QuickBooks Not cutting it... Alternitives

Clarifications

Very good, very affordable, particularly in the USA. 10s of thousands of reference sites. Has good integrated stock control.

Look for Microsoft Business Solutions - Dynamics GP.

First, let me say that if "your boss" wants to run a specific accounting package, it's not your place to look for an alternative. It's your place, as an employee, to learn to use that software correctly. I've used QB for years, including time while working in exactly the same type of situation (pc repair and retail store). QB's worked wonderfully for us. However, we did NOT use the POS module at the retail counter. We used a full copy networked back to the accounting office. So, perhaps it's the POS module that is making your life rough.

Your post is hard to decipher, but I think I see two complaints. (1) you have to input quotes using "QB part numbers" instead of parts descriptions, and (2) creating quotes doesn't remove the parts from inventory.

(1) QB's doesn't assign the part numbers. The person doing the ordering and creating the "parts" in the inventory assigns whatever they want to assign to that particular part. Some people use bar codes, some use abreviations to describe the part and yet others use a combination of the two. If your company is using numbers that you can't decipher when creating quotes, speak to them about it. Maybe they can explain their system so that it makes more sense to you.

(2) If quotes removed the parts from inventory, your inventory would be wrong. Quotes are just that and nothing more. They are an estimate of what it would cost IF the work described WAS done. What happens if someone decides not to buy after they've seen the quote? You can NEVER use quotes to adjust inventory. Now, IF you are "installing a product" and not creating a bill for that product immediately, YOU are the one creating an imbalance of the inventory. You need to invoice the customer for anything that has been done/installed/sold to that customer and the invoice DOES remove the part from inventory immediately. You can use a quote created for that customer, IF the quote accurately discribes what you've done. You simply convert the quote to an invoice. But, if the quote isn't accurate, it should perhaps be voided (depends on what the boss wants you to do), but an invoice should be prepared immediately instead, based on what you really did do/sell.

Hope this makes sense.

as to whether or not to spend the money on QB Non-Profit. I keep books for a small non-profit and though I have the 'adjustments' pretty well in hand for using QB Pro in a non-profit situation there seems to a thing or 2 every year that causes me to stop and rack my brain as to how to manage it using something designed for the profit driven company.

That input too is appreciated. :)

jeeminy the keyboard gremlin loves me

Keeping the names straight when one person can be a vendor, a donor (customer) or even a member (customer), has never been easy no matter what version you use. QB NP is no different in that aspect. And, I hate the darned "other" names too!!! As far as I'm concerned, that list is worthless for any use other than contacts. And, even that is lacking! ;)

What I do is put a letter after their name. For example:
Jane Doe(m) is used for a dues paying member
Jane Doe(v) is used for that same person that I have to pay as a vendor (reimburse expenses) and
Jane Doe(d) is used for that same person who might make a donation.

I use the same principal for businesses which I both write checks to (vendor) and receive donations from (customer).

If I had a payroll, I would use an (e) after that name in the list, but force it to print the correct name on the check. Fortunately, we're an all volunteer organization though! So, I don't have to deal with payroll, yet! ;)

I also use some generic names for bulk entries such as "Yard Sale", "Car Wash" or "Raffle" for reporting a lump sum deposit after a fundraiser. Dang funny how those generic donors all contribute far more than any one individual! ;)

I guess QB users all find just about the same way around nearly every one of the problems we encounter with "lists"! ;)

thankfully, we 1099 everything. Minor system change may be coming up - like the way you manage with the (c) after names.

I only 1099 the ones I absolutely have to, such as professionals who are paid for services rendered, maybe 10-12 a year. Our postage expenses are bad enough! :( Fortunately, most of our expenses are for purchasing goods or supplies to be used at the various events, advertising, printing/publications/postage or fees/dues. :D Unfortunately, tracking those expenses through the various funds/sub-funds, especially for split expenses on one check, is a royal PITA in QB. :( Thank goodness I'm able to comfortably find my way around in Excel! ]:)

Try QuoteWerks. It integrates with QuickBooks and can create professional quotes in minutes. Also, QuoteWerks can create orders and invoices and these can be moved over to QuickBooks as estimates, sales orders, and invoices. It sounds like it would be a good fit for you.