Conference 7.286::atarist

	Hmm...  lack of reply to this request suggests that the Atari ST 
	is not widely used as a business machine (by DEC employees, at least.)
	Perhaps you should consider using an (international) business machine, 
	or maybe use PC-ditto to run ibm software on the Atari.

	When you bought your ST, it probably came with a blurb advertizing 
	"BOS National" business software (BOS National, 2607 Walnut Hill Lane, 
	Dallas, Texas 75229.)  According to the blurb, they offer a pretty 
	complete lineup of business accounting programs.  I have no idea 
	how good or how expensive the programs are.  A demo disk is $12.

    Hi,              
                     
    I cant recommend any business accounting packages, as I have no
    need of one, but I would like to point out that there are at least
    six  advertised regularly in the U.K. 
 	Over the last six months the Atari has gained a slightly more
    "business" image in the UK, mainly in the DTP and CAD area, although
    packages for general Accounting, spread sheet, share management,
    personal money management, filofax sheet printers etc are Rife.
                     
    One interesting application now being sold in the UK is a "networked"
    Dental Practice Package. This application runs on 1040's linked
    to a file server. Each surgery in a Dental practice has a 1040,
    the Dental nurse, has an online display of the standard tooth layout,
    and can use the mouse to mark up the patients records as the dentist
    inspects the teeth. There are other forms for general patients details,
    for Billing and accounting, and in the UK a very important form
    to comply with treatment details required by the National Health service.
    There is an existing Non Atari turn key system which costs 20K pounds for
    a single station. The Atari package costs 8K pounds for a five station
    package. The Dentist who designed this package and his partner (the 
    programmer), have only just started marketing this package, and so far 
    have sold 35 packages!!
    
    (Not bad going!!)      
    
    By the way, there was a file on the USENET some time ago, which
    purported to be a COMPLETE list of all commercial ATARI software,
    I had a copy but it was so large I think I dumped it. Maybe someone
    on the US side of the water could post the location of the latest 
    version.
    
    Cheers
    
    Pat K.                          
                                                           
     
    
    
    

    Lack of a reply was not aparthy, There are 3 packages from a company
    called SAGE that would hit the spot, but thats not much good to you guys as
    its for the UK. I don't know if they do anything in US. 
                
    Steve            
    

    
    
    I am indeed using my ST for commercial jobs. I have written systems
    for preparing the TAX returns and ledgers for the Family business.
    
    I use GFA basic and once I had sorted out the file-handling quirks
    it was a doddle. Took me back a few years too. I wrote the whole
    system (very tailored to our specific needs) in about 2 weeks of
    evenings. Considering it usually takes various family members about
    3 weeks of prep to get the books ready for our accountant and that
    we are also saving the acoountants fee. This will pay for itself
    in less than a year.
    
    				Paul.

    All the DAC programs are availble (DAC/Easy Accounting, DAC/Easy
    Payroll). I haven't used them, but supposedly they work the same
    way as they do on the PC.
    
    Dave Bekenmeyer has a complete POS (Point-of-Sale) system based
    on the ST, as well...
    				- HBM

    
    Hi,
    I saw another one at the weekend,
    
    Small Business Accounts, this again was advertised botth on a ST
    and a PC. It is a full function business accounting system, but
    being UK written has the UK VAT system built into it. It sold for
    about 70 pounds. If you want the advert, drop me a mail and I'll
    clip the page. 
                  
    Cheers        
                  
    Pat Keane.