It might seem entirely simple and obvious which programs work for which computer or system, but sometimes you might be surprised by what works and what does not.
All businesses need accounting software, but each has significant differences in features some only work well with retail businesses, others only with service businesses. The wrong one could cost you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars, and not serve your needs.
Many lawyers, for example, use a program called ProDoc to draft contracts, and for some, like those working with wills and estates, the program is essential. Without the program, a will that would take one hour to complete might take five, but the customer would pay the same rate regardless of whether it takes one or five hours.
Mac computers are very popular amongst lawyers, but ProDoc does not work on Macs. Many lawyers have invested thousands of dollars into ProDoc only to learn that the program will not work on their systems.
Other industry-standard software includes AVImark, Impromed, Cornerstone, Idexx, AI, EZVet, and Neo for veterinarians, and Paterson, Dentrix, and Dexis for dentists.
If your business needs to make graphics, you may need to choose between QuarkXpress, Adobe InDesign, or less-expensive alternatives. But those alternatives will only cost you less if they do what you need them to and don’t force you to pay for the more expensive software, too.
Having signed contracts and paid in full, a refund is not always available, and if this happens to your business, you could be out hundreds or thousands of dollars based upon an “upgrade” that is in reality just wasted money as it is not compatible with your system.
