When it comes to keeping track of your business, scraps of paper scattered
across your office just won't cut it. Your suppliers won't like it, your
customers will suffer, and the tax collector . . . well, let's just say you
don't want to find out what the tax collector can do. Keeping everything
organized and in one place will not only keep your business up and running
smoothly but will also help to keep you sane.
Enter the following
small-business solutions. All these tools will let you keep track of your
invoices and customer information, and most of them have the ability to track
inventory. We've grouped them into four general areas for your convenience:
Web-Based, Free Downloads, For-Cost Downloads, and Off-The-Shelf programs.
Web-based programs generally only require an Internet connection and a browser
(making them accessible to most platforms). All the applications we've included
run on Windows 95/98/NT, unless otherwise noted, and most of the for-cost
programs have free demo/evaluation counterparts.
( NOTE: Many of the
programs we reviewed included accounting capabilities, as well as good
inventory, invoice, and customer management functions.)
Web-Based.
As alien as Web-based
packages may seem, they do have unique selling points. First, you and other
members of your business can access information about invoices, customers, or
products regardless of where you or they are. Second, you don't have to be
connected to a network or at your office to view or change an item in your
management software. The third cool thing about Web-based software is that you
and your company will only need browser software. Finally, the storage
facilities for reputable online systems are very secure and regularly backed up,
which means you don't need to worry about losing data if your server crashes or
the power goes out.
NetLedger. Built on an Oracle 8i
database, NetLedger (http://www.netledger.com) lets you keep
track of all aspects of your business from the comfort of your favorite browser.
You can manage transactions such as receivables (invoices, sales receipts, and
customer payments), payables (bills and sales tax), bank (deposit, transfer, and
credit card) and other items (adjust inventory and reconcile). NetLedger also
lets you write checks; tap into audit trails to track transactions, accounts,
and more; and set access levels for different users.
Whether you want
your information in report or graph form, NetLedger can satisfy your needs with
its report and graph generation section. Get the particulars on accounts payable
and receivable, sales, expenses, and more. When you first log into the latest
version (0.9.9), you're on a customizable page where you can set up shortcuts to
quickly link to the areas you use most. An FAQ and detailed help section are
available to help you through any confusing sections. One of the unique features
here is the ability to gather and integrate orders from Web-based stores, which
is a potential timesaver for the e-commerce crowd.
For as little as
$4.95 a month (after a free trial period), NetLedger promises a secure system
with constant backup features. The site even lets you convert your data directly
from QuickBooks.
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