Rating: 
Summary: Master Planning
Review: Palo Alto Software has taken a complex function and made it relatively easy, even for a novice, to follow. By using the templates and information in the program, a business person can create a pretty impressive business plan from scratch rather quickly.The only drawback is that is doesn't run on all systems, so you have to be aware of what you're going to use it on before purchase. And, it's RAM intensive, with a lot of window-painting. Definitely worth the purchase price.
Rating: 
Summary: Just bought the latest version - Very Pleased!
Review: To start a business, you DO need a business plan. You DON'T need this software. I bought the boxed version Business Plan Pro and found it to be a waste of money. The best thing about it was the outline of the plan itself, which was a checklist of the elements that make up a good plan. The software, however, was difficult to use, and seemed oriented toward manufacturing businesses rather than service businesses. The book that came with the package was ok, but similar books can be found at the library. Save the bucks and put them into your start-up fund.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't Bother
Review: To start a business, you DO need a business plan. You DON'T need this software. I bought the boxed version Business Plan Pro and found it to be a waste of money. The best thing about it was the outline of the plan itself, which was a checklist of the elements that make up a good plan. The software, however, was difficult to use, and seemed oriented toward manufacturing businesses rather than service businesses. The book that came with the package was ok, but similar books can be found at the library. Save the bucks and put them into your start-up fund.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most frustrating experiences I ever had ! ! !
Review: Using Business Plan Pro 2002 to write my business plan
has to be one of the most frustrating experiences
I've ever had. I'm not an accountant, so I did appreciate its ability
to deal with issues like accounts payable vs. receivable
and handle cash flow. Other than that, this software blows!
I would have been better off struggling through creating
a business plan using a combination of MS Excel & Word. The way this software reformats spreadsheets when I try
to print my plan is driving me so nuts that I'm willing
to take the time to write this review.
(I've never written a review before) The documentation is weak at best. I thought when I bought it that the spreadsheets were
just like in excel, well that's only partly true, the
formulas are similar but the documentation, formating,
printing, and ability to trace formulas out is all missing. I don't care for this software at all, and I'm suprised that
it's as popular as it is. I can't believe that the other business plan writing software
packages on the market are this bad. I wish I would have known how frustrating this software was
going to be before I bought it and invested so much time
trying to make it work. I advise you to steer clear!
| 
