Product Description

Myob BusinessEssentials Pro - Complete Product - Management - PCBusinessEssentials Pro is a complete suite of business software that provides all the tools you need for business forecasting and planning, full-featured accounting and financial management, appointment scheduling, employee file management, and more. Rely on BusinessEssentials Pro with complete confidence to help you Mind Your Own Business. Smarter.Nice electronics is your source for everyday low prices on theMyob US MBPRW - MYOB BUSINESS ESSENTIALS PRO 2005 WIN - ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR SB and all other Myob US Software - Misc ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Ok for extremely small companies
We purcahsed this to do forecasting for our company.However, I quickly found it extremley limited for doing forecasting.For small home businesses this may be ok. After doing more research and reading reviews I use DecisionPro by Vanguard Software. Whatever you decide - avoid the Excel plug-in software programs out there altogether - those are worthless. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

MYOB FirstEdge provides all the basic accounting and business management tools for your small business in a package that is easy to use and quick to learn. Everything you need in FirstEdge is a click away and organized sensibly for an easy-to-navigate work environment.

Getting started with FirstEdge is quick and easy. The New Company File assistant walks you through a few simple steps to help you name your company data file, choose your accounts list from the charts provided, and assign your fiscal year. FirstEdge provides "at-a-glance" looks at all your business transactions, so you know who owes you money and when it's due. You can also view and create all financial transactions from a single window in the Bank Register, e-mail invoices in PDF format to your customers for faster payment, and import your downloaded bank statements with just one click. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Good for what it is
I'm a little confused by some of the negative reviews. MYOB offers a trial download.You can sample it to see if it provides what you're after.

FirstEdge is fairly simple, but provides the basics required for a very small business.It's worked well for my simple needs and does what it claims to do.Check the feature list and make sure you're covered.

This product is great !
Read all the reviews - was a little skeptical but bought it anyway because MYOB is highly recommended by other Mac users - especially the Mac specialists and Apple retail consultants.MYOB's been developing for the Mac longer than anyone else including Quicken.

The interface has a diagram at each point in the product so I know what I can do in each section.Also the install and set-up is easy. The overall product was easy to use - did not have to call technical support - the online help system worked for me - plus there's a guide in the box. After a couple of sales invoices I was able to get the hang of it - and everythings linked - all my customer information gets saved including payments and deposits.

For the money spent on my business accounting - this was a good low cost investment to get me over the basics.Definitely better than trying to use a larger product like Quickbooks -which was way more than I needed or continuing to use Excel.I say give yourself at least 20 days of actually using the product before deciding whether or not its working.MYOB takes the product back within 30 days so there's no risk.

What a frustrating experience this has been
Do not, I repeat, do not buy this program unless you love being frustrated at every turn. This program has screwed up my bookkeeping so badly - thanks to it's trial versions" that I am simply going to start over with Quicken. I now can't even access the program - the program I PURCHASED - and it will cost me a minimum of $40($4 per minute, $40 minimum) to talk to a tech support person. What a rip off. Bye-bye first edge, hello quicken.

As bad as it sounds
I wish that I had paid more attention to the critical reviews above. Instead, I thought a Mac product had to be good. Unfortunately, though it advertises great things, one can't even save changed versions of the forms it provides. There is no call in number for initial free tech support. The email advice their tech support people sent me failed to solve the problem. I am sorely disappointed and ready to return the product to Amazon, which sold it to me.

Oh what a dissapointment!
I purchased First edge last year right after I bought my new I Mac.Love my Mac hate this software program!I agree with the other reviewers, no tech support whatsoever!I had use Quickbboks on my old PC but never could figure this thing out so I returned it!I wonder how much business MYOB has lost due to the no tech support rule.They could use a crash course in customer service.Will never purchase any products from this company again unless they change their policies!
Marcus Allison ... Read more

Product Description

Peachtree Complete Accounting 2005 5 User .Peachtree Complete Accounting 2005 is designed to assist todayâs small business owners with up to 50 employees who need robust functionality and in-depth business analysis tools for their service- or product-oriented business. By offering an advanced solution that provides userfriendly tools,multiple help options, and additional functionality such as time and billing, advanced inventory, job costing and audit trails, Peachtree Complete Accounting 2005 makes it easy to upgrade your accounting to meet your expanding business needs. Peachtree Complete Accounting 2005 provides: fast start-up, check writing, invoicing, purchasing, bank reconciliation, project tracking, in-depth inventory, payroll, time and billing, audit trails, screen-level security, integration with UPS shipping and more.. ... Read more

Features

• New-company setup wizard; multiple help options
• Robust, automated accounting features for small businesses
• Bill paying; check writing; invoicing; payroll solutions; audit trails
• In-depth inventory; over 125 reports; customizable forms
• Peachtree Today for an instant snapshot of business financials

Reviews (2)

Out Dated User Interface!
Please look around and be more futuristic.
Peachtree has lots of unfixed bugs and is out dated. I tested some software and found some really good, with reasonable price: BusinessWorks, Small Business Manager (microsoft.com), Quick Business Manager (bisaim.com),Vision Point 2000 (ACCPAC), BusinessVision 32 (Softline).

