Planet of the APPS: with so many software options out there, we can't blame you for feeling a little overwhelmed. So where do you begin when choosing the best ones for your business? Our 2004 Complete Guide to Software can make a world of difference

Entrepreneur, May, 2004 by Liane Cassavoy

Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP/Server 2003

SYMANTEC

Norton Ghost 2003

www.symantec.com

(800) 441-7234, $69.95 ($49.95 to upgrade)

Backup and disc-imaging application. Clones hard drives for system recovery and stores disc images on multiple types of media, including network sewers, other hard drives, and CD and DVD discs

Windows 98/Me/NT WS/2000/XP

VERITAS SOFTWARE

Backup Exec 9.1 for Windows Servers

www.veritas.com

(800) 327-2232, $795

Back up and restore software for networks Protects desktop, laptop and server data. Features a Web-based administration console.

Windows NT/2000/Server 2003

BUSINESS PLAN/LEGAL

BUSINESS RESOURCE SOFTWARE

Plan Write for Business 7.0

www.brs-inc.com

(800) 423-1228, $130 ($120 to download)

Includes a library of sample business plans and a plan writing wizard. Allows you to export to Microsoft Word and Excel or PDF and HTML documents, and supports expanded financial statements.

Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP

JIAN

BizPlanBuilder 2004

www.jian.com

(800) 346-5426, $99.99

Helps you develop and create business plans; allows you to create brochures for investors. Includes prewritten sample plans and spreadsheet tools that allow you to fill in your own variables.

Mac OS X, Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP

NOLO

Incorporator Pro

www.nolo.com

(800) 728-3555, $89.99

Provides tools for forming a corporation, including information and resources for reserving a name, preparing corporate by laws, creating articles of incorporation based on official state forms, issuing initial shares and using corporate tax breaks.

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP

NOLO

LLC Maker

www.nolo.com

(800) 728-3555, $89.95

Allows you to form and run an LLC. Offers legal and tax information, including resources for choosing a valid LLC name in your state, generating and filing articles of organization, and preparing an operating agreement.

Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP

NOLO

Quicken Legal Business Pro 2004

www.nolo.com

(800) 728-3555, $49.95

Offers legal guidance for starting and running a small business, including more than 140 contracts, forms, letters and checklists. Provides information on tax laws, employment laws, small claims court and leasing space. Online updates are provided to keep up with changing laws.

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP

PALO ALTO SOFTWARE

Business Plan Pro 2004 PREMIER

www.paloalto.com

(800)229-7526, $299

Includes basic business-plan features, including examples And instructions. Advance features include Investment analysis, sales forecasting, and the ability For multiple users in different locations to work on the plan simultaneously.

Windows 98/Me/NT 4.0/2000/XP

PLANMAGIC

PlanMagic Business 6.0

www.planmagic.com

fax: (914) 962-0149, $99,95 CD-ROM and download

($84.95 for download only)

Generates detailed business plans. Includes templates and automated financials. Also offers a product line and number-of-products generator.

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP

COMMUNICATION

AOL

AIM Enterprise Gateway 2.0

http://enterprise.aim.com

(877) 836-3726, $34 per user per year

Allows business to secure the use of AOL's IM application. Supports logging and auditing messages, and allows staff manage IM traffic as well as employee identities and permissions. Desktop client: Mac OS g/OS X, Red Hat Linux,