ADAMAFLYNN  I've been using Studiometry for a couple months now and it's been excellent for my needs. Makes tracking work and invoicing a LOT easier than it was with my old accounting software. It lets me track everything that I need to track for my development business (invoices, expenses, vendors, etc) for taxes and such, but simplifies out a lot of the accounting details that just burned time.

The company itself is great as well. I recently needed a way to export data from the program in a certain way to prepare a tax report that I couldn't seem to do easily with the existing features. A few days later they replied to my ticket and told me they built the feature for me and it'll ship early the next week. I'm extremely satisfied by the support I've gotten from them (much, MUCH better than my last accounting package, where you get a support rep from India just trying to get you off the phone).

I'd STRONGLY recommend this product!  
(Version 6.1)

XPLICIT  Way overpriced.  
(Version 6.0.1)

STORMCHILD  Holy massive price jump, Batman.

You guys want $240 for this now? Good luck!  
(Version 6.0)

ERICSACKETT  I've used Studiometry for a long time now, and there really aren't many products that can compete with the features it has. And with each new version the developer has added new, useful features. The cost is very reasonable for anyone using this to run a real business.  
(Version 6.1.91)

SEAN DRAKE  I used this application since it first came out and i believe the price was 40.00.

it was always slow, and where as it got a little better over time, however the price

went up as well. ITs a very heavy application on your system. I feel its

a bit outdated with the technology going on and the use of web apps though.

I tried basecamp in tandem with freshbooks and its great as

people can log in to projects from anywhere with web browser

and the accounting with fresh books is great too.

no i don't work for them.

sean

creativemafia.com  
(Version 6.0.4)

IGORAZ  Studiometry has been a part of my design practice work flow since version 4. I have used it primarily to keep a database of clients, projects and invoicing. The software has been easy to set up, with the only exception of invoice and report templates that took some getting used to. The software has improved over time quite a bit, and the follow through on getting new features and resolving bugs has been very good, especially in the past few months. With version 6 estimating is becoming a viable part of the software for me, with the added ability to create itemized and highly detailed estimates. I would highly recommend this software for freelancers, one person studios and professionals in creative fields. The price point is excellent - compare $219 price tag with PrintSmith at a few thousand dollars. Additional seats do seem expensive, compared to the cost of initial license, but still very doable.

A few tips:

Overall:

Write out your work flow before setting up the software. Run a few projects in your mind and follow each step to see how the software may be of assistance or use during those steps.

Read help, watch tutorial videos. Really. There are a lot of features in the software, and it is one that is the backbone of the practice - so knowing obscure features could help a lot.

Make additional backups of your data files, template files to a CD or removable drive.

Invoice/Estimate templates:

Create your invoice/estimate first in a desktop publishing software to know all the things you need to include and understand the flow of it.

Print out a list of variables to have it handy when you are editing in visual template editor. It helps a lot especially when you are mixing text and variables.

Make backups of your templates you're about to edit through export feature in the visual template editor

Debt/Credit Categories:

Very useful when you have different rates for different clients, discounts, common expenses, etc - those are set up in Preferences in Categories.

Tech. Support/Bug resolution

Contact the developers - post bugs and questions on the support system - no other way they'll get resolved. I've used Studiometry support about 5 times in past few years, always to find resolution and quick answers.

Personal wish list:

InDesign plugin that would allow creation of nicely laid out and typeset documents with data from the program.

Trade/Barter billing setting would be wonderful, a lot of accounts that I have employ partial trade or barter and would be good to see which vendors you have credit with at a glance.

A more evolved system of discounts - percentages, automatically applied, etc.  
(Version 6.0.1)

SONJAY  This program allows me to track my billing and generate invoices faster and easier than any other program I've tried.

But its comprehensive feature set makes it difficult to learn. I was disappointed when Oranged.net shut down their user forums a while back. There's a new Studiometry Forum for user--to-user support at http://www.studiometryforum.com  
(Version 5.0.5)

TIM27  $220 now!!? The price keeps going up it seems. Better off supporting an online solution like Basecamp.  
(Version 6.1.9)

ZOONINI  I've been a devoted Studiometry user since 2005. Before Studiometry, billing clients was a tedious task I would put off doing for as long as possible. Switching to Studiometry made it incredibly easy to track how much time I'm spending on each project, and makes invoicing for that project a snap. It handles complex Canadian tax scenarios with ease and generates professional-looking invoices. Studiometry has run smoothly and without issues for four years. When I recently ran into a problem when upgrading, Orange Software's customer support was exemplary. I received a response to my ticket promptly, and a full resolution to my problem in less than one business day, with personal service by phone and email. I would not hesitate to recommend Studiometry to anyone looking for a full-featured desktop time-tracking and invoicing program.  
(Version 6.1.8)

ANDREW ROSS  Studiometry provides a very solid platform for freelancers/small business's who need a simple trouble free method of doing book-keeping and a way of tracking their related projects with ease, as a real bonus; it is very adaptable to your personal business needs, even as my work flow changed, Studiometry managed to adapt with ease and small changes. This is why I have been using Studiometry over many years in my overall work flow.

SUPPORT

The guys at Oranged.net offer a really incredible support service, they provide a very often immediate response, it's truly second to none service and this has got to be a real benefit for any small businesses or freelancer.

as an example, I was having some problems with freezing and speed when when I used Studiometry, on contacting Oranged.net, they went straight into solving the root of the problem and offering an immediate solution and then spending the next few weeks to taking the issue seriously and actually solving it properly in this update 6.1.3. while all the time keeping me informed on their progress and testing my files before the new release.

PERSONAL NEEDS

What I like is that I can keep a very tailor made system to track and bill clients with minimal problems, prior software I used to generally would always require a lot more time for me to fit in with their software framework rather than understanding what my needs are, this really allows me to concentrate on my core work of my business and not just being consumed with daunting book-keeping that seems to be a job in itself!

WORLDWIDE FLEXIBILITY

Also I should add; I work with different clients across different regions, also working out of different countries during the year, which at times can be quite complex with tracking payments and project times etc, but this software has to be one of the few that can cope with what I need on a daily basis, e.g. dealing with different tax regimes, currency conversions, mixed payments currencies and ultimately keeping it logged in iCal for me, very convenient.

q.v. Also by adding "Accounted" software that Oranged.net provide, you have a great back-end to how your business ultimately adds up.

Highly recommended for the humble freelancer who needs to keep it simple and adaptable to your changing business needs, probably not recommended for accountants who make their money out of complexity of your book keeping!

-A  
(Version 6.1.3)