Wish list

Entrepreneur, Dec, 1998 by Cassandra Cavanah

Software stocking stuffers for your employees, your clients - and you, too

Whether Santa Claus is coming to your town or you're lighting the menorah, this is the time of year when gifts are given and received.

In addition to remembering employees and clients, smart entrepreneurs stuff their own stockings with gifts that can help them get through the next year. Whether it means adding a new Web site development tool to your arsenal or investing in a set of Encyclopedia Britannica CD-ROMs, the point is to take advantage of this gift-giving time of year and give yourself something you've always wanted. Better yet, why not figure out what products you'd like and let your family get you something you can use (instead of the not-quite-right tie, awful-smelling perfume or Chia Pet you seem to get every year)?

A TRAVELER'S BEST FRIEND

On The Go Software's Quicken ExpensAble 98, the latest version of the number-one expense-reporting software program, has expanded its functionality to include travel-related services in addition to its tried-and-true expense features. This program runs under Windows 95/98/NT and comes with 30 different expense report forms. And at $50, it's a gift that won't break the bank.

Perhaps the most significant change to the program is its ability to allocate expenses among two or more clients - giving service-oriented businesses a great deal of flexibility when filling out expense reports. Additionally, Quicken ExpensAble 98 comes with a built-in Web browser and links to travel-related Web sites for booking trips, checking weather or getting updates on currency exchange rates, all while you're working within the program.

Don't let the name fool you - Quicken ExpensAble can exchange data with more accounting programs than just QuickBooks and Quicken. You may also want to check out the server-based module of the program, ExpensAble InSite, which allows access from the Web or via an intranet.

Users of this program claim it saves them tons of time when they're filing complicated expense reports. Call (800) 331-3416 or visit www.onthegosoftware.com and check it out for yourself.

DON'T GET LEFT BEHIND

Being on the road can sometimes be a lonely experience - not to mention a frustrating one. And though computers are a huge part of your life in the office, on the road, this can become a complete nightmare. Just dialing into your ISP while traveling can cause a nervous breakdown.

That's where Symantec's Norton Mobile Essentials comes in. This product was designed to take the pain out of laptoppers' travels - and keep the time it takes to get up and running in a new location to a minimum. It's a stocking stuffer any business traveler in your life will appreciate.

Norton Mobile Essentials costs about $79 and includes three components: Before You Go, Location Controller and Connection Doctor. Before You Go makes sure your hard drive is in order by running an antivirus scan and backing up your data to another drive or to floppies. Before You Go also includes Web links to most major cities in the world so you can determine the correct power and telephone adaptors that you'll need. The Location Controller already has information on common destinations, or you can enter the specifics for a city that's not listed. Finally, Connection Doctor will check your computer, modem and telephone connection to ferret out problems. Connection Doctor also offers solutions, or you can call a tech support specialist for 30 minutes of free support. For more information, call (800) 2539438 or visit www.symantec.com.

GET ORGANIZED!

If you or someone you know could stand for a little organization, there's no better time to start than at the dawn of a new year. Although there are loads of PIMs (Personal Information Managers) to choose from, you might be wise to stick with what you know. For example, if you use a paper-based Day-Timer planner, you may want to check out the software version, Day-Timer Organizer 2000. This product looks and even works much like the paper-based model - you can easily output your computerized DayTimer pages to specially designed paper that will fit your paper-based Day-Timer planner.

This program, which costs $59.95, lets you keep your contacts, calendars and to-do lists in one easy-to-manage location, and it includes a Time Management Tips database. It also works with handheld computers from Sharp, U.S. Robotics and Philips. The souped-up version, Day-Timer Organizer 2000 Deluxe ($79.95), goes beyond basic contact management and offers an OnBoard Info Diary Companion, Rand McNally RoutePlanner and Deluxe Database (which includes hotel, airline and vehicle rental reservation numbers and Web addresses).

And Day-Timer Home-Life ($29.95) is a gift your whole family will appreciate. This product was designed to help keep track of household schedules by day, week, month and year. There's a built-in home-messaging system, places to keep the entire household's addresses and phone numbers, as well as information on emergency and disaster procedures. Head to www.daytimer.com or call (800) 225-5005 for more information.