Database

Ratings and Reviews of Database Software

Databases

Database software and databases in general are powerful tools for any business. Storing information in a structured, comprehensive way

that allows you to view and manipulate that information can aid you in automating your business processes, improve your knowledge of and service to your customers and help you set your business up to generate sales - both physically and in the world of electronic commerce. And although programs like Microsoft Excel have some limited database capabilities, sometimes Excel just isn't enough!

However, as we've stated a seemingly inordinate number of times, the more robust and extensive the capabilities of any software package - databases included - the more time you will have to devote to realizing the software's potential. Learning to manipulate and use database software in particular can be a very time consuming process - but there are options to "speed up the process".

Most of the companies that offer database software also offer CD or classroom training. Additionally, they often include templates or "add-ons" that create databases for basic business functions like contact management, time and billing information and more. Finally, you can go to your local or online book seller and purchase one of the myriad of books on the subject. And, if you didn't believe us before that database software is complex, wait until you get a look at the size of the books on the subject. We own two books on Microsoft Access 2003 - Microsoft Access 2003 Bible, by Cary N. Prague and Michael R. Irwin and The Complete Reference Access 2003 by Virginia Anderson. Both books top out at more than 1,300 pages.

Finally, before you purchase your database software - a couple of things to think about...

Compatibility - a number of areas to keep in mind. What programs and/or file types can you import and to what programs and/or file types can you export? This is EXTREMELY important. Additionally, some database software integrates with accounting programs like QuickBooks. If you're using QuickBooks and want to interchange customer or time and billing data, this is important as well.
Images - do you want to include images, photos or other media files in your database? Make sure it supports images as well as standard data and text formats.
Report generation - it's always a good idea to go to the vendor web site and view a couple of examples of both report generation and building a "user" or data entry interface. If you cannot get the data in or out easily, your database software won't be of much use to you!

Web Home Office Reports
Your system - another constant refrain, however, databases can be big PC storage, memory and CPU hogs if you have a fairly large data set that you manipulate to create extensive reports or you have a large and varied ecommerce catalog. Make sure your PC or Mac is up to the task.

Ready to tackle managing and manipulating structured data? Read on.

Some vendors offer more than one package in this category. We'll review them in table format within that vendor's detailed review.

Database Software Review

Databases*

(Rankings - best, 5 symbols, worst, 1 symbol)

Company	Best For*	Simple Start-Up	Cost	Time Savings	Ease of Use	Works With	Support	Features	Overall Rating
Alpha Software	ARP	¹¹¹1/2	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@1/2	YYY	pppp	iiii	%%%%
Avanquest	AR	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	pp	iii1/2	%%% 1/2
Business Objects	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	ppp1/2	iiii1/2	%%%%
Circus Ponies	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	ppp1/2	iiii	%%%%
Corel**	ARP	¹¹¹1/2	$$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@1/2	YYY	pppp	iii1/2	%%%1/2
Datawatch	ARP	¹¹¹	$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@	YYY	pppp	iiii	%%%1/2
DEVON-technologies	ARP	¹¹¹	$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@	YYY	pppp	iiii	%%%1/2
FileMaker	ARP	¹¹¹1/2	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@1/2	YYYY1/2	pppp	iiii1/2	%%%%
Handmark	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY1/2	ppp	iii1/2	%%%1/2
PrimaSoft	AR	¹¹¹¹	$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	ppp1/2	ii1/2	%%%
Microsoft	ARP	¹¹¹1/2	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	pppp1/2	iiii1/2	%%%%1/2
Thomson ResearchSoft	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@1/2	YYYY	ppp1/2	iiii	%%%1/2

* A = Amateur, R = Rookie, P = Pro, **Available only as part of Corel's WordPerfect Office Professional Package

Alpha Software

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹1/2

Alpha Software's Alpha Five is straight forward to install. Simplicity is relative in database software, the scripting capabilities in the software do "simplify" the development of specialized databases for unique business requirements.

Cost - $$$1/2

Alpha Five pricing is detailed in the table below.