Good Luck in your search.

Did not test it, but I think the Multi User be worse!
I only tested the Single User one.
We are not in an industrial age any more! We want better software, much easier to use, and better interface.Why Peachtree is that hard? Remember DOS? How hard it was when Windows came about? Now peachtree is like that if you have used better software: Old tech. ... Read more

Product Description

Intuit Inc (292596) TURBOTAX MULTI STATE 45 V2004 ... Read more

Features

• Double-checks for errors and omissions
• Step-by-step guidance for completing state taxes
• Asks simple questions and completes state-approved forms
• Transfers data automatically from TurboTax federal return
• Automatically performs all calculations for convenience

Reviews (12)

Terrible software and even worse support
TurboTax is buggy and the support is terrible!You cannot update your state information after the initial review without manually editing the tax forms.If the field involves computations, you must do these manually after changing it.If you try to re-run the interview, it just brings you to the "finish" screen.I talked to four different people from TurboTax support about this.They say it's a known bug and they have no plans to fix it.If I wanted to manually edit to forms, I wouldn't have purchased this software!If you make changes to the federal, TurboTax state isn't necessarily updated.I received the following ridiculous suggestions from support:clear your cookies (I'm not using the web version); delete this file, but make sure you empty the recycling bin (what??); go to forms and click delete form (there is no delete option).I don't know where they get these ideas, but support isn't helpful when you know more than they do!

Turbotax Failed
Don't believe the rating of one.A minus 5 would have been more appropriate. After six years of being a faithful Turbotax user, the changes they have made in 2004 are convincing me never to use their product again - even if I could.After purchasing the downloadable version it failed to unzip. Three hours on the phone with representatives in India did not solve the problem. Finally I got them to send me a CD, which seemed to install but hung up on the question "Select a tax return type" that offered zero choices and no pull-down.I can't believe they would release a product that seems designed to frustrate their customers!!!

Worked As Advertised For Me
I have used TurboTax products since 1995, with the exception of trying TaxCut last year, which was a disaster. The TurboTax State product had no difficulty quickly and accurately completing tax returns for my state (Minnesota) after finishing my federal return.

As some other reviewers have correctly noted, the name of the product ("Multi-State") is somewhat deceptive, in that you get to choose one state return to file; if you have to file for more than one state you have to pay for additional state downloads. This is the primary reason I gave the product four stars: functionally it was easy to use and intuitive, and I had no problems of any sort with it (I have Windows XP running on a 2003 vintage computer).

This product isn't perfect, but it does a good job, and is enormously superior to TaxCut in every way.

Filing in multiple states
As other reviewers have said, this is a single-state CD.If you have to file in more than 1 state, don't make the mistake like I did of buying a CD for each state.You have to buy 1 for your primary state and then download additional states from the "Download State" section within the federal CD.Either that or download from the intuit website.Really annoying!I have always had good luck with turbotax but this is disappointing.Now I have to try to return my (opened) 2nd state CD.

Decent
TurboTax State installed without any problems on my Mac, running 10.3.8. The program was free after rebate and I received my rebate promptly from Intuit. The program is decent, although it does not do much. PA taxes aren't that complicated to being with. One complaint is that the program dumped me into a PA Schedule C instead of asking whether I want a PA Schedule C or a PA Schedule C-F. I went to forms and created a schedule C-F, then went back to the interview, and my schedule C-F was there. This procedure would not be obvious to someone who was not already very familiar with this program.

I am not sure why someone would want to pay $14.95 for the State e-filing. There is no rebate for the state filing. So when you file your taxes electronically, make sure you select Federal only, then print out your state tax return and mail it in.
... Read more

Amazon.com Review

For most small business owners, keeping up with the accounting is the worst part of the job. A small investment of effort--installing QuickBooks Pro 2002 or a similar accounting package--will almost always save time and hassle in the long run.

QuickBooks is best for those with fairly simple needs--while it's comparatively inexpensive and easy to install, its breadth of features and technical support don't quite stack up against Peachtree or MYOB. That said, there are still plenty of businesses that can make good use of QuickBooks; consultants and others with little or no inventory, for example.

The 2002 version doesn't bring a brand-new paradigm, but does offer some new and helpful features: improved form customization, better report functions, and customer tracking, to name a few. Easy integration with Microsoft Office, Act!, and other key software packages makes QuickBooks attractive to many users; data transfer is especially straightforward. Invoicing, cutting checks, projecting next year's revenue, and just keeping the books in order is much easier with a computer doing the drudge work.

