hello all,
has anyone used “jewelry designer manager”? if yes, like it? dislike
it? if not, what programs do you find useful in managing/tracking
inventory of parts and finished pieces, as well as performing other
business-related functions (mailing list, vendors, sales, etc.)?
thanks! matthew
Matthew Crawford
Matthew Crawford Designs
313 N. Tejon Street, Suite 1
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
719.630.1605
www.MatthewDesigns.com
Matthew,
I just purchased the software and am in the process of setting it
up. Geeze, I wish I purchased it years ago. The set up in intense,
especially because I have a very large line (well, at least I think
I do!). If I would have started using it and inputting years ago the
task wouldn’t be so daunting. It is incredibly detailed.
I purchased it so it could help me with ordering my castings from my
casters, my beads (yes, beads), my chain, findings, etc… After
every show I’d come home, do a paper and pencil tally of what I sold
with all the components and then look through every aspect of my
inventory for what I have/don’t have. And then with paper and pencil
figure out what I needed to order, and where I needed to order from.
I would always forget something, have to order at the last minute
pay extra shipping, add things I didn’t need to meet minimums.
Essentially, scramble because I wasn’t as organized as I need to be.
My plan is to come home from a show, enter in my PO’s turn them into
"Order Confirmations", fax them to the customers with the ship dates
and then tally up what I need to order. It keeps track of what’s in
inventory and what’s been used and what you have to order. Once I’m
up and running on it, it will be a dream come true. You can track
what’s been ordered, the most popular pieces, etc…
It is incredibly easy to use. I downloaded and printed out the
manual but haven’t had to crack into once. It’s very, very user
friendly. You can also call them directly if you get stuck. I will
probably discover lots more cool things it can do once I get through
the initial inputting stage which I am doing a little each day. You
can check them out on-line and see examples and actually browse the
features of the software on line. If you have other questions, call
them directly, they are very helpful and friendly.
I would highly recommend it.
No affiliation, just a very happy (fingers tired from inputting)
customer!
Amery
Oh, I use filemaker pro to track my customers and to do mailing
lists. It’s a database program that you customize to suit your
needs. A little more on the computer geek side, luckily my husband is
a wiz at it for when I get stuck. But you can track mailing lists,
correspondence, types of accounts, active accounts (so I can have a
list of all the active accounts to take to shows) etc… I love it.
Once again, the initial set up is pretty daunting, but I use it all
the time.
Hi Matthew -
I have been using it for several years through several upgrades of
the product.
I find it essential for inventorying parts - I started using it just
to manage my bead inventory - I have nearly 2,000 parts including
stones, incidentals like ear wires and head pins, silver beads, gold
beads, clasps, etc. I also use it to create a catalog of my finished
pieces including photographs of the items, and I have only just
started using the customer and invoice functions. I like the reports
Are you thinking of getting the version that includes the label
printer? I’ve been considering upgrading to that version.
Linda
Are you thinking of getting the version that includes the label printer? I've been considering upgrading to that version.
That’s the one I got, it also “talks” to quickbooks! Both features
sold me on the product. Haven’t tried either function yet, still
inputting…
I’ve been told by other users not to get the bottom line version,
that the other ones are easier to upgrade when a new version comes
out.
The website does show a comparison of three different versions so
you can see exactly what you’re getting for your $$$.
I should also mention that I have a mac and have to run Virtual PC
to use the software and haven’t had any glitches yet.
I have an older version of the software. I have considered upgrading
to the PRO version, or whatever it is called, but was not so
impressed by its usefullness that I wanted to spend the money a
second time. My version is old enough that it isn’t eligible for
discounted updates/upgrades. Maybe I just didn’t get used to it
enough, and perhaps the newer version address my problems.
