Assigning Customer Numbers
Assign each customer a unique number to use whenever you refer to that customer.
The customer number can be up to six characters long and can be any combination of letters and numbers. Here are some suggestions for creating customer numbers. Use the first letter of the first three words in the company name. For example:
Sunny Computer Service: SCS
Hi-Tech Motel: HTM
When a company only has one word as the title, use the first three characters. For example:
If the company name has two words in the title, use the first letter of the first word and the first two letters of the next word. For example:
When an individual's name is part of the company name, use the first letter of the first name and the first two letters of the last name. We suggest that you not use the middle initial in the customer number. For example:
Harry B. Gorfine & Company: HGO
When using only an individual's name to determine the customer number, use the first three letters of the last name. For example:
When two customers have the same initials, you can use a number after the letters to distinguish between them. For example:
Paradigm Research: PRE1
Claudia Preston: PRE2
Do not include Inc., Co., Corp., Consultant, CPA, Associates, Enterprises, etc., as part of the customer number.