QuickBooks Pro 2002 is the best bet for budget-minded sole proprietors and microbusiness owners. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (25)

I purchased A Product From Inuit Software and Scanning
I purchased the software at Stapples (Hamilton Ontario) the software with the cashbox and scanning software for barcodes came to $4,000.00 now I did not know that the suport was for 30 days and that after that I would have to pay over $130.00 per moth (yes I did get a credit for $800.00 not in cheque) but for technical support and after those $800.00 are over my staff told me that we have to pay for it (I was amazed) that a product that cost over $4,000.00 does not even have more extended technical support, correct me if I am wrong but when you purchase a computer and some computers are dirt cheap lets say $1,500.00 you would get technical support for a year or sometimes more.I am not impressed at all with there so called "customer service" I am in the process of opening more stores and I will go look at other providers for software and scanning bar code mechanism.

Probably very powerful but needs some simplifying
This may be the best small business accounting software available, but it could still use some streamlining.I started a small corporation on a limited investment.I am not an accountant, so I didn't expect to ace the software on the first day.That said, this version of QuickBooks probably only has about 18 features that I have any use for out of hundreds of available features.The screen is not laid out in a way that is self-explanatory, so finding those features is not automatic.Even those who have used Quicken (Intuit's home finance software) in the past are unlikely to find the interface self-evident.Efficiency is also a concern.QuickBooks opens too many internal "windows" without closing the source window, thus the software eats up memory very quickly.It would be as if every last time you click on a hyperlink while surfing the internet, a new browser window opens automatically.Not good.

How much does QB intimidate?Well, it is April 14th, and I've been putting off doing my taxes because I don't want to have to find and decipher all of QuickBooks' tax related features, side notes, suggestions, and other fringe information.

All of this said, it is fairly powerful software, and I am probably remiss for purchasing one of the more advanced versions of QuickBooks for such a small business.If you have tens of thousands of dollars in extra cash and can afford to automate your accounting processes (such as payroll) through QB's add-on-for-an-additional-investment options, this is probably the software to buy.It is established, it is advanced in its abilities, and it is the industry standard.However, if you're small potatoes, (even if it's hard to admit it), then you might want to consider something a little less involved, like a "dumbed down" version of QuickBooks or maybe MYOB.

Horible Support, Even Worse product
Do not buy this software unless you have deep pockets and don't mind spending lots of money on support. I don't want to sound paranoid but this software has bugs built into it to force you to call support. (did I mention the software come with 0 support) not 60 days not 30 days not even 1 day of support is included with the purchase.
And all the great services that the product tells you about cost additional with monthly fees.

If you like fustration you'll love this
Quickbooks 2002 is a halfway decent accounting program for small business. Unfortunetly Intuits ridiculus company policy of releasing buggy software and then charging you for them to fix it is most fustrating. Then there are the yearly upgrades that you have to pay for. No , you don't HAVE to pay for a new version each year... it's just that your old version stops working if you have to reinstall it. It will then ask to for a special activation key that you can only get if you ring them up and then fill in a 10 page document( and get it signed by a j.p!!!).
When you vent your fustration and anger, the ever so helpful phone support person will suggest that it would just be easier to upgrade to the latest version for a large sum of money. Yeah, thanks...

Quickbooks
While Quickbooks is a great product for writing checks, we have had nothing but trouble with the Do It Yourself Payroll.We have it on two computers and recently downloaded an update and ended up with a virus that knocked out our network for three days!In spite of our antivirus program. The customer support is terrible.Get this product for check writing and invoices but stay away from the payroll products! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Awesome
If you were smart and took advantage of a $160 rebate offered by a major office supply store to get this product for free, you would share my feeling that this is one of the best things I EVER bought. After using it for a year-I would even pay the $160-it's that good! Sure, you need a rudimentary knowledge of accounting to set your business up in Peachtree-but if you're not willing to put the time in to learn that, you shouldn't be running a small business in the first place. Peachtree doesn't serve up all the answers on a plate-you have to put some effort into understanding how your business decisions impact your accounting. Is that so terrible?
The fact of the matter is, this program has taught me more about the accounting process than I ever wanted to know. And in the process, has allowed me to focus on growing my business instead of just entering data. I didn't start a small business to sit there entering information.
Major pros-
1/email function-turn off your fax machine and click twice to email purchase orders.
2/import function-has saved me literally days-set up a .csv file - click -and purchase orders, invoices, payments and receipts are written-as if by magic!
If you're in a highly detailed business-spend some time witn Peachtree and you'll never know how you got along without it!

Accounting background recommended
I don't want to rate the product as such (3 means neutral) but I would advise anyone thinking of using Peachtree to either have an understanding of accounting or an accountant nearby. It is a very good program but it does demand some accounting kowledge or technical skill.

Very complex for Small Business
This software could be good if you are an experienced accountant. However I think it is very complex and hard to work with if you want it to be simple and fun to work with. Good luck in your selection.

Would not buy again
I got this product (Accounting 2004) to run my small business.I would not recommend this product to anyone.

