My admin
I’ve used about 10 different systems since 2011. (At the start, I heard it would probably take me 3 years to settle on one that suited!)
I've used a custom solution since 2021, which I continue to develop and tailor to changing needs. It is based on an easy software product I found exceptional in my previous office work.
I've used a custom solution since 2021, which I continue to develop and tailor to changing needs. It is based on an easy software product I found exceptional in my previous office work.
Previous systems tried, with main pros/cons, were:
- Windows PC spreadsheet (in Excel) ... clear, ubiquitous, versatile BUT desktop-bound, progress-deficient, proprietary
- Ring-binder A4 notes ... simple, immediate, in-car BUT scruffy, unordered, no backup
- Instructor Software ... integrated, professional, on in-car iPad BUT insufficiently customisable
- Roadio app ... beautiful, intuitive, on in-car iPhone BUT so perfect the two directors were spotted by Atom International and withdrew it
- Online diary-based recording ... consistent, professional BUT cramped, still text-based, internet synch unreliability
- DVSA progress templates ("1-5"; "BTPI") ... clients seemed 'stuck' at the "P", "2-3" stage, no week-by-week display of topics rehearsed
- Pencilled-in progress boxes ... simple, graphical, performance can move forward or back BUT needs separate accounting info.
- Spreadsheets (layers, in OpenOffice) ... clarity, aggregation for analysis, quickly searchable BUT
- In-car A5 hardback notebooks ... easy to handle, simple, more memory cues BUT scruffy, mis-placeable
- Written receipts and a pocket A6 ledger ... simple, BUT student progress relied on memory
- Bank transfer plus online diary ... payer/payee have automatic record, imports to inexpensive database for graphics, analysis, mapping, student/my updating in-car, HMRC reports &c., backup BUT requires older hardware (c.2013) to suit FMPv12 software (2012)
I abandoned each due to (a) it not being able to integrate client progress with expenses as well as income; (b) the commercial software provider going out of business; (c) poor value; (d) reliability risk; (e) personal challenge; (f) mental health hampering on-screen work.