Posted by Ron on October 31, 19100 at 23:12:44 :
In Reply to: HELP-sofware!!! posted by christi on October 30, 19100 at 13:10:22 :
: I can't seem to find inexpensive software geared towards caterers. I have found a lot, costing anywhere form $1600-$5995.
I have spent a lot of money on software in that range. What I found as a small caterer that they required a lot of input of information and did not give me a quick idea of cost.
So I have been working on a number of catering solutions. The big programs work well for the bigger Caterers and corporate locations. It is a lot cheaper to buy them, than to develop your own software . I have always wanted a set of tools I could use from first call to final invoice. The one area that I did not want to work on was the accounting section. I found that Quickbooks does the best job on the accounting side and its easy to get good detailed support with it.
I have started working on a module approach to the software from what I needed most. The thing I needed was to calculate the fixed cost of the jobs first. I got so tired of multiplying .35 ( the price for flatware ) every time the guest count changed. So I learned about Excel and made a simple spread sheet to calculate it. Well it's evolved to a full set of sheets from packing list, shopping list to storing menus. It is not a data base, as you requested with saving a clients name as of yet ( at this time although I will be working on that version). But a way to store detailed information on each job. But to me the most important thing was to be able to estimate a job quickly. I hope I hit the mark with it. Working on getting the website in a few days. Not spamming but thinking of several price ranges.
Basic electronic packing list $19.95
Basic Job calculation version 49.95
Full version with shopping list , rental list and Purchase recipes 119.95
**purchase recipes are not scalable per say but are created for x number of guest.
Looking for some feed back on price range for such a product. Also the "sheets " require you to have Microsoft Excel 97 or 2000.
Also check your email :)
Ron Edwards
Catering Chef
Classic Kitchen Associates Caterers
Sonoma Wine Country Weddings and Events
http:// www.classickitchen.com