because it is all kept up with in ONE system.

11/10/2007 12:36 PM

by Elizabeth King, ABR,CRS (King Realty Group)

Have you looked at ACT? Great tool for keeping track of follow-ups on the prospective client, grouping contacts, syncing with outlook's calender. It is not the easiest to upload to, but is compatible with a lot of the blackberry phones. I have found that using it with outlook has given me the most of the program.

11/10/2007 12:59 PM

by Petra Trebohansingh (Century 21, Trademark Realty)

I would stay away from a MLS or Broker system unless there is a way to purchase the software/license for personal use even after the MLS or Broker switch to a new system or if you change Brokers. Nothing worse that having to start over or go through the pain of merging data.

The big problem with developing your own system is all the time you spend on developing, maintaining, and upgrading it. Yes it will be designed just for your needs but you spend so much time on it that you lose your focus on what really counts. Selling Real Estate.

One final thought ... Back Up ... Back Up ... Back Up. No matter what system make sure there are provisions for safe guarding your data. Had a top producer in my company call me for help in rebuilding her database. Had a back up but it was on the same computer that crashed.

Good luck with your search. Going to watch this article for some more leads on systems.

11/10/2007 01:42 PM

by Bruce Erickson (Century 21 Judge Fite - Mesquite)

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