I have looked at some of the more expensive trucking software programs at the trade shows. Several years ago I looked at one in Dallas that cost about $2,000 and that has been several years. This was before I got my first Trucknpro program. At the time I may have purchased Easy Trucking (the first trucking program that I bought). I think I was mostly using a spreadsheet for my IFTA, payroll, etc., I could not see the benefit of paying that much for software to run my business.

 

I misunderstood what you were using. I thought you were using Quickbooks. I did buy Quicken at one time. I liked the program, but you are right about it primarily being for personal finances or a sole proprietorship. I felt that it would not work well for me with my business model. It might work for my personal finances. I think that Quicken and Quickbooks are made by the same company? I think that if I were not using Trucknpro Biz Manager I might consider buying Quickbooks Pro. Until I got Trucknpro, I had to keep some files separate. I like having everything in the same program. There are a few things that I would like to see in the program, but it has most everything that I want in a trucking specific program. Although I like this version of Trucknpro, I would still like to look at Quickbooks Pro. I have know a couple of owners who have used Quickbooks. I think they like the program for the most part. It comes down to what you need and want. At one time there were a number of trucking specific programs on the market. Most of the ones I was once familiar are now gone. Trucknpro, Truckers Helper and Easy Trucking are the only programs that I am familiar with that are still around for the smaller fleet or owner operator. I think Truckers Helper and Easy Trucking limit the trucks to 100. There is no limit on the Trucknpro program. I don't know how you would operate multiple trucks with Quickbooks. I believe Quickbooks and Quicken can both be exported to do taxes and you can import bank records into both of them. Perhaps someone familiar with them could comment on those features. Those would be nice features and could save time when tax time is here.

 

gman you def. have a aging list. trust me.. i use it often.

 

Quicken let's me import bank stuff as well as export into tax software when I want.

It has all the business reports I can use as well. Comparison reports as well as spending by categories and accounts. It let's me create jobs and projects as well if I want to.

I guess I'm not really sure what the shortcoming are. If I want to, I can run payroll etc. It's done everything I've wanted it to and everything I could ask QuickBooks to do.

 

That is good to know, firebird. I thought it would probably have an aging feature. Do you use Quickbooks or Quickbooks Pro?

 

pro. it actually has a reminder of how many invoices are aging. i think its after 15 days? the best way to describe it is its like using a mac computer. so easy its hard.

 

Home&Business has a report that let's me pull it up 6 ways to Sunday. Intuit makes both the quicken and QuickBooks product. And then you have turbotax from them too.

 

Any accounting program will keep the books up to date. I think the shortcoming for me would be the lack of specific reports for maintenance reports and some of the compliance features I have with the Trucknpro Biz Manager. Some of the features I like are probably not all that important for the single truck operator, such as the driver files where I can scan and maintain everything on a driver. It also has a way for the software to notify me if the drivers CDL or medical cards are close to expiring. If you have drivers you don't want them driving your equipment with an expired medical card of CDL. When you have multiple trucks it is also important to stay on top of pm's and other maintenance issues. I can set up my software to notify me when I need to do those things. If you only own and operate a single truck and do the driving yourself, it may not be as important. But, when you have multiple trucks it becomes more of a concern.

Over the years the one feature I have use more than any other is the broker file. I had it with the Easy Trucking, but I didn't like it as well as the Truckknpro. Now, you may also be able to do something similar with Quicken or Quickbooks. I am not as familiar with those program features. What I did early on was to keep a file of brokers, shippers, etc., The file allowed me to make notes and have all contact information in each record. I could make notes about rates, lanes, etc., It really helped me when I was going to an area where I was not normally running. I could also call ahead to speak to the broker or shipper to see if they could find me something when I got unloaded. It really helped me on a number of occasions to find a load coming out of a bad area. I also make notes on brokers or shippers whom I don't want to do business. I also made notes about payment history. That is a very important feature for me.

You could set up your own database in a spreadsheet or database, but it is convenient the way I have it set up. Years ago I kept a file card system (3" x 5" or 4" x 6"). I like the electronic way better.

 

You are talking best management and compliance issues. Something I see totally and completely different than financial management.

 

You are correct. I see them as being interrelated. I can see why you would like Quicken. I could probably operate my business using Quicken if I had a sole proprietorship or was leased to another carrier as long as I only wanted to keep basic accounting figures. Using my current program I can quickly see my costs and profit broken down automatically without having to take an extra step of getting out the calculator. In my situation, it helps me make better decisions concerning those with whom I do business and I can go back to previous loads that I have hauled for a particular broker or look at a specific lane and see what type of rates I have gotten during previous times. I like having quick access to the extra information.

I looked at Quicken several years ago and decided it wasn't quite what I was looking for in my business. At the time I was already using Easy Trucking and Trucknpro simultaneously. That was interesting using two different programs at the same time. I thought it would be a good way to compare the two so I could see which worked best for me. I may have only had the Quicken basic program. I don't remember buying the premium edition. It did seem like a simple program. Those are usually good since most people refuse to use a program that is too complicated. Do you use it for personal as well as business? Can you use both parts together?