I tried running the included tutorial to learn to navigate around this product, but the tutorial was meaningless to someone who is new to accounting principles - the tutorial is simply a imaginary company with imaginary data.It just shows you in which "bin" each of the imaginary data goes, but doesn't help you to correlate your information to the imaginary data and then into the "bins."

This is particular true for me since the tutorial provides for atypical products based company (i.e. lots of invoices from vendors and some invoices from your company), while my businessis a service business - much like the audience for this Peachtree product.I couldn't fully service business information on top of their product based company tutorial.

The final straw that made me junk this product before fully implementing it is that this product does not (or at least I cannot find) understand setting up multiple checking accounts and/or setting up a trust account.

In my line of work I handle trust money and must account for each client's trust money in a pooled trust account.I don't believe this product gives me that ability and upon a call to Peachtree customer service, they would not answer this basic question without requiring me to pay for a service plan.The help file and online help community was likewise unhelpful.Yes, they offer 30 days of free customer service, but my issue cropped up after the 30 days time period.

In short I am out a bunch of money for a product that I will uninstall.I don't even think I can sell it at a substantial discount legally.I would recommend Quickbooks instead of this thing.

Too Much
This product is too complex for a small or home-based business.Try Peachtree First Accounting for something that won't take up all your time.

Also, beware if you use a high-end version of Windows - they claim "Product will not operate in a Windows Terminal Server Environment using Windows Terminal Services".Well, ignore the "using" part of their statement.It won't work if terminal services simply _exists_ on your machine, whether you're currently using it or not!I guess they are concerned with piracy, but this is over the top, and I doubt even applicable to this product considering its intended audience and use.It's not like everyone in a small business is going to be running this software via terminal services to access a single installed PC.The business owner is just going to run it as needed.In any event, this would not be an issue had one of their developers spent 5 minutes extra and put the _proper_ check in - don't check for the existence of terminal services, but rather check to see if the user is logged into the console, and if so, let it run, else don't. ... Read more

Features

• Reminder System showing tenants who are late paying rent, lease expirations and to do list
• Send mailings to tenants with merge fields, keep record of letters sent
• Complete Work Order System included
• Extensive Reporting features for every important aspect of property management
• Keep track of Late Rent - make a list of tenants that have not yet paid

Reviews (1)

Old, Clumsy Software
Believe it or not, this is a 16-BIT APPLICATION.I kid you not.It is slow and old-looking.There are no OK or Enter buttons, which adds to the clumsiness.There is a 50-unit license.Need to cover 51 units?Too bad - you have to buy a license for 125!Support ain't cheap. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Give your growing business a financial edge with CheckMark MultiLedger, a fully integrated accounting system. MultiLedger combines accounts payable, accounts receivable, inventory, bank reconciliation, and more in one program. Including features and capabilities similar to those found in products that cost thousands of dollars, MultiLedger integrates with CheckMark's Payroll and can network up to 10 users, each with their own password and security options.

Users can set up MultiLedger at any time of the year and select a chart of accounts from the samples provided. Easy set-up templates are included, and transactions can be posted to any of 15 open months. Data files can be imported and exported. A drill-down feature gives users instant access to GL, journals, customer reports, and vendor reports.

MultiLedger's users can enter transactions quickly using convenient pop-up lists. Functions like converting a quote to an invoice or transforming a purchase order to a payable require only the click of a button. MultiLedger's files run cross-platform, so you get both Windows and Macintosh versions in the same box. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

SMALLER, EASIER, FASTER
I have used this program for many years through many upgrades and find it to be one of the easiest and intuitive to use and navigate. I admit I may have a little different perspective since I'm an accountant. Some people have problems with programs because they don't have the background in accounting to understand some functions. I have used Multiledger to keep the books of several clients companies and have never had any trouble doing anything that was needed. I have also recommended it and trained others to use it. It has all the features needed with much smaller files and faster performance. An added benefit is that it has both Mac and Window versions and the files are interchangeable, so you can send you file to your accountant with no trouble. ... Read more

Features

• Financial management system for businesses
• Import data from popular office software
• Easily manage accounts payable and receivable
• Create business plans using existing data
• Advanced accounting, inventory and asset tools

Product Description

Intuit QuickBooks POS 4.0 Basic Retail Management Software.QuickBooks Point of Sale is the fast and easy way to gain total control over your inventory with real-time tracking and easy-to-use, insightful reports. Get the facts you need to make smarter buying decisions. Fast and easy reports help you track what's selling well and what's not - up to 50, 000 different items! Real-time data keeps you up to date with what's in stock and what needs reordering. Turn your inventory faster by stocking more of the items your customers purchase most to help maximize the profitability of your inventory investment. ... Read more

Features

• Create a NACHA formatted ACH Origination File ready to be processed by your Bank
• Very easy to use - Menu Driven With Screen Prompts - No need to Import or Export data
• Collect payments from an unlimited number of bank accounts at different financial institutions
• Automatic Pre-Note Incorporation
• Compatible with all Banks and Credit Unions that follow the NACHA standards

Reviews (22)

Very very poor quality product
I agree with the other reviewer. I had been a quicken user for a long time.Since I upgraded, I have had nothing but problems!Their program is buggy as heck and they make you pay for their garbage. I am looking into alternative programs as we speak.Do not waste your money on this product. The $24 some odd you may pay for the product is nothing compared to the technical support you will be paying!

