< Back		Filing System
		TCM stores your data in folders, in exactly the same way as Windows® but with added flexibility. This means that you can store any type of file associated with a contact, rather than just have it floating around the system. For example, if you create a spreadsheet for a client, you can file it in that client's folder instead of in a general folder for spreadsheets. There are six basic types of folder in TCM:
		Normal folders are used to organise your database into groups. A Normal folder called 'Customers' might contain sub-folders called 'United Kingdom' and 'Europe', and then those folders might contain your companies and contacts.
		Company folders are used to store information about companies and organisations. A Company folder typically has Contact folders within it, which represent the contacts at that company.
		Contact folders are used to store information about individuals. If you have a Contact folder within a Company folder, TCM assumes that the contact is employed at that company. Likewise, a contact within a Family folder is assumed to be a member of that family. You can create Contact folders on their own, usually for personal friends and acquaintances.
		Family folders are similar to Company folders except they are used for storing information about families and the contacts within them represent family members.
		Asset folders are used to store information about objects and items, such as machinery, vehicles and electrical equipment. You usually add assets for a particular company or contact, especially if you are providing warranty support for that equipment. Once assets are in the system you can then log service calls against them.
		Virtual folders allow you to create temporary, flexible groupings of companies and contacts for producing mail-shots or call lists. A Virtual folder doesn't actually contain any data, just links to other folders in the database.
		Creating a new folder
		Creating a new folder is very similar to using Windows Explorer®, you highlight an existing folder or the root (called Filing) and click to create the type of folder you require. If you choose to create a Company, Family or Contact, the Details screen will appear ready for you to enter data into your database fields. When you choose OK from the Details screen, TCM will create folders for your company, contacts, family or assets, giving each folder a unique number (like a filing reference).
		Note: It is very important that you don't rename or move TCM's folders using Windows Explorer®. All the functions for moving and renaming folders are available through TCM. Moving folders manually will invalidate TCM's indexing system and create problems with the filing references.
		Using the Filing tree
		As you add more contacts to your database they will appear in the Filing tree on the left-hand side of the Filing screen. You can right-click on a Company, Contact or Family folder and choose from a number of activities such as Call now to place a phonecall, Write an e-mail to compose an e-mail to that person, and Write a letter to send them a letter.