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Apps give users of software a wide range of choices.
Good accounting doesn't change much, but accounting software does. Disk-based accounting software for small and midrange businesses has come a long way the early 1980s.
Many old standards are still around, but market has been expanded by Web-- based accounting systems. Both types of software have their strengths and weaknesses: disk-based products continue to offer the most product features, while Web-- based products can run from any computer with basic Internet access and a reasonably current browser.
What should you look for in an accounting product? Both disk-based and Web-- based products should handle GL, AR, AP, and PR, print quotes, POs, sales invoices, checks, and lots of reports. There should be good documentation (printed and online). Most packages are network-ready and can also import and export accounting data in several formats, provide customer address books and to-do lists, and let you update tax tables and transmit data over the Internet. There should be security options that let you restrict access to certain features or types of transactions (such as allowing a payables clerk access only to the AP options).
Web-based products should display information while letting you move from one screen to another reasonably quickly. You may also want to check with the product's provider to find out how your company's data is stored and what kind of backup and disaster recovery provisions are in place.
This article reviews six disk-based and Web-based accounting packages for Windows: ePeachtree; Oracle Small Business Suite; Peachtree Complete Accounting 2003; QuickBooks Premier 2003; QuickBooks Online Edition; and Simply Accounting 2003 Pro.
QuickBooks Premier 2003 is the clear leader in this review, thanks to an impressive list of new features. Peachtree Computer Accounting 2003, another great product, is close behind it. Simply Accounting 2003 Pro is an easy-to-use accounting package with some great new features of its own that's incredibly cheap.
Readers interested in Web-based accounting will find QuickBooks Online Edition to be the best all-around choice for usability vs. price, but there are many desirable features that also make Oracle Small Business Suite and ePeachtree attractive choices.
Evaluating the Products
Each product was evaluated using the following criteria:
Overall ease-of-use. Is the product easy to install...