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To stay ahead in business, you have to stay on top of the tools available to you. To help, Entrepreneur annually evaluates the bestselling software programs for small business.
The roundup includes 12 types of software programs, all designed with one goal in mind: making your life easier. We take a look at the bestsellers in each category; we also list worthy challengers to the throne and encourage you to take a look at them before making a final decision. And, for a look at the trends and products making waves, check out the "What's Hot" list in each category. (Bestseller information provided by software research company PC Data Inc. in Reston, Virginia.)
Contact Management
Act! 2.0, $199.95 (DOS, Windows 3.1), $169.95 (Macintosh), Symantec Corp., (800) 441-7234, http://www.symantec.com
Smart entrepreneurs know contacts are vital to a small company. Without strong contacts within your industry, you won't likely survive. Symantec's Act! 2.0 is the bestseller in the contact management category. With this robust program, users can create unlimited databases with up to 70 customizable fields; schedule unlimited calls, meetings and to-do's; view a calendar by day, week or month; print calendars on 20 supported organizer formats; generate reports on customers and activities; and much more. Act! also supports some e-mail programs, including cc:Mail, Microsoft Mail and CompuServe's program, and can run on some handheld computers, including Hewlett Packard and Psion palmtops.
If you already use some sort of phone or address book program, Act! can import many file formats. I imported data from Starfish Software's Sidekick, a popular personal information manager (PIM). Within moments, I was working in my database, pointing and clicking to schedule meetings and calls.
Act! takes up only 8MB of disk space and is easy to use. You almost never need to take your hand off your mouse--just click on the word "call," pick a date on the pop-up calendar, select a time, and you're done. Want to know who you have scheduled to call today? Just click on the activities icon or look at the calendar. Need to write a letter? Simply click on the word processing icon, and a form comes up, complete with the contact's name and address, preferred salutation and your standard sign-off.
The somewhat cryptic tool bar images can be difficult to decipher, but the new Windows 95 version should eliminate that complaint.
This version of Act! is also available in a network version, which costs $799 and supports Novell Netware, LANtastic and Windows for Work groups.
Other Products
Claris Organizer 2.0, $69 (Macintosh/Power Mac), Claris Corp., (800) 544-8554, http://www.claris.com
Ecco Pro 3.0, $139 (Windows 3.1, Windows 95/NT), NetManage, (408) 973-7171, http://www.netmanage.com
Executive Desk, $49.95 (Windows 3.1, Windows 95/NT), Expert's Choice Inc., (800) 242-4775
GoldMine for Windows 95, $295 (single user), GoldMine Software Corp., (800) 654-3526, http://www.goldminesw.com
Janna Contact Professional, $149 (Windows 95/NT), Janna Systems Inc., (800) 268-6107, http://www.janna.com
Organizer 97, $79 (Windows 95/NT), $49 (upgrade), Lotus Development Corp., (800) 343-5414, ,http://www.lotus.com
Sidekick 95, $49.95 (Windows 3.1, Windows 95/NT), Starfish Software Inc., (408) 461-5800, http://www.starfishsoftware.com
What's Hot
- Act! 3.0 for Windows 95/NT wasn't available at press time but should be in stores now. It promises to bring even more functionality to this popular contact manager. New features include the ability to find contacts based on Caller-ID, group calendaring, support for Internet e-mail, integration with a user's preferred word processor, and complete customization of fields and layouts.
- FileABC has teamed up with Franklin Quest to integrate its Imaging and Document Management software with Franklin Quest's Ascend time manager. The new program, which didn't have a name yet at press time, will help users more effectively manage tasks, appointments, notes, goals, correspondence and more by linking supporting documents and information with these activities. This means users can keep their personal appointment calendar, record of events, contact and phone log, as well as a virtual filing cabinet's worth of information, all in one place. Call (808) 523-7857.
- Janna Contact Personal is just $49.95 but offers features found in more expensive programs, including the ability to store all sorts of files, such as letters, faxes and even video clips, with the appropriate contact.
- Lotus Organizer is one of the most popular PIMs on the market. Lotus claims more than 9 million customers worldwide use it. The latest version, Organizer 97, is a 32-bit Windows 95/NT program with numerous enhancements, such as an improved autodialer and the ability to launch Web sites from within Organizer.
