Business Plan Pro Reviews
PC Advisor
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“Business Plan Pro has built up an excellent wizard-driven interface that allows you to enter financial and other data. To really give you a helping hand, the program also includes a huge number of sample plans (more than 500) covering everything from running an airline to a yoga centre.”
Jason Whittaker
PC Advisor, November 22 2005
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2006.
BIOS Magazine
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“Business Plan Pro 2006 covers pretty much every aspect a bank manager is going to ask when you go for that all-important business loan, from SWOT analysis, overheads, and budget forecasting…”
Christian Harris
biosmagazine.co.uk, October 2005
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2006.
Financial Statement Analysis: Forecasting & Budgeting Tools Add To Practice Value
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Palo Alto Software (www.paloaltosoftware.com) produces several planning modules for financial management and business planning, including Business Plan Pro and Cash Compass, both of which are available in CPA versions. Business Plan Pro offers more than 400 sample business plans, thousands of industry profiles and Excel-style financial tables. It also offers financial spreadsheets that include sales forecast tables, in-depth personnel planning tools and the ability to perform short- or long-term planning to create financial projections. The software also has a database of venture capital resources and SBA loan information and loan applications. Cash Compass, which is downloadable from the company’s website, is geared toward small and medium-sized businesses, providing financial performance management, including monitoring cash flow, managing budgets and forecasting by month or year. The application allows import from QuickBooks or Business Plan Pro, which allows quick access to key financial information and forecasting.
Isaac M. O’Bannon
The CPA Technology Advisor, July 2005
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2005.
The Sun
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Excellent package…
…superb program that is a must for anyone serious about making their business a success.
The Sun, June 2005
Business Plans a review of business plan software
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“This business plan package was a joy to use, with its easy to follow guidance and clear descriptions at each step, producing a polished and professional looking result. Recommended for any business but especially for those wanting some help in understanding the important parts of a business plan. Leads you through the financial section with understandable examples and good explanations.”
Company Partners, June 2005
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2005 UK Edition
Computer Shopper
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“…provides an easy way to create a professional plan, providing lots of useful tips and guidance along the way.”
Sam Ellis – Computer Shopper, May 2005
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2005 (UK).
Home Office Reports Review of Business Plan Software
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“Before we built our last business plan, we purchase 7, count ‘em 7 packages to find the best one – the most feature rich and functional to us was Business Plan Pro – hands down!…
Without question, we believe that Business Plan Pro (Premier edition which is what we use) is the best software on the market. We’ve spent a lot of money and time trying out a number of others and keep coming back to Palo Alto!”
Home Office Reports, March 2005
PC Home
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“A superb software suite with everything needed to succeed in the business world and impress your bank manager when if most counts!”
PC Home, October 2004
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2004 (UK).
Help in Getting a Company Off the Ground
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“The wizard-based interface eases the process of creating a professional plan and helps you make your business a success.”
Laura Jones
Personal Computer World, January 2005
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2005 (UK).
Golden Triangle PC Club
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“…this latest 2005 edition of Business Plan Pro continues to shine as the most used and well known of the bunch, and for good reason. In Business Plan Pro 2005 you will find an assortment of tools not found in any other comparable product…”
By Dale Farris, Vice President
Golden Triangle PC Club, January 2005
Note: This Review refers to buisness plan pro 2005 Premier (US)
Entrepreneur’s Guide to Small Business Software: Business Plan Pro 2005
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“Overall, I was very satisfied with my experience using Business Plan Pro 2005. I went into this review not having ever used any actual business plan software so I really didn’t know what to expect. I never thought I would be able to construct the entire plan just by using the setup Wizards provided.”
Troy Byrd
Young Money, December 2004
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2005 (US).
First Things First
You want financing? Start with a good business plan.
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“Software programs can take a lot of the guesswork out of writing a business plan. For instance, Business Plan Pro 2005 ($99.95), published by Palo Alto Software, Eugene, Ore., guides the user through the writing of each part of a business plan using lots of ‘wizards,’ or pages with simple questions that, once answered, move the plan forward.
The program easily creates spreadsheets, charts and graphs from numbers that are typed in. The plan can be converted into a Microsoft Word document or a PowerPoint presentation, complete with graphs and charts. The software also includes some basic market research, and more than 400 sample plans.”
Jessica Mintz
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL November 25, 2004; Page R10
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2005 (US).
New Products
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“Users can fine-tune numbers and customize them to match their business model. The software offers breakout tables for managing inventory and cash flow in more detail. It also exports tables, charts, and graphs to PowerPoint. Users can use templates to quickly put together presentations.”