Thank you for the warnings
I was all set to upgrade to Quicken 2004. The only reason? So I could make backup files easier by burning to cd's.I too, have used Quicken for many years and would upgrade every other year.Well, after reading all the reviews, I think for the time being I will stick with my 2002 version. I can still backup on cd's the long way around. What can these companies be thinking of when they cheapen their products, hire people who can't speak with you for support, etc.
Thank you all for the warnings.I believe my money will be better spent somewhere else.

Worst Version of Quicken ...........EVER!!!!!!!
I have used Quicken since the DOS versions, this one is the worst! You cannot change any colors, period, end of discussion! You cannot remove unused, useless toolbars/frames, period, end of discussion! You will have to call tech support! You will have to endure repeated uninstalls/reinstalls! Download a trial version before you upgrade, if you can't configure it the way you want, delete it and move on!

Displeased with discontinuation of support
I have a very minor problem with Quicken 2000.It is very functional for all my needs and I am quite perturbed that to get technical support, I am forced to update.I don't need an update.I do need a very minor fix to my present system.Quite simply, the system somehow changed the opening screen and I can find no way of putting it back where it is when you first start using Quicken.I reloaded with the old disc and got the screen I want, but I have to the accounts list under the old load to find prior transactions.As for help, even the 900 number has been changed, so I can't even pay to get this rectified.What a rip-off.

What a Piece of Garbage
I have been using Quicken since "Quicken 4" on my Mac.It WAS a great program.This version is okay except for the investment portfolio.It is full of bugs, and is not at all intuitive (ironic, eh?).Further, you cannot simply "fudge" and enter your historical transactions ... so my cash balance is wrong, and impossible to correct. After researching online, it is clearly a bug that Inuit will not even acknowledge.

Hopefully they will get their act together for 2005, otherwise, I'm out of there!! ... Read more

Features

• Updated Tax Law Assistants help get the most from tax breaks
• Free e-file and free TaxCut State after mail-in rebate
• Access IRS publications and the H&R Block interactive video library
• New convenient paperless payment options for taxes due and e-filing fees
• New tax-saving tips on saver¿s credit, overlooked deductions, and more

Reviews (81)

TaxCut not friendly
Two distinct problems (seems each year it gets harder to use, and less friendly).
a. Overwrote last years files, without warning. Fortunately had a saved copy on a floppy disc.
b. Entered state information and could not remove it, when I discovered in a later 'interview' question that I had entered the information in the wrong place. Had to 'force' the entry which then brings up an error in the review.

In general, very frustrating to use, and each year it becomes worse, not better. The good days of TaxEdge are gone, and had to convert to TurboTax, which also grew more cumbersome each year, so I switched to TaxCut. This may be my last year with it.
No way to give feedback either, unless one would 'pay' $20 to tell of the problem.

This item is for last year's taxes only!!!
Every year they put out a new version of the program updated for the current tax year. This TaxCut 2003 will not be useable for 2004 tax returns. Also, for those people who think that by buying their own tax program will save them a bundle of money, they are truly foolish. I do taxes for a living, not only at home, but for a tax professional office and these programs are not meant for people who don't know the tax laws and what forms they need to file. If they do their taxes wrong, the money they saved will go right to the IRS and state in penalties and interest. These programs will not protect you against that. Let electricians do electrical work, plumbers do plumbing work, and, for crying out loud - let tax professionals do tax work. These programs are not supposed to be easy, they are not for the average person to use.

TAX CUT is horrible
I cannot think of a single reason you should have to click 3 buttons and go through 2 screens to enter 1 stock transaction.On the contrary, you should be able to enter 10 or more per screen.It took hours to enter 200 stock transactions.

Then, after the error check, certain transactions seemed to be duplicated.Upon trying to delete them with the delete button, they would not delete.If you change one of the duplicates, the contents of the other changes also.Then, looking through the list, I find that every one of the other duplicate transactions were duplicated again each time I tried to delete the first duplicated transaction pair.Now I have dozens of transactions that will not delete - after spending 2 days doing data entry and using the interviews for doing all data entry and changes, as the product recommends - - - even though it is excruciating slow work with the poor user interface design.

What a piece of junk.(And this was the final 2003 version - - - the one with all the latest fixes!)

Good value, experienced no problems
I have been using TaxCut for several years and have not experienced any problems with the program.I do have to file the 1040 and have to use several of the various worksheets, but do not have a home office or some of the other complications mentioned in other reviews.

I think it is a wonderful tool that has saved me a lot of time preparing my family's tax returns.