- The newest version of Claris Organizer for the Macintosh is Internet-savvy, with e-mail and Web links providing instant access to the World Wide Web.
Accounting and BookKeeping
QuickBooks Pro 4.0, $189 (Windows 3.1, Windows 95/NT, Macintosh), Intuit Inc., (800) 816-8025, http://www.intuit.com
Your company's bottom line is something you need to stay on top of. You could send your bookkeeping to a professional, or you could do it yourself with Intuit's QuickBooks. QuickBooks is a longtime bestseller in this category, with a more than 60 percent market share. This year, an enhanced version of QuickBooks, called QuickBooks Pro, is the number-one seller.
QuickBooks Pro 4.0 has the same functionality as the standard QuickBooks 4.0 but is enhanced with project management functions, such as estimating, time-tracking and job-costing. This product truly makes accounting easy. The EasyStep Interview walks users through the start-up process, including customer, vendor, employee and item setup. But to get started, you don't even have to go through the setup process. You can just open a blank invoice, fill in a customer name and address--QuickBooks will automatically add the contact to your database--and go.
This version even includes a minicontact manager for tracking all communications with your customers. You can take notes, schedule callbacks and manage to-do's. Daily business chores can be easily accomplished in QuickBooks--you can output customized invoices, run reports to see what's going on in your business, track accounts receivable and easily work on accounts payable. When it's time to pay your employees, QuickBooks Payroll automatically calculates earnings and deductions and even prints W-2s, W-3s and 1099s.
QuickBooks Pro needs about 30MB of hard-drive space. The CD-ROM versions of QuickBooks include a ZIP Code Directory and Business and Legal Libraries, and need a color monitor.
Other Products
Quicken 5.0, $39.95 (Windows 3.1, Windows 95/NT), Intuit Inc.
DacEasy Accounting & Payroll 95, $149.95 (Windows 3.1, Windows 95/NT), DacEasy Inc., (800) 322-3279
Managing Your Money, $19.95 (DOS, Windows 3.1, Macintosh), Meca Software LLC, (800) 288-6322, http://www.mymnet.com
Microsoft Money 95, $34.95 (Windows 95/NT), Microsoft Corp., (800) 426-9400, http://www.microsoft.com
M.Y.O.B. Accounting 6.0, $79.95 (Windows 3.1), $89.95 (Macintosh), BestWare, (800) 322-6962
One-Write Plus 5.0, $89.95 (Windows 3.1), $69.96 (DOS), Peachtree Software Inc., (800) 225-9550, http://www.peachtree.com
Peachtree First Accounting 2.0, $49.95 (Windows 3.1); Peachtree Accounting 3.5, $129 (Windows 3.1); Peachtree Complete for Windows, $199; Peachtree Accounting for Macintosh 2.5, $99; Peachtree Software Inc., (800) 247-3224
Simply Accounting 4.0, $129 (Windows 3.1), ACCPAC International, (800) 773-5445, http://www.cia.com
Visual AccountMate, $1,195 (Windows 95/NT), AccountMate Software, (800) 877-8896, http://www.accountmate.com
What's Hot
- PC Payroll for Windows ($195, plus $95 annually) is an automated payroll system that can be customized for special tax situations, including multistate employees. The professional version lets users integrate with their favorite accounting program, such as QuickBooks, DacEasy and more. Contact Peninsula Software of Virginia Inc. at (757) 873-2976.
- Look for a new version of DacEasy Accounting & Payroll 95. This version is designed to make the setup process easier and will include online banking. It will still feature a customizable interface and be networkable; it will also be integrated with DacEasy's sister programs TeleMagic, a contact manager, and Timeslips, a time and billing program.
- Microsoft Money 97 should be available now and includes online banking--currently, nearly 60 banks are signed on. A partnership with Visa enables Money users to download their Visa accounts into the program. Quicken users will be able to easily convert data to this new version.
- The latest version of State of the Art's MAS 90 accounting program is designed to work under Windows. It promises considerable performance improvements over its DOS-based predecessors while offering complete compatibility with DOS modules. MAS 90 is the accounting software of choice for many medium-sized companies. Call (800) 854-3415, or visit http://www.stateoftheart.com.