Software	Price	O/S Supported	Overview	Features	Compatibility
Alpha Five Version Seven	Full Version $349.00, 3 licenses $949.00, 5 licenses $1,499, Desktop Version $199.00, 3 licenses $498.00, 5 licenses $758.00, Runtime 3 licenses $499.00, 5 licenses $799.00, 10 licenses $1,199.00, 20 licenses $1,499.00, Runtime Plus 3 licenses $799.00, 5 licenses $1,199.00, 10 licenses $1,699.00, 20 licenses $1,999.00	Windows98, 2000, ME, XP	Database Software	Web Component Builder provides browser and form controls that work inside web pages Security levels for different departments or individuals WYSIWYG HTML editor Xbasic functions for converting to and from HTML HTML use in Xdialog boxes Email Action Editor Enhanced ActiveX component support ADO/ODBC support Enhancements to scripting editor for inclusion of ActiveX, email, multi list boxes and variables Store and organize an unlimited number of Xbasic and Xdialog code snippets New genies for table building, review and delete duplicate records Genies to aid in data import and export Browse, analyze and manipulate data and images Integrated backup and restore Action scripting to simplify database application construction Integrated email Form designer with genies Report writer Spell check and audit trails Xdialog - Build prompt-driven user interfaces with smart fields, tab controls, navigation controls, tree controls, keypad controls and image list controls Network optimization Multi-user, applications can be distributed using Alpha Five Runtime Customizable menus Database security List view style Xdialog ADO import genie Property sheet style Xdialog SimpleChart Style Xdialog AuthorizeNet Transaction PDF printing utilities Web application server support with SSL
Alpha Four Version 8	$179.00 (with fax), upgrade (with fax) $149.00, 3 users (with fax), $477.00, 3 user upgrade (with fax) $387.00, 5 user (with fax) $745.00, 5 user (with fax) upgrade $595.00, $139.00 (no fax), upgrade (no fax) $119.00), 3 user (no fax) $357.00, 3 user (no fax) upgrade $297.00, 5 user (no fax) $545.00, 5 user (no fax) upgrade $445.00, runtime $995.00	Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP	Database Software	DOS networkable relational database management and application development system Menu driven Built-in scripting DOS-based program for non-programmers
Contact Manager	$49.00	Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP	Add-On	Template for contact management Import contacts from Microsoft Outlook and export contacts to Microsoft Excel	Microsoft Outlook and Excel
Documentor	$49.00	Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP	Add-On	Documents all objects on the Alpha Five control panel and their component data fields or xbasic code Find the name for any data field, layout object, index, script wherever it exists in the database
Time & Billing	$49.00	Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP	Add-On	Template for time-related billing including a full Accounts Receivable system and reports.
Order Entry	$49.00	Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP	Add-On	Template for order entry, invoice, payments, inventory, a full Accounts Receivable system and reports.
A5 Bundled Applications	$99.00	Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP	Add-On	Bundle of Contact Manager, Time & Billing and Order Entry Templates
V7 Multipurpose Application	$199.00	Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP	Add-On	Ecommerce application Browse all products, sale items Search for products Add items to shopping cart Modify item quantities and remove items from shopping cards Save and retrieve billing and shipping profiles with login and password Preserve shopping carts between sessions Check out and pay with credit card Manage unlimited number of vendors Manage any number of products per vendor Mange product costs and standard prices Place products on discount Automatically remove items sold from inventory Preview and email invoices to customers Send confirmation emails to customers View invoice details Pack and re-index tables Clear empty shopping carts Generate reports on customers, products, vendors, sales Manage users and access rights
Report Mailer	$199.00, unlimited license $399.00	Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP	Add-On	Distribute personalized reports via email as PDF files
Calendar and Toolbox	$19.95 single license $99.95 unlimited (distributable)	Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP	Add-On	Add calendars and other interactive functions to databases. Alarm clock, embedded sounds, message box and directory functions.
Netmailer	$199.00, unlimited license $399.00	Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP	Add-On	Send bulk email to a group of addresses, customizable by merging data in a table or set
Netmailer Pro	$499.00	Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP	Add-On	Functionality in Netmailer plus the ability to automatically maintain email lists by monitoring email addresses for subscribe and remove requests
A5v6 Web Application Server License	$699.00, Alpha 5 + Web Application Server $899.00	Windows 98, 2000, ME, XP	Add-On	Permits an unlimited number of users per server to access web-based applications that have been developed using Alpha Five version 6
Web Application Server - Hosting Service	$49.95 per month	Browser-based	Add-On	Designed for hosting of Alpha Five-based applications 128-bit SSL certificate included 24/7 system monitoring

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

Alpha's database software is powerful - for both the "newbie" and the developer. Lots of tools, add-ons and "genies" to help you improve your productivity and get the information you need or need to distribute from your database.

