New ways to manage your books

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Dear Dan: We’re growing, and our original methods of bookkeeping, invoicing, tracking inventory, customer service or you name it no longer work very well. I like the idea of managing things online. Can that work?
– Growing but Stuck

Dear Stuck: New Web-based tools for managing key small business tasks just seem to get better and better. Witness newly launched NetBooks, conceived by one of the original brains behind the wildly successful QuickBooks software, Ridgely Evers.

NetBooks is an entirely Web-based service that aims to integrate a wide range of business and financial management tools into a single, easy-to-use online service. Unlike bookkeeping software, NetBooks aims to complete system for running a business online, including sales, production, inventory, shipping, CRM, reporting, payroll, marketing and – of course – bookkeeping. It was created mainly for inventory-based businesses with two to 25 people.

Evers has spent four years developing this product, in concert with other top minds in the business; all of whom bring real-world small business experience to the table. And it shows. For example, NetBooks is placing a huge emphasis on customer support, and is aiming to serve what Evers calls the “true small business.” These are small but growing businesses (usually owner-operated and self-funded) that can’t afford a heavy investment in IT equipment and staff, but still need powerful management tools.

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NetBooks uses an on-demand, or “software as a service” (SaaS) model, which means it all runs online via your standard Web browser, and you always have the latest version or upgrade. It also means that your information is stored securely in one place (probably far more secure than your own computers), which you can easily access from anywhere, anytime.

NetBooks costs $200 per month for up to five users, but your outside bookkeeper or accountant can use it for free. The company also guarantees that your rate will never go up, and all training and support are included.

Be aware that if you already use QuickBooks, NetBooks is intended to replace it. Evers says Web-based services have the ability to offer a far wider range of integrated services, with continuous updates that you never have to pay for.

Other ways to manage small business finances online are also being introduced, including CashView (www.cashview.com) and FreshBooks (www.freshbooks.com).

WhatWorks is a free new weekly e-newsletter that showcases the best how-to guides and resources from Work.com, edited by the author of this column, Daniel Kehrer. You can sign up to receive WhatWorks at www.work.com. •

Daniel Kehrer can be reached at editor@business.com.

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