# The hunt for software

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunt-for-software/72252>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 12, 2001, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunt-for-software/72252 "2001-07-12T19:18:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Janx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Janx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Janx)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2001, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunt-for-software/72252/1 "2001-07-12T19:18:44Z")

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In this case I am Ignorant, so I turn to the teeming Millions:  
Does anybody know of a good software to use as  
a tool for follow ups to client visits?  
I have searched the net over and cant find anything that  
will allow me to catalog my clients info along with a  
a page for notes that will alert me when I need to contact  
them again, sort of like a debt collection program but  
without the $$$ part involved.

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**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2001, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunt-for-software/72252/2 "2001-07-12T22:04:21Z")

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ACT! is a very popular application for things like this.

> **[Act! - CRM & Marketing Automation in One](https://www.act.com/)**
>
> Act! provides CRM and marketing automation in one so you can market like a pro, turn leads into sales, and win raving fans for life. Get on the path to growth!

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**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2001, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunt-for-software/72252/3 "2001-07-12T22:04:26Z")

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One of the big names in contact management software is [Act!](http://www.act.com/home/default.php3). The best software depends exactly what your needs are. You can try Yahoo’s [Personal Information Management](http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Shopping_and_Services/Computers/Software/Personal_Information_Management/Contact_Management/) section for a list of other packages.

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**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2001, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunt-for-software/72252/4 "2001-07-12T22:06:17Z")

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See – I told you Act! was one of the big names.

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**Author:** ![aramis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@aramis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aramis)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2001, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunt-for-software/72252/5 "2001-07-12T23:30:49Z")

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The category of software you’re looking for is Customer Relationship Management, aka CRM. Do a search for either and you should see some good options.

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**Author:** ![Running\_with\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Running\_with\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Running_with_Scissors)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2001, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunt-for-software/72252/6 "2001-07-13T00:48:28Z")

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We use Goldmine from [Frontrange Solutions](http://www.frontrange.com). I don’t use it myself, I just support it, but I understand it’s also fairly popular, and very customizable. I’ve seen it for sale at the various office supply stores.