Good planning and scheduling software enables you to:
- Plan and forecast business developments and growth
- Schedule appointments for yourself and staff
- Set calendar reminders of important appointments and events
- Coordinate multiple schedules among employees
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
For entrepreneurs with or without employees
A few simple programs can run almost your entire business.I recommend: ACT! Contact management software (available for single users or corporate workgroups) and e-mail and calendar tool Microsoft Outlook remain the juggernauts of small business planning and scheduling. Check out SJR Productions' ACT! Add-on Store, featuring an advanced scheduling system add-on to the software. The GroupReady Web site offers a free trial of its office-wide time management and scheduling software.
Industry-specific software
Get your particular needs met with software designed for your niche.I recommend: Landscaping businesses use Gopher billing and scheduling software. Construction companies use VirtualBoss. Businesses that frequently schedule customer appointments will value Web-based AppointmentQuest scheduling software. Or search through software by industry on the DMOZ site.
Read reviews and decide where to shop
There's ample help finding reputable, user-friendly products through unbiased product reviews. Once you've settled upon the best product for your company, do a price comparison and choose a retailer with fast shipping and a solid return policy.I recommend: See reviews from PC Magazine. When you're ready to buy, search Yahoo! Shopping for either planning or scheduling software and find price comparisons and reviews of retailers. Major retailers such as CompUSA, OfficeMax, and Best Buy sell software both online and brick-and-mortar style.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Talk to colleagues and competitors to learn what software works for them and ask for recommended retailers.
- Many retailers offer sales tied to specific events like "back to school," Father's Day, or holiday giving; check fliers for deals around these times.
- If the software you like best lacks a key feature, such as the ability to download to your PDA, call the manufacturer and ask if any software "plug-ins" or downloads exist.
- Check manufacturers' Web sites for coupons and special discounts.
- Sign up for email updates from your software company to keep abreast of upgrades and special offers sent only to existing customers.
- Ask retailers if they'll match or beat competitors' pricing or honor their coupons.
the Planning and Scheduling Software page at Business.com
Planning And Scheduling Software
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