TaxCut Deluxe and DeductionPro
I had none of the problems that several have complained about using TaxCut Deluxe 2003. I have used TurboTax before. I switched to TaxCut last year because of the many complaints TurboTax was getting about their registration program, spyware, etc. I had no problems completing my taxes, no duplications of W-2's, no problems getting updates. I found my experience with using this tax program not much different from TurboTax. I do have a problem with H&R Block though. TaxCut Deluxe offers a rebate for DeductionPro. The tax program will even take you to the H&R Block website to give you an opportunity to download the product to help with non-cash charity donations to calculate what should be claimed. The problem with downloading DeductionPro is that the rebate for the product is not honored if it is downloaded. It has to be purchased at a retail store to get the rebate. No where on the website, on the rebate coupon, or in the program does it state that the rebate is not good if the program is downloaded directly. It does indicate to send in the UPC code from the box of the product, but if I downloaded it directly from their website, they should have a record that it was purchased legally. They gave me some bogus excuse "that due to customer buying habits, we have elected not to honor rebates unless purchased from a retail store", or something to that effect. I think the product is good, but I don't like their business practices. I may well go back to TurboTax next year. I am giving the product two stars because of their business practices. Overall, I thought the way it handled my taxes was acceptable. ... Read more

Product Description

Microsoft Money 2004 Small Business.Microsoft Money 2004 Small Business provides the small business or sole proprietor with the tools they need to manage their small business finances. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

needs a little help
I've been using MS Money for my personal accounts for years. I like it, and now after starting my own business, I especially like the price of Money Small Business compared to alternatives.

The user from Western North Carolina (mmj...) pointed out correctly that the except for printing, the Invoices are not very professionally looking. He's absolutely correct unless you have the FREE PrimoPDF (from download.com) utility installed.

This extremly handy utility (did I mention it is free!) allows you to save your invoice as a PDF file, that looks just the way you layed it out!

Just select PrimoPDF as your printer, select the name and location of your desired output file, screen or file quality option and you're ready to rock and roll!

This just made my day!!!

"Report" functionality sucks
The reporting feature does not always reflect accurate information. Say, I selected ALL categories to be reported on my Monthly Income and Expense Report, the report came out missing including several categories, and so the total on the report were all screwed-up. If I were not paying attention to that details, I would have been sued by clients for inaccurate billing.

MS Money Small Business 2004 -
Was I excited that "MONEY" was finally going to make the transition to the Small Business Community?

Absolutely! I have been too busy to want to learn a REAL Accounting program. And I have been using "Money" since the early 90's to balance my checkbook and surely one of the first to use online banking; so the idea that I could integrate invoicing was icing on my cake.

Now for the disappointing reality. While you can make and email invoices and they will be tracked in a receivables account, you will need to create a cash account to receive the money into and then transfer that amount into the account that you download your banking transactions into if you deposit more than one check at a time. Otherwise, you will have double entries in your account. This makes for many extra steps, shuffeling payments here and there.

I would have appreciated this information prior to purchasing yet another version of Money, I could have done this without the Small Business edition. (I think this puts me in the position of Beta testor, and I had to pay for the job.)

Also, I was very disappointed not to find ANY information in either the help files or online. That search in itself was exhaustive.

The help from Microsoft was indeed good. But, I was required to sign up for a "PassPort Account" to communicate with them (not opting for the toll call).

They indicated that it was indeed a problem, and they are working hard to fix it. My wish is that the repair is not a "version upgrade" as this is a definite flaw to a Business package.

Effectively, the only thing that was added to the previous version of Money (I was using Deluxe) was an invoice template, and the ability to change your fiscal year end. (This is something I complained about in Money in the 2002 version.)

I will, of course, continue to use it and I am quite sure that eventually it will be a great ENTIRE solution for a small business, since it already integrates with Excell and TaxCut.

It just needs to do it sooner...

Get Quicken Home & Business 2002 or 2003 instead
I tried this software for the first time after getting tired of Quicken's quirks.But after four months of infuriation, frustration, and wasted time, Quicken seems like heaven to me.If this is common for Money, I'll never use it again.
As other reviews have stated, there is no customization at all.If it isn't a selection, you don't get it.Just trying to set up a simple home budget is infuriating enough.You cannot select your catagories if they do not appear in their selection.Instead of being able to make layers of catagories like in Quicken (for detailed budget breakdowns), you are stuck with only one.As for downloading account information, it decides what account and where the download should go and refuses to let you change it--even though it is very wrong.You have to search out where it went and remove every single incorrect transaction one at a time.In sum, I hate this software and it has cost me more lost time than it was ever worth.

Business functionality lacking
I run a small consulting company from my home. (Small meaning, just me.) I purchased the Small Business version of this software to help with my business as well as manage my personal finances.