Ease of Use - @@@1/2

No better or worse than the competition. Genies and wizards to help, but you'll still have devote a significant amount of time to learning to manipulate this software competently before you'll realize a big gain.

Works With - YYY

Alpha Five is designed for the Windows environment only!

Support - pppp

Alpha Software has a comprehensive tech support web site that includes a Learning Center, FAQ, Message Board and User Groups. If you can't get your question answered on the site, you can use the message board, phone support ("800" number) is $2 per minutes, fax support is $25 per incident (installation questions are handled at no cost). Tech support is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern time.

Features - iiii

Alpha Five is a powerful data base tool. We especially like the interactive interface builder (Xdialog) in the full version. Other plusses are the add-on applications you can purchase and the hosted service as well.

Overall Rating - %%%%

Alpha Software's Alpha Five database delivers all of the functionality you'll need. A very nice database product, powerful and as "easy to use" as any of the others in this segment. Well priced when compared to competitive offerings.

Avanquest

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

The Avanquest software is simple to install and begin using.

Cost - $$$$

DataBase Professional is priced at $49.95, MyDatabase at $29.95, Alpha Five at $99.95.

Software	Price	O/S Supported	Overview	Features	Compatibility
*DataBase Professional*	$49.95	Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP	Database Software	3 licenses included 30 database templates Customization Contact management 100 reports Envelope and label output Notes table for history and to-dos Sorting, filtering and indexing Duplicate record search Pre-designed address books Save reports as HTML or txt and email as attachments Supports up to 10 users Backup and restore	Import from Microsoft Outlook Excel, Access, Visual FoxPro, ACT!
MyDatabase	$29.95	Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP	Database Software	30 templates for business and home Contact management Notes table for history and to-do items Sort, filter and index Duplicate record search 100 reports Report customization including titles, subtotals, record counts Save reports as html or txt and email as attachments Envelope, label, business card, note card and rolodex output 10,000 clipart images and 100 fonts Personalized email functionality	Import from Microsoft Outlook Excel, Access, ACT!
Alpha Five	$99.95	Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP	Database Software	Relational database with hundreds of step-by-step genies to aid in building custom database applications Field rules to ensure accurate data entry Queries Action scripting - insert buttons to perform actions Pre-designed templates Data transformation tools Report writer Built-in web application server ADO/ODBC support Security and backup Email connectivity Data import

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

If you need the functionality that one of the Avanquest software packages offers, it will help you automate your business and save a ton of time.

Ease of Use - @@@@

Avanquest's software is simple and straight forward to use.

Works With - YYY

Avanquest's packages are designed for the Windows environment only.

Support - pp

You get what you pay for. Cheap software - expensive technical support. In fact, technical support, if you need to speak to a "live" body, will cost more than the software itself! $24.95 for the first 10 minutes (and how many tech support calls have you had resolve in 10 minutes or less?) and $2.95 per minute after that. And by the way, this is not an "800" number, you'll be paying long distance charges as well (unless you have one of those new "bundled" local and long distance packages from MCI, SBC or Verizon!). Finally, tech support is only available 7 AM to 4 PM Pacific Monday through Friday (with the exception of Wednesday when they close at 2 PM!). Basically, if you need help - throw out the software and kiss your $40 to $70 good-bye!

Features - iii1/2

If you need ANY customization and not one of the standard templates included in the basic packages, purchase Alpha Five. If however, you ONLY need the functionality they supply, the basic database software IS cheap and will work o.k. in most instances. But, make sure that you'll ONLY need the functionality in this software - even in the future - if you ever need more, you'll wish you'd purchased the Alpha Five product instead.

