Saving customer directions on your computer?

I know this should be an easy thing to do, but I cannot figure it out.

How you save directions to customers on your computer? I have Microsoft Works, Open Office, and Libre but I am not well versed in any of them. What I am trying to do is be able to save customer information (Name, Address, City/State, phone number, and Notes (this is where the directions would be put, as well as other notes, ie parking available). I would then like to be able to search my computer for the customer name (ie, Publix Store #1383).

I'm guessing I am trying to make this more complicated than it should be as I suppose I could simply open MS Notepad and enter all of the information and save it as the customer name in a customers folder. When it comes time to refer to that customer again, open the folder and scroll down to find the specific customer.

I have been writing mine down in a small notebook for years. Once the notebook is full, toss it, grab a new one and start again. Having computers with large hard drives, I figure there has to be a better way for long term storage of the information.

Any ideas on how to achieve what I am trying to do and how do you save yours?

Thanks for any help.

88A

 

I was afraid someone would say a database. I have played with the Open Office database builder in the past, but I couldn't get it to do what I wanted it to do. It sounds like I will have to take another look at trying to use that. I realize creating a database shouldn't be too difficult, but it has been.

I will certainly look into your other suggestion about "inexpensive" contact management systems.

 

I have used the recipe card trick in the past but for whatever the reason, I stopped doing that. I recently had a run where I delivered to multiple grocery stores (not something we normally do). Some of the stores had plenty of room to turn around in, should you come in the wrong way, some, if you went in the wrong way just keep on going and figure out how to come in the the correct entrance. Once that day was done, I broke out my index cards and wrote the directions down, including exactly how to get in the right way for the docks.

Using the index cards is the very reason I began to wonder about how to create an electronic version of them.

 

I forgot I had that on my phone and my laptop. That is another program I have only played with (not gotten real serious about using), but that might work out very well for me.

 

I knew there would be some smart folks out there who understood what I was trying to do and be able to dumb it down enough for me to grasp the concept.

Drivers are no longer "just a driver". We all have different backgrounds and with forums such as TTR, we bring different stuff, ideas,etc to the table to help others.

Thanks for all of the ideas. I think it is time I learn some of the programs and apps I have, instead of "playing with them".

I really appreciate the help. Gotta go load the wagon.

88A