kkrucoff
Registered: 11/30/07
Posts: 19
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| | 12/31/08 at 08:55 AM | Reply with quote | #1 |
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I'm trying to decide which software to consider purchasing: Jewelry Designer Manager or Bead Manager Pro. I need something to track my inventory better.
It looks like the both programs do pretty similar things.  So that has made it a little difficult for me to choose between the two.
I did a search of the forums and found a discussion from back in 2005 on software for managing your inventory, calculating costs to produce, etc. At that time a number of folks here were using Jewelry Designer Manager. I wondered if opinions have stayed the same since then or if any of you have tried another program, Bead Manager Pro?
For me the advantage of the Bead Manager Pro is that it runs on a Mac.  The Jewelry Designer Manager would require that I run it inside of the VMware Fusion that I have on my Mac.
Which of these two programs do any of you use? Have you found another software program that is helpful? Or just don't use one at all? If you use Bead Manager or Jewelry Designer or something else, what are your experiences (positive and/or negative) with the program you use?
Thanks!
Kathleen
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gypse
Moderator
Registered: 12/05/04
Posts: 2,082
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| | 12/31/08 at 11:33 AM | Reply with quote | #2 |
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Can't answer your question. I'm still using my excel spreadsheet and still doing great with it. I don't use a lot of beads though - mostly tracking cabs.
If someone can chime in about Bead Manager Pro, I think its the first I've heard of it. If someone has had a good experience with it, I'll add it to the list in the library section.
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Sheilahobson
Registered: 08/27/05
Posts: 198
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| | 01/01/09 at 09:02 AM | Reply with quote | #3 |
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I use JDM and am very pleased wih it. It's also very helpful at tax time.
Sheila
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JewelrySoftware
Registered: 01/01/09
Posts: 1
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| | 01/01/09 at 04:01 PM | Reply with quote | #4 |
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Hi Kathleen
Gary here from Bead Manager Pro, I came across your thread and thought I would try to help answer things for you.
We created Bead Manager Pro after surveying hundreds of beaders and jewelry makers around the world through online surveys to create a program that would offer all the features they would like.
In fairness there are a great many similarities between JDM and Bead Manager Pro as essentially they are both designed to do the same job but (we believe and I certainly may be biased  ) Bead Manager Pro is created on a much easier operating platform to use.
There is a a significant difference in price point. While Bead Manager Pro is $127 to get the same functionality with JDM, as they have 3 versions and you would have to get the Deluxe version I believe it is called, you would have to pay almost twice as much.
Plus, as you already mentioned, we do offer a Mac version as well as a PC version so there is no additional software need to run on Mac while JDM requires virtual PC.
We offer a 60 day money back guarantee so you can try Bead Manager Pro for almost two months and make any decision based on whether you find the program to be useful to you or not.
If you have any direct questions then you can always contact me through our support ticket system
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gypse
Moderator
Registered: 12/05/04
Posts: 2,082
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| | 01/01/09 at 05:14 PM | Reply with quote | #5 |
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Gary -
I've got to imagine more people will have the same question. You might consider adding a comparison chart to your site between the two programs, listing the various features and using check marks showing what each program does.
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kkrucoff
Registered: 11/30/07
Posts: 19
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| | 01/01/09 at 09:41 PM | Reply with quote | #6 |
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Sue,
I think that is a GREAT idea! 
A side by side comparison chart would be most helpful. Maybe Gary will consider doing that on his site, per your suggestion.
Thanks!
Kathleen
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kkrucoff
Registered: 11/30/07
Posts: 19
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| | 01/07/09 at 10:05 AM | Reply with quote | #7 |
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If anyone is interested, I decided to purchase Jewelry Manager Pro. I just couldn't find anyone, outside of Bead Manager's website, that could provide an unbiased opinion, so I was not comfortable with trying it (even with the money back guarantee).
Jewelry Manager has been around for quite a while, advertises in a number of magazines that I read, and all the posts I found about its usage were very positive.
Now that I have it, I am quite happy with my selection. And I have the option to upgrade to the Deluxe version if/when I need it.
Thanks to those who provided guidance.
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NancyF
Moderator
Registered: 02/23/05
Posts: 1,272
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| | 01/07/09 at 05:02 PM | Reply with quote | #8 |
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Personally if it were me...I would have tried the latter for FREE! Course, I am VERY frugal and will spend the time to see if I like a program or not.  This would help everyone...as I would give honest feedback on the program.
As it is, I no longer keep track of such things...I only make OOAK pieces and am not required to do so according to the category I file under...therefore, I do not have to keep track of my inventory. Still, I do know how much in materials goes into a piece...I just do not consider it in the price any longer. 
Some of you may consider trying out this program. (no affiliation) 
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ladyfisher
Registered: 12/01/08
Posts: 187
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NancyF
Moderator
Registered: 02/23/05
Posts: 1,272
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DavidTishbi
Registered: 02/23/10
Posts: 1
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| | 02/23/10 at 07:12 AM | Reply with quote | #11 |
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I am in the market for a better way to keep my "books" for my studio. I teach classes, sell products through the classes and on ebay. I also work with MAC, but do have a MAC Pro so I can if need be use a PC program. Does anyone have an opinion on Bead Manager Pro vs Jewelry Designer Manager. I know you usually get what you pay for, but the Bead Manager Pro is 1/2 the price of the JDM and it also works with MAC
Any help or advise would be appreciated. |
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FleurBead
Registered: 03/17/10
Posts: 1
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| | 03/17/10 at 05:59 PM | Reply with quote | #12 |
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Recenty purchased Bead Manager Pro. The price was right but more importantly, the functionality that I required was there.
I am very particular about inventory and how I track it. I wanted to be able to track parts that went into an assembled jewelry piece as well as wasted materials. I also need to track when I bought the same item from different vendors at different prices. I have been very happy with the software so far and their support has been very responsive. My last question (ticket) was answered within 4 hours.
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