Office Suites
Microsoft Office Professional 95, $599 (Windows 95/NT), $349 (competitive upgrade), Microsoft Corp., (800) 426-9400, http://www.microsoft.com
The concept of office suites--software packages that integrate several applications--has spelled sweet success for a few key software companies, most notably Microsoft. Microsoft Office Professional is by far the most comprehensive suite available--Microsoft packs much of its product line into it. Indeed, your hard drive might sway under its weight, as a full install of the entire program can take up 124MB of hard-drive space. For those with less space to lose, a compact (or partial) install requires just 42MB.
What do you get for that? Bestselling programs including Word 95, a word processor; Excel 95, a spreadsheet; PowerPoint 95, a presentation program; Access 95, a database; Schedule+ 95, a scheduling program; Word Internet Assistant, a rudimentary HTML editor; Internet Explorer, a Web browser . . . the list goes on and on. Suffice it to say, Office Professional 95 provides all the applications a business needs--and then some.
If you opt for Microsoft Office, you'll never again open a program and wonder how the heck it works. That's because each Office program has a similar look and feel, with the pull-down menus and icons activating the same functions.
Another great bonus is the total integration offered by Office. For example, a spreadsheet created in Excel can be embedded into a Word document, and if the data on the spreadsheet changes, that change will automatically occur in the Word document. Additionally, Answer Wizard quickly and easily tells you how to use the applications together.
Not surprisingly, Microsoft already has plans for Office 97, a suite that incorporates Web technology and includes Microsoft Outlook, a souped-up contact manager.
Other Products
Corel Office Professional, $695 (Windows 3.1, Windows 95/NT) and Corel WordPerfect Suite 7, $395 (Windows 3.1, Windows 95/NT, CD-ROM version), Corel Corp., (800) 772-6735, http://www.corel.com
What's Hot
- SmartSuite 97 Edition for Windows 95/NT should be in stores by the time you read this. It will include new versions of 1-2-3, Organizer, Word Pro, Freelance Graphics and Approach (a database). Lotus says SmartSuite 97 will feature extensive Internet capabilities, including the ability to publish 1-2-3 spreadsheets directly to the Internet and the Word Pro Web Builder with automatic conversion to HTML format. Call (800) 343-5414, or visit http://www.lotus.com
Integrated Software
ClarisWorks 4.0, $129 (Macintosh), ClarisCorp., (800) 544-8554, www.claris.com
Unlike office suites, integrated programs are designed primarilyfor home office use. The components are not typically full-fledgedprograms but are usually competent enough to perform commonfunctions.
ClarisWorks 4.0 for the Macintosh is the bestseller in thiscategory--perhaps because office suites on the Windows platformhave become so affordable, it makes less sense to purchasepared-down integrated packages for Windows. Worth noting here,however, is that ClarisWorks 4.0 for Windows 95, at $49, issignificantly less expensive than the Macintosh version.
ClarisWorks is the best low-cost Macintosh solution ifyou're looking for an all-in-one software package. This programboasts a full-featured word processor, spreadsheet database, andgraphics and presentation capabilities in one complete package.
This version of ClarisWorks includes Assistants, Shortcuts andStationaries to make it easy to create documents. It also includesa new HTML translator for creating documents to be posted to theWorld Wide Web.
ClarisWorks 4.0 offers 100 percent cross-platform compatibilitybetween the Macintosh and Windows 95 versions. Amazingly, all thisfunctionality requires just 14MB of hard-drive space and can run on4MB RAM.
Other Products
Microsoft Works, $54.95 (Windows 3.1, Windows95/NT, Macintosh), Microsoft Corp., (800) 426-9400, http://www.microsoft.com
Web Browsers
Netscape Navigator 3.0, $49 (Windows 3.1, Windows95/NT, Macintosh), Netscape Communications Corp., (415) 254-1900,http://home.netscape.com
Explorer 3.0, free (Windows 95/NT), MicrosoftCorp., (800) 426-9400,
Though Netscape is without a doubt the number-one seller ofWeb-browsing software, Microsoft is quickly gaining market sharewith its free distribution of Explorer and its extensive newagreements with mainstream online providers such as America Online,CompuServe, AT&T, MCI and NetCom.