I thing that annoyed me, and I am working from somewhat distant
memory here (haven’t messed with the program in quite a while) was
getting my labor figures to work out as I wanted. I had to back out
my labor rate so that when the markups were applied, it would be
where I want it. I would love to see an option where the labor could
be independent of the markup formulas. I have both trade and retail
customers, but I don’t charge different labor rates. Or, at least the
formulas I apply to parts don’t apply to labor. A feature that I
would consider VERY useful is some auto-updating from the parts
inventory prices to the finished goods. If it is there, I haven’t
figured it out yet. I think it would be good to be able to put in
the prices for parts as I receive them (especially in the volatile
metals market we have), and have the prices automatically applied to
whatever items use those parts. Unless I am missing something, you
then need to go into finished inventory and update each item there.
Because I do my accounting and invoicing from MYOB, I have actually
found that my pricing needs are more simply served by creating some
spread sheets in Excel. I have those down to where I can plug in the
latest prices of castings and findings and it spits out wholesale and
retail finished prices. Still have to enter figures for materials as
I go, but still quicker than JDM. I don’t keep large inventories of
either materials or finished goods on hand at this point, so tracking
that isn’t an issue for me.
Hope this is helpful.
Jim
Indeed, it is the best thing I have found and often recommend to
people who are interested in pricing and keeping accurate inventory
counts as well as linkage to Quick books with Barbara’s newest
version. I love it, love it, love it and can always count on Barbara
to answer any question I might have in the most timely manner. I
like that one can print a price list of both parts and completed
pieces. At the Catalog in Motion this year at the Tucson Gem Show
Barbara went in depth about all of the advantages the Pro-Deluxe now
offers and I couldn’t agree more with her as I think “this one rides
the wave of luxury” in pricing and maintaining all of the needs any
jeweler might have!
Shawna Lobmiller
Patania’s Sterling Silver Originals
Tucson, Az
www.patanias.com
I wish I knew about this program 2 years ago - I programmed
something similar using Microsoft Access, but I still don’t keep
track of my parts. Does anyone know if it Is possible to export your
database into XML format file? I would need that feature since my
website is reading from XML file.
Regards,
Ruslana
I thing that annoyed me, and I am working from somewhat distant memory here (haven't messed with the program in quite a while) was getting my labor figures to work out as I wanted. I had to back out my labor rate so that when the markups were applied, it would be where I want it. I would love to see an option where the labor could be independent of the markup formulas.
Maybe you should check out the site and see what’s changed. I just
started using it and there’s a separate section for labor, not in
the markup section. So, your labor can stay the same for retail and
wholesale and doesn’t get an automatic markup applied.
I think it would be good to be able to put in the prices for parts as I receive them (especially in the volatile metals market we have), and have the prices automatically applied to whatever items use those parts. Unless I am missing something, you then need to go into finished inventory and update each item there.
In my version, the latest one (the only one I know), when you go
into the “jewelry parts” section and enter in your last shipment of
findings you enter in how many of X you purchased from whom and for
how much $. If this has changed from the last three times you can
choose to figure the cost by the average or the highest amount paid.
The change is only done once from here, and then when you go to the
“jewelry assembly” page it updates the change here automatically.
Does that make sense?
Because I do my accounting and invoicing from MYOB, I have actually found that my pricing needs are more simply served by creating some spread sheets in Excel. I have those down to where I can plug in the latest prices of castings and findings and it spits out wholesale and retail finished prices. Still have to enter figures for materials as I go, but still quicker than JDM. I don't keep large inventories of either materials or finished goods on hand at this point, so tracking that isn't an issue for me.
But hey, if this works for you, go for it. Just wanted to share the
little knowledge I had on this subject. It feels good to give back!
Amery
Hi, I’ve just been using JDM Deluxe for a couple of weeks now…I
had a little problem installing (on a Sat. when most support is
closed)…I called and they called me RIGHT BACK and fixed the
problem…was pleased with that… I have emailed them some
questions and they quickly responded…so no problem with
support…
I’ve been entering my purchases and things made–It’s really easy to
use…I like the fact that things can be taken right out of
inventory after you make something—plus you can enter pictures of
everything you make and in inventory—so you always know what’s on
hand. I bought the deluxe because I didn’t want to “want” later on
when things grew…I like being able to print labels, etc. later
on, although I won’t use that feature for a while…
So far, I would consider it a very good/important purchase to
maintain the business end of things…
Blessings, Margaret