The software your computer needs to do its job and to enable you to do your job is both complex and varied. However, ignoring the complicated stuff, let's discuss some of the software applications you should have for your small business and how they can help you.

Your key software should include applications to handle: word processing, spreadsheets, browsing the Internet, and your e-mail. Additional applications could include a contact manager (often called a PIM short for Personal Information Manager), an accounting system, fax system, and perhaps a database program.

It is not uncommon today to purchase a new computer and have it come fully equipped with an "office suite" and Internet software which includes most of the items in the preceding list. The typical advantages of having most of these applications supplied in an office suite is that they are designed to work together and can easily trade data amongst themselves. Their manufacturers have taken pains to have a similar "look and feel" with the controls, layouts, and methods in their applications. This is important, as it tends to smooth your learning curve and adds more utility to these programs. The faster you become comfortable with these applications the faster you can be productive with these tools in your business.

Depending upon your particular business, one or more of these applications will probably become your most used. Its worth stating the obvious: your most used application is the one you should invest most of your time in learning and to the greatest depth. Study the manuals, the help files, and "How to Do It" wizards which come with your software. There is no need to turn yourself into a "bit twiddler" but, these are sophisticated tools that can make you more productive, and learning their use is time well spent. Just as you are probably not interested in how to field strip the fuel pump on your car, it is at least worth learning not to drive about with your emergency brake engaged. Your car will run, but are you really using it as efficiently as you might?

Two other useful learning tools: go to any good bookstore and pick up one or more books written for your software. Don't be surprised at the costs for these 1½ to 2½" thick books $30 to $60 they will repay your investment many times over. Many times they come with an added CD-ROM containing useful software or sometimes the entire book in digital form which you can load onto your PC for on-line reading or searching. These books serve as a useful adjunct to the on-line help dialogs built into our software. Sometimes, it is just seeing the explanation in different words which makes the understanding easier. The books also serve as good "in-your-lap" references when you want to try something new on the keyboard.

The second learning "tool" is more in the way of advice. Play with the software. Playing is good. Try the various options, poke into the corners, go down all the menu trees, in the long run you'll be happy you did.

Word processors have grown to include more and more functionality. For example, it is not difficult to use your word processor to write a business letter, do a small spreadsheet, maintain a database, do a mail merge, fax out a document, and more. You can do very professional looking desktop publishing creating pamphlets and flyers, maintain lists, and create web pages, and more; the list goes on. Now, whether this is a good use of your word processor when other more specialized applications are at hand, is for you to decide.