Overall Rating - %%%1/2

We can't stress enough that if you ever think you'll need additional database functionality, you should just purchase a more robust package in the first place. But, if all you need is what Avanquest offers in their basic packages and money is tight (at least for now), then the software will probably work for you and will be functional enough to get you by until you need (or want) something more (but remember, you've just thrown away all of the money spent on these packages AND you'll have to convert the data to the new package too - TIME CONSUMING!).

Business Objects

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

Crystal Reports is a comprehensive package that allows you to create interactive reports using a variety of data sources. Simplicity is relative. Crystal Reports does simplify the creation of these reports, however, it remains complex software that demands a significant investment in your time to competently utilize. Crystal Xcelsius Standard and Professional provide a user-friendly way to turn Excel data into visually appealing reports, PowerPoint slides and PDF files. The Workgroup version includes XML and SOAP-based data import as well.

Cost - $$$1/2

Pricing for Crystal products is detailed in the table below.

Software	Price	O/S Supported	Overview	Features	Compatibility
Crystal Reports XI Standard Edition	$195.00 download, $195.00 full package	Windows 2000, XP	Reporting Software	Standard report types include mailing labels, cross-tab reports, form-style reports, sub-reports, conditional reports, TopN reports and drill down reports Add-ins for Excel and Access, custom templates Java, .NET, COM support, HTML integration Visual report designer Formatting and design control - guidelines, line and box drawing, circles, ovals, resize objects, font control and more Image support Interactive analysis tools Publish reports to web Dynamic and cascading prompts	XML, PDF, DHTML, HTML, Word, Excel, RTF, Microsoft Mail, Exchange, Lotus cc:Mail, Lotus Notes, ACT!, FoxPro, Access, Outlook, Paradox
Crystal Reports XI Professional Edition	$495.00 download, $495.00 full package, with one year updates $594.00, for five users $2,351.00	Windows 2000, XP	Reporting Software	Standard report types include mailing labels, cross-tab reports, form-style reports, sub-reports, conditional reports, TopN reports and drill down reports Add-ins for Excel and Access, custom templates Formatting and design control - guidelines, line and box drawing, circles, ovals, resize objects, font control and more Image support Interactive analysis tools Guided navigation Parameter prompts via the Web DHTML, ActiveX, Java, Netscape Report Viewers Wireless portal integration Java, .NET, COM support, HTML integration Visual report designer Publish reports to web Dynamic and cascading prompts	XML, PDF, DHTML, HTML, Word, Excel, RTF, Microsoft Mail, Exchange, Lotus cc:Mail, Lotus Notes, ACT!, FoxPro, Access, Outlook, Paradox Oracle 8.x, 9i, IBM DB2, DB@/2, DB2/400, DB2/600 Informix, Domino, Microsoft IIS, System Management Server, NT Event Logs, Web server activity Logs Sybase SQL Server Hyperion Essbase
Crystal Reports XI Developer Edition	$595.00 download, $595.00 full package, with one year updates $714.00 for five users $2,826.00	Windows 2000, XP	Reporting Software	Standard report types include mailing labels, cross-tab reports, form-style reports, sub-reports, conditional reports, TopN reports and drill down reports Add-ins for Excel and Access, custom templates Formatting and design control - guidelines, line and box drawing, circles, ovals, resize objects, font control and more Image support Interactive analysis tools Guided navigation Parameter prompts via the Web DHTML, ActiveX, Java, Netscape Report Viewers Wireless portal integration Java.Net and Com report viewing Report designer component Print Engine API Report creation APIs Active Data Driver Support Event/call-back support Java, .NET, COM support, HTML integration Visual report designer Publish reports to web Dynamic and cascading prompts	XML, PDF, DHTML, HTML, Word, Excel, RTF, Microsoft Mail, Exchange, Lotus cc:Mail, Lotus Notes, ACT!, FoxPro, Access, Outlook, Paradox Oracle 8.x, 9i, IBM DB2, DB@/2, DB2/400, DB2/600 Informix, Domino, Microsoft IIS, System Management Server, NT Event Logs, Web server activity Logs Sybase SQL Server Hyperion Essbase Access to ADO.NET
*Crystal Xcelsius Standard 4.5*	$195.00	Windows 2000, XP	Reporting Software	Create interactive visual analytics from Excel spreadsheets integrated with Microsoft Office products Import Excel data and formulas, output Excel analytics, charts and graphs, financial presentations and business calculators directly to PowerPoint, PDF documents and the web Visual modeling - sliders gauges, filters, numerical input tools and other visual components for "what-if" scenarios
*Crystal Xcelsius Professional 4.5*	$495.00, with one year software updates $594.00	Windows 2000, XP	Reporting Software	Create interactive visual analytics from Excel spreadsheets integrated with Microsoft Office products Import Excel data and formulas, output Excel analytics, charts and graphs, financial presentations and business calculators directly to PowerPoint, PDF documents and the web Visual modeling - sliders gauges, filters, numerical input tools and other visual components for "what-if" scenarios Drill down charts Accordion menus One click export to PowerPoint and PDF Excel function support External slide show support
*Crystal Xcelsius Workgroup 4.5*	$7,500.00	Windows 2000, XP	Reporting Software	Create interactive visual analytics from Excel spreadsheets integrated with Microsoft Office products Import Excel data and formulas, output Excel analytics, charts and graphs, financial presentations and business calculators directly to PowerPoint, PDF documents and the web Visual modeling - sliders gauges, filters, numerical input tools and other visual components for "what-if" scenarios Drill down charts Accordion menus One click export to PowerPoint and PDF Excel function support External slide show support Enterprise data connectivity - XML-compliant databases and data exposed as SOAP-based web services
Crystal Vision	$795.00	Windows 2000, XP	Reporting Software and Service	Includes Crystal Reports Professional XI, Crystal Xcelsius Professional 4.5, Crystal Live Office, crystalreports.com Basic service level (web report sharing for 10 users, 60 reports), Crystal Assist complimentary technical support

