The right stuff: race ahead of the competition with the smartest software to help build and better your business

Entrepreneur, May, 2005 by Liane Cassavoy

When it comes to the software you need to run your business, the focus this year--more than ever--is on security. With hackers trying to steal your private data and your identity, you need to protect yourself. With that in mind, our 2005 Complete Guide to Software includes the applications you'll need to protect yourself and your computers against this new generation of smarter, blended threats. And this year, we've added a new category: web browsers. Internet Explorer may be everywhere, but it's not your only choice. As our guide proves, you have plenty of choices--in every category.

APPS FOR SMALL TO MIDSIZE BUSINESSES

ENTREPRENEUR'S COMPLETE GUIDE TO SOFTWARE

ACCOUNTING/FINANCIAL/TAX PREPARATION

BEST SOFTWARE

Peachtree Premium Accounting 20005

www.peachtree.com

(800) 247-3224, $500

Full-featured accounting and business management software with robust inventory tools, including serialized inventory management. Includes features for archiving past company data for use in future reports as well as the ability to run consolidated financial statements for multiple companies. Industry-specific versions are available, including manufacturing, distribution, accounting and nonprofit.

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

BEST SOFTWARE

Simply Accounting 2005 Basic

www.simplyaccounting.com

(800) 773-5445, $49

Designed for smaller businesses and startups with simple accounting requirements. Offers core accounting functions for product and service-based companies, including an optional payroll service. Also offers daily updates on key business information.

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

H&R BLOCK

TaxCut Complete Home & Business

www.taxcut.com

(800) 457-9525, $69.95

Includes two software programs for filing both personal and business tax returns. Includes forms for preparing self-employment, corporate, partnership, estate, payroll and nonprofit returns, and tools for calculating home-office and business expense deductions.

Windows 95/98/NT 4.0/2000/Me/XP

INTUIT

QuickBooks Premier 2005

www.quickbooks.com

(888) 246-8848, $500

Financial management software with business planning tools. Allows you to forecast income and expenses, track inventory, and create purchase orders and invoices. Remote-access subscription service available for accessing your data over the web.

Windows 98 SE/2000/XP

INTUIT

Quicken 2005 Premier Home & Business

www.quicken.com

(888) 246-8848, $89.95

Suite for managing personal and business finances. Includes a Business Center where you can see unpaid invoices, upcoming bills and predict cash flow all in one place.

Windows 98/2000/Me/XP

INTUIT

TurboTax Business for Tax Year 2004

www.turbotax.com

(888) 246 8848, $99-95

Software to help you file corporation, partnership and fiduciary income taxes. Includes tools for preparing and printing W-2 and 1099-MISC forms for employees and contractors.

Windows 98/2000/Me/XP

MICROSOFT

Money 2005 Small Business

www.microsoft com/money

(800) 426 9400, $89.95

Software for managing personal and small-business finances. Features include cash-flow management, tax planning, inventory tracking and payroll. Also allows you to create invoices, automatically categorize business and personal income and expenses, and manage accounts receivable and payable.

Windows 98 SE/2000 (SP 3)/XP

MYOB

BusinessEssentials Pro

www.myob.com

(800) 322-6962, $299

Software suite that includes accounting components and business productivity applications. Includes Premier Accounting (formerly MYOB Plus), an accounting application with complete sales and purchases, inventory tracking, customer management and payroll features. Additional features include tools for conducting performance evaluations, employee training and attendance tracking.

Windows 98/NT 4.0 (SP 6) or higher/ 2000/Me/XP

BACKUP

ACRONIS

Acronis True Image 8.0

(877) 825-0953, $49.99

Software that creates an exact disc image (including all computer data, operating system and programs) for backup and disc cloning. Also lets you create an online system disk backup.

Linux, Windows 95/98/2000/Me/XP

CMS PRODUCTS

BounceBack Professional 6.0

www.cmsproducts.com

(800) 327-5773, $79

Hard drive based backup and recovery software. Includes QuickRestore feature to restore single files, folders or the entire contents of a hard drive, as well as the ability to recover multiple versions of the same file. Also offers automatic scheduled backups and incremental backups.

Mac OS X, Windows 98/2000/XP

EISENWORLD

Alohabob PC Backup

www.eisenworld.com

(888) 392-5642, $49.95

Allows you to rank the importance of critical files, and search for and select files to be backed up. Files can be saved to CDs, DVDs, USB drives, ZIP drives and separate hard-drive partitions on your PC.

Windows 95/98/2000/Me/XP

EMC DANTZ

Retrospect Single Server 7

www.dantz.com

(800) 225-4880, $699

Automated backup software for desktops, notebooks, servers and networks. Features on-site/off-site media rotation, self-adjusting backup operations, support for tape libraries and disaster-recovery features.