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WHAT'S NEW
AUTOMATE YOUR BUSINESS
PLAN
VERSION 12.0
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| 1. |
Importing
and Exporting of Your Plan Project:
We realize that our users
may wish to work on their business plans on more than one computer. In
our new version, we have added Import and Export menus to the main File
menu in Automate Your Business Plan 12.0. You "Export" your
plan project and save it to a CD or other transportable media device.
When you are working in Automate Your Business Plan on one of your other
computers, you can then "Import" the plan project to that
computer and continue your work. When you want to transport it back to
the original computer, you can reverse the process.
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| 2. |
Revert
to an Archived Version of a Plan File:
On occasion, a user will
make changes to plan files and then decide that a previously saved
version of that file is more desirable. In Automate Your Business Plan
12.0, we have added a "Revert" menu to the File menus of the
word processor and spreadsheet tools. If you wish to "Revert"
to an earlier version of your plan file, selecting this menu will allow
you to choose from either of the two previously-saved files and replace
your current plan file.
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| 3. |
Integrated
(Linked) Spreadsheet Workbook in Versions 11 and 12:
Users can create a linked
set of financial spreadsheets that is completely customized to their own
charts of accounts. In the past, the spreadsheets have been separate
files that had to be customized by the user. Now our Chart of Accounts
Wizard will take you through the setup process and your workbook of
linked spreadsheets will instantly be completely customized to your
business. Numbers input in one spreadsheet will automatically be input
in all related spreadsheets. When you update information, it will also
be updated throughout the workbook.
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Charts
& Graphs Included:
We have also added a
charting and graphing component to the Integrated Spreadsheet Workbook.
It will automatically generate six graphs and charts reflecting your
financial information. They can then be pasted into the text part of
your plan or used in your presentations for added effect.
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Financial
Statement Analysis is Auto-Generated:
Financial statement analysis
will now be much easier to perform. The spreadsheet workbook contains
four separate quarterly budget analysis spreadsheets (one for each
quarter). All of the information will be auto-generated from cash flow
and profit & loss statements, making it easy to perform a quarterly
review of your company's profitability. Critical ratios will also be
auto-generated in our ratio table making it easy to measure your
business against industry standards.
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| 4. |
Separate
Spreadsheet Option:
For those users who want
access to separate spreadsheet files (cash flow, profit & loss,
etc.), we have maintained a separate set of spreadsheets with
instructions and examples. In fact, if the user chooses, he or she can
de-select the integrated spreadsheet workbook and choose to work
entirely with separate customizable pre-formatted and pre-formulated
spreadsheets.
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| 5. |
New
Business or Existing Business Option:
Upon entering the software,
you can select the type of plan to be written....one for a new business
or one for an existing business. After choosing, you will automatically
be in the right environment for your type of business and have the
appropriate spreadsheets for your financial plan.
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| 6. |
Save
Plan to Zip File:
Because some of our users
have queried us as to the best way to email their business plan files to
non-users of Automate Your Business Plan or to upload them to a website,
we have a "Save Plan to Zip File" feature. You will be able to
select the pieces of your plan that you would like to send
electronically, move the selected pieces to the right window and click
on "Save Plan to Zip File." Your business plan pieces will
then be saved in .doc and .xls formats and zipped into a single
transportable file. (Read more about this in the Readme File and in the
Help File.)
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| 7. |
Content
Revision:
The business planning
content has been revised in 2004 to reflect the most current trends in
business planning and to match the 6th edition of our book,
"Anatomy of a Business Plan."
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What
Do Lenders and Investors Look For?
You will find the most
current information on requirements of lenders and investors in today's
business world. We have also updated our Research Section to help you
access sources of financial and marketing information.
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Organizational
Plan Content:
We have updated the
organizational plan to include information on understanding and
conducting a SWOT Analysis that will help the user to better analyze
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the business.
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Marketing
Plan Content:
You have the option of
creating either a basic or advanced marketing plan. The basic marketing
plan option may be the best choice for a smaller business or for
students completing a class project. The advanced marketing plan should
be especially beneficial to larger and more aggressive businesses. It
guides the user through the development of both an on-line and off-line
approach to market planning.
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| 8. |
New
Tool Features:
In versions 11 and 12, we
have added new features to both the word processor and spreadsheet
tools. Most significant are:
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Word
Processing:
most notable additions to
our word processor tool are capabilities to create tables and to add
bullets to lists.
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Spreadsheet
Tool:
We now have a charting and
graphing tool called First Impressions. It is an excellent tool and you
will find that it is very easy to use. The spreadsheet tool also now has
a Print Preview menu
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