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 95/98/98 SE/Me/NT/2000/XP

FILEMAKER

FileMaker Pro 7

www.filemaker.com

(800) 325-2747, $299

Databases and information management software. Allows you to import and organize any type of information (including graphics) and share information with other people and programs

Windows 98/Me/NT 4.0/2000/XP

MICROSOFT

Access 2003

www.microsoft.com

(800) 426-9400, $229 ($109 to upgrade)

Builds simple of complex databases for organizing, accessing and sharing information.

Windows 97/2000/XP

ORACLE

Standard Edition One

www.oracle.com

(888) 672-2534, $149 per user (minimum of five users)

Single processor version of Oracle's database software, to simplify installation and management.

HP Open Alpha VMS, HP Tru64 UNIX, HP-UX, IBM AIX, Linux, Sun Solaris, Windows

DESKTOP PUBLISHING/GRAPHIC DESIGN

ADOBE

Creative Suite Premium Edition

www.adobe.com

(800) 833-6687, $1,229

Graphics and imaging suite with Photoshop CS, illustrator CS, In Design CS, GoLive CS, Acrobat 6.0 Professional and Version Cue, a file-management utility.

Mac OS X, Windows 2000/XP

ADOBE

InDesign CS PageMaker Edition

www.adobe.com

(800) 833-6687, $349

Combines a full version of InDesign CS with the PageMaker Plug-in Pack to help users of the discontinued PageMaker application transition to InDesign

Mac OS X, Windows 2000/XP

BRODERBUND SOFTWARE

Print Shop Pro Publisher 20

www.broderbund.com

(800) 395-0277, $69.99

Software for creating print and multimedia projects, including business cards, newsletters, presentations and photo projects. Includes a Small Business Center.

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP

COREL

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 12

www.corel.com

(800) 772-6735, $399

Includes CorelDRAW 12 for illustration, page layout and vector drawing; Corel PHOTO-PAINT 12 for digital imaging; and Corel RAVE 3 for motion-graphics.

Windows 2000/XP/Tablet PC

INFOMMERSION

Xcelsius 3.0 Professional Edition

www.informmersion.com

(858) 552-6672, $495

Transforms data stored in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and workbooks into visual presentation and interactive reports. The data is updated by connecting to a database and is extracted as a Macromedia Flash file far viewing.

Windows 2000/XP

JASC SOFTWARE

Paint Shop Pro 8.0

www.jasc.com

(800) 622-2793, $87 ($79 download)

This image-editing application includes special-effects tools, a script editor and one-click Photo Fix.

Windows 98/98 SE/Me/NT 4.0/2000/XP

MICROSOFT

Publisher 2003

www.microsoft.com

(800) 426-9400, $169 ($99 to upgrade, after rebate)

Application for designing, creating and publishing marketing and communication materials.

Windows 97/2000/XP

QUARK

QuarkXPress 6.1

www.quark.com

(800) 676-4575, $1,045

Page-layout software for creating advertisements, newsletters, technical documentation and more. Includes tools for file management, print output and Web page production.

Mac OS X (10.2 or higher),Windows 2000/XP

SERIF

PagePlus 9

www.serif.com

(800) 557-3743, $135

Tool for designing and creating documents. Allows you to input 3-D objects, images and enhanced text. Offers PDF output for easy printing.

Windows 98/98 SE/Me/2000/XP

ULEAD

PhotoImpact XL