Data Base Program for Mac

Ric Willmot · #1 (**Link to this post**) 12-01-09

Does anyone have a recommendation for a data base program to use with Mac?

I am currently looking at Salesforce.com but are there other suggestions from members? Either hosted on the hard drive or in cyber space.

Thank you.

LeelaCosgrove · #2 (**Link to this post**) 12-01-09

It really depends on what you're looking to do with it ... I mean, if you're paying for Salesforce and you are just using it as a Database, that seems like kind of a waste to me!

However, if you're using it to track conversions, click throughs and open rates, that's a whole other story.

If you're just looking for something to store details on, I highly recommend Filemaker Pro. It's a non-online software (although has the capability to go online if you want to upload your databases) - which I've always found very easy to use.

It's not cheap -but then, nothing for Mac is, is it?

Ric Willmot · #3 (**Link to this post**) 12-01-09

Thanks Leela.
I bought FileMaker Pro 9 when I bought the Mac Dec 07 and it is incredibly difficult to create the database.
I am so fed up with FileMaker it's not funny.
Very unfriendly to non-computer people.
Rgds,
Ric

Tristan Boyd · #4 (**Link to this post**) 13-01-09

If it's a CRM you need, then I can suggest Sugar CRM, either the free "do it yourself" version or the hosted version, which is quite well priced.

LeelaCosgrove · #5 (**Link to this post**) 13-01-09

I'm surprised at that Ric - I've always found Filemaker very intuitive and easy to use ... but I guess that means different things to different people.

Ric Willmot · #6 (**Link to this post**) 13-01-09

The data base needs are quite simple, really.

1. Contact details
2. Company name
3. Position
4. Profession (accountant, lawyer, financial planner, consultant, etc)
5. Prospective business opportunities logged
6. Previous business completed
7. Products purchased
8. Articles sent
9. Goodwill gifts sent
10. Type of newsletter subscribed to

That's about it.

Leela, yes everyone tells me that, but you know, I'm just not seeing it.

Rgds,
Ric

Adam Randall · #7 (**Link to this post**) 13-01-09

This might make you feel better Ric

http://tomster.org/blog/archive/2003...ilemaker-sucks

It seems you may not be alone.

LeelaCosgrove · #8 (**Link to this post**) 13-01-09

As far as computer-based databases go, filemaker is pretty much it for Mac.

So your options are either to do the online thing (in which case you would have to do the same thing you're doing now - get a CRM ... which really means that you've got one of the better ones already) - or you could get a filemaker programmer to design a database for you ...

You can probably get this second one done on www.guru.com for less than $100 given how simple you need it to be.

fiona@vas · #9 (**Link to this post**) 13-01-09

I would concur with Leela - I would recommend Filemaker Pro. The program comes with templates, so if your needs are fairly simple you may only need to make minor modifications to one of the supplied "solutions".

I've been using Filemaker Pro since it was version 2 so have been using it for too long to have a sense of what it's like to work with for the first time, but I highly recommend it (and it's compatible with PC's too!)

Fiona

mike@engagemarketing · #10 (**Link to this post**) 13-01-09

I've got to agree about FileMaker. Its a very powerful program and it can scare you off. They have just released version10 which has a different user interface that makes it much easier to create and operate a database for those not familiar with the program.

Actually Bento might be a good option, its a simple (and cheaper) version of FileMaker Pro which sounds like exactly what you need!

http://www.filemaker.com/products/bento/overview.html

Cheers,
Michael

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Data Base Program for Mac