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Make the perfect pitch - 11 contact managers - includes related article on sales-automation packages for contact managers - Software Review - Evaluation

Home Office Computing, August, 1996 by Rick Broida

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Among its amenities are project management tools, macro-like "agents" that trigger various actions, and an above-average calendar. But most of the basic contact management tools are so unwieldy that they're a burden rather than a boon. Commence's clumsy but capable Sync Link option can synchronize multiple databases, but the program has no remote-access capabilities. That and support for e-mail are limited to the Workgroup version.

Flexibility is Commence's strength, usability its downfall. For most users who aren't programmers or who don't have hours to spend personalizing the program, this contact manager won't be worth the struggle.

Ecco Pro 3.0

Rating: ***

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WIN

One of the most well-rounded packages in the group, NetManage's Ecco Pro is an excellent contact management solution. Though not targeted directly to salespeople, Ecco does offer profession-specific templates---one for sales is among them. (Sharkware and Tracker also ship with profession-specific templates.)

Navigating within Ecco is like operating a clutch: tricky at first but natural after a little practice. The program packs loads of information on the screen, yet manages to maintain an exceptionally clean interface. User-definable tabbed folders separate the various tools, and there are almost limitless options for modifying the views within each. Phone-book fields are easy to customize. Ecco's outline-oriented notebook is ideal for organizing tasks and projects, but it requires some tweaking to make it effective for call management. Scheduling is Ecco's strong suit; you can drag and drop a contact directly onto the appointment calendar.

Ecco deftly handles the importing of text-based PIM files, but it has no program-specific filters. You can synchronize databases remotely using e-mail and merge records locally. Ecco does not directly support Internet e-mail, but it can launch your Web browser and go to a selected page. First-rate documentation complements the package.

Ecco Pro shines as a general-purpose contact manager but it lacks sales-specific tools. The program is easy to customize, but even the aforementioned sales template doesn't completely fill in the gaps.

GoldMine for Windows 95

Rating: *** 1/2

WIN 95

The treasure inside GoldMine for Windows 95 is pure contact management muscle. Although wrapped inside a somewhat daunting interface, GoldMine's benefits far outweigh its rather steep learning curve.

What clutters the interface are seven separate toolbars and the dozens of buttons therein. Fortunately, you can turn off or modify any of them. The contact window is splendidly organized, with tabbed folders providing quick access to notes, links, history, and so forth. Data fields are easy to redefine, but adding new ones is unnecessarily complicated. Highly contact-centric, GoldMine associates every operation--be it an appointment, phone call, or letter--with a contact.

GoldMine's unparalleled sales tools include forecasting; branching telemarketing scripts; and detailed analyses of leads, quotas, and activities. The InfoCenter is a customizable knowledge base you can use to create information libraries. To help simplify complicated tasks--such as merging duplicate files and importing external data-- GoldMine has added automated help.

Technology Industry

Make the perfect pitch - 11 contact managers - includes related article on sales-automation packages for contact managers - Software Review - Evaluation

Home Office Computing, August, 1996 by Rick Broida

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