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 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP

NETWORK INSTRUMENTS

Observer 9.0

www.networkinstruments.com

(800) 526-7919,$995

Network-monitoring and LAN-troubleshooting tool that offers real-time analysis and trending by day, week and month for Ethernet 802.11a/b/g wireless, U Token Ring and FDDI networks.

Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003

NOVELL

Small Business Suite 6,5

www.novell.com

(888) 321-4272, $475 (five user licenses)

Software for building and maintaining a small business network. Includes NetWare 6.5, GroupWise 6, 5 for e-mail and collaboration, ZenWorks for Desktops 4 for management, Nterprise Branch Office 1.02 for providing network services to branch offices, and Novell BorderManager 3.8 for network security.

NetWare, Windows 2000

SYMANTEC

pcAnywhere 11.0

www.symantec.com

(800) 441-7234, $800 five-user pack

Remote-control applications that allows help-desk staff resolve server and workstation problems from a distance.

Windows 98/Me/NT 4.0/2000/XP

CONTACT/CRM

BEST SOFTWARE

ACT! 6.0 for 2004

www.act.com

(877) 501-4496, $250

Software for managing customer and vendor relationships, Includes tools for scheduling, tracking sales goals and collaborating within your workgroup.

Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP

FRONTRANGE SOLUTIONS

GoldMine Business Contact Manager

www.frontrange.com/goldmine

(800) 776-7889,$180

Contact-management suite with integrated sales and Relationship-management tools. Includes appointment tracking, to-do lists and opportunity manager. Synchronizes with Palm-and Pocket PC-based handhelds.

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP

INTUIT

QuickBookS Customer Manager

http://quickbooks.intuit.com

(800) 556-8620, $79 95

Designed for business with up to 20 employees; offers access to customer information, including purchase history and client referrals, through a dash board interface, Can be used with other QuickBooks applications or as a stand alone product

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP

MICROSOFT

Business Contact Manager

www.microsoft.com

(800) 426-9400, included in Office Sin all Business Edition

2003 ($449, of $279 for upgrade), Professional Edition 2003

and Professional Enterprise Edition 2003

(each $499, of $329 for the upgrades).

This add on for Outlook 2003 allows small businesses to keep track of account s, contacts and sales opportunities without purchasing a full-scale CRM solution.

Windows 97/2000/XP

SURADO SOLUTIONS

Smart Contact Manager Pro 4.1

www.smartcontactmanager.com

(800) 478-7236, $180

Includes tools for contact management, sales force automation and marketing campaign management. Also offers synchronization with Pocket PC 2002 and 2003 handhelds

Windows 98 SE/NT/2000/XP

DATABASE

ALPHA SOFTWARE

Alpha Five Version 5 Home edition

www.alphasoftware.com

(800) 451-1018, $349 for single user license ($299 for upgrade)

Track, report and manage information about your contracts, projects, images, equipment of facilities.

Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP

ASKSAM SYSTEMS

AskSam Professional 5.1

www.asksam.com

(800) 800-1997, $395

Specializes in managing disorganized in formation, including free-form text. Transforms disorganized content into full text searchable databases.