My business is consulting, I sell my time to customers. Although the software supports creating time items for customers, there is no reporting for time items other than create an invoice to print out the current uninvoiced time activity for a customer. This is unacceptable to me. I need to provide detailed time reporting to my customers, as well as a summarized invoice for payment. I'll have to continue to track my time in a spreadsheet.

Regarding invoices, although the software offers "emailing invoices" as a feature, what it emails is a text invoice, and there is no way to print the invoice to a file or word document to email something a bit more professional. Being in the computer consulting business, text invoices would appear a bit tacky.

So, for me, the two main things I do, track my time on consulting projects and invoice my customers via email, are not possible in this software. I have to continue to use spreadsheets to track my time, and word processing to create the invoices to email to my customers.

The personal finances functionality seems to be the same as previous versions of this software, but be very wary about paying the extra $ for the small business feature set. It seems quite lacking to me. ... Read more

Product Description

QuickBooks Basic 2004 is fast and easy to set up, learn and use - and starts saving you time right away! Enjoy the convenience of having all your financial information organized in one place. With just one click of a mouse, create reports to see how your business is performing. ... Read more

Features

• Financial management system for businesses
• Import data from popular office software
• Tools for invoicing, paying bills and tracking expenses
• Easily create forms and reports
• Simple guides for most common business procedures

Reviews (11)

Interface is NOT intuitive
Although there is no way i would ever try to do my small business accounting with pencil and paper, I wish this software was more intuitive!!I am 20 years old and am very knowledgeable about workign with different types of software.I also have a strong accounting knowledge.All of the microsoft software I use is very intuitive and user-friendly--the entire office suite, internet explorer, windows XP, etc. All of the small things that matter to people who want to get things done fast- are absent in quickbooks.Very very frustrating.Examples-- when generating a quick report to see customer history, the software defaults to last fiscal month to date EVERY TIME. I look through the help menu for 10 minutes and it will not show me how to reset the default.Customer names are not arrangeable by last name first that i can see!! This has happened a dozen times since i bought it.I already paid a quickbooks pro advisor $150 to set me up and answer a few questions!! I will not pay $15 more for each small stupid question that should be intuitive for the user anyway!!!!!!!

I would read the reviews for microsoft money-- it has GOT to be more intutive than this software-- VERY FRUSTRATED but i'm stuck with it now.

Accountant who uses Quickbooks daily
I am amazed at the comments I have read about the popup advertisements and the payroll application in Quickbooks. You unhappy Quickbooks users...find a Quickbooks Pro Advisor on the Quickbooks website!!! Those of you who dislike the popups...turn them off!!! Click the box to not show you this reminder or message again!And those users who do not think they can write a payroll check in Quickbooks without buying the payroll tax service...for heavens sake, YOU CAN WRITE A CHECK AND ENTER THE AMOUNTS AND PAYROLL TAXES MANUALLY.You simply select to prepare your payroll manually instead of buying the payroll tax service.Please, find a Pro Advisor in your area!!!

Customer Service or Used Car Salesman?
The CD that I got from Amazon did not work - would not install despite trying everything - caused some endless loop. I called Intuit and ultimately got connected to someone in India. After spelling my shipping address at least 8 times, received a new disk 2 days later (despite address being mangled).
Installed software and called the 800 number to get a "registration number." This is a ruse by some so-called "customer support" person who obviously has past experience selling used cars, since it was just a charade to try to strong-arm me to sign up for payroll and support services. Entire conversation was offensive, and he ultimately said to me, snidely, "Well, I certainly HOPE you don't get AUDITED." Lucky for him we were separated by a phone line....
Havent' used the software enough to tell if I like it, but it was recommended by our accountant in order to save money on tax prep, so I'm sure it will do what it needs to do.
Was entirely offended by Intuit and would avoid their products in the future.

Endless marketing
I used to like Quickbooks, but all it seems to be now is a cash cow for Intuit.My Quickbooks 2002 works just fine, but it will stop working next year so that I have to buy a new version with absolutely no new features we need.You can't use the payroll function without paying a fortune for periodic updates of the tax tables (even if your state doesn't have an income tax, or if yours doesn't change.

It's a good example of a company rapidly killing the goose which lays the golden egg.If there's a viable alternative out there, I'll buy it in a minute.

The last time I experiences bad software like this was in 93
The last time I experiences bad software like this was in 1993. Second, the nag ware is equal in annoyance as getting locked into a web site that keeps spawning new pages when you attempt to close one. It makes this program a painful and frustrating experience.

(...)

My opinion, why even bother to expose yourself to this potential mess. If you have read this "opinion" and still decide to buy this software, only blame yourself when you want to fling your PC across the room.