Accounting Technology, November 2004
Note: The review refers to Business Plan Pro 2005 (US).
PC Home Review
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“The great thing about this software is that you really don’t need any prior knowledge in order to put your plans into action. Indeed, the package comes complete with a selection of over 400 proven business plans for you to sample as you need to. Thanks to this, and also the way the program gently walks you through every step of the procedure, setting out your stall is made that much easier.”
PC Home, October 2004
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2004 UK Edition.
Need a plan?
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“You might expect the business plan software program to be rather basic and pared down. But, Business Plan Pro creates comprehensive business plans complete with sales forecasts, cash flow and market analyses, as well as business performance milestones.”
TECH TALK Newsletter, October 2004
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2005 (US).
SmallBizTechnology.com
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“The Business Plan Pro is an excellent way for an entrepreneur to outline a clear vision for his company or for an established business owner to analyze and focus his business plan.”
Joanna Sorocki
SmallBizTechnology.com, October 2004
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2005 (US).
Plan to Plan
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“A top-shelf application, Business Plan Pro 2005 also employs sophisticated wizards and formatting options to produce a clean and effective business plan. Accountants can make use of its ability to present analyses in monthly, three-year, and five-year formats, with key ratios compared to those of more than 8,000 industries. Those working with larger client firms will benefit greatly from the additional tools and customization in the Premier Edition.”
Dave McClure
Accounting Technology, October 2004
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2005 (US).
A Great Tool for Many Businesses
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“We were very impressed with Business Plan Pro 2004. It can cope with a wide variety of situations and had a good mix of handholding for beginners but freedom of expression for more experienced planners. Its ability to handle UK VAT and the Euro are also welcome…[W]e feel Business Plan Pro is a great tool for anyone wanting to put together a quality business plan for a wide range of business types.”
Iain Laskey
Practical PC, June 2004
Note: This review refers to the Business Plan Pro 2004 UK Edition.
The small-business shopping cart
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“Maybe that blockbuster business idea is still rattling around in your head somewhere. A good step toward making it a reality is Palo Alto Software’s Business Plan Pro 2004. It has everything you need to produce an attractive business plan, including more than 400 sample business plans that you can use to inspire an irresistable business plan of your own. An array of wizards guides you through virtually every page of your plan, making your questions about sales forecasts, market analysis, cash flow, and business terminology a snap.”
by the Editors
ComputerUser.com March 2004
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2004 (US version).
Better Business Plans
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“Palo Alto Software’s Business Plan Pro 2004 makes a painful process less so by walking you through plan creation and printing a marketable copy.”
Kathy Yakal
PC Magazine, November 11, 2003
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2004 (US version).
Get it Right with Business Plan Pro
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“Business Plan Pro 2004 aims to help you get it right. It provides templates, tips and step-by-step help with writing the perfect business plan.”
James Taylor
Computer Shopper, October 2003
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2004 (US version).
Business Plan Pro 2004 Unleashed
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“Available in two editions — Standard and Premium — Business Plan Pro makes a great addition to your business computing toolbox.”
SmallBusinessComputing.com September 2003
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2004 (US version).
Forward Planning Critical for Start-ups
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“Business Plan Pro 2003, developed by Palo Alto Software, provides a wizard-driven interface from start to finish, and the largest single collection of sample plans in the industry. It has linked spreadsheets with established formulas to handle the calculations to create a full set of financial statements.”
What to Buy for Business, August 27, 2003
Note: This review refers to the Business Plan Pro 2003 UK Edition.
How to succeed in writing a business plan without really trying.
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“Because Business Plan Pro is reasonably priced and actually delivers a professionally prepared plan, there really is no excuse for not having this basic and essential business document on hand.”
Vicki Brightbill
Sounding Line, August 2003
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2004 (US version).
Got a business? Get a plan! Here’s how
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“Business Plan Pro literally touches on every aspect of a business. When you are finished you will not only know more about your business (or department) than you do today, you will have words and numbers that can explain it to someone else.”
David Coursey
ZDNet.com, June 2003
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2003 (US version).
PC Advisor Awards Business Plan Pro 2003 the Gold Award
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“We were impressed with the way Business Plan Pro took a complex and daunting topic and made it accessible even for novice users.”
Alex Katz
PC Advisor, May 2003
Note: This review refers to the Business Plan Pro 2003 UK Edition.
Entrepreneurs get e-help
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“Palo Alto Software has released two new business planning products designed to help entrepreneurs start new businesses and to help existing businesses improve their planning process, and grow their businesses successfully.”
TechCentral, April 10, 2003
Note: This review refers to the Business Plan Pro 2003 UK Edition.
