So . . . many . . . phone calls . . .

August 26, 2005 10:51 AM

How do I keep track of my business phone calls? I'm looking for a program, preferably freeware or open source, that will help me keep track of the people calling/emailing/contacting me, why they're contacting me, when they contacted me, how to contact them, when I should contact them, and if I've contacted them. Preferably it would allow for multiple call-backs in case we get into an extended game of phone tag. Right now I'm using a notebook, but something on the computer would allow easier changes. Googling's failed me, since I'm not even sure of the right phrasing to use.
posted by anonymous to Work & Money (6 answers total)

Many in the sales profession use ACT!. It's not freeware, but it's a personal contact management software that allows you to keep records on people you've called and make additional notes and such. Palm Desktop is free and has some similar functions.

If you are using a notebook now, may I suggest TiddlyWiki? I use this on a daily basis for my work items (including phone calls) as an electronic notebook. It's fully searchable, references to items (in this case, people you called) can be made instantly, and it is editted via a web browser. There is a little learning curve, but once you get used to it you should be on your way. Oh, and it's free.
posted by bwilms at 11:22 AM on August 26, 2005

Switch to vonage, then you can log into your account at any time and see every sing call inward and outbound ever on your line.
posted by glenwood at 11:39 AM on August 26, 2005

Every SINGLE. Lord.
posted by glenwood at 11:45 AM on August 26, 2005

The term is a CRM (Customer Relationship Manager, I believe) for added help when googling.
posted by fionab at 4:03 PM on August 26, 2005

Response by poster: Thanks for the tips so far. I'm not managing sales calls--I just started work coordinating volunteers as well as trying to find volunteer and funding resources for a nonprofit, and I'm trying to figure out a good way to organize all the groups and people I'm talking to.
posted by Anonymous at 4:44 PM on August 26, 2005

If you have the expertise of somebody knowledgable, you could implement a CRM such as sugarCRM or vTiger, which are two very good open source CRM apps. Of course, they aren't the easiest thing to setup, but can be configured for your specific needs.
posted by stovenator at 1:18 AM on August 27, 2005