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

Will Crystal Reports make you more productive? Yes, if you are an accomplished user of database and query software AND you invest the time to learn how to effectively use the software. This is not software for the faint of heart. Crystal Xcelsius can help you communicate your Excel data much more effectively to customers, partners and prospective customers as well.

Ease of Use - @@@@

Any software that supplies all the functionality available in Crystal Reports is not going to be "easy to use". Accept that. However, if your business requires the capabilities this software supplies, it can be a huge aid, and, as this type of software goes, will help you as much as it can to get the job done. Crystal Xcelsius is designed for ease of use and will help you build stunning data presentations fairly easily.

Works With - YYY

Crystal Reports and Crystal Xcelsius are designed for the Windows environment only.

Support - ppp1/2

Although Business Objects has put together a nice tech support web site with a comprehensive Knowledge Base and FAQ (as well as email support), the cost of their "ad hoc" tech support is NOT cheap. Tech support via phone is available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM Pacific at a cost of $195.00 per incident. Obviously, Business Objects is trying hard to get you to purchase maintenance up front as part of your software purchase (and hoping you never call of course!).

Features - iiii1/2

As you can tell from the table above, there is a ton of functionality in Crystal Reports and in Crystal Xcelsius. Crystal Reports is the industry standard for creating reports from complex data and diverse data sources. That, we believe, says it all. Crystal Xcelsius offers some of the best tools we've seen to turn boring Excel numbers into visual presentations that are more easily understood. Integration with Microsoft Office and conversion to PDF are big plusses.

Overall Rating - %%%%

Crystal Reports is not for the average home business owner. You'll need to have a ton of data and lots of data sources that you need to report on before this software purchase makes sense. However, if you have the need, Crystal Reports is, by far, the best tool available for its purpose. Crystal Xcelsius on the other hand, offers a number of capabilities that can be efficiently and effectively utilized by anyone that works with large amounts of Excel-based data. A real winner.

Circus Ponies

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

Circus Ponies NoteBook software is not a database per se, but is a powerful way to organize data and images on your Macintosh. It installs easily and is very simple to set up and begin using.

Cost - $$$$

NoteBook is priced at $49.95.

Software	Price	O/S Supported	Overview	Features	Compatibility
NoteBook 2.1	$49.95, 3 users $

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