Make Planning Easier
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“But writing a professional business plan requires painstaking work and effort, unless you happen to have a copy of Business Plan Pro 2003 in your business computing toolbox. ”
Patricia Fusco
SmallBusinessComputing.com, April 8, 2003
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2003 (US version).
Atlanta PC Users Group Review
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“Whether you’re a total newbie starting a business, or an experienced entrepreneur, BPP 2003 is simply the easiest and quickest way to create a successful winning business plan.”
Bruce Pechman
Atlanta PC Users Group, March 2003
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2003 (US version).
Biz Planning Software Gets Ever More Crucial
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“With its integrated templates, books on business planning and Internet Web planning, its extensive context-sensitive help and other features, Business Plan Pro 2003 should be part of an accountant’s toolkit for business planning and analysis.”
Dave McClure
Accounting Today, February 10 – 23, 2003
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2003 (US version).
New business planning software
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“Business Plan Pro 2003 enables firms to improve their growth potential by smart forecasting and budgeting.”
BetterBusiness, February 2003
Note: This review refers to the Business Plan Pro 2003 UK Edition.
Business Plan Writing Made Easy
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“What’s more, writing a business plan needn’t be an arduous task, particularly if you have the right software. To that end, we recommend Palo Alto Software’s Business Plan Pro 2003, which retails for $99.95.”
Variable Product Specialist, February 2003
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2003 (US version).
A Plan of Action
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“Business Plan Pro 2003 comes with a great book, Hurdle: The Book On Business Planning, and the software has an appealing and efficient interface with well-written instructions.”
Black Enterprise, February 2003
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2003 (US version).
Better Planning
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“Business Plan Pro 2003 and Business Plan Pro 2003 Premier are designed to help UK entrepreneurs successfully start up, gain funding for new businesses and expand existing ones. The packages try to help you master the planning process through intelligent forecasting and budgeting.”
Enterprise for Entrepreneurs, January 3, 2003
Note: This review refers to the Business Plan Pro 2003 UK Edition.
New Business Magazine Recommends Business Plan Pro UK Edition
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“Now, Business Plan Pro 2002 does a lot of the legwork for you…Business Plan Pro comes with over 250 completed business plans for different kinds of businesses. These help to provide boilerplate text which you can edit to suit your own style and business. It also has wizards that guide you through the completion of each section by asking questions and giving detailed instructions. All this makes the process easier and more thought-provoking.”
New Business Magazine, Winter 2003
Note: This review refers to the Business Plan Pro 2003 UK Edition.
The message is:
if you want to get ahead, get a business plan…then get a plan B
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“Palo Alto claim its package contains everything you need to define your business, and given a breadth of functionality that allows the user to compare industry ratios, set schedules, create personnel and mini-marketing plans and find funding, this column finds it hard to argue with that.”
Iain S Bruce
Sunday Herald, October 2002.
Note: This review refers to the Business Plan Pro 2003 UK Edition.
Business Plan Pro Review from Cool Tool Awards
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“The folks over at Palo Alto Software know business plans, perhaps better than anyone, and it’s never been more evident than in their newest release, Business Plan Pro 2002.
This new version of the popular, best-selling, Business Plan Pro, comes packed with more value than ever before. In addition to helping you construct a clear and concise plan (complete with graphics and financials), Business Plan Pro 2002 offers many new invaluable features…”
CoolToolAwards.com, November 2001
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2002.
Get your business in gear with a plan
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“Palo Alto’s Business Plan Pro typically gets the nod from those in the know. My vote goes to this package, too, for several reasons. ”
Gregg Keizer
ZDnet.com, June 4, 2001
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v4.0.
CyberStuff.net praises Business Plan Pro
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“Palo Alto Software has created one excellent product. The company’s claim that Business Plan Pro 2002 is ‘a landmark step forward in business-planning creation, making the development of a business plan easier, quicker and smoother than ever for entrepreneurs, owners, and managers everywhere’ is quite accurate.”
Cyberstuff.net, 2001
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 2002.
Enter the Bank Armed (with a Plan)
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“Written for Windows 95, 98, NT4 SP3 or 2000, Business Plan Proâ„¢ 4.0 is a simple idea that is well executed. Users who listen and follow the step-by-step process will get one of two things for their time and money: either a well-crafted plan, or a reality check revealing that what they believed was a fully thought out business plan may still need work. ”
Rod Lamirand
canadacomputers.com, June 27, 2000
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v4.0.
Win100 2000 Award
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“Business Plan Pro 4.0 is the gold standard for creating a thorough business plan for gaining financing to start your own business.”
Windows Magazine, June 2000
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v4.0.