Netscape has poured major enhancements into the newest versionof Navigator, including integrated support for sound andmultimedia. This means Web designers will be able to embed thingssuch as RealAudio, Shockwave and QuickTime into their Web sites,and users will be able to seamlessly play them without adding anyplug-in software.
Another addition is what Netscape calls CoolTalk, which allowsyou to set up an Internet phone connection with conversation, textchat and real-time file sharing. Live3D promises to let userstravel through 3-D worlds via the Net. This version will alsoinclude enhanced Java support.
A trial version of Navigator 3.0 is available free simply bydownloading it from http://home.netscape.com.
Not to be outdone, Microsoft has been feverishly working torelease Explorer 4.0. It looks as if many of the new Navigatorfeatures will also be incorporated into Explorer 4.0. Explorer willstill benefit from increased Windows 95 compatibility--with easyshortcuts to bookmarks--and it will still be free.
Other Products
Mosaic in a Box for Windows 95, $9.95, CompuServeSPRY/Internet Division, (206) 957-8000, http://www.spry.com
Emissary Desktop 2.0, $99 (Windows 3.1),Attachmate, (800) 426-6283, http://www.attachmate.com
What's Hot
- Check out Globalink's Web Translator. Thisbrowser add-on lets you translate Web pages from Spanish, Frenchand German into English or vice versa. Call (800) 755-2799.
- FreeLoader delivers Web sites to your hard driveat specified times--even if you're not there. You can also haveFreeLoader check out your favorite Web sites and tell you ifthey've been updated. Download this program for free athttp://www.freeloader.com
- Mustang Software, makers of Wildcat! Interactive NetServer, recently announced an agreement with AutomatedTransactions Services that will allow for real-time onlineprocessing of credit cards and electronic checks for purchases madeat Wildcat! sites. Call (800) 999-9619, or visit http://www.mustang.com
Databases
Microsoft Access 95, $339 (Windows 95/NT), $129(competitive upgrade), Microsoft Corp., (800) 426-9400, http://www.microsoft.com
Microsoft Access is a relational database that can help youtrack things like sales figures, invoices and inventory. You canalso use it to keep track of personal information, such as favoritebooks and quotations, an inventory of your possessions and thelike.
Because databases tend to be intimidating for the uninitiated,Microsoft includes Database Wizards that automatically buildtables, queries, forms and reports--tasks that seem daunting tofirst-time users. Access 95 also includes a Wizard that works withWord 95 to make mail merges easy.
This 32-bit program supports advanced Windows 95 functions suchas long file names, tabbed dialogs and desktop shortcuts. As withall Office 95 applications, Access 95 supports object linking andembedding (OLE), enabling virtually seamless cross-applicationintegration. Additionally, Access' AutoCorrect automaticallycorrects the spelling of common words, and the Performance Analyzerexamines a database and recommends changes to improveperformance.
Of course, all this power needs plenty of hardware behind it.Microsoft recommends 12MB of memory for Windows 95 and 16MB forWindows NT. A complete installation uses 42MB of hard-drive space,while a minimum install needs 14MB.
Expect Access 97 to include an extensive amount of Internet andIntranet tools for publishing databases on the Internet.
Other Products
AskSam 3.0, $149.95 (Windows 3.1, Windows 95/NT;standard version), $395 (professional version), AskSam Systems,(800) 800-1997, http://www.asksam.com
Filemaker Pro 3.0, $199 (Windows 3.1, Windows95/NT, Macintosh), Claris Corp., (800) 544-8554, http://www.claris.com
Lotus Approach 96, $129 (Windows 95/NT; CD-ROMversion), $109 (disk version), Lotus Development Corp., (800)343-5414, http://www.lotus.com
What's Hot
- AskSam users may want to check out AskSam's WebPublisher. Give your AskSam database to AskSam Systems, andthey'll put it up on their server for as little as $30 permonth. That means anyone with access to the Internet will be ableto search or page through and execute any links in your AskSamdatabase. Those of you with your own Windows 95 or NT server canpurchase Web Publisher ($1,495) and post as much AskSam data as youwant.
