Microsoft Execs Speak Out on Careers in Technology

We are a small non profit and know you can figure out our dilemma. We have three offices, and lots of low income clients and 30 volunteer therapists, with one phone number and we do answer our phones. We need a scheduling program everyone can access from their computers, so the receptionist can look at therapist availabililty, schedule a session and let the therapist know they have a new client. Got any suggestions? We are stumped.

Let me check.

I can safely say that Microsoft doesn't make this kind of software. I could say you can use Outlook or a shared spreadsheet through Excel and Excel Web App (in limited beta) but that really wouldn't work (at best it would be a tedious workaround). I'm sure, however, that there must be something written by a Microsoft partner, and if that doesn't work I'm sure our community can help find something (even if not Microsoft related). I tweeted the question and sent it internal to see what we can come up with.

A search on Social Source Commons (http://socialsourcecommons.org) brought up this tool:

http://www.acuityscheduling.com/

It's hosted so it could work for multiple offices. Anyway, thought I'd throw that out there. Good luck!

Btw when I said "this kind of software" I was thinking about medical scheduling software. I pictured in my mind looking across 20 calendars and finding an opening. We do this on a regular basis through Outlook and Exchange (just scheduled a meeting with 30 people), but I'm not sure if your need has other requirements.

I posted this internally and here are some of the suggestions I got (all in just one hour!)

"CRM software typically includes service scheduling functionality. Dynamics CRM 4 is Microsoft’s offering.

Links related to Dynamics CRM 4.0:
General information: http://crm.dynamics.com/solutions/customerservi...
Health care information: http://download.microsoft.com/download/0/8/7/08...

This may be more than the non-profit would want, but I thought I would throw it out there as an option"

"You can share calendar from Live (get each an @live.com addy and you can then share the calendars.) "

From our twitter

"use Microsoft Outlook Calendar to track and setup scheduling."

"have them use WSS, its free and easy"

"Outlook and SharePoint with workflow - Non profit doctor appt software"

We don't know your technology capabilities and infrastructure but I think some of these suggestions may be tough for you to implement. Let us know your thoughts!

Another idea from @tigaro_bdbxml on twitter: "have the non-profit look up 'scheduling' on #codeplex - there are quite a few apps they can choose from"

Another idea from @tigaro_bdbxml on twitter: "have the non-profit look up 'scheduling' on #codeplex - there are quite a few apps they can choose from"