Mydeluxe Invoices And Estimates

Rating:
Summary: Just the basics - no free tech support
Review: I purchased this program instead of the more complex Quickbooks to bill on a hourly basis and to provide estimates. Although most of the features I used so far worked fine, I was disapointed with the options for printing a statement. I could only print open invoices instead of the customer's invoices and payment history. Seeking technical assistance, I discovered that www.elibrium.com offers no free techical support whatsoever, not even free web-based support.

MyDeluxe Invoices & Estimates is good enough for the beginner with limited needs, but not recommended for more complex tasks.

P.S.: The name of this software package may also be "MyInvoices & Estimates Deluxe." This review is based on version 5.5 of "MyInvoices & Estimates Deluxe."

Rating:
Summary: Keep Looking for a Small Business Application
Review: I use this program in a business that sells products and hourly based services. While it is simpler to use than Quickbooks or something similar, it is not intuitive enough that a beginning computer user can sit down and employ it easily. Even an experienced computer user with substantial accounting experience can find it frustrating.

Some parts of the interface are workable - different parts of the program such as inventory, customer lists and payments are easy to spot and move to. Entries into the forms are also easy and clear. Almost everything else is difficult or confusing. This program does not provide the functionality to (1) produce usable customer histories including lists of all purchases and/or payments on one form, (2) provide a statement showing hours used and left on a retainer, (3) customize the invoice to any large extent, (4) switch between invoices easily, (5) correct typographical or other errors made in entering payments, and (6) apply payments to a specific invoice. This short list of items is by no means exhaustive. It is very easy to, inadvertently, change the customer on an invoice that is not being edited.

On the whole, a well designed Excel spreadsheet would be much more useful.

Rating:
Summary: Good, Not Great
Review: MYDeluxe Invoices and Estimates by Elibrium is a basic invoicing program, and this version (5.0) includes purchase orders as well. It will keep track of your sales and also includes an item list. It also includes a customer list.

There are a few things that hold it back from being really GOOD - namely it's limited customization of the forms. The purchase orders, for one, cannot be altered ONE BIT! Furthermore, the invoices themselves can be changed, but only to a very limited degree. One of my other major gripes is regarding its lack of an invoice search feature. It is mightily frustrating when you need to find an invoice and you must actually scroll through every invoice you have concocted since the one you are searching for.

HOWEVER, for the price, it contains enough usefullness to warrant a purchase for most small businesses that are still stuck on handwritten invoicing.

Rating:
Summary: More than good enough for me!
Review: What the other reviewers say is pretty much true, but I really like this program. Sure it has limitations, but I didn't want the complexity OR expense of some of the other available software. I have been able to customize my invoices exactly the way I want them. Using the "P.O. Number" column for a project description allows you to more easily find a specific invoice in the register. I really like the "create invoice from estimate" feature--just one click of your mouse it all it takes! I was able to import my customer list from my Stamps.com address book, which was a time-saver. What helps me the most is setting up our rates for labor, equipment, and specific tasks as "products" (different rates for different customers too!). I just have to type the first few letters and it auto-completes. Then just enter quantity or hours, and the program does the math. I also recently had to use one of the "collection" letters to FINALLY get paid! Overall, I am very happy with this software. If nothing else out there is quite what you're looking for, this may be just what you need.