Event planning software

BBBuffalo said:

Is eWebmin the upgraded version of DJWebmin?

What will I get with eWebmin that I didn't have with DJWebmin?

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Yes, eWebmin is the next generation of DJ Webmin. Within 3 to 4 months everybody will be converted over to eWebmin. Once we have the conversion tool totally finished in the next couple weeks we will have users start migrating over to eWebmin.

eWebmin is the reason that DJ Webmin didn't have any updates for a while, because we were working on the next generation of it. eWebmin has everything that DJ Webmin does, but with a total redesign, new look, new structure and a TON of other features including pricing based on how many events you book, not on how many features you get. Current DJ Webmin active users get their grandfathered in pricing.

Give eWebmin a try, you will love it. Just sign up for the eW10 plan, which costs you nothing until you need to book more than 10 events.

I currently use Gigbuilder. Now the new 4.1 version is out and it is a JOKE. I have spent 2 days trying to learn it all over again. Scott is grumpy and wants you to go to a seminar that is about stuff I don't use. What software is 1) easy to use 2) has an up to date default music database. I will get songs the bride needs if i have to rather than uploading my Prime Cuts database every week. DON'T THESE SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS REALIZE TIME IS IMPORTANT??

Djkosty said:

What software is 1) easy to use 2) has an up to date default music database. I will get songs the bride needs if i have to rather than uploading my Prime Cuts database every week.

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DJEventPlanner.

Djkosty said:

I currently use Gigbuilder. Now the new 4.1 version is out and it is a JOKE. I have spent 2 days trying to learn it all over again. Scott is grumpy and wants you to go to a seminar that is about stuff I don't use. What software is 1) easy to use 2) has an up to date default music database. I will get songs the bride needs if i have to rather than uploading my Prime Cuts database every week. DON'T THESE SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS REALIZE TIME IS IMPORTANT??

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What are you talking about? You don't have to go anywhere for the seminar. You have an opportunity to use the webinar that they provide for you. I may be biased, because it is the only software I have ever used. I find Gigbuilder to be very good system for my needs. Who cares if you have the most current database? As you said you would get the songs the bride wants anyways.

Joe dude...who the heck wants to learn software over when it is the same version you have been using. I use to brag about wedj for leads...now it does do diddly for me like it use to...I have seen and tried other dj software and they all seem much easier to use.

My bad...I mean to say "It is the same software but a DIFFERENT version."

Djkosty said:

My bad...I mean to say "It is the same software but a DIFFERENT version."

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The reason they update software is to improve on what has been done before. I look forward to new innovative ways to do things that were not part of a previous version.

I am using DJ Event Planner now and I absolutely love it. Not to mention that my clients routinely comment on how much they enjoy using it and how easy it is.

Unfortunately, I have something to compare it to. I used Gigbuilder for about a year. There are few good things I can say. I had clients who entered there complete request list...which later completely vanished. Try softening that blow to a corporate client with 400 guests all requesting music.

Not to mention there forms always printed out in about the worst possible way...as well as other reliability issues. From time to time I would fill in a clients information, click save, only to be taken to an error screen. I would go back and all of the information would be gone.

I recommend against Gigbuilder.

Highly recommend DJEP. The cherry on top with DJEP is the support (can't recall his name right now) is amazing. In addition to information forums, if you email him directly he responds very quickly.

Good luck!

There are many great products out there. ADJA members get preferred pricing & service support with ewebmin & DJI.

Casey,

I too dislike web only tools, BUT...........
The advantages outweigh the disadvantages 10:1.

The web software platform is really how the whole world is going. In another 10 years you won't even buy an OS. You'll have a ubiquitous control that will access the tools & programs you wish online. You will be able to license tools you would never want to buy due to cost, & essentially "rent" them for a few weeks or months.

What I feel all web based DJ business tools should provide is the ability to also keep a local backup of your data, the ability to work offline & upload changes you might have made while away from the web.

I have a word based document on my PC that I use to correspond with the client.

Yes it's very old school, but I actually enjoy meeting my client and planning it out on paper, and giving them a clean copy draft to look at.

I feel that many companies in my area use the tools to minimize their time with the client and actually do not have a good feel for what the client really wants, and face to face contact to understand that cannot be substituted using webtools.

I dont have to worry about web access, worrying if the service is up or down, and
I back everything up on flash drive or CDROM and a paper copy of everything.

when they do away with MS OFFICE, I guess I will have to change.

Bill:

When I talk with DJEP users, I always try to remind them that the online planning tools are not meant to replace the face to face interaction with the client. The online planning tools are meant to SUPPLEMENT the planning process.

I have a story to share with you. First though, tell me what you would do if you lost your planning forms or forgot them at home (and your gig was 90 miles away)?

djlurch said:

I have a story to share with you. First though, tell me what you would do if you lost your planning forms or forgot them at home (and your gig was 90 miles away)?

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I would log into my eWebmin or DJ Intelligence account and copy what I need to my computer.

Barry:

Exactly

Last Saturday I left my planning forms on the kitchen table. Upon arriving at the venue I was able to log on to my online planning account and get the info I needed. Without having the info online, I would have needed the info faxed or brought to me.

Well, I would call my photographer and event location contact and ask them to print one off, if that happened. You see I send one to everyone involved the week of.

I said:

I feel that many companies in my area use the tools to minimize their time with the client and actually do not have a good feel for what the client really wants, and face to face contact to understand that cannot be substituted using webtools.


But in 15 yrs, though thanx to a check list I keep at home and never has happened. The last thing I check before leaving the house is the roadcase with their music, the planner copies and CDs of their music I have burned. That's where everything gets packed on Friday evening. rechecked saturday.

Don't get me wrong here. I do not discount the value of the online tools. And I didnt say that.

I simply said that I PREFER to do all of that in person or over the phone if out of state, and use my trusty little old MS word planner. Nothing more nothing less. And I do know companies in my area that won't even talk to a bride and groom until the planner has been filled out online. How do I know that? I booked them after telling me that this guy wouldnt even talk to them about booking until the planner was fileld out. So I know it happens.

bill_smith said:

. Don't get me wrong here. I do not discount the value of the online tools. And I didnt say that.

I simply said that I PREFER to do all of that in person or over the phone if out of state, and use my trusty little old MS word planner. Nothing more nothing less.

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Yes and that's what most of the online tool systems offer. They fill out the planner online in advance of the 1-2 hour planning meeting, getting things figured out to a large degree and then we sit down and work through it in person. Checking pronunciations of names and stuff like that.

Bill, I know you will always be oldschool..... you should really stop using 8Tracks though.

Ryan

Bill you will still have access to MS office, it's just that you might not without an internet connection.

Where I see it is that you would rent a copy for the length of time you need.

I would see many companies offering "suites" this way. You could access a library of software that you would probably not want to buy.