NetBooks, an online software service, launched recently. 

Despite the name, which implies accounting software, the company views its solution as much broader.  According to Ridgely Evers, CEO, ”NetBooks is really a business management system that can run the entire business.” The offering includes accounting, customer relationship management (CRM) and inventory management software.

NetBooks is designed for small businesses with 2 to 25 employees that make and/or sell products (not service businesses).  The company has identified 1.3 million businesses in the United States fitting this profile, out of the 5+ million small businesses with employees.

NetBooks is part of the trend toward software-as-a-service which seems to have picked up speed in the past 12 months for the small business market.  Today you can find dozens and dozens of online software services — from data backup services to email to project management software. 

Software-as-a-service or SaaS does not require that you install or maintain software locally on your computer network or individual hard drives.  Instead, you and your employees go online to a Website and use it like a service that you pay monthly or sometimes annually for. 

NetBooks is priced at $200/month for five users.  At that price point NetBooks appears  to be positioned in between NetSuite, which serves somewhat larger businesses, and QuickBooks and Microsoft Office Accounting 2007. 

Having more choices is mostly a positive for your business. When vendors feel competition they tend to work hard on product enhancements and keeping prices affordable. Of course the flip side is, as the landscape becomes more crowded, it is going to take you more time and effort to sift through the choices to find the right solution for your business.

NEOinc does not endorse particular products, but this blog will point out from time to time solutions that may have a positive impact on your business.  This service came to our attention via Anita Campbell’s blog Small Business Trends.  Anita is a well-respected authority on small business and has received several awards and accolades for her website and blog.  Best of all, Anita lives right here in Northeast Ohio.