Look at all the prior write ups and ask yourself "why am I going to be any different?" ... Read more

Features

• Tax software guides users through state tax returns
• Interview-based wizard system
• Up-to-date with latest state tax law
• Checks math and audit flags
• Contains all the forms users will need

Reviews (14)

Piece of cake!
Flawless and no problems. I have switched to Intuit because prior programs (Tax Cut and Tax Act) would not allow me to e-file my state return (Arizona), because they did not contain a form I needed for a state credit. Turbo Tax solved that issue last year and this year as well. State program installs with a blink of the eye, and complements Turbo Tax Deluxe beautifully. This was only my second year with Intuit, but plan to 3-peat next year.

correcting information in state tax form not possible
I did my federal tax with turbotax delux and my state tax also with turbotax.
I made some errors entering information. The federal form allowed me to make corrections after I was done.
However, the state interview denies me access. Maybe I need to start all over or do it by hand.
The State program is grap. I send an email to the company but did not get any reply.

New York Commuter / New Jersey Resident Still Wrong
ATTENTION INTUIT: A BAD free state download is worse than no state download.

Unfortunately, this year's version still does not know how to back out taxes paid to NY State (where I work) and apply them to New Jersey (where I live).

Will you guys just fix this already?!?!?!!!!!

TURBO TAX STATE FOR VIRGINIA ROCKS!
You're a fool if you don't use Turbo Tax State in Virginia.This is my second year using TT and it was even easier the second time around.The new addition imports everything you punched in the year before and therefore takes less time to complete.Since you can't do state without having loaded TT Deluxe, the video on the CD walks you through the process and sends you to the answer if you type in a search.I had absolutely no trouble using TTS in Virginia and had my state and federal refunds within a week of e-filing.Yeah, within a week. (...)

Additionally, by going through the step by step questionnaire TTS reminded me to include charity work and charitable contributions, which increased my refunds.You don't even need to buy the physical product.Once you've loaded TTD or the federal variation, you can download states off the internet.

This product is better than last year.I highly recommend it.You won't be sorry.

My only criticism of TT products is you can only e-file one time per purchase. (...)The secret to fast returns is e-filing.

Not Multistate!
I was also very disappointed to find (only after I had purchased and installed TurboTax state) that it is only valid for one state!The only reason I purchased this product was to be able to file in the three states we lived in this past year.Better labeling would have led to less frustration ... Read more

Product Description

ACT! 2005 Premium for Workgroups From the #1 selling contact and customer manager, ACT! 2005 Premium for Workgroups helps sales teams and corporate workgroups make contact, build relationships and get results. It helps teams gain greater customer insights by accessing, organizing and managing contact details; improve the bottom line with tools for forecasting, tracking and reporting on sales opportunities; increase team efficiency with centralized data, robust scalability, group scheduling and advanced security for up to 50 users; manage time more efficiently by tracking and completing calls, meetings and to-do items; and take important contact information along by working with Palm OS® and Pocket PC handhelds.Choosing ACT! 2005 Premium for Workgroups makes you a part of the Best Software family. Best Software has led the way in developing and supporting automated business management solutions. With a wide range of front office and back office solutions—including accounting, human resources, payroll, fixed asset management, contact management, customer relationship management and e-commerce—Best Software offers award-winning products and services that have revolutionized the way small and medium-sized companies do business. So you can rely on outstanding service and a commitment to providing your business with the technology it needs to succeed, today and into the future. ... Read more

Features

• Includes Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition
• Easy-to-use contact and customer-manager software
• Access, organize, and manage contact details
• Stay on top of schedule 24/7; share customer info securely
• Enhanced group scheduling; link to Palm OS and Pocket PC handhelds

Reviews (1)

After all these years I thought this product would be better
I've been a user of ACT software going back to version 3.0. Being in software sales, over the years most software vendors have adopted more souped-up CRM solutions such as Salesforce.com or Siebel or the like, so I can imagine the interest in this product category has been lacking. STILL, the feature set of this product hasn't changed much in the ten or so years sinced I used the earlier version. In fact, this product has become more bloated and buggy than any commerical software product I have ever used. I've considered listing all the bugs but it would be too long. But I will say this, other than a weird bug that sometimes mis-categorizes contacts into groups I didn't intent them to be a part of, the other bugs tend to be obvious use-ability type things. Bugs that a half asleep QA tester should've found.

Having said that, the positives are these: First, ACT! is nothing if not a good contact manager and task manager - nothing more, nothing less. I like being able to group contacts into multiple groups, and do pro-active email marketing to the members of specific groups - that feature works really well inconjunction with MS Outlook. In fact integration with Outlook and my PocketPC Cell phone is really exceptionjal. Integration with Word is also very strong. So, its this integration strength that keeps me booting this product up each day. BUT, if I was to purchase a product in this category again, I'd buy Goldmine (it wasn't on the shelf when I bought ACT! - my impatience!). Part of the problem with this product may be that its been owned by a number of different companies over the years. Best Software now owns the IP - let's hope they will issue bug fixes and then truly innovate this product in future releases. ... Read more

Features

• Financial management system for accountants
• Includes all forms and report options from Quickbooks Basic, Pro, and Premier
• Includes Fixed Asset Manager and loan amortization tool
• Remote access allows smoother communication with clients
• Save reports and forms as PDFs