Those basics can be done on the Notes part of a Contact. As you said, write
and date each conversation. I've taught this to many government departments
who also do not get add-ins!

Also, the Activities Tab (in each Contact) will show you (and provide links)
to any items in your Mailbox.

The Contacts Lookup window will get you straight to a Contact. It's a
"window" on the Standard toolbar. When you want to go to a Contact, type
their first or last name there and hit Enter. eg Jud Glee would find me.
As would Judy or Gleeson. It is NOT reliable by Company name.

Judy Gleeson [MVP Outlook]
Acorn Training and Consulting
www.acorntraining.com.au

Everyone - turn on your Advanced Toolbars and learn how to use the Field
Chooser and Group by Box!!


"Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]"
wrote in message
...
Based on what you have posted for requirements, I would use google to see
what is available.

--�
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, asked:

| I work in a large company and often need to keep a log of my daily
| phone conversations, quotes, meetings, etc. with vendors, employees,
| customers, etc.
|
| I'm stuck with the tools they give me, so adding software is not
| difficult (though if there was an add-on that synch'd nicely between
| desktop Outlook and my PocketPC-based PDA, I might lobby for it).
| Something like ACT! or whatever would be gross overkill.
|
| What I need is a rudimentary way of doing super-basic CRM (though it's
| Contacts not Customers in this case). e.g., keeping a running log of
| interactions with someone:
|
| - If there was another tab on the Contacts screen called Journal or
| something, that would be awesome
| - if I could just keep a running text log that would be fine - enter a
| date, describe what happened, etc. Yes, it could be a lot fancier
| (flag for followup, etc.) but not necessary.
| - the ability to attach files would be great but not vital
|
| So here's my question:
|
| (1) is there a way to do this sort of rudimentary CRM in Outlook? I
| mean, I can do it in a spreadsheet or word doc, but having it in
| Outlook where I've already usually got the Contacts entry open just
| screams "put the data in here".
|
| (2) if not, is there a software package that isn't as huge as ACT or
| something like that? I'm not tracking sales and leads here. I use my
| PocketPC phone a lot, so some solution that synchs with it would be
| great.
|
| Thanks!
|
| -S.