Essential Computer Software for Business

Your business software solutions should work for you, not against you.
By Judy Artunian, Freelance Writer It's easy to take computer software for granted. Like your printer and your voice mail system, it's always there, doing its part to keep your business running. Or is it? If the software on your business computers is too basic, too advanced, or too generic to meet your company's needs, productivity will suffer. How the right business software solutions can reap a multitude of rewards:

1. Routine tasks that take several steps to complete with old computer software can be tackled with a couple of keystrokes.
2. Customers and business associates will be impressed by your polished reports and presentations.
3. Employees will be happier because they are working more efficiently.

 

Start with computer software that takes care of basic chores

At a minimum, you need word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, Web browser and bookkeeping software. Microsoft has become the unofficial standard for most of these fundamental business software solutions, for both Macs and PCs.
Try: You can get Microsoft's Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Internet Explorer programs separately, or buy Microsoft Office, which includes all those programs except the Web browser. Or, check out alternatives to Microsoft Office. Intuit's QuickBooks is the is the computer-software favorite for accounting and bookkeeping among small business owners

Improve tax and business planning with computer software

Let your computer handle the tedious number-crunching tasks.
Try: TurboTax from Intuit is the leading tax preparation software solution for small businesses. For help developing a business plan and monitoring how well you are sticking to it, Palo Alto Software's Business Plan Pro Premier is the top pick. Check the Business.com directory for providers of accounting software, payroll software, budgeting software and project management software.

Discover what reviewers have to say

Find out how the newest applications stack up when software reviewers scrutinize them.
Try: ZDNet publishes computer software reviews on a regular basis. Small Business Computing covers essential small business software solutions on a continuing basis.

Test drive computer software

It's not always obvious which programs will suit your needs. Try them out before you buy.
Try: CNET's Download.com links you to thousands of business software solutions that you can try for free. User reviews and comments can help you decide where to start.

• Check Newsgroups and online forums devoted to specific types of computer software for enlightening comments from users who weigh in about the software's pros and cons.
• Before you purchase any type of software, check your hard drive capabilities and system requirements.
• Don't skimp on virus protection. If you have several PC linked together on a network, you might assume that the anti-virus software installed on the PC that is directly connected to the Internet will in turn, protect all of the other PCs on the network. That's not the case. Each PC that receives e-mail needs an anti-virus program.
• If you plan to install a business software solution on multiple computers, make sure that it comes with a license that allows you to install it on more than one computer.