PC Magazine Reviews Business Plan Pro 4.0
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“Palo Alto Software’s Business Plan Pro has always been the best overall business plan creation program.”
Kathy Yakal
PC Magazine, February 10, 2000
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro 4.0.
The Value of Writing a Business Plan
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“I could have bought the software online but before I did that I stopped by a local Office Max and actually picked up the box and read all about it. I wasn’t worried about the online purchase (I ended up receiving the software directly from the company) I just didn’t want to invest a lot of my time in something that would not serve my needs. I was not disappointed. The software, Business Plan Pro, can be found on line at paloalto.com.”
Wayne Messick
iBizMagazine.com, 2000
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v4.0.
WinList 1999
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“I’ve always admired Business Plan Pro for its ability to ask the right questions and make you think about your business plan as you create it.”
Joel T. Patz
WinMag.com, December 1999
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v4.0.
Business Planning Made Easy
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“A more open-ended and intuitive approach to writing a killer plan comes from market leader Business Plan Pro 3.0. This friendly program works like the wizards you’ve seen in tax preparation and financial software as you step through the various parts of your business plan, you answer interview questions that get rolled into the final version of your proposal.”
Dave Johnson
Home Office Computing Magazine, November 1999
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v3.0.
Business Planners
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“Palo Alto’s Business Plan Pro has been a category leader for a long time, and our test of version 3.0 placed it at the head of the class once again.”
Joel T. Patz
Home Office Computing, December 1998
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v3.0.
The Other Side of Software
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“Besides its expert hand-holding, Business Plan Pro is notable because of how tightly organized it keeps you.”
David Haskin
Small Business Computing & Communication, September 1998
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v3.0.
Get with the Program
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“In an age of ‘bloatware’ programs equipped with the little-used features, Business Plan Pro exemplifies the way software should be crafted.”
Success, September 1998
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v3.0
Build Better Business Blueprints
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“Business Plan Pro provides a step-by-step path through the development and formatting of a business plan: both the necessary text-heavy documents and the accompanying financial charts and spreadsheets it requires. New in this version are features like audio instructions, new and improved wizards, an overall plan manager, customizable charts, and graphics imports.”
Computer Shopper, September 1998
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v3.0.
Plan on Success
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“Unless your banker or a potential investor asked for one, a business plan was another excuse to generate paperwork. But Business Plan Pro 3.0 makes the task an easy entrepreneurial rite of passage. ”
Smalloffice.com, August 1998
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v3.0.
Product News You Can Use
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“Business Plan Pro steps people through the process who are full of great ideas but know that without a good business plan, they will have a hard time funding them.”
Computers Currents Magazine, Summer 1998
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v3.0.
In the Planning Stages
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“Business Plan Pro is a really usable piece of software that won’t let you forget any detail when preparing a business plan.”
Your Office, June 1998
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v3.0.
Show Me the Money
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“Business Plan Pro is a little more free-form than its peers and doesn’t force you through a Q&A gauntlet.”
Business Advertiser, April 1998
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v3.0.
Business Plan Maintenance
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“Business Plan Pro offers some advanced spreadsheet features, such as changing the fonts and alignment or inserting and deleting columns and rows. If you’re not too familiar with spreadsheets, there’s a built-in safeguard – if any of your editing causes a problem with the calculations, the software halts the action.”
Self Employed Professional, March/April 1998
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v3.0.
Planning software should match user’s style
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“Business Plan Pro does an excellent job of assembling the components of the plan into an effective, easy-to-read report.”
Tom C. Davis, CPA
Accounting Today, February 9, 1998
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v2.0.
Realware – Getting Down to Business
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“Business Plan Pro begins with a Plan Wizard that asks a series of questions, such as whether your business is a start-up or an established business and your expected cash-flow patterns, and provides you with an appropriate template. It also takes you through all of a business plan’s necessary parts and what they should contain.”
Upside, February 1998
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v3.0.
Turn your good idea into a great business plan
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“Plenty of great business ideas have failed because their creator did not effectively communicate the idea’s potential to an audience that could take it from the drawing board to the boardroom. Palo Alto’s Business Plan Pro will help improve this communication. ”
Lowell Conn
Onvia.com, 1998
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v3.0.
SOHO’s Four Cornerstones
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“Of the currently available business plan products, my favorite is Palo Alto Software’s Business Plan Pro.”
Joe Farace
Puget Sound Computer, January 1998
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v2.0.
Planning Ahead
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“Business Plan Pro has a Plan Wizard that asks you a series of basic questions, creates a file and activates the Task Wizard.”
Business Startups, January 1998
Note: This review refers to Business Plan Pro v3.0.
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