Checking out Studio Management Software
We’re about to hit the ground running, here, and I want to make sure we have the business side of things fully in place before that happens. Since I’m already losing track of things, even though we don’t have much going on yet, I’ve been looking into studio management software, to help keep us on track.
I realize I’m going to have to spend some money on this, but I’d like to keep it as low as possible without compromising on features that I’ll need. I’d like it to have:
- contact management
- invoicing
- scheduling (including reminders)
- generate a to-do list for me
- other things that I probably don’t know I need until I see them….
- ideally, I’d like to have BOTH a desktop version and an online version
- if there’s a monthly fee, I’d like there to also be an option to pay once or, at the VERY least, pay annually
I realize that I could use programs that I already have, but I know myself, and I know that if I have to jump from program to program, I’ll either forget an important step, or get frustrated and/or distracted, and be in a bad mood because of it. I don’t like being in a bad mood, so I want it all in one place, to keep things simple. 
Here’s what I’ve found so far. I have them all open in tabs, to check out: (I’ll update this first post as I try each.)
Full Spectrum
$1095 (purchase)
This one looks pretty good, but they aren’t offering any new licenses right now! Guess I’ll go check out the others some more….
Studio Plus
$395 - $3695 (purchase)
Initial impression: I think I’m in love!
Darn, darn, DARN! There IS a free trial, but they only have a Windows version! I don’t want to have to install Windows on my Mac in order to run this, so I guess I’ll keep looking. :cry: But I think I’m going to use [URL="https://www.studioplussoftware.com/products/index.html#mystudioplus"]their online proofing system[/URL] anyway, so at least something good came from this!
ETA: I keep going back to look at this one, even though it won’t work on my Mac, unless I install Parallels. I want it badly enough that I’m tempted to do just that!
P.A.T.
$24.95/month - $694.95/One Time Fee
Initial impression: Looks and feels too much like an online version of an Excel Spreadsheet. I’m going to keep looking….
SuccessWare
$49/month (lease) - $1495 (purchase)
I downloaded the trial, and went through the set-up, but it isn’t immediately obvious to me how to get started actually USING it. For the money they’re asking for it, I want them to hold me by the hand and walk me through exactly what to do every step of the way….
PhotoByte
free
I downloaded the trial, and went through the tutorial, and I just can’t make up my mind. On the one hand, it has a LOT of features that I could use but, on the other, it’s SO ugly that I don’t want to look at it. (It looks like it was designed for HyperCard, if that tells you anything….) Also, it doesn’t have an online complement, so it might not work for me anyway….
Tave Studio Manager
$25/month (if there’s an annual or one-time option, I haven’t found it. I plan to email to find out for sure, and to request one if there isn’t already.)
I just signed up for the free trial, and spent a few minutes looking around. I might spend more time later, but my initial impression of it is just kind of “eh.” It looks and feels a LOT like GoogleCalendar, and it has a much more “lightweight” feel to it than StudioCloud. That, combined with the lack of a desktop component, and monthly payments stretching out into infinity, is making me want to move on to the next trial….
ETA: After a couple of days of playing with it, this is becoming my favorite of the ones that are actually available to me. It has contracts built into it, and it lets me specify my terms when I post a quote for a particular client. I also LOVE the home page: if a new client calls, I only need to go to the home page, and I can enter all of the important information right there, AND check my availability (for the next 16 MONTHS!) without leaving the home page. I still wish there was a desktop version….
Studio Cloud
$29.95 - $44.95/month (they give a 5% discount if you pay for six months, and a 10% if you pay for a year. They have both on AND offline versions, so I really want to like this one…. They also have online proofing available, so maybe I could kill that bird with this stone as well….)
Just downloaded and installed this one, and I’ve been playing with it for the last half hour. It’s very clean and intuitive, and so far I’m LOVING it!
I still wish they had a one-time purchase price, and I’m not wild about the online proofing system (’though I may learn to like it more..) but so far, this is my favorite! : )
ETA: After a couple of days with this one, I’m less impressed. It’s slower than Tave, it doesn’t let me specify contract terms when I enter a quote, and it doesn’t have contracts. I’ll keep exploring it, because the customer service team has been very responsive to my questions, but it’s moving down my list….
Just found another one called ProSelect.
I’m downloading the trial now, and I’ll update once I’ve tried it out.
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Of course, if you know of anything I’ve missed, PLEASE add it in the comments!
thanks for reading! : )
March 19th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Hi there! I read your very thorough review of the various studio management softwares. Did you ever figure out which one to go with? I’m going through the same thing now. I used to do about 25 weddings a year but I’m now moving out of weddings and will just do portraits. I have Successware but I could never figure out how to use it either-so frustrating. I like Studio Plus but I really don’t want to do workflow through them. I use Lightroom & Pro Select & Photoshop. I also use Quickbooks for accounting/invoicing. I’m happy with it. I really just want something that will help manage contacts, scheduling, etc. like what you mentioned. Any suggestions? Thanks so much! Trisha Kern (just married-my maiden name is Hardin :).
March 19th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Hi Trisha!
I finally just went with ShootQ (www.shootq.com). Looks like I didn’t even know about them when I wrote this, so I need to go back and update this! They’re awesome for contacts, scheduling, workflow, and all that.
Also, there’s a new one coming out tomorrow that I’m VERY interested in, so I’ll see if I can’t update in a couple of days, after I’ve had a chance to look at it. (http://www.mobilefotographer.com/)
April 5th, 2010 at 2:55 am
Hello Carole,
I’m looking forward to your update on ShootQ. I know a lot of California Pictage pros like Sara France are using it.
I myself have been seriously considering StudioCloud. The FREE Offline Option is hard to resist and thinking about it, if one goes with the paid internet collaborative option(s) first and then decides to go without it for a couple of months (or more) you lose none of your functionality or entries because all of the last synced data is still on all of the pc’s that were being used!
Still, I might stay with using Microsofts Outlook (Not Outlook Express) with it’s Contact Manager, Calendar, Tasks List, which all sync (via cord) to my Treo. Along with the free Billing and Invoiceing Tool Billing Boss. Not as cool as the above systems but already installed and perhaps with no more quirks that using a new paid system.
April 5th, 2010 at 6:14 am
Hi Carlos!
I know I won’t get a chance to update this week, but maybe over next weekend I’ll have a bit of time and I can put some thoughts together….
Thanks for chiming in—it’s always nice to know I’m not just talking to myself, here! lol
April 5th, 2010 at 6:23 am
Oh, also: I don’t use Outlook at all, so I haven’t tried any of the things you mentioned…. I’m a Mac girl, so I’ve been using Apple’s Address Book, iCal, etc… which I CAN sync with my Treo (and my iPhone when I finally get around to getting one!), but I still would prefer an all-in-one solution. : )