Is the Ship Sailing Without You???
by Penney Rudicil
OSSN Eastern Regional Manager

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Whether you use a 3x5 index card file, an MS Excel spreadsheet, or a travel-specific software program, it is important to keep your clients' past, present, and future information up to date. You need to stay in touch on a regular basis, or they could look elsewhere for a travel consultant!

I don't know many agents who use the 3x5 index card file system any more, but if it works for you, it is better than not having one at all. In a survey done by OSSN, we found that 57 percent of our members have no database program in place. These results are very alarming with all of the technology available today.

Some of us started our businesses not knowing what software was available or where to begin, so we began by using an MS Excel spreadsheet, ACT or another non-travel-specific software program. There are many benefits to using these types of database programs -- you can add or delete fields as necessary, you can print or import lists as needed, and most of us already have this software on our computers.

As your customer base grows, you may want to consider a travel-specific client management and/or accounting program. You need to determine what will be most beneficial to your agency now and in the future. Some of the things to look for in a client management program may be the following:

The following are travel-specific programs which include most of the above features. The major difference is where your data is stored -- either on your computer or on the Web. The three most popular travel-specific software programs used by our members are these:

TravelSales

• Download software directly from the Web site
• Information/database is housed on your computer
• One-time payment -- you buy it, you own it
• 30 day FREE trial

ClientEase

• Affordable monthly service fee - discount to OSSN members
• ClientEase is 100% Internet-based
• The best possible security offered (128-bit data encryption)
• No backups to worry about (all backups completed by ClientEase)
• No software to install or download
• Ideal product for multiple offices that want to share a database or for those agencies working with outside sales/independent contractors
• Unlimited users /databases can be networked with as many agents or agencies as needed

Client Base

• Affordable monthly service fee - discount to OSSN members
• Web-based, available on any computer with internet access
• Total scalability, from one user to more than 100
• Database can be networked with most agents

This may seem like a lot of information to take in and can seem overwhelming, but being without a database software program is like standing on the pier watching the ship sail without you. Don't be left behind -- just because your flight might be delayed (and you are late getting started), you can still make the cruise!

If you have any further questions regarding these three programs, you can find their Web sites and contact information at www.ossn.com/secure/